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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notas/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The 
toth 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


a 


D 
D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverturo  de  couleur 


□    Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagie 

□    Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^  et/ou  polliculAe 

□    Cover  title  missing/ 
L«  titre  de  couverture  manque 

□    Coloured  maps/ 
Cartes  giographiques  en  couleur 

□    Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

I      I    Coloured  plates  and/ or  illustrations/ 


D 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relii  avec  d'autrej  documbnts 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distor.ion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrie  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distorsion  ie  long  de  la  marge  int^rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte. 
mais,  lorsque  cela  ttait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  Ati  film4es. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commantaires  supplimentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  ie  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  iti  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m^thode  normaie  de  filmaga 
sont  indiquis  ci-dessous. 


I    ^    Coloured  pages/ 


Q 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagies 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaurAes  et/ou  pellicuiies 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxei 
Pages  dicolories,  tacheties  ou  piquies 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d^tachAes 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Quality  inigale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplAmentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mition  disponible 


I     I  Pages  damaged/ 

r~1  Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

|~y|  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 

I      I  Pages  detached/ 

r~>  Showthrough/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

r~~l  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

I — I  Only  edition  available/ 


The 
post 
of  t» 
filml 


Orig 
begi 
the  I 
sion 
otha 
first 
slon 
or  III 


The 
shall 
TINl 
v.hic 

Map 
diffs 
antir 
begli 
right 
requ 
metl 


Pages  wholly  or  partiaily  obscured  by  errata 
8lip«.  tissues,  etc.,  hbve  bean  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totaiement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata.  una  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  iti  filmAes  A  nouveau  de  fa^on  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ca  document  est  film*  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu*  ci-dessous. 


lOV 


i^v 


12X 


lex 


20X 


a4x 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  ihank» 
to  the  generosity  of: 

University  of  Satlcatchewan 
Saiicatoon 


L'exemplaire  filmA  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
ginArositi  de: 

University  of  Snicatchewan 
Saslcatoon 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considerirg  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  iceeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Las  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin.  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  netteti  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  an 
conformity  avec  las  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  Ail 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exempiaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  on 
papier  est  imprimis  sont  filmAs  en  commengant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration.  poit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exempleires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commen^ant  par  la 
premlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  Y  (meaning  "END"), 
v.hichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
dernlAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  seion  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — »>  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN  ". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
fiimte  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  il  est  f  ilm6  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supirieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  drolte, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenent  le  nombre 
d'images  nicessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mithode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

'      4 

6 

6 

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„*# 


!». 


HISTORICAL   COLLECTIONS 


* ' 


OF  TBB 


STATE    OF    NEW    YORK; 


CONTAUHKO 


A  GENERAL  COLLECTION  OF  THE  MOST  INTERESTIWO  PACTS,  TEADITIONB, 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES,  ANECDOTBB,  kc  «^   >«*y  y 

HKLATINO  TO  ITS 

HISTORY  AND  ANTIQUITIES,  ^ 

WITH 

OEOGRAPHICAI  DESCRIPTIONS  OF  ETBEY  TOWNSHIP  M  THE  STATE. 
ZUiutnitad  by  830  BngniTiiigai 


'^ 


BY   JOHN   W.  BARBER, 

AUTHOR.  O?  CONNECTICUT.  AND  MASSACHUSETTB  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIOH* 

HENRY   HOWE, 

AUTHOR  or  "THE  MEMOIRS  OP  EMINENT  AMERICAN  KECHANICt,"  BTtt 


jki^C  ^iim^m 


[Hon  altTXtd.] 


NEW   YORK: 


I* 


PUBLISHED    FOR    THE   AUTHORS, 
BY  S.  TUTTLE,  194  CH ATHAM-CQUARE. 

PRICE,  THRU  DOLLAR! 
1^41. 


^:  #'■ 


w.'^. 


s 


#■         ^ 


H  i*-  ,  •  f 


■•s^*"-  • 


Entered. according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1841, 

ilSr^OBit  W.  BABnicii  and  Her ry  Howe. 

In  'he  aerk'8  Office  of  the  Dialrict  Court  of  Connecticut. 


8t«notj>|Md  by 

RICHARD  C.  VikLENTINE, . 

4i  Oold-ttiMl,  N<w  York. 


HITCHCOCK  II  STAFFORD,  Fimun. 


.* 


»>... 


^ 


PREFACE 


• 


* 


'4: 


The  design  of  this  volume  is  to  give  an  account  of  the  most  im 
^rtant  and  mteresting  events  relating  to  the  history  ytheTate  of 
New  York,  from  its  settlement  to  the  present  time,  w^th  geoJlphical 
descriptions,  illustrated  by  numerous  engravings     In  cEthTa  thi 
materials  and  preparing  tLm  for  publicftion   tl^;  compi ler^^^^^^^ 

TpdLt":  ""^j^P''^*  "r.  ^'^^^  *"°  y^^"  -'  closeTd  Sboriou 
SSrthn.^!,^''^.  ""T^^-  ^T^^  P*.':*  ^^  *^«  «t^te,  and  besides 
travelling  thouAnds  of  miles  m  the  public  conveyances,  we  have 
journeyed  many  hundreds  on  foot  y^^ces,  we  nave 

Although  feeling  conscious  that  we  have  used  all  the  efforts  and 

to  havrS^  P'T"''""  ""^'^  ^^"'^  b^  ^«^«o^'^bly  expected.Tn  order 
to  have  this  work  accurate  in  every  respect,  yet  we  do  not  claim  an 

of  IhlT'JP'T /'■"'"  '^T  ^prfections  ;ver  attendrt  on  Z  ks 
of  this  kind  A  degree  of  difficTence  is  felt,  when  it  is  considSed 
who  are  to  be  the  readers.  Travellers  in  giving  accounts  of  foreSn 
countries,  may  make  statements  at  random!  whi?h  may  ^ss  for  trufh 
when  there  is  no  one  at  hand  able  to  correct  theirTrrorr  This  vol' 
ume  will  come  before  many  persons,  who.  on  some  subiects  iniro 
E'tharthe'^  "?r^  of  information, 'and  possess  Ew." 
^^SJ  «  compilers.     A  certain  writer  defines  history  to  be 

merely  «an  approximation  towards  truth."    Although  this  Lmii;« 
^ng  staten^ent  will  not  be  allowed  to  its  full  exfent  yefwhen  the  ^^^ 

\^tT^  ""^  7^'l  '•?'"«•  ^"'"*"  ''  considered,  it  must  be  confesS 
to  have  some  foundation  in  truth.  ^""lessea 

?«Kl!*!ff  T'^*'"*^  u  ^  ***''  ^^'■^'  ^e  ^'^^e  availed  ourselves  of  the 
labors  of  those  who  have  preceded  us.     The  historian,  of  necessitv 

tionrh!,v"K"^^""''r/'"'""  '''^''''    It  ^'»  ^«  observed?  that  quot^: 

S.sLc:i;frhiXt5rh'  ^r'  ^^^^^^^  ^^  Publicatlo'ns;  in'^t 
instances  Of  which,  credit  has  been  given.  As  a  general  rulp  w^ 
have  preferred  to  have  each  account  appear  as  if  was  orSX 
given  to  the  public,  in  the  author's  own  words,  from  whTch  the  Ser 
can  draw  his  own  inferences.  Truth  ought  always  to  be  preferred 
before  elegance  of  language.  Jn  the  geographical  department  much 
information  has  been  derived  from  Spaffcrd^  and  GorlT  G^t 


«  PKEPACB. 

teers,  and  the  state  maps,  published  at  Ithaca  by  Messrs.  Stone 
dt  Clark.  Spafford  may  be  considered  as  the  pioneer  in  furnishing 
geographical  descriptions  of  the  state :  his  first  gazetteer  was  pub- 
lished in  1813,  the  second  in  1824.  The  gazetteer  by  Mr,  Gordon, 
consisting  of  800  closely  printed  octavo  pages,  containing  a  map 
of  the  state,  and  one  of  each  county,  was  published  in  1836,  and 
is  by  far  the  most  complete  and  valuable  work  of  the  kind  relating 
to  New  York,  which  has  as  yet  been  issued.  To  this  able  work, 
we  would  refer  our  readers  for  a  full  statistical  and  geographical 
account  of  the  various  places  in  the  state.  It  not  only  contains 
a  great  amount  of  statistical  information,  but  also  the  political  history 
of  the  state,  abstracts  of  its  laws,  and  other  valuable  information. 
It  is  a  volume  which  ought  to  be  placed  in  everv  public  Hbrary  in 
the  state. 

The  numerous  engravings  interspersed  throughout  this  volume, 
were,  with  few  exceptions,  copied  from  drawings  taken  on  the  spot 
by  the  compilers  of  the  work.  In  these  engravings,  our  principal  ob- 
ject was  to  give  faithful  representations,  rather  than  picturesque 
views,  or  beautiful  specimens  of  art.  Before  deciding  that  any  of 
these  representations  are  incorrect,  we  wish  our  readers  to  consider 
that  the  appeamnce  of  any  place  will  be  materially  altered,  as 
viewed  from  different  points.  In  order  to  form  an  entirely  correct 
judgment,  it  will  be  necessary  to  stand  on  the  spot  from  whence  the 
drawing  was  taken. 


« 


'^^t 


i 


M 


COUNTIES,  TOWNSHIPS,  VILLAGES. 


# 


Acra,I83 

Acmn,  153 

Actjuabocue,  540 

Adams,  910 

Adams  Basil),  S65 

Adamspurt,  531 
,  Adamsvilic,  573 
'  AdiUson,  SS 

Alabama,  ITS 

Albion,  431 

Alden,  143 

Albany,  44 

Albany  Codwtt,  44 

Alfred,  56 

Albion,  431,  439 

Alexandria,  156, 901 

Alien,  56 

Alexander,  175 

Almnnd,  56 

Allko*;(y  Cocutt,  58 

Allegany  City,  88 

Allen'H  Hill,  409 

Alloway,  5/9 

Ama^'nnset,  536 

Amber,  393 

Ambi>y,  383,  431 

Amenia,  133 

Amiierst,  M3 
Amity,  56,  428 
Anialeniani,  373 
Ancrnni,  114 
Andes,  136 
Aiidover,  57, 375 
Angelica,  57 
Aimsville,  360 
Antwerp,  201 
Appling,  201 
Apulia,  384 
Arcade,  603 
Arcadia,  578 
AiCTle,  567 
Arietta,  191 
Arltport,  531 
Arltwright,  87 
Ashrnrd,  83 
Ashville,  90 
Aslortn,  461 
Athens,  181 
Atliol,  5(!2 
Attica,  6112 
AtUebury,  112 
Auburn,  74 
Augusta,  360 
Aurelius,  79 
Aurieaville,  378 
Aurora,  143 
Austerlitz,  114 
Au  Hable,  106 
Avoca,  528 
Avon,  342 

Babylon,  539 
Bainbridgo,  99 
Barker'H  Mills,  400 
Baiter's  Bridge,  56 
Baliereville,  113 
Baldwinsville,  384 
Ballaton,  491 
Ballsion  Spa,  493 
Bangor,  163 
Barcelona,  93 
Barfaersville,  133 
Baremuket,  143 


Barker,  66 

Barre,  439 

Barrington,  605 

Barrytown,  140 

Barton,  549 

Batavla,  175 

Batestown,  468 

Bath,  4^  538 

Bathhouse,  237 

Bnttenvllle,  572 

Bayieytown,  525 

BeBrys\ille,  525 

Bvaverdam,  543 

Bedford,  584 

Beekman,  106, 133 

Belfast,  57 

Bill  Port,  535 

Belleisle,  383 

Belleville,  202,  438 

Belmont,  163 

Rennet's  Flats,  531 

Bennet  Settlement,  179 

BenninEton,  602 

Brnton,  605 

Remcn,  178 

Berkshire,  549 

Berlin,  464 

BiTne,  50 

Bellinny,  179 

Bethel,  547 

Bethlehem,  SO 

Belts'  Cornen,  384 
Big  Flats,  U4 
Binghamtnn,  66 
BirdMill,  59 
Black  Brook,  106 
B!ack  Rock,  143 
Bleeker,  107 
Blenheim,  516 
Bloomiiigeburg,  547 
ninnming  Gmve,  411 
Bloomville,  130 
ninwnmsville,  263 
illuff  Point,  605 
Rnllvar,  59 
Roltnn,  562 
Bombay,  163 
Bdonville,  360 
norndino,  4113 
Bnaton,  143 
.Rouckville,  260 
B'lVina,  120 
B.iylston,  431 
Bradford,  530 
Rninchport,  605 
Branch,  541 
Brnmion,  164 
n  rasher,  483 
Brant,  153 
Brenkabeen,  518 
Bildgehampton,S43 
BtidgeiKirt,  280 
Bridtrewiitcr,  360 
Brighton,  2U3,  447 
BrlBtnl,  404,  561 
Brondiilbhi,  167 
Brock|H>rt,  271 
Brookfleld,  255 
Brooklmven,  533 
Brooklyn,  319 
Broomi  Coumtt,  66 
Broome,  516 
Broiu,  567 


Brownville,  901,  «B 
Brunswick,  464 
Brutus,  80 
Buffalo,  147 
Bultvllle,  417 
BurdeUe,553 
Buriingham,547 
Burlington,  440 
Bums,  59 

Bushneli'g  Basin,  366 
Bushwick,  233 
Burton,  83 

Buskirk's  Bridge,  567 
Busti,  87 
Butler,  578 
Butternuts,  440 
ByeiOTille,  251 
Byron,  179 
Bymville,  518 

Cackemyer's  Hilts,  135 
Cadi/,,  as 
Cndysville,  50 
Cairo,  183 
Cahoe8,54 
Caldwell,  569 
Caledonia,  344 
Cambridge,  567 
Camiilus,  383 
Campbell,  530 
Cambria,  348 
Camden,  361 
Cameron,  530 
Canaan,  114 
Canaderaga,  447 
Canajoharie,  374 
Canandaigua,  404 
Canadice,  4U4 
Canaseroga,  960 
Canastota,  260 
Candor,  549 
Coneadea,  59 
Cauisleo,  530 
Canning,  365 
Caniionsville,  133 
Canoga,  525 
Canterbury,  411 
Canton,  403,  483 
CaiMj  Vincent,  212 
Cardiff',  384 
Carlton,  430 
Caroline.  552 
Carevaville,  179 
Carliifle,  516 
Carmcl,  448 
Carrol,  88 
Carr's  Cornen,  1S3 
Carter,  343 
Caton,  530 
Carthage,  13S 
Casadaga,  93 
Casely  IlnlloW,  380 
CoHtile,  (MW 
Castleton,  474 
CATTARAuousConimr,82 
Cnlherlties,  94 
Catlln,  95 
Cato,  80 
Cntskill,  183 
Cniighnawaga,  980 
Cayuoa  County,  74 
Cayuga,  70 
Cayuta,  OS 


CozeDRvIa,  955 
Cedarvllle,  196 
Centre  Port,  540 
CenlreviUe,  SO,  80, 83,  U4L 
S33  ^ 

Chamberlkln,  85 
Champion,  901 
Champlain,  100 
Chapinsvllle.  408 
Charlotte,  88 
Charloneville,  594 
ITharleston,  378 
Charlton,  491 
ChaumoDt,  319 
Chateaugua,  164 
Chatham,  114 
CHATAtTQuc  Comrrr,  81 
Chauiuque,  88 
Chazy,  106 
Cbecktowan,  159 
Chelsea,  473 
Cheniunc,  95 
CHIMUIfO  CotmTT,  B4 
CbemBgn,  80 

CaENANao  CODNTT,  99 

ChenanfD  Forks,  66 

Cherry  Vall^,  440 

Cherry  Creek,  88 

Cheater,  417, 565 

ChesterAeM,  155 

Chili,  363 

China,  603 

Clilttenango,  360 

Chittenden  Falls,  liS 

Churchlown,  114 

Churcbvilie,  266, 484 

Cinclnnatus,  183 

Cicero,  383 

Clarence,  153 

Clarendon,  430 

Clarke's  Senlemeut,  13 

Clarksnn,  363 

Clarkstown,  476 

Claikr«vUle,  59, 955, 7« 

Claverack,  114 

Clay,  383 

Clayton,  301 

Clear  Creek,  89 

Cleavehud,  431 

Clermont,  115 
Clifton  Park,  491 
Clinton  Codhtt,  105 
Clinton,  133 

Ciinlnnvllte,  106, 133, 45S 
Ctockville,  980 
Clyde,  578 

Clymer,89     •  di- 

Coblesklll,  518  Wa 

Cochecton,  547  3i# 

Coeynian's,  50 
Concord,  153 
Colchester,  196 
Colden,  153 
Coles'  Mills,  449 
Colesviile,  73 
Cold  Spring,  83, 440, 40 
Colliervillo,  444 
Colltna,  153 
Collinsvlile,  349 
CokMse,  4a 
Colunbia,It8 
Columbia  Cotmrr,  IIS 
ColumbuviUe,  133,485 


■#^ 


¥ 


I  ^ 


'\ 


COUNTIES,  TOWNSHIPS,  VILLAGES. 


Cotumbui,  100 

Coneiville,  518 

Coneaui,  844 

Coney  hiand,  337 

Conh<icton,  530 

Conklin,  72 

ConnetvanfW,  84 

OoiiqueM,  80 

Constable,  165 

ConMablcvUle,  343 

Constantla,  431 

Coonavllle,  406 

Copake,  116 

Oooperetown,  445 

Copenhagen, 33a 

Corbeau,  106 
,    Corfu,  160 
'■  Corinth,  492 

Cornwall,  411 

CornwallBvllle,  188 

Conim,  534 

CorUandt,  585 

Cortlandt  Cotnnr,  123 
Corllandlvillc,  133 
Coventry,  100 
Covert,  525 
Covington,  603 
Cowlesvllle,  603 
Coxnackle,  188 
Craigsville,  411 
Crawfonl,  417 
C  niton,  585 
Crown  Point,  156 
Cuba,  59 

Cuddebackville,  417 
Currylown,  983 
Cutchogue,  545 

Diinby,  552 
Danube,  193 
nunsvilli",  249,  530 
Uarien,  179 
I)H8hville,  559 
Davenport,  136 
Day,  492 
Daynnville,  243 
Dayton,  84 
Dianeville,  365 
Decatur,  444 
Deerfield,  361 
Deer  Park,  417 
Defricstville,  464 
Ok  Knib,  484 
Deluvan,  87 

Delaware  Codktt,  135 
Delanti,  92 
Delhi,  126 
Delphi,  392 
Denmark,  239 
Depauville,  201,484 
Depeyster,  484 
Deposit,  132 
De  Ruyier,  256 
Dewit,  383 
Dexter,  301 
Dexterville,  89 
yi»na,  239 
Ttfienaon,  105 

-Jbb's  Ferry,  587 
Deer.  133 
Dora,  73 

Dresden,  567, 60S 
Drj'den,  552 
Duane,  105 
Duanesbiin;,  507 
Dublin,  525 
Dundee,  608 
Dunkirk,  01 
Durham,  188 
Durhamvllle,  375 
Ddtchess  CocMTt,  132 


Eagle  Harbor,  430 
East  Bkmnitield,  406 
Kast  Oheirter,  587 
Gaat  lluinptoo,  535 
Eonton,  5<i8 
Eaton,  356 
Eddygvllle,557 
l!!deiiville,  438 
Etieii,  153 
Edinburg,  499 
Edmeston,  444 
Edwnrda,  484 
Elba,  179 
£lbridge,383 
Ellenbuig,  106 
Ellenville,  56U 
Ellcry,  89 
ElllcotI,  89 
Ellicoitville,  85 
KlUngtoii,  89 
Ellii-bnrg,  203 
Elmira,  95 
Ellzabethtown,  156 
Elmore's  Corners,  556 
Enfield,  552 
Epiiratn,  167 
Erik  Coonty,  143 
Erieville,  360 
Erwin,  530 
Erin,  90 
Esopus,  556 
Esperane,  523 
Essex,  136 
Essex  Coumty,  154 
Etna,  552 
Evans,  153 
Evans'  Mills,  311 
Exeter,  444 


Eagle,  60 


Fablns,  384 

Factorvville,  474,  549 

Fairfield,  193 

Fairhftven,  430 

Fairport  Basin,  366 

Fall  Creek,  553 

Fallsburjj,  547 

Farmersville,  84,  525 

Fariniii|iton,  408 

Far  Kdckaw.iv,  456 

Fayettcville,  387 

Federal  Store,  137 

Fenner,  WS 

Felt's  Mill,  213 

Finchvdle,  423 

Fishkill,  134 

Flanders,  543 

Flatbueh,  2'I5 

Flntlnnds,  235 

Fleming,  80 

Florence,  3fil 

Florida,  278,  428 

Floyd,  361 
Flushing,  453 
Fluvanna,  89 
Fonda's  Bush.  167 
ForrcBthurp,  547 
Forestvllle,  9tl 
Fort  Ann,  508 
Fort  Edward,  569 
Fort  Miller,  569 
Fort  l'i)vini!ton,  165 
Fort  Hunter,  278 
Fort  Plain,  279 
Fosterdale,  79 
Fowlereville,  351 
Fowler,  484 
Frankfort,  194 
Franklin,  127,  ir,5 
Franklin  Coitntt,  162 
Prankllnvlll.',  85, 135,384 
Frankville,  105 
Fredonia,  90 
Freedom,  85 
Freedom  Plains,  137 


Freehold,  188 
Freetown,  184 
French  Creek,  89,  901 
French  Mills,  165 
Friendship,  60 
Fulloms  Basin,  966 
Fulton,  439,  518 
Fultonville,  378 

Oatnes,  430 

Gainesville,  603 

Galen,  578 

GallaUn,  116 

Galway,  492 

Gardner's  Island,  536 

Garretsville,  441 

Gaapnrt,  350 

Gates,  263 

Gayliead,  135, 188 

Gedde8,394 

Genesee,  60 

Genesee  Codmtt,  174 

Geneseo,  245 

Genoa,  80 

Geneva,  409 

Georgetown,  359 

German  Flats,  194 

German,  1(10 

Germantown,  110 

Gerry,  89 

Ghent,  116 

Gilboa,516 

GiibertHVille,  440 

Gilnian,  191 

Glen,  278 

Glenn  Falls,  5C6 
Glencadia,  132 
Glencoe,  119 
Glenham,  135 
Glenville,  507 
Gorhnin,  408 
Goshen,  417 
Gouverneiir,  484 
Grafton,  4(i4 
Granhy,  431 
Granger,  60 
Granville,  570 
Gravesend,  230 
Great  Mend,  201 
Great  Valley,  85 
Greece,  263 
Greenbush,  464 
Greene  Codnty,  181 
Green  Haven,  i;i3 
Greene,  100 
Greenimrt,  545 
Greenfield,  4!19 
Green  Kiver,  114 
Green's  Corners,  270 
Greensburg,  587 
Greenville,  188 
Greenwich,  571 
Gr<?enwoo(i,  531 
Greig,  2:t9 
Greggsville,  251 
Gritfin's  Mills,  143 
Groton,  552 
Grove,  60 
Groveland,  246 
Grosvcnor's  Corners,  516 
Guilderland,  51 
Guilford,  101 

Hadley,  492 
Hague,  505 
Half  Moon,  492 
Hallet's  Cove,  461 
Hall's  Mills,  52 
Halsey  ville,  553 
Hamburg,  153 
Hamilton,  359 
Hamilton  County,  189 
Hanmierlown,  137 
Hammond's  Port,  533 


Hammond,  484 

Hamden,  138 

Hampton,  376,  573 

Hamptonburg,  418 

Hague,  565 

Hancock,  138 

Hanford's  Landing,  961 

Hannibal,  431 

Hanover,  89 

Harlaem,  338 

Harmony,  90 

Harpenfield,  138 

Harpersville,  72 

Hanisburg,  339 

Hartfield,  88 

Harrison,  590 

Hartford,  135, 572 

Hartiand,  348 

Hartsville,  143 

Hartwick,  444 

Hariville,  387 

Hastings.  431,  587 

Havana,  94 

Hebron,  573 

Hnvcrstraw,  476 

H»ad-of-ilie-river,  541 

Hebion,  573 

Hector,  552 

Helena,  4a3 

Hempstead,  455 

Hempstead  Harbor,  463 

Henderson,  203 

Henrietta,  364 

Herkimer  (Jouhtt,  191 

Herkimer,  194 

Hermitage,  604 

Heinion,  484 

HickHVille,  463 

High  Falls,  558 

Hillsdale,  116 

Hinodale,  85 

Hitchcock's  Comers,  133 
Hobart,  133 
Hnlfman,  158 
Hogansburg,  163 
Holland,  153 
Holley,  430 
Homer,  134 
H(io.>-ick,  460 
Hope,  191 
Hopklnton,  484 
Hoiiewell,  135, 408,  417 
Horicon,  5«5 
Hornby,  .'iSl 
Hornelsvlllc,  .531 
Hnunsfield,  202 
Housi.'ville,  248 
Howard,  5;)1 
Hoytes,  52,"> 
Hudson,  116 
Hiighsonville,  I.^W 
Hull's  Mills,  143 
iliinie,  GO 
Humphrey,  85 
Hunter,  188 
Huntington,  539 
Hurley,  .'iSO 
Huron,  579 
Hyde  Park,  137 


Independence,  60 
Ira,  80 

Irelaiulville,  ,'>32 
Irondequoit,  265 
Islip,  540 
Italy,  60S 
IDrnca,  553 

Jackson,  444,  573 
Jac ktionburg.  444 
Jacksonville,  348,  553 
Jamaica,  458 
Jamestown,  89 
Jamesville,  383 


•# 


L 
L 
L 
L 
L 
L 
L 
L 
L 
L 
L 
L 
L( 
Li 
Li 
L< 
Li 
Li 
Li 
Li 
LI 
Li 
LI 
LI 
Li 
Li 
Li 
LI 
Li 
Li 
Li 
Li 
Li 


COUNTIES,  TOWNSHIPg,  VILLAOEa. 


Jaapw,  531 
Jay,  137 
Java,  603 

Jeflenon,  95, 518,  53S 
JirrERaON  CODNTY,  301 
Jenualem,  4S(i,  005 
Jerunlem  Oomere,  153 
Jolinsbu%  566 
JohDiUiwn,  119, 187 
Jolmsonville,  135,  46d 
Jordan,  383 
Junius,  535 

Keene,  157 
Keeavflle,  155 
Kempsville,  353 
Kendall,  430 
Kennadayvllle,  538 
Kennedy's  Milk,  90 
Kent,  449 
Ktnderbook,  118 
Kinderliook  Landing,  122 
Kingsboro',  168 
Klngnbrldgc,  001 
Kingsbury,  573 
KiNQs  County,  219 
Kingston,  556 
Kinney's  Comers,  431 
Klrkland,  361 
Kirkville,  387 
KnowlcsvUle,  430 
Knox,  51 
Knoxville,  533 
Kortrlght,  130 
Kysorville,  251 

Lafayette,  384 

Lafayette  Comers,  137 

LaGrange,  137,  603 

Lairdsvllle,  376 

Lake  Pleasant,  191 

Lakeville,  348, 463 

Lancaster,  153 

Lansing,  553 

LitUe  Britain,  418 

Lansingburg,  468 

Laona,  91 

Lawyersville,  516 

Lasselsvllle,  167 

Vathrop's  Comers,  83 

z<alintown,  559 

Laurens,  444 

Lawrence,  484 

Lebanon,  360 

Lee,  365 

Leesville,  534 

Ledyard,  80 

Le  Fargeville,  213 
Leicester,  346 
Lenox,  380 
Leon,  85 

Leonardsvllle,  255 
Le  Ray,  311 
LeHoy,  179,  444 
Levanna,  80 
Lewis,  157 
Lewlsboro',  590 
Lewis  County,  338 
Lewiston,  348 
Lexington,  189 
Leyden,  339 
Liberty,  530,  547 
Lima,  348 
Lincklaen,  101 
Lindley,  531 
Linden,  430 
Lisbon,  484 
Lisle,  73 
Litchfield,  196 
Little  Falls,  196 
Little  Valley,  85 
Little  Utica,  384 
Liverpool,  394 
liiviniiioa,  119 


LiVtNOSTOrf  OOOHTT,  343 

Livingstonvllle,  516 

Livonia,  348 

Locke,  80 

Lock  port,  213, 351 

Lockville,  5781 

Lodi,  525 

LoNo  Island,  351 

Long  Lake,  191 
Lorraine,  211 
Louisville,  484 
Lowville,  339 
Lloydsville,  447 
Ludlowville,  553 
Lumberland,  547 
Luzerne,  566 
Lyme,  311 
Lyndon,  85 
Lyons,  579 
Lysander,  304 


Machlas,  86 

Maci'don,  579 

MRcksvillc,  403 

McLuansviile,  552 

McDonougli,  101 

McGrawsvillc,  134 

Madison,  260 

Madison  county,  3SS 

Madrid,  484 

Maiden,  559 

Malone,  165 

Malta,  493 

Maniakatlng,  547 

Maniaroneck,  591 

Manhattarivillc,  338 

Mann's  Vallev,  516 

Mp  isvllle,  2tK 

Marbleborough,  558 

Marccllus,  387 

Manchester,  408 

Manheim,  198 

Manlius,  384 

Manstield,  86 

Marathon,  125 

Marbletown,558 

Marion,  580 

Marcy,  385 
Marshall,  365 
Martinsburg,  340 
Maryland,  444 
Mason's  Comers,  105 
Masonville,  130 
Massena,  485 
Mattatuck,  545 
Mattawan,  134 
Matthews  Mills,  387 
Matildaville,  485 
Mayfleld,  174 
Mayvllle,  88 
Meclianicsville,  143, 499 
Mecklenburg,  553 
Medina,  430 
Mendon,  365 
Mentz,  80 
Meredith,  130 
Mexico,  432 
Mlddlebury,  603 
Mlddleburg,  518 
Middlefield,  444 
Middleport,  199,  359 
Middle  Settlement,  385 
Middlesex,  607 
Mlddleville,  194 
Middletown,  130,  438,  493 

Milan,  80, 137 
Mill  Brook,  158 
Millers  Place,  534 
Milford,  444 
Mllltown,  449,  453 
Milton,  492,  558 
MiIlvlUe,430,  464 
MUo,«07 


Hlna,  go 
MinaTiUe,  378 
Minden,  379 
Minerva,  157 
Mini^lnk,  419 
Mlxvillc,  60 
Mohawk,  194,  380 
Moira,  166 
Monroe,  421 
Monroe  County,  S63 
Montezuma,  80 
Montgomery,  433 
MoNTOOMERY  Co.,  273 
Mnntlcello,  447,  518 
Mooers,  106 
Mooersville,  130 
Moravin,  81 
Moreaii,  493 
Morehouse,  191 
Morgansville,  180 
Moriah,  158 
Moriches,  535 
Morrisiana,  597 
Morrisville,  257 
Morristo'vn,  485 
Moscow,  346 
Molts'  Corners,  553 
Mount  Hope,  423 
Mount  Morris,  248 
Mount  Pleasant,  593 
Mount  Upton,  101 
Mud  Creek,  538 
Murray,  430 

Nanticoke,  72 
Naphanock,  560 
Naples,  408 
NapoU,  86 
Narrowsburg,  547 
Nassau,  468 
Natural  Bridge,  319 
Navarino,  389 
Near  Rockaway,  456 
Nelson,  360 
Neskayuna,  54,  506 
Nelterville,  509 
Nettlehill,  93 
Neversink,  547 
New  Albion,  86 
Newark,  549,  578 
New  Baltimore,  189 
New  Berlin,  101 
New  Brighton,  474 
Newburg,  424 
New  Castle,  596 
New  City,  476 
Newcomb,  158 
Newtii'lii,  553 
New  Pane,  352 
New  Hackensack,  135 
New  Hartford,  365 
New  Haven,  432 
New  Hudson,  00 
New  Lebanon,  120 
New  Lisbon,  444 
New  London,  375 
New  Ohio,  72 
New  Paitz,  559 
Newport,  199 
New  Rochelle,  596 
Newry,  1^ 
New  Scotland,  51 
Newstead,  153 
Newtown,  460 
New  lJiretchl,?37 
New  Windsor,  425 
New  York,  384 
New  York  County,  384 
Niagara,  353 
NiAOARA  County,  347 
Nicholas  Point,  583 
Nicholas,  549 
Nlcholsvllle,  174 
NIcholviUe,  484 


Nlles,81 
Nineveh,  73 
Nisbets  Comen,  385 
Noblevitle,  444 
Norfolk,  485 
North  Armenia,  137 
Northampton,  174 
North  Castle,  596 
Northfleld,  475 
Norili  Hempstead,  463 
North  East,  137 
North  Port,  540 
North  Salem,  996 
Northvllle,  174 
Northumberland,  493 
Norway,  199 
Norwich,  102, 463 
Nunda,  60 
Nyack,  478 

Oakfleld,  179 

Oakhill,  188 

Oak  Orchard,  430 

Ouksville,  445 

Ohio,  199 

Ogden,  365 

Ogdensburg,  485 

Old  Attlebury,  ?43 

Olean,  86 

Olive,  559 

Omar,  93 

Oneida  CasUelon,  375 

Oneida  County,  360 

Oneonta,  444 

Onondaga,  380 

Onondaqa  County,  383 

Ontario,  580 

Ontario  County,  403 

Oppenhelm,  174 

Oquago.  70 

Oran,  393 

Orange  CotJNTT,  411 
Orange,  533 
Orangetown,  478 
Orangeville,  603 
Oriskany,  377 
Oriskany  FaUs,  3«0 
Orleans,  212 
Orleans  County,  439 
Orville,  383 
Orwell,  4*J 
Osbom's  Bridge,  174 
Osborneville,  189 
OsBian,  60 
Oiwegatchie,  485 
Oswego,  433 
OswEoo  County,  431 
Owego,  549 
Otego,  445 
Otisco,  393 
Otisville,  423 
Otto,  86 
Otsego,  445 
Otseoo  County,  439 
Otselic,  103 
Ovid,  525 
Owasco,  81 
Owensville,  597 

Oxbow,  aoi 

Oxford,  103,  411 
Oyster  Bay,  403 
Oyster  Ponds,  545 

Painted  Post,  533 
Palatine,  383 
Palermo,  438 
Palmers'  Comen,  105 
Pamelia,  313 
Palmyra,  580 
Paradox,  158 
Panama,  90 
Paris,  366 
Parldi.  438 
PatUfavUle,  489 


# 


t 


? 


COUNTIES,  T0WNSUIP8,  VILLAGES. 


I 


Parma,  365 
Patchogue,  535 
Fateraon,  449 
Fatroon'B  Milb,  464 
Pavilion,  18U 
Pawling,  J37 
Pecksville,  585 
Peckville,  135 
Pekln,  348 
Peltiain,  596 
Pembroke,  180 
Peiidleuiii,  357 
Penfii'ld,  SlW 
Poiin  Yan,  607 
Perrintmi,  SJS6 
Perry,  552,  603 
Perrysbuty,  86 
Perrysvil'e,  106,  258 
Persia,  80 
Peru,  106 
Pcruville,  552 
Peterhoro',  260 
Petersburg,  469 
Perlli,  174 
Plianulla,  104 
Phelps,  400 
Phlladeli  Ilia,  213 
PhllipHburg,  56,  428 
Philliwport,  547 
PhlliiMhiwn,  440 
Pli(enix,  43U,  444 
Plerpont,  480 
Picrmont,  478 
Pike,  61 
Pinckney,  343 
Pine  Hill,  179 
Pine  Briilfte,  601 
Pine  Plains,  137 
Piscco,  191 
Pitcairn,  4^ 
Pitcher,  1(M 
Pitts  Plats,  409 
Plltsfield,  447 
Pittslord,  206 
Pittalown,  460 
Plainfield,  447 
PlainviRe,  384  « 

Plattakill,  516 
Planekill,  5.'i9 
FlailaburK,  108 
Ple&aiit  Plains,  133 
PleasFnt  Valley,  137.187 
Pleasanlville,  593 
Plymiiiith,  KM 
Pi)eBlen  Kill,  469 
Poland,  90,  199 
Pomfrel,  90 
Poinpey,  392 
PiHilvllle,  259 
Portage.  61,365 
Porter,  357 
Portland,  92 
Port  flvron,  80 
Port  Benjamin,  560 
Port  Chester,  .597 
Port  Boiifjias,  l.M 
~  I  Genesee,  263 
t  Gibson,  408 
t  Henry,  1,58 
'on  Hirksiin,  .560 
Port  Jiiikson,  278 
Port  Jarvifl,  417 
Port  iiflerwin,  534 
Port  Kent,  I.Vi 
Port  Kandnll,  155 
Port  Kii'liiiKind,  475 
Porlvllh',  H6 
I'otsduni,  489 
Potter,  607 
Potters  Hollow,  53 
Poufhkeeiwie,  137 
Poualniiiake,  1XS 
Poundnrtee,  M7 
rraiuburg,5M 


Port 
npcTrl 


Prattsville,  189 
Pratta  Hollow,  357 
Preble,  125 
Preston,  105 
Princetown,  509 
Providence,  493 
Pulaski,  438 
Pulleney,  532 
Pulteneyville,  583 
Putnam  Cofnty,  448 
Putnam  Valley,  452 
Puuiani,  575 
Pulvers  Corners,  137 
Funchkill,  510 

Quaker  Hill,  137 
Qiieensbiiry,  566 
UfiENs  County,  452 
Uneenston  Heigbta,  340 
Quiiicy,  92 
Quogue,  543 

Ramapo,  483 

Ramerlnn,  464 

Randolph,  87 

Ransoinville,  ,551 

Rawsonville,  167 

Rnynertowii,  456 

Readini;,  5:<2 

Redfi.ld,  438 

Redford,  113 

Redhnok,  140 

Red  Mills,  449 

Remsen,  .366 

Rensselaer,  469 

Rensshlaer  CoiTNTY,  463 

Rensselaerbiire,  484 

Rensselaer's  Mills,  46j 

Rensseliierville,  51 

Hcynales  Basin,  359 

Reynoklsville,  552 

Rhiiiebeck,  HI 

Riceville,  80 

Rldgeway,  4.'tO 

Rlefiflekl,  447 

Kichford,  .Wl 

Richland,  4,38 

Richmond,  409 

HiniMOND  County,  473 
Richmondville,  51S 
Rlchville,  180,  484 
Riga,  266 

KIpliy,  93 
Klverhend,  .'HO 
Ronnoko,  180 
Roohesier,  266, 5159 
Rock  City,  137,  493 
Ruck  Glen,  i:i5 
Rockland,  547 
Rockland  County,  475 
RiHlnian,  213 
Rome,  :m 
Romulus,  .535 
Roiidoiiht.  .557 
Root,  28:t 
Rossie,  490 
Ruse,  582 
Roscnddl'',  .V,8 
Rixaville,  475 
Houses  Point,  Iflfl 
Kotterdniu,  ."tOO 
Rojiliury,  i;iO 
Royaltdii,  :m 
Rush,  270 

Hiishvllle,  408,  549,  007 
Hushl'ord,  65 
HuMel,  4i)0 
Russia,  IflO 
Rutland.  212 
Kiitleilge,  84 
Rye,  ,597 


HarkellsHar))or,203 
Sagg  Harbor,  543 


Sl.Johngville,S83 
SL  Rt^s,  163 
Salem,  02,  575 
Baliiia,  393 
Salisbury,  199,  411 

Salt  Point,  137 

Sampsoiidalc,  476 

Hantbnl,  73 

Sandusky,  85 

Sandlake,  469 

Sandy  Creek,  430,  438 

Sandy  Hill,  5T2 

Sangerfield,  370 

Saraiittj,  113 

Saratoga,  4U3 

Sardinia,  153 

Sahatooa  County,  491 

Saratoga  Springs,  408 

Saugerties,  559 

SiKiuoit,  300 

Savannah,  582 

Sawpitts,  597 

Scaredale,  597 

Siolchtown,  428 

Sohaghticoke,  469 

Scheneclady,  509 

Schoharie,  520 

SciioiiARiK  County,  515 

Schndnc,  4(i9 

Schroun,  158 

Scliroeppel,  439 

Schultz  Corners,  133 

Schuyler,  1119 

Bchuylerville,  493 

Sclenceville,  189 

Sciii,  65,  430 

Sclpio,  81 

Scotia,  507 

Scott,  12.5 

Scollaville,  271 

Scriba,  4.39 

Senniburg,  417.  553 

Sempronius,  81 

Seneca,  409 

Sknlca  County,  525 

Seneca  Kails,  525 

Seiinei,  81 

Separate,  142 
Powaril,  ,524 
Selaukel,  ,534 
Shandiski'n,  5.59 
Sharon,  ,524 
Shnwangiink,  .559 
Shelby,  4:tO 
Slielier  luland,  511 
Sheldon,  603 
Shenaniionh,  135 
Sherburne,  105 
Sheridan,  92 
Shernmn,  92 
Sherman's  Mills,  469 
ShiKiKville,  137 
Sliorts\  ille,  408 
Shuniln,!>2 
Sibley's  Corners,  370 
Sidney,  1.10 
Siloniii,  2«U) 
Silver  Creek,  !I0 
SIncbilrville,  88 
;*lng  Sing,  .593 
Hkiinaiidoa,  .175 
Skeneateles,  401 
Slnansville,  ,52:1 
SInlervlll.',  5.52 
Sleepy  Holl.iw,  ,595 
Smlllibotounh,  ,551 
Smith's  Corners,  89 
HmilliHeld,  200 
Smlllitown,  510,  .541 
Smllhvllle,  1(15,201,903 
Smoky  Hollow,  114 
Sinjrna.  105 
SiHlus.  ,5-« 


Solon,  1S5 

Somers,  597 
Somerville,  490 

Somerset,  359 

South  Bristol,  411 

South  East,  452 

Southfiebl,  475 

Southampton,  513 

Southold,  545 

Boutliiwrt,  99 

South  Salem,  590 

Spaft'ord,  403 

Sparta,  249,  593 

Spciglelon,  468 

S|icudville,  552 

Spencer's  Basin,  365 

Spencer,  551 

H()encertown,  114 

Spencer's  Comers,  137 

Speunk,  543 

Spracker's  Basin,  283 

Springfield,  447 

Springinill,  60 

Springporl,  81 

Springtown,  ,559 

Springwaler,  251 

Springviire,  122 

Stamford,  IM 

Slalliird,  180 

Stanford,  142 

Stanton  Hill,  189 

Slapleion,475 

Stark,  109 

"^inikey,  (iOS 

Stepheniown,  469 

Sterling,  81 

Steuben,  371 

Srri  BKN  County,  .527 

Stewart's  Comers,  149 

Siilhvaler,  499 

St.  .lohnsville,  283 

St.  Helena,  602 

St.  Lawrknci!  Co.,  483 

Stockbridge,  260 

Siockhnlm,  490 

Sloekiiort,  128 

Stockton,  !t2 

Stone  Arabia,  288 

Slope  Mill  212 

Slonybrook,  5.14 
Stomiville,  115 
Sldwe's  Square,  239 
Stratford,  174 
Strykersvllle,  518,  603 
Stuart's  Corners,  88 
Sluyvesant,  123 
Srrroi.K  County,  533 
Sugar  I,oaf,  428 
Sullivan,  260 
SiLi.ivAN  County,  *4a 
Siiininer  Hill,  81 
Summer  Valley,  57 
Hunimit,  .524 
Sweden,  271 
Syracuse,  3tl5 


Solesv  ille,  260 


Tnberg,  300 
'riighkanic,  123 
T.'leolt's  Comen),  88 
'ral.oltvllle,  239 
Tannersvllle,  189 
'I'appan,  478 
'I'nrrytown,  ,588 
'I'hi'resa,  'JOl 
'riiomiiKoii,  .547 
Tbom|wonvllle,  ,148 
riirooiisville,  811 
TicoiKlenign,  158 
'I'loga,  K\ 
'I'louA  County,  548 
'I'omlienlrk,  4611 
'r<iiii|ikin*,  138 
ToMfKiNi  County,  981 
Tomiikliisvllle,  474 


COUNTIES,  TOWNSHIPS,  VILLAGES. 


H 


Tonawanda,  153, 359 
Trenton,  3Ti 
Triangle,  73 
Troupsbiirg,  532 
Troy,  469 
Truinaiisbtirg,  553 
Truxion,  125 
Tully,  403 
Tunesanah,  H2 
Tupper's  Cornem,  82 
Turin,  242 
Tylersviile,  212 
Tyre,  526 
Tyrone,  532 

llllines,  469 
Ulstkr  County,  555 
irisiervDIi'.  559 
Uly?si's,  553 
Dnadilla,  447 
Unndil.R  Forks,  447 
Union,  73 
Union  Comers,  251 
Union  Falls,  106 
Union  Square,  432 
Union  Mills,  167 
Union  Spiings,  HI 
Union  Vale,  143 
Union  Village,  571 
Unionville,  420,  593 
UpiH'r  Landing,  135 
Urliana,  532 
Utica,  373 

Valatie,  118 
Varysburg,  693 
Van  Buren,  403 
Vunhornsville,  199 
Vnrick,  526 
Venice,  82 
Vcrbank,  14ii 


Vermont,  89 
Vema,  552 
Vernorj,  375 
Verona,  375 
ViTsHilies,  86 
Vesper,  403 
Vestal,  74 
Veteran,  99 
Victor,  411 
Victory,  82 
Vienna,  375,409 
Villeiiovii,  92 
Vircii,  125 
Volney,  439 
Vorheesville,  278 

Wadrilngton.  485 
Wadhani's  Mills,  162 
Wainscott,  5J6 
Waits  Corners,  576 
Walden,  423 
Wales,  154 
Wallkill,  4'J8 
VVal.on,  132 
Walworth,  583 
Wainpsville,  260 
Warren,  199,  476 
Warren  County,  561 
Warrensburir,  367 
Warsaiv,  604,  0tl5 
Warwick,  428 
Washington,  142 
WashinotonCo.,  567 
Wii8hing(onville,411,  439 
Washington  Hollow,  137 
Waterhurg,553 
Walerborongh,  90 
Wntertbrd,  505 
Waterloo,  526 
Watertown,  212 
Waterviiie,  371 


Waterville  Comers,  153 

Water  Valley,  153 

Watervliet,  54 

Walson,  242 

Wnwarsing,  560 

Wayne,  533 

Waynb  County,  578 

W.  b.^iter,  271 

VVi'llsl)urg,  99 

VVe.'dspiirt,  80 

Wells.  191 

West  Almond,  65 

West  BlomnHeld,  411 

West  Farnit,  597 

Westfield.  93 

West  Galway,  167 

West  Miltord,  92 

West  Point,  411 

Westchecter,  597 

Westihestkr  Co.,  584 

Westerlo,  .55 

Wealero,  376 

Westtield,  475 

Westtbrd,  448 

Westhanipton,  SJS 

Weslniorelaiid,  3V6 

Weslimrt,  162 

West  Troy,  .M 
West  Turin,  242 
Weslville,  im.  448 
Wetherslieid,  (MM 
Wheaifleld,  S.W 
Wlieatland,  271 
Wheeler,  533 
White's  Comers,  153 
Wliili'  Creek,  .576 
VViiitehall,  577 
Whllelmven,  153 
While  Plains,  598, 
Whltesborough,  377 
Whitestuwn,  377 


Whitestone,  453 
Whiteavllle,  60, 219 

Whillockville,  584 
Wil  et,  125 
Williamsburg,  234 
Williamson,  583 
Willmm.stown,  212,  439 
Williamsville,  143 
Wiiltborough,  162 
Wilnnngton,  162 
Wilmurt,  199 
Wilna,  219 
Wilson,  359 
Wilton,  506 
Winansville,  188 
Windham,  189 
Windsor,  70 
Wintield,  199 
Winton,  199 
Wirt,  66 
Woicott,  583 
Woodhurn,  .547 
Woodliull,  53:1 
Woodstock,  256,  561 
Woodville,  202 
Worcester,  448 
Wurtzboro',  547 
Wynantskill,  464 
Wyoming,  603 
Wyomino  County,  601 

Vates,  430 
Vates  County,  604 
Yatesville,  605,  608 
Yaughcripplebush,  558 
Vonkers,  601 
York,  251 
Yorkshire,  87 
Yorktown,  601 
Yorkville,  338,  377 
Youiigstown,  357 


POPULATION  OF  THE  COUNTIES  IN  THE  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK  IN  1840. 


Albany, 68,54(i 

Allegany, 40,920 

Bro'-me 2:2,348 

Cattaraugus, 28,803 

Cayuga, 50,36^ 

Chautauque,  47,641 

Chemung gOJSl 

Chenango, 40,779 

Clinton, 28,178 

Columbia,....'. 44,237 

Cortland, 24,t)0,') 

Delaware 3,')i363 

Dutchess, 5J,488 

Erie (W,l.')3 

Essex 23,till 

t'mnltlin 16,4.50 

Fulton, 18,0,38 

tJenesei! ."ii^OlO 

•^foene 30,446 

Hamilton, i^i)(); 


Herkimer,.. 

Jt'flerson, ... 

Kings, 

Lewis, 

Livings  01',. 

Madiacn,  .  . 

Mr.iiroe, 

Moiitgoinci 

New  York,., 

Niagara, 

Oneida, 

C  londugn,... 

Ontario, 

Orange, 

Orlinns 

O.iwcgo, 

Otsego, 

Putnam, 

(jueenH, 

F{i'n.'<8rlaer,  . 


.     37,378 
61,064 
47,613 
17,849 
35,710 
40,007 
64,912 
35,801 
312,932 
31,114 
85,337 
67,914 
4.3,.')01 
50,733 
25,015 
43,820 
49,412 
13,825 
30,324 
60,303 


Richmond, 10,985 

Rockland, 11,874 

Saratoga, 40,450 

Schenectady, 17,233 

Schoharie 32,351 

Seneca 24,868 

St.  Lawre.ice, 56,693 

Steuben 45,992 

Suffolk 32,469 

S"llivan,  15,630 

Tiogn. 20,3, 

Tompkins, 2t*, 

Ulster 45' 

Warren, 13,4,, 

Washington 41,095 

Wayne 42,160 

Westchester, 48,687 

Yates 20.442 


,030 

i 


Total 2,429,476 


INDEX. 


k 


§ 


■1 


># 


Ailiromlack  Mountains 

Anisteidam,  iNitiiw,  in  165!) 

Anilrc,  iiikirjg  of 

Aiiiirc,  cxeciiiion  of 

A mtiloits,  ludicrous 

Aiiecditttf,  tiiii^rilnr 

Alii'U,  William  H.  ciiitapli 

Ararat,  ciiy  of. 

Arnold  llii>  traitor,  anecdote  of 

Antonii.  Ahram,  trial  of 

Avior  House [ 

Barber.  I.i  'utennnt-colonel,  deatli  of 

Baker,  Miss  Raclii  I,  the  sleepin);  iiieaclier 

Hnrkus,  A/.el,  D.D.  epiiupli 

Darlier,  Itoh.rt,  uiurderof 

Ballad,  (m  the  desirucliou  of  Sciieneclady 

Baileiy  and  ('usile  Garden 

Beniuri);h)n,  battle  of ,'.' 

Beach,  'I'iiiiolliy.  adventures  id' 

Bear, conflict  with [\ 

Bishiip,  Sarah,  herniitess '.'.'.'.'.. 

Blu'  Kettle,  notice  of 

Bowne  Mansion  House ....'. 

Boyd,  l.ieutenanl.horiihiedeaili  of. ..'... 

Black  KiMlle,  notice  uf 

Black  Hork,  a:iack  on ...'. 

Bn^k,  Sir  Jnines,  dealh  of ..." 

Brant,  Joseph,  notice  of .".".' 

Bninl,  coii|ereiiC(  with 

Brown,  I'olonil.  noiicu  of. '..'"  [ 

Bread,  sea  re  if  j  of ."'..'.' 

British  ollicers,  dcw^rlplion  of..... ... ....'.' 

BrisUil,  wreck  of 

BurucBH,  Daniel,  esc»|M'of ..!..'.!.. 

Bui^oyne,  surrender  of ...".!.[. 

Biittnlo.  huininu  of. 

Biiiler  Hous.',  Mohawk ..!...'."." 

Bnlli'rs,  fnc  sindle  of 

Butler,  Walnr,  death  of. !!!!!!!!." 

ranilve  Iniys  of  KenRselBer»llle 

t'ahiKw  Kails " 

t'unajohurie.  Invasion  ot. .!..."'...!'..'" 

Caiollne,  hnrninu  of. 

("Biueron,  lluuald,  epitapl ."." 

''arthaiie  Ilridiie 

Calskiil  Mfinrjiain  House '..'.'!*.!.'."..".'!'"" 

lyuiiH  Briiliie 

i»»«,  New  Vork  city,  Hiale,  ■«ml'th«'i'ili't.".d 
itaies 

lialeuuiiay ,  Hkiindsh  at. . '. '. '. '. '. '. '. '.'.'. '. '..",',", 

t'lmiauijue  iins  sprini-s ,'.   '    " 

t'hiki,  llrsi  horn  In  l,(Hi^r  [b|»||,| 

(Jhlinney  |>olnt  (iidf "  ", 

(.'[lurch,  ancieni,  at  <'ainilinawimn.,'... .". 

thiirch,  Hiicieni,  Adinny ,'".', 

«'hur>lies,  niiiniier  oi,  In  New  Yofk."...",'. 

riiolerH  in  Ne«  I'orji 

ChlpiMwn,  IwiUe  of \[ 

Cherry  Valhy,  destruction  iM" '.'.'.'."' 

•  henimia,  Imlile  of 

«;ily  Hall,  New  \drk •'.'.'.".'.'.'.".".".".'.'.'."." 

< 'Union,  (;eoriie,  nothe  of, 

iiinion,  l)e  Will,  iioilce  of. ','. 

<'linioii  Liberal  I'istilule 

turindttiiu-r,  iioike  of "..'.""* 


..   157 

..  JWT 
..   47!) 

..   .WH 

..  m; 

..  lt<7 
..    IIH 

..  sw;) 

..  'J.'>7 
. .   SM 

..  i;i7 

..  387 

..  ;!()4 

. .  iJiil 

..  513 

..  3:il 

. .  -Ifili 

.  mt 

.  'M 
..  5!)0 
, .     H4 

.  4.i:i 

.  'J  17 

.  3!)() 

■  144 

.  34!l 

.  -275 

.  447 

.  '.'f-.'l 

.  5.")(( 

.  308 

.  4.'>7 

.  lit 

.  4!I7 

.  151 

.  5!7.l 
.   17'J 


875 


Cork  Island,  Oxford io4 

Colden,  Governor,  effigy  of 207 

I'olbraith,  Colonel,  anecdote  of. Sflg 

Cozier,  K.  S.,  epitaph 375 

C  olden,  Cadwallader,  notice  of. 454 

Cnelnan,  Dr.  John,  epitaph 375 

t'obelskill,  attack  on 5ig 

Corn,  early  ineihod  of  |K)unding ."."  531 

Crosby,  Knoch,  notice  of 135 

Crolou  Aqueduct 330 

Customhouse "'  t.n 

..................    J^o 

Dana,  General  James,  notice  of. 517 

Desi'rter,  execution  of. 404 

lie  1-onclaiie,  J.  B.  V.,  epitaph '.'..'.   173 

Dean,  Km\ ,  James,  noiice  of. 370 

Diploma  for  the  Indians ]73 

Dmhl,  Rev.  Bethuel,  epitaph .".'  s^i 

Downie,  Conjmodore,  epitaph .".   113 

Dover  stone  church 534 

Doxiatb'r,  J.,  the  n)ry,  defeat  of .".".!''  524 

Dream,  reniarkahle j7£ 

Dutch,  ancient,  church "*"     4n 

Dutch  ilmrch,  I'ishkill .■.■'  J35 

Dniih  church,  ancieni '  "   595 

Dwi);lii's,  Dr ,  description  of  WesfhesterCotiiVlv 
in  the  revolution _  592 

Edwards,  Gcorpe  C.  epitaph 530 

Mwards,  D.  D  ,  Jonallian,  epitaph 514 

Kile  Canal  ce.ebraiion I n-J 

Kmiiiet, 'I'lionias  Addis,  epitaph .'"  '347 

l.sopus,  Indian  attack  on ',  J57 

Fire,  ereat,  in  New  Vork,  177fi. 


•  "■-,  (Oini,  in  mew  YorK,  17711 qno 

fire,  ureal,  in  New  York,  1835 '.'"   321 

lort  Erie,  n.«saiill  on jJJ 

rorl  Krie, sortie  of .  ;]!« 

I'orl  Plain,  hbwk-housp '"■' .IS 

l-'iiK    At...     1 __  ***' 


Cal 

f 


.5:10 
^li!l 
IKI 
711 

'285 
104 
III 

'241 
!i8| 

4I> 
.•«1I 
314 
XM 
U-i 

INI 
3111 
4l!l 
4'2H 
3«2 

83 


■  irl  Plain,  lil(K:k-houH> ,,-q 

I'orl  Ann,  Imille  near vw 

Kort  Edward,  plan  of. iLft 

Kox,  Giiirxe,  nolici' of ■"■  Jrj 

Fiazi'r,  General,  dealh  of. ',[',"  JJ] 

I'reiiih  colony,  account  of ""' "  3(» 

Erench  eininrants  in  (ireeiio  County ". '."'.  'kmi 

Hultoii,  Holiert,  nulicu  of. ..^ 349 

Gardner,  Lvon,  notlre  of Mg 

Garreison,  Kreebom,  notice  of. "  lii 

(;enes.i>  Falls ^ 

GlennsKalis fT 

Gleuvllle,  incursion  into '.'.'.'.". Zn 


5((7 
'210 
4117 


Gray,  Colonel,  death  of.... 
Gninuer,  (.•iil.sm,  epitaph.. 

GreJK.  CapiHin,  reninrKnlile  preaervuiiim  of 3||» 

•■olhic  or  T juTBiice  Hall ■j.J^ 

[Jn  ,.ers,  VVillinni  and  John,  ndvenluregof I'M 

I  aniillon,  Miw  Hally,  murder  of ihi 

Hanliird's  l.anUlnf... ij! 

Hale,  Caiimlii  Nathan,  iinilce  of. ,.  ^ 

Hallaof  .liistlce ;," 

Harlem  Tunnei !!.!"""'  '•)3H 

j' Ion,  Alexander,  noilcf  of, !.'.".'..'."    "344 

Hamilton,  AlejraiKki/,  epIiMpli ""  -ut 

llaiiillt '.Mi-m' ■■'■  ijj 

JUUiawajf,  Uon.  Jo»hiiB,  eplupii...;.".'.".'.  ■.■.■.■,  ■.■.■.'.  379 


J 


I 


INDEX. 


11 


Han  Yerrjr,  aueedote  of. 

Ilerk  imer,  General,  notice  of. , 

Herkimer,  burning  of. J95 

Hendrick,  King,  notice  of. i^q 

Hondy,  Culonel,  anecdote  of 98 

Hornby  Lodge g^ 

Hosack,  Rev.  S.,  I).  D.  epitaph '.'.'.'.'.'.'.  173 

Hulinnd  Land  Company's  Olfice 178 

Hughes,  John,  Welsh  epitaph  on 375 

Hurlgate 45, 


395 
31U 


Indian  forts  at  Philipsbutg 5(5 

Indian  aniiqiiiiips,  Oxford jot 

Indians,  interiiew  with,  in  lOlll '.'..'.  asi) 

Irving,  Washington,  rcaidenceof. 5t)tj 


Jay,  John,  LL.  D.  notice  of .i-,q4 

Jell'crson  liarriirkii jj  j 

Jcmrwin,  Mary,  the  "white  woman" ...."  (joa 

Johnson  Hall jgg 

Johnson,  Sir  William,  notice  of ..'...'.  y]s 

Johnson,  Sir  John,  incnrsiori  of. ];(( 

Johnson,  SiiGny,  rctiiirnceof 

Johnsons,  the  fa'c-siinilun  of. 


Kalm,  Profiwor,  visit  to  Albany.., 

K  idd's  (leighis,  A  lltarjv 

Kidd.  William,  llie  nhalc 

KiillancI,  Kev.  Mr.  nmiceol'. 

King,  Hufiis,  noiicc  of. 

Kingston  destHiyed 

KnickcilMickcr,  extract  from 

Kosciusko,  notice  of 

Kunze,  J.U.,  U.I),  notice  of 

Lake  fimrgn,  hallle  of. 

Lawrence,  ('apialii  J.,  epitaph 

Lee,  Ann,  notice  of. 

Levi-rich,  Itiv.  Mr.  nollceiif. 

Letter,  anonvmnus.  .New  hurg 

Livingston,  Robert  H.  notiie  of. .. . 

Livingston,  riiilip,  iHilice  01'. 

Livingston,  Willnini,  notice  oC. 

LivingHion,  llrockhoLsl 

Livingston's  Manor., 


3T9|  Negmplot 

19-2  I  New  York,  evacuation  of. ".'.'" 

New  York  in  IMIO ^.c 

New  York  nniverelty %m 

.\ew  York  Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum '.'.'.'.'.'.'.  327 

Newspapers,  ancient,  extracts  from oyg 

Niagara  Falls,  view  of 353 

Niagara  Fort,  account  of .'.""'  350 

Norton,  Selh  M.  epitaph '.',  304 

Novel  iimrriage ,\  jj^ 

* 

Oak,  ancient,  at  Lyons 579 

Onkopi'nings jjjg 

OtHceis,  Dutch  names  of. ."...!".'.  2H7 

Ot'dinsburg.  altack  on ".  4^)8 

Oneida  Insliliile,  view  of .',  378 

Omiiidagas,  account  of. .'.'  339 

Onondaga,  French  colony  at,  in  1656 398 

Orisk.iny,  hallleof ,330 

Oswego,  attack  on ""  438 

Ofiwcgo  Fort,  surrender  of. 435 


2:2 
273 

47 
45 

.5311 
:!()2 

4m 

5.')7 
2!MI 
415 
:M7 

503 
:«(! 
55 
4lil 
42.5 
115 
3311 
;i4ll 
342 

''''"'ri.v-IKile,  first,  in  Mcihawk  vil'ley'..".'."." '.".".'.".'  191 

Little  Falls,  Indian  descent  at mn 

LIndesay,  Mr.  notice  of '  440 

Louis  PhillpiMs  King,  visit  to  Elmlra ..."  <|^ 

Long  Island,  battle  of. o.'>x 

Long  IslaiKl,  hlstorv  of ',  g",! 

Long  Island,  Indians  of. g'-.n 

Lundy's  Laii'!,  battle  of. '.'.',  35J-, 

Mann,  J.  P.  Mllion,  epitaph ] ih 

Met 'rea,  MisH  Jane,  murder  of M'I 

McKenzic,  A.  epitaph 

Mersoiean,  Judge,  notice  of 

Merrick,  Martha,  epitaph  of 

Merclmnls'  Ficliange,  New  York. 

Mexico,  wreck  of 

Meigs,  rolonel,  ex|)editiim  of 

Minlsink,  Invnslmi  of j,,,, 

Montinir, t'atliarlin',  nuticeof '.','.'.    91 

MiKM-rs,  General,  eplinjih  on p.j 

Morgan,  William,  nbdinlion  of "  I" 

Momimeninl  inscripiluii,  Sackeifs  llarlMir.....".".  Sll 
MiMidy,  Lady,  notice  of. .. . 
Mohawk  ("astlrs,  taking  of. 
Monument  at  lleiniistead 


Palatinates,  settlement  of ,521 

Painted  Post,  the  history  of |  1530 

Pnrsipii's,  Gen.  corres|siiidence  with  Gov.  Tryon,  5!tl 

Penitentiary,  Blackweil's  island 330 


370 
.586 


am 

377 


Monumental  pile,  Indian ii.i  i..i.  2"H 

Mominienl  at  (■'oslH'n '.'.'..'.  4 in 

Montgiiniery,  IJiiiernI,  iiollceor '.','.',  ,'t4'l 

Montgimiery,  epitaph .'."  '^Jj 

MiMilgcimery,  liirt,  capture  of .'"""  \vi 

MonigiHiiery  Fort,  shocking  np|ienr»nce  at !  ih 

Monlauk  Point,  view  of ,. jj.,^ 

Morris,  IJiiuvi'meur,  !M>llcei>f ."".'.!!!."!  Vi7 

Mornionlsin,  cirlgin  of .'.'  ii^i 

Mii«<|uetoes,  Indian  Irailllliin  respililnij..!! !  .1! !  'h| 

Murder  near  the  Hierllng  Inin  Work 4>2h 

Murphy,  T.  adveniurw  of. " "  |  Ij^ 

Kivy  Vwd,  Brooklyn ,.  u-ji 


Perkins,  Capt.  ».  epiiaph- 
Peekskill,  Incursion  into.. 

Phrenix,  bnriiingof jQy 

Phelphs  and  Giirliiim's  surveys.. .... ...  . .".'.' '. "  "  400 

Phelps.  ll(m.  Oliver,  epiiapli! Ana 

Phillips' patent '"  T^ 

i'i'"',i"r?e :......:;■■■  Vw 

Pike,  (;,„.  7,.  M.dialhof >...  ^5 

1  ike.  Gen.  Z.  M.  nionimieiitnl  iimcriptlon 211 

Pixley,  Ciliiiiel  D.  epitaph r,-, 

Plailsburg,  battle  of ,,A 

Portage  Falls,  view  of  .'■■'.■     ,y 

I'ompey,  ancient  remains  at '..'.""   111.1 

Piisun  at  Auburn jj 

Prison  ships,  re\olntior,ary !!!!!      on-> 

Prescolt,  li;illle  of "   2^ 

Prondlit,  Rev.  .1.  epitaph ..'"."..'.".'.  570 

Pidilicatioiis,  iH'rioclical,  iti  New  York ■133 

Putnam's  battle  with  Indians V,^-, 

Pulteneyville,  invasion  of .'  '^3 

aucenslown  Ilelghta,  battle  of 349 

Red  Jacket,  notice  of j^g 

Red  Jacket,  C(niference  with ,.*.  4()([ 

Rensselaer  tenants,  riot  ol ]|4 

Rens.ieluer,  nninor  of "  4-j 

Renssi'Iner,  lion.  Hti'phcn,  notice  of '..'.     50 

Revoliiiionary  Inriileius  in  New  York 3<M 

Rivingion  press  destroyed •)(«) 

Robbery  at  Fisbklll [  'i'kj 

Rochesti'r,  O'Reilly's  sketches  of 21)7 

Rcskwell,  J.  O.  noiiceol ;(h« 

Robinson  House,  the 4;,^) 

Roger's  Rock 5J|_^ 

Royalists  e.vecuted  u(  Klngatim 358 

Salt  procured  by  Indians 74 

Snmmons,  ."ainiwon,  adventures  of. 171 

Sackelt's  llMrbor,  attack  on. 

Sa-.clv»'i 


t 

sns 

ST3 
3M 

ac9 


k,  battle  at 

^mger.  .ledidiah,  notice  of 

Halina  salt  works 

Hailor's  Sting  llnrlsir 

Sabbath  Day  Point 

Handy  Hill,  Inillan  bnrhnrliles  at., 

Hchlosser  Landing,  view  of 

Scbi'iiaiido,  notice  of 

."chuyler,  llonyosl,  Kiratagemof 

Hcbuyler.  t;eneral  Philip,   lotlce  of. ngf 

Hcbuvlir  Mansion  House ,'  491 

Hchinectad) ,  destruction  of '.\',\  5n 

Hchohnrle,  inlil(lli>  birl,  altack  on SIM 

Hcliolnirb'  stone ilnirch goa 

Henei'a  oil  s|irlng .".',,'.'!     M 

Seneca  .Mission  House !.".'■!.'  IM 

HeiiiH-as  liivadid  bv  the  Kroiich .'.".'  041 

Stilecili.  =£:;ri!icK  :;f  SS 

..til. II.      J,, Sgg 


\: 


*^ 


^^^mmmmmmmmm^mmmm^m 


12 


INDEX. 


3--«.,  Major,  roy«llrt •  iii 

Smith  JoMph,  the  Monnon ."•  Si 

SIWW  Hollow *" 

SpBiil.h Hill, Chemung .V    .V""    m 

Jpy.Wlan,  death  of.'. JS 

|iMiard,flni,  taken  in  laal war .'■ im 


&:i?a!r»*'''''='^'-°^-'":"---"    1^  •  i 

Van  Renselaer,  8.  noUce  of. ."■..'." S 

Van  Taaael  Maiislon J^ 

Van  Wart,  Isaac,  epitai* ."i.V.!."".;.'.'  ^ 

"Warrant,  ancient ,^, 

Wadsworth,  Jam™  and  William,'  notice  of!  .".■; ".  844 
Wash  ngton.  Fort,  cnirture  of... ..'... .... ...         So 

Wasblnjrton  inaugurated Sj 

f«erirn«,  LorS,  notice  of. S  ^   2""IP''' '"'^S'' •* 90 

ffanw7i,For^*»of...      .       3«    Walker,  Rev.  EInaihan jSj 

"— ■• ■'-^.  *"' Wawarsmg,  Imriiiiig  of. ^ 


RuysinlMS., 


386 


"i'3:,S°:!:iL"'' "»"<=•' of- ".■:::::  339 


Steuben,  Baron,  noMee  of. „, 

8UUwater,baiiiM ^ 

S«»iBboat,  FolM,  fint  American.  ..."■.'.";.■ ." .'  m 

J^n«manyHaII,WewYorlt ^ 

TjHniadge,  Colonel,  expedition  of. '^ 

T»oiideroga,  Fort ;       *** 

T^""*''^''*,""'»''>''yAllen iM 

Tri^''' u  II  Allegany  Connty ., 57 

Tripe'.  Hill,  flrat  aetUem  at.. "  ofii 

TreiitonFalb *5' 

Tnuton,comniodpre,  notice  of.::::.:::::::;:;  ^ 

Troy  Female  Seminary jSV 

Tiyoii  correspondence  with . ; ; ; ; ; ' ; m 

Tumiel  at  Portage.  ^         *" 

Union  Colli 
Union 


384 


Weddins,  curious 

West  Point  Academy ..^ 

West  Point,  anclentview  of. '.'.'. liZ 

Wheat,  &c.  price  of,  1804 J7? 

White,  Hugh,  notice  of l^ 

White,  Hugh,  epitaph '.'.'.'.:'.'.'"  ^ 

White  Plains,  buttle  of. ^ 

Williams,  Rev.  Mr.  capture  of.. ..;;;;;;;; ?s 

Wi  let,  Colonel  Marinus,  notice  of. ..'.  4m 

W.namsoii,  Captain,  first  settler  at  Bath 5M 

W.  k.nson,  Jemima,  "  the  Unlver«U  Friend"        m 

William  Henry,  Foi  t,  capture  of. .      Sfl? 

Woolsey,  M^or,  cowardice  of. m 

Y^w /re'i'retlTorr''''"''"*"*"'"' ??? 

Young,  Major  u.D.fiuuce  of.. ::::::; ;;;:;;;;;  j^ 


ERRATA. 
Page  S7,  line  IS,  (br  "  left,"  ,end  rwht. 

FageaoO,  for  "DAVin,"  read  Nathan  Hal«. 


.,IIl*''".'T,a':  f!'>"«''"'«<l«,  "aid  to  be 


OMISSIONS. 


mile.  ~.'l!hTf  RLira'^lir.;:;I?^:ltf;.':„:.rn'l^^^^^^^^^^^^^  '"""•  "^  ""-'  '•«-"-•'  -«r  I.,  i. 

Huerelion  Is  a  small  vmim  «.v.»!T?i     "^      J-lmlra, «  liemiing  county.  ' 

Ltwience  county.  ^  "*"""  "^'^  "outheasl  of  Ogdonsbun,,  in  the  townalilp  of  Osw 


situated  ftv« 
Uiwegatcbie,  8t. 


.'.VI 


NEW   YORK. 


OUTLINE    HISTORY, 


There  is  reason  to  believe  that  the  first  Europeans  who  landed  on 
the  soil  of  New  York,  were  the  crew  of  a  French  vessel  under  the 
command  of  John  de  Verrazzano,  a  Florentine,  in  the  service  of 

^^*^  u  '"'  °^  ^'■^"c^-  "  Verrazzano  had  been  for  some  time  intrusted 
with  the  command  of  four  ships,  in  cruising  against  the  Spaniards^ 
Ihese  vessels  being  separated  in  a  storm,  the  commander  resolved 
with  one  of  them,  the  Dauphin,  to  undertake  a  voyage  for  the  purpose 
ot  discovering  new  countries."  About  the  middle  of  March,  1524, 
he  arrived  on  the  American  coast  near  Wilmington,  N.  C.  From 
this  point  he  proceeded  as  far  south  as  Georgia.  He  then  turned 
and  proceeded  northward,  until  he  came  to  about  the  latitude  of  41" 
north,  where  he  entered  a  harbor,  which,  from  his  description,  is 
believed  to  be  that  of  New  York.* 

It  appears  from  Verrazzano's  account,  that  he  stayed  in  the  harbor 
about  fifteen  days.    It  seems  he  had  much  intercourse  with  the  natives 
ot  the  country.   "  They  came  on  board  his  ship  frequently,  and  without 
reserve ;  traded  with  him  freely  for  such  articles  as  he  needed,  and 
generally  attended  his  men,  in  greater  or  smaller  numbers,  whenever 
they  went  on  shore."    He  sailed  from  the  harbor  on  the  5th  of  May, 
and  proceeded  as  far  north  as  the  coast  of  Labrador;  from  thence 
he  sailed  for  France,  where  he  arrived  in  July.    In  a  letter  to  the 
kmg,  he  gave  an  account  of  his  voyage,  giving  the  name  of  New 
tYance  to  the  country  he  visited.     As  his  voyage  neither  produced 
nor  promised  any  addition  to  the  revenues  of  France,  his  discoveriosm 
were  not  pursued,  and  oven  the  memory  of  it  was  almost  forgotten. 
It  is  supposed  that  Verrazzano,  in  a  subsequent  voyage,  was  cut  to 
pieces  and  devoured  by  the  savages. 

In  1607,  a  London  company  fitted  out  a  ship  under  the  command 
of  Henry  Hudson,  for  the  purpose  of  discovering  a  northwestern 
passage  to  the  East  Indies.     This  voyage,  and  another  the  next  year 

•An  account  of  this  voynKc,  givrn  in  a  letter  to  th«  French  king,  w  found  in  Richud 
Hakluyfg  Voyagci,  Navigationa,  &c.,  published  in  1600.  in  London,  in  throe  Tob.  folia.. 


'3^ 


.*r 


'a « 


t 


14 


OUTLINE   mSTORV. 


Sndid  th'rnJtT'''  ^°\x  r ^'"^  unsuccessful,  the  company  sus- 
pended  their  patronage.     Hudson  then  went  to  Holland,  and  entered 

soundings  rdcurr^tV^^^^^  days,  "making  remarks  on  the 

Bay,  abSut   he  2Uh  nf  A         »      i^'""''  V^'""  "'"^'"'^"^^  ofChesapcak 

the  ?^,™rif  a,t  "i-ho  Sn""'°M'"  T" "  '■<•"' ""  *""  fo' 

Conov   stand  w'K„.  .       ""1"'™  'f  tli„t  l„s  mvn  Crst  landed  on 
of  K,C  colTv     ot    1^.   '■ '"  'H'"^  ?'•""'•  ""<'  ""^  ■"''I"''  a  part 

r  winte- iri;;':S,:  '.r,'''-''''T^.»j  »"'^'' »-  -XnZ 

the  strait  between  Lon  r^n,l%  . .  ^'  'P'     ^'"«  ^^^  »«  doubt 

Narrows.     Here,  "he  wWtc-r  of  H  "''.'"^•';'  ^^'^^'^''^''^  ^""^'^  *''« 

of  water  was  t  un    •'  a  w    w  ,1        ^    i""""'  "'""■^"''  'agooddepfh 
river  to  the  we  t      n  w   Ll.  '  "    '"'^'^.  "f""'"^''  ""^  ^  ""'•'"'•^v 

called  the  KiHs  (,;  th,  .".  *'''"'*'"^  '"^  ^'^"'^''^  *<>  ^hat  is  now 

Isla„r    n  .4   ;   i , '•'   ,'^' r^'  'r:r-"  "-V^'-n  Neek  and  Staten 
crew  spent  th       So  d' v    V)n"w  "'•''''"'  ^•='^"'"^'  *'^^  boat's 

towards  night,  th  ^  wer    ,  t'ack^      v  !!"  ""V  '''"""■"^'  ^'^  »^'^  «'''P 
one  earryimr  i.intmrn.en   L        '"> /''^'"^t'/^'«. '"  two  canoes;  the 

an  arrow,  which  st'rk         ^  '  he  th^o^ :  TT' ^''''^  "^'""^  ''^ 
wounded.     The  next  d-iv  t    '  J  /     '  ""'^  ^^^"^  ""^'■•-   were 

point  of  land  nori  frU    ho  IT"'  ^' ^"''"""  ''''''  '"^'^''"^'l  ""  «* 
I  iuna  lioi  lar  irom  the  shio,  which  irom  that  circumstance 


11 


Jt.^y-ygrT  V^ 


OUTLINE   niSTOKY.       % 


15 


received  the  name  of  Colman's  Point ;  and  whicJi,  probably,  was  the 
same  that  is  now  called  Sandy  Hook.  ^ 

"On  the  8th,  9th  and  10th  days  of  September,  Hudson  still  rode 
cautK.U8ly  at  anchor,  without  the  Narrows,  &nd  ^eems  to  have,  been 
chiefly  employed  in  trading  with  the  natives,  and  in  guarding  agahS 
any  ,ns,dious  attacks  whicS  might  have  been  meditafed  by  tLr?,TndV 
which  he  evidently  feared.  On  the  llth,  he  sailed  through  the 
?nnJT'k'"'*/*'"".f  ^'  '^^  ^^'^^^  «f  the  journal  expresses  it!"f  verj 
good  harbor  for  all  winds'  On  the  12tii,  he  first  entered  Ihe  rivS 
Which  bears  his  name,  and  sailed  up  about  two  leagues.  On  these  • 
bTufhrinHL  P  "^l'  ^'^it^^^'y  g'-^*^*  ."""'bers  of  the  natives,  who 
cxrSLj  fh  ""T'  ^^'^••^^' tobacco,  and  oysters,  in  abundance,  and 
^o    bSr      TU  \"'f^  '''^''  '1.^  *h"  ^*^'P'^  company  were  disposed 

moked  ThTvT^*^  ^'^''  ""^  'y^''^^  ««PP«^'  ^°  ^hich  they 
smoKed.  1  hey  had  also  various  ornaments  of  copper ;  and  earthen 
pots  m  which  they  dressed  their  meat.  But,  although  they  we% 
HnH  '  ^V^  ^'••t'r^of  the  journal  tells  us,  and  'made  show  ot"  llve^ 

sufferTnv  nfT  '^'f  ^'''^'  ^"  ?"^*  '^'"^ '  ^"^  by  no  means  wodd 
sutter  any  of  them  to  remam  on  board  during  the  night 

.      l-rom  the  12th  to  the  22d  of  September,  Hudson  wns  emnloved 

in  ascending  the  river.     The  journal  represents  it  in  greral  about  a 

mile  wide,  and  of  a  good  depth,  abounding  with  fishf  among  whTch 

r  bo  f  :ri  '*"''  "*'■  ^^'tt-'  ^^  ^«  ^^^^"««^'  ^^  found  tiS 

Thl,  K  K  1  Z'^*''^'"?  higher,  until  it  became  'very  mountainous.' 
narro^tn^t^' '' '^'''''"'^'  '^^^^  ^-"X  Points ;  the  channel  was 
riverThn  nl  r  "^'''^  ^^''^^  ""^^^  ^'"^'•'  ^"  bis  passage  up  the 
nver,  the  natives  frequently  came  on  board  of  his  ship,  and  sometimes 
in  considerable  numbers,  but  always  in  an  amicable  manner? 
*h.  ""^^'f  "PP^f^i-s  to  have  sailed  up  the  river  a  little  above  where 

ievo?Ll?ed  "noT  ''"^f'-'  ''^"^  ''^^T'^  *^^*  P«'"^'  "^^  himself 
hf.^hin  h  \  u  '^^'"^'/'f '"g  »t  as  safe  to  proceed  farther  with 
his  ship,  he  sent  g  boat  with  live  hands,  (the  mate,  who  had  the 

SrSn  ^^.itT^'?'""'  'Tf  ^"?'> ''  ''^P'^^^  -d  ^ound  the  ri!'er 
f  hflL T'     !        u"""*  proceeded  eight  or  nine  leagues  beyond  where 

Ind  the  JeJ^fh  ""'''"' '  f "'  ^"-^'"^  ^'''^  «"™^'"^^  ^^tremefy  irregE 
and  the  d(M>th,  i„  some  places,  not  more  than  seven  feet,  it  was  judrred 
unadvisable  to  attemnt  any  farther  progress.  It  is  ev  dent,  frim  the 
Iw  stanSr  '  •"""'  ^'"'  '^  ^'''  ^^  ^"^^^^  *he  city  ^f  Albany 

"  It  is  worthy  of  notice,  that  the  farther  they  went  up  the  river 
he  more  trioncfly  ami  hospitable  the  natives  appeared.     After    hev 
had  passed  the  highlands,  the  writer  of  the  journal  observes  /'There 

^ed'X^^,«^'"?rp'^^""•'  ^^^-y  "•'^  -"^"^  "«j  ^-^e  S 

used  (>i  the  18th  of  September,  when  the  ship  was  lying  about 
twenty-five  or  thirty  miles  below  the  present  situation  of  5 1  ban  y 
'the  mate,  itis  farther  observed, '  went  on  shore  with  an  old  savage' 
a  governor  of  the  country,  who  took  him  to  his  house  and  made  E 
good  cheer.'  At  this  place  the  savages  flocked  on  board  the  shin  ,^ 
considerable  numbers,  brim^inir  with  Lh-m  -om   tMbnc'"   "?--'-'?- 


•:#• 


16 


OUTLINE   HISTORY. 


and  grapes,  and  some  of  them  beaver  and  otter  skins,  which  thev 
exchanged  for  hatchets,  knives,  beads,  and  other  trifles.  On  the  20th 
of  September,  Hudson  and  his  crew,  for  the  purpose  of  making  an 
experiment  on  the  temper  of  the  Indians,  attempted  to  make  a  number 
of  their  principal  men  drunk.  But  though  they  *  were  all  merry,' 
>  as  the  journalist  expresses  it,  only  one  of  them  appears  to  have  been 
completely  intoxicated.  This  phenomenon  excited  great  surprise 
and  alarm  among  his  companions.  They  knew  not  what  to  make 
of  it,  and  it  was  not  until  the  next  day,  when  he  had  completely  re- 
covered, that  they  became  composed.  This,  so  far  as  we  know, 
is  the  first  instance  of  intoxication  by  ardent  spirits,  among  the  Indi- 
ans on  this  part  of  the  American  continent.  It  is  very  remarkable  that 
among  the  Six  Nations  there  is  a  tradition,  still  very  distinctly  pre- 
served, of  a  scene  of  intoxication  which  occurred  with  a  company  of 

the  natives  when  the  ship  first  arrived On  the  22d  of  the 

month,  confidence  on  the  part  of  the  natives  being  restored,  a  number 
of  their  chiefs  came  on  board  the  ship  as  she  lay  at  anchor.  This 
interview  the  writer  of  the  journal  describes  in  the  following  man- 
ner :  '  At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  they  came  on  board,  and 
brought  tobacco  and  beans,  and  gave  them  to  our  master,  and  made 
an  oration,  and  showed  him  all  the  coimtry  round  about.  Then  they 
sent  one  of  their  company  on  land,  who  presently  returned  and  brought 
a  great  platter  of  venison,  dressed  by  themselves  ;  and  they  caused 
him  to  eat  with  them.    Then  thev  made  him  reverence  and  departed.' 

"  On  the  23d  of  September,  lludson  began  to  descend  the  river. 
On  his  way  down,  his  men  went  frequently  on  shore,  and  had  several 
very  friendly  interviews  with  the  natives,  who  expressed  a  desire 
that  they  might  reside  among  them ;  and  made  them  an  offer  of  lands 
for  that  purpose.  But  when  the  ship  came  below  the  highlands,  the 
.  savages  appeared  to  be  of  a  different  character,  and  were  extremely 
troublesome ;  especially  those  who  inhabited  the  western  side  of  the 
river.  They  attempted  to  rob  the  ship,  and  regeatedly  shot  at  the 
crew  with  bows  and  arrows  from  several  points  of  land.  Hudson's 
men  discharged  several  muskets  at  them,  and  killed  ten  or  twelve  of 
them.  In  these  conflicts,  which  were  frequently  renewed  during  the 
first  and  second  days  of  October,  none  of  the  ship's  crew  appears  to 
have  been  injured.  The  land  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  river,  near 
its  mouth,  was  called  by  the  natives  '  Manna-hatta.' 

"On  the  4th  day  of  October,  (just  one  month  from  the  day  on 
which  he  landed  within  Sandy  Hook,)  Hudson  came  out  of  the  river 
which  bears  his  name ;  and  without  anchoring  in  the  bay,  immedi- 
ately stood  out  to  sea.  By  twelve  o'clock  at  noon  that  day  he  was 
entirely  clear  of  land.  He  steered  directly  for  Europe ;  and  on  the 
0th  of  November  following  he  •  arrived,'  as  the  writer  of  the  journal 
expresses  it,  •  in  the  range  of  Dartmouth,  Devonshire.'  Here  the 
journal  ends. 

"  Whether  Hudson  immediately  landed  in  England,  cannot  now  be 
clearly  ascertained ;  but  it  appears  that  he  left  that  country  in  April, 
1610,  and  reached  the  American  coast  early  in  the  summer.    H© 


OUTLINE   HISTORY. 


17 


)U 


soon  discovered  the  great  northern  bay  which  bears  his  name.  There 
after  an  unwise  delay,  he  was  compelled  to  pass  a  distressinilS 
dangerous  winter.  In  the  spring,  in  addition  tS  all  his  other  misfor- 
tunes,  he  found  a  spirit  of  dissatisfaction  and  mutiny  growing  ^0/; 
his  crew,  and  at  length  manifesting  itself  in  open  f  iolencf .  Sf 
proceeded  so  far,  that  on  the  22d  of  June.  I6II;  a  majority  of  the 

XTZit'o?  T"'°^  "'  '^^  t"""^'  r  «"'^-'  hi«  so'nS  seven 
others,  most  of  whom  were  sick  or  lame,  into  a  boat,  turned  them 

ered^^Thp  Si?-  ^^^a^''  °'^?.  ".^"™^,*^  *^«  "^^^  ^^ich  he  discov- 
mH  ,T*^«//«<1"0's  Indians  called  it  Cahohatatea.    The  Mahicans 
Mahakaneghtuc   ;,nd  sometimes  SJuitemuck.    Hudson  styled  im 

no'dou  r  from  tT  ^'''''i''  ''''  -^^^^^  ^'^^  <^^  tVll^ain"' 
no  doubt  from  the  extraordinary  circumstance  of  such  a  body  of 

wa  er  flowmg  through  the  mountains  without  a  cataract.     The  name 

JTJTr^''  ^^^^''•^''  "^^  ^""J^y  ^''^""^^^  '^  it.  I  find  it  famiSy 
ca  led  Hudson's  nver,  m  some  of  the  public  documents  of  the  dS 

sssM^- trs  'L^.i'S.  tx^i 

Ja^tlSh^^u  immediately  began  to  avail  themselves  of  the  advan- 
tage which  the  discovery  of  Hudson  presented  to  their  view.  In 
1610,  It  appears  that  at  least  one  ship  was  sent  hither  by  the  East  In- 

m«S  1  f-  ""'"^l'".  ''^  y^^*"^  *^  ^  the  principal  object  of  com- 
mercial attraction  to  this  part  of  the  new  world.  In  1614,  a  fort  Zd 
trading-house  were  erected  on  the  spot  where  Albany  now  stanT 
and  called  Fort  Orange  ;  and  about  the  same  time  another  fort  and 

h'H  ^f\u-^^^  Privileged  West  India  Company"  was  formed  in 
s^n  l^th'  1^^  company  Tn  1623  began  its  operations  along  the  Hud? 
Z'  rn.  "^^'^  r^"^  ^'^  colonization.  A  number  of  settlers  during 
this  year  were  sent  out,  under  the  command  of  Cvmelis  Jacobse  Me? 
who  were  most  heartily  welcomed  by  the  few  previous  inhabitS' 
?«1T  '^'Z^"r^  they  had  been  two  years  without  supplierand 
had  been  obliged  to  cut  up  the  sails  of  some  of  their  boats  for  n^ces- 
New  tor3-  /5/«'"Pl!J"^"t  to  Capt.  Mey,  they  named  the  bay  of 
1         T^J^"''^  ^^y-    ^"""'"S  the  same  year  the  forts  New  Amlter- 

Waloons.  who  settled  on  Long  Island  opposit;  New  Ams?er7am 
Mmuit  IS  considered  by  some  as  the  firstTovemor  or  oTi^fiTi^ 


»^ 


OUTLINB    HISTORY. 


New  Netherland.  Subordinate  to  him,  the  gradation  of  authority 
and  rank  seems  to  have  been:  1.  Opper-Koopman ;  2.  Onder-Koop- 
man;  3.  Koopman;  4.  Assistant,  ^he  office  of  Opper-Koopman, 
chiei-merchant  or  commissary,  was  vested  in  Isaac  de  Raiser.  In 
four  or  five  years  the  trade  with  the  natives  was  greatly  extended, 
attractmg  dealers  even  from  the  lakes,  and  from  the  banks  of  the  St 
Lawrence  near  Quebec. 

In  1629,  the  company  adopted  a  charter  of «  Liberties  and  exemp- 
tions  for  patroons,  masters,  and  private  individuals,  who  should  plant 
colonies  m  New  Netherland,  or  import  thither  any  neat  cattle."  The 
terms  of  encouragement  to  those  who  should  send  out  settlers,  were 
^^^^     fa^^  ^  should  undertake  to  plant  a  colony  of  fifty  souls,  up- 
wards of  fifteen  years  old,  were  to  be  acknowledged  Patroons,  a  name 
denotmg  somethmg  baronial  and  lordly  in  rank  and  means.     They 
were  allowed  to  select  lands  for  miles  in  extent,  which  should  descend 
to  their  posterity  for  ever.     Under  this  charter,  several  directors  of 
the  company  determined  to  avail  themselves  of  these  privileges 
among  whoni  were  Samuel  Goodyn,  Samuel  Bloemart,  Killian  Van 
Rensselaer,  the  Heer  Pauw,  and  Jan  de  Laet.     These  persons  sent 
out  Wouter  Van  TwiUer,  as  agent,  to  inspect  the  condition  of  the 
StSnt  P"''^^^®  ^^^  '^^«  ^^  ^^^  natives  for  the  purpose  of 

,«?J^'°S,*?,r'"®  *!?ft"^bances  in  the  colony,  Minuit  was  recalled  in 
1633,  and  Wouter  Van  Twiller  was  appointed  in  his  place.  The 
arnval  of  Van  Twiller,  as  governor,  gave  a  fresh  impulse  to  the  set- 
tlements. During  his  administration,  the  controversy  occasioned  by 
the  encroachments  of  the  English  was  begun.  In  1638,  William 
^eft  succeeded  Van  Twiller  as  governor  of  New  Netherland.  In 
1642,  he  broke  up  the  English  settlement  on  Long  Island,  and  fitted 
up  two  sloops  to  drive  them  out  of  the  Schuylkill,  of  which  they  had 
possessed  themselves.  In  1643,  the  New  England  colonies  entered 
into  a  league  both  agamst  the  Dutch  and  Indians.  In  1646,  a  severe 
battle  was  fought  on  part  of  Strickland's  Plain,  called  Horse  Neck, 
between  the  Dutch  and  Indians.  There  appears  not  to  have  been 
any  particulars  of  the  action  preserved  ;  but  it  is  said  the  battle  was 
contested  with  mutual  obstinacy  and  great  numbers  were  killed  on 

T    1 «!«  1^^^  ?"*''*'  ultimately  remained  masters  of  the  field. 

In  1647,  Peter  Stuyvesant  arrived  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  as  govern- 
or. He  was  a  brave  old  officer,  and  had  been  commissioned  gov- 
ernor-general of  Curacoa  and  the  Dutch  West  Indies.  He  laid  claim 
to  all  the  lands  and  streams  from  Cape  Henlopen  to  Cape  Cod  ;  he 
went  to  Hartford,  and  demanded  a  surrender  to  the  Dutch  of  all  the 
ands  on  Connecticut  river.  These  claims  were  opposed,  and  left  to 
the  decision  of  arbitrators.  Long  Island  was  divided :  the  eastern 
part  was  o  be  held  by  the  English,  the  western  by  the  Duteh  ;  to 
tne  mam,  the  boundaries  were  amicably  adjusted 

Npw  N?h  ?^?'  ":.  ""^  ^"^'^°^'  disregarding  the  Duteh  claim  on 
New  Netheriand,  made  a  grant  to  his  brother,  the  Duke  of  York  and 
Albany,  which  included  all  the  mainland  of  New  England,  begin- 


OUTLINE    BISTORT. 


19 


ning  at  St.  Croix,  extending  to  the  rivers  Connecticut  and  Hudson, 
"  together  with  the  said  river  called  Hudson's  river,  and  all  the  lands 
from  the  west  side  of  Connecticut  river,  to  the  east  side  of  Delaware 
Bay."  In  order  to  enforce  this  claim  of  England  for  the  New  Nether- 
land,  an  expedition,  consisting  of  three  ships,  130  guns,  and  six  hun- 
dred men,  was  sent  against  it,  under  the  command  of  C<jl.  Richard 
Nichols.  On  his  arrival  at  Manhattan,  Nichols  demanded  the  sur- 
render of  the  fort.  Gov.  Stuy  vesant  was  exceeding  loth  to  surrender 
without  an  attempt  at  defence,  but  the  favorable  terms  offered  to  the 
inhabitants  disposed  them  to  an  immediate  capitulation.  After  some 
fruitless  negotiation,  during  which  Gov.  Stuyvesant  pleaded  the  justice 
of  the  title  of  the  States-General,  and  the  existing  peace  between  them 
and  the  English  nation,  the  province  was  surrendered,  August  27th, 
1664,  upon  the  most  liberal  terms  to  the  vanquished. 

Having  taken  possession  of  the  country,  Nichols  assumed  the  gov- 
ernment, with  the  title  of  "  Deputy-govemor  under  his  royal  high- 
ness the  Duke  of  York,  of  all  his  territories  in  America."  New 
Amsterdam  was  now  called,  in  honor  of  the  Duke,  New  York,  and 
Fort  Orange,  Albany.  Gov,  Nichols  proceeded  to  erect  a  Court  of 
Assizes,  consisting  of  the  governor,  council,  and  justices  of  the  peace. 
This  court  compiled  a  body  of  laws,  collected  from  the  ancient  cus- 
toms and  usages,  with  additional  improvements,  such  as  the  times 
required,  regarding  English  law  as  the  supreme  rule.  These  ordi- 
nances were  sent  to  England,  and  confirmed  by  the  Duke  of  York  the 
following  year. 

It  is  supposed  that,  at  the  time  Nichols  took  possession  of  the 
province,  the  Dutch  inhabitants  were  about  6000  in  number.  New 
Amsterdam,  the  metropolis,  it  is  said,  contained  about  3000  persons, 
about  half  of  whom  returned  to  Holland.  Their  habitations,  however, 
were  soon  occupied  by  emigrants,  partly  from  Great  Britain,  but 
mostly  from  New  England.  Upon  Hudson  river  there  were  many 
Dutch  settlers ;  and  upon  the  shores  of  the  Delaware,  there  were 
numerous  plantations  of  Dutch  and  Swedes. 

Col.  Nichols,  after  having  governed  the  province  about  three  years, 
resigned  his  office,  and  Col.  Francis  Lovelace  was  appointed  by  the 
duke  to  succeed  him.    Lovelace  assumed  the  government  in  1667, 
and  continued  his  administration  till  the  colony  was  re-surrendered 
to  the  Dutch.     War  having  been  declared  against  Holland,  a  small 
squadron  was  sent  over  by  the  Dutch,  which  arrived  at  Staten  Island 
July  30th,  1673.     Lovelace  being  absent  from  New  York,  Captain 
Manning,  who  had  the  charge  of  the  town,  rejected  the  aid  of  the 
English  inhabitants,  who  offered  to  defend  the  place,  sent  a  messenger 
to  the  enemy,  and  struck  his  flag  before  their  vessels  appeared  in 
sight.    As  the  fleet  advanced,  the  garrison  showed  their  willingness 
to  fight ;  but  Manning  forbade  a  gun  to  be  fired,  under  pain  of  death, 
and  surrendered  the  place  unconditionally  to  the  invaders.    He  was 
afterwards  tried  by  a  court-martial,  and  pleaded  guilty  to  all  the 
charges  preferred.    His  sentence  was  as  extraordinary  as  his  con- 
duct ;  it  was,  that,  « though  he  deserved  death,  yet,  liiiijiiiw  >W   liiiA   _ 


»4 


20 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


smce  the  surrender  been  m  England,  and  seen  the  king  and  duke,  it 
r  wJ"''?k'*  ^^^*  Ws  sword  sLuld  be  broke  over  his^ead,  in  pub 
he,  before  the  C,ty  Hall ;  and  himself  rendered  incapable  of  weS 

b  trgt'iJmentT"^  ^"  '"'j"'^  '"' ''''  ^"*"^^' '"  ^"y  P"^"«  ^^' 

in  tlfi'^S^^rf  ^«\«o»«ti*»ted  the  Dutch  govemor,but  he  remamed 
the  office  but  a  short  period.  A  treaty  of  peace,  in  1674.  waa 
concluded  between  the  Dutch  and  English,  by  which  New  Ke^ 
land  was  restored  to  the  English.  Thf  Duke  of  York,  toTemove  all 
STmT't^  respecting  his  property  in  America,  took  out  a  new  patent 
from  the  king,  and  commissioned  Major  Edmund  Andros  «  Governor 

aL^ff  ^T  ^.-  ^'  ^''  *"'"^°"^^  ^"  ^^^^  P'^^t^-"  Andros,  as™he 
agent  of  a  despotic  master,  was  unpopular  to  the  people  under  his 
government,  mid  involved  himself  in  disputes  with  the  neighboring 
government  of  Connecticut.  s"w"ug 

fn„f  ^!.P'''''''°Mf  «^New  York,  about  the  year  1678,  contained  twenty- 
four  towns  villages  and  parishes.    Fifteen  vessels,  on  an  average. 

valie  off^Jo'^f  f  ¥^""'^'  'r""''^^.  ^"S^'^h  manufactures  tX' 
iS^k  toht^n  a'^^'u""^-  ^^?  ^""'^^  ^'^P^^t^'  besides  pease,  beef, 
rwheat      Thr?>P'^V^^^  ""^  ^^^"*  '^'y  *^»«"«^»d  bushels 

ow^ed  onlv  th  %''^  ^T  ^r^  contained  3,430  inhabitants,  and 
wZh  l?L^n  ^^  '^'P'.' ^'^^*  '^^''P^'  ^d  «e^e«  boats.  «  A  trader 
worth  tiA^f^  considered  a  substantial  merchant;  and  the  planter, 
tTesl  thl  .nf  '"^  ''^  "r ^bjes,  was  accounted  rich.  All  the  eS 
tates  m  the  colony  were  valued  at  £150,000.  Ministers  were  scarce 
and  religions  many.  The  duke  maintained  a  chaplain  at  New  York' 
which  was  the  only  certain  endowment  of  the  cWh  of  E^glS' 

hall  weTe'rcanf  Th"*^  ''^""/"^  P".^"°  ^^^^^ip,  of  whichSut 
Jlf  ?  were  vacant.  The  law  made  it  obligatory  upon  every  district 
to  build  churches,  and  provide  for  their  ministers,  whose  comr^n^^^^ 
StrP**  ^""  ^^^  ^f^^  a-year,  besides  a  house  and  Sel 
Snnt  J  P^^byterians  and  Independents,  the  greater  and  moS  sut 
comDlv  S^thThp'r  '^'-  ^"^^bitanjs,  only,  showfd  much  willingness  to 
comply  with  the  requisition.  There  were  no  beggars  in  the  province 

SudtflTor"  "'"  ""^'i  ^'''     '^^^  militif  amounied  C  200o; 

including  140  horsemen  ;  and  some  regular  troops  were  maintainpd 

for  the  Srts  at  Albany  and  New  York."  ^  maintained 

Col.  Thomas  Dongan  arrived  at  New  York,  in  August.  1683  a^ 

iinrrTfK  "^'^".'^'■^^  ^"  *be  government  He  immelate  y,  on  the 
request  of  the  magistrates  of  ]^ew  York,  gave  orders  that  an  assem! 
bhr  should  be  elected  by  the  freeholders.'  ^This assemWy  cons  stT; 
of  a  council  of  ten,  and  eighteen  representatives,  convened  atHemI 
stead  on  the  17th  of  October.  They  passed  an  a^t  of  general  „atu?£ 
mtion ;  an  act  declaring  the  liberties  of  the  people,  or  IbK 

ktL^"thptl^"VV'^P"ru"^«"^^^^  few  others  ?egu: 

comf  tn  .h    T^*  ^'""  e^^be  province.    In  1686,  James  II.  having 

SeJ  to  clfc'"  '^%  ''"'^"'  ^^.^:-  ^^"g'^"''  commission! 
reiused  to  confirm  the  privileges  granted  when  he  was  Duke  of  York 

The  assembly  was  prohibited  and  orders  were  given  to  Dongan  to 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


and  duke,  it 
head,  in  pub- 
le  of  wearing 
Y  public  trust 

he  remained 
n  1674,  was 
^ew  Nether- 
;o  remove  all 
a  new  patent 
I "  Governor 
idros,  as  the 
le  under  his 
neighboring 

ned  twenty- 
an  average, 
:tures  to  Uie 
pease,  beef, 
and  bushels 
ibitants,  and 
"  A  trader 
the  planter, 
All  the  es- 
vere  scarce, 
New  York, 
>f  England, 
i^hich  about 
ery  district 
compensa- 
nd  garden, 
more  sub- 
lingness  to 
e  province, 
d  to  2000, 
maintained 

it,  1683,  as 
ely,  on  the 
'■  an  assem- 
consisting 
I  at  Hemp- 
al  natural- 
of  Rights ; 
hers,  regu- 
II.  having 
•mmission, 
e  of  York. 
Oongan  to 


dl 


suffer  no  printing-press  in  his  government^  Much  disaffection 
arose  at  this  time,  among  the  colonists,  on  account  of  the  appointment 
ot  protessed  Catholics  to  the  principal  crown  offices.  At  this  period 
there  were  ra  the  province  4000  foot,  300  horse,  and  one  company 
01  dragoons.  The  shipping,  belonging  to  the  city  of  New  York,  had 
increased  to  nine  or  ten  three-masted  vessels,  of  about  80  or  90  tons  ; 
200  or  300  ketches  or  barks,  of  40  tons ;  and  about  twenty  sloops^ 
of  twenty-five  tons.  ^        ^^ 

In  1687,  the  French  court  aimed  a  blow,  which  threatened  the 
J  Sn"/^^*^  '"  ^""^^  America.  M.  DenonviUe,  with  1500  French 
and  500  Indians,  took  the  field  against  the  Senecas,  one  of  the  con- 
federated  tribes  of  the  "Five  Nations,"  who  were  the  friends  of  the 

«  K^  If  ,  nn^''  ^''^'^''  ^''''^  P'^*^^  "^'^''  ***«  principal  SenecJl  village,  in 
which  100  Frenchmen,  ten  Frer-r-h  Indians,  and  about  eighty  S  the 
Senecas  were  killed.    PenonviUe,  the  next  day,  marched  forward  to 

Tfl  A^  aH^^!'  •""*  ^^"^^,  '^  '""  ^^^^^-     The  Senecas  had  burnt  it, 

and  fled.  After  destroying  the  com  in  this  and  several  other  villages. 

the  French  returned  to  Canada.    For  this  attack,  and  other  outrages 

committed  by  thx>  French,  the  confederated  Five  Nations  thirsted  Tor 

revenge.     "On  the  26th  of  July,  1688,  twelve  hundred  of  their  men 

landed  on  the  south  side  of  the  island  of  Montreal,  while  the  French 

were  m  perfect  security,  burnt  their  houses,  sacked  their  plantations. 

and  put  to  the  sword  all  the  men,  women,  and  children,  without  the 

skirts  of  the  town.     A  thousand  French  were  slain  in  this  invasion. 

and  twenty-six  carried  into  captivity,  and  burnt  alive.     Many  more 

were  taken  prisoners  in  another  attack,  in  October,  and  the  lower  part 

ot  the  island  wholly  destroyed ;  only  three  of  the  confederates  Were 

lost,  m  all  this  scene  of  misery  and  desolation."    Nothing  but  the 

iMioranceof  the  Indians,  in  the  art  of  attacking  fortified  places,  saved 

Canada  from  bemg  utterly  cut  off.  ^ 

mV.r3  i-  ^^^,tt«™i?ed  to  add  New  York  and  the  Jerseys  to 

rJIn       Z'^''  ''^  ^T  ^''P^''^'  and  Sir  Edmund  Andros  was  ap- 

pointed  captain-general  and  vice-admiral  over  the  whole.     Governor 

«nn"Sfnr''^  ^'"T'^  ^'''"'  ^''  '^^^^  ^^  govemor,  and  Francis  Nichol- 

sZ'7   Thl^?^"  r  '!"^^"^"*-??^^^        under  him,  was  appointed  in  his 

stead.     The  constitution,  established  on  this  occasion,  was  a  legisla- 

ive  and  executive  governor,  and  a  council,  who  were  appointed  by 

«?nn  '?  Vif  """^  ^^If  ^r^'^*  ^^  ^^^  P^«P^«-  The  news  oV  the  acces: 
Wn^f  Wilham  and  Mary  m  1689.  to  the  throne  of  England,  was 
joyfully  received  m  New  York.    Andros,  the  tyrant  of  New  Eng- 

ShT/T?iS*  ^'^^^f-    -^.T^  ^^'«'«^'  ^>th  forty-nine  men, 

r.  :  .''jr's  assun.pjionof  the  command  at  New  York  excited  a  spirit 
wpr^rni  n  A  ^"'f  g  "}anyof  the  peor)le,*at  the  head  of  wfom 
were  Col.  Bayard  and  he  Mayor,  who,  unake  to  make  any  effectual 
resistance,  retired  to  Albany.    A  letter  arriving  from  thrSsh 

to  such  as,  for  the  time  being,  take  care  for  preserving  the  peace  and 


"*  OUTLrNE    HISTORY. 

Urninistering  the  laws  in  his  majesty's  province  of  New  York  «fec  « 
to  do  every  thing  pertaining  to  the  office  of  lieutenantyvem'or  tUl 
farther  orJers-^ficholson  having  absconded,  Leisler  considSed  thl 
S™'  thfot '^'^^^^^^^  ^r^^^'^^'V  assu^erhetfficVo'? 

n7at™The'cor'r*^  '/  ^V-^"^"  ^^^^«  under  SIX'I^' 
in-law.     I  he  colonists  continued  m  a  state  of  contention  nearly  two 

S'".n    ""'"I  i^^K  P""^^;  '^'  ^'•^"^'^  ^d  Indians  from  Canlda^n 
S;en^'"''  Schenectady,  and  massacred  sixty  men,  women  anS 

n/fhl^^\^''^'  H«n':y  Sloughter  arrived  at  New  York,  as  ffovemor 
of  the  profmce ;  which  was,  at  this  time,  by  an  act  of  the  a^sImX 
divided  into  ten  counties.  The  arbitrary  acts  of  James  were  repea^^ 
^d]^>      T  P"^''^gf  «f  the  colonists  were  restored      Leisler 

were^^proneY^r^^    ""  ''fu""  ^ "P*  *^  ^^^^'"  ^^eir  autho   ty 
were  imprisoned  on  a  charge  of  high  treason.     They  were  tried  hv 

IS'i  commission  and  sentenced^o  suffer  death.  ^G^v  S  oulter 
hesitated  to  command  their  execution,  and  wrote  to  the  EnS^m  „- 

hv   h!  nS  .         governor  resisted,  until,  having  been  invited 

by  the  petitioners  to  a  sumptuous  entertainment,  he  was,  when  his 
reason  was  drowned  in  wine,  seduced  to  sign  the  death-warrant 
Before  he  recovered  h  s  sen.es,  the  prisoners  wefe  executed."  XuX' 

Upon  the  death  of  Sloughter,  the  government,  pursuant  to  the  late 

1   ?'/T,-''u"»/?^  "fe'*^^«  ^^  ^he  people,  comm  tted  the  chief  com! 

Irrfvll  of  S'r   ^"^""tr    J^'^  r^'^'^'y  ^««  terminated  by  the 
arrival  of  Co.  Benjamin  Fletcher,  who  arrived  with  the  commission 

vfofenrr"'' '"  \"nf  *'  '^^^-  ^'*^*^^'^'-  *«  represented  as  a  maTJI 
violent  ten.,)er,  shallow  capacity,  and  avaricious  disposition  'Se 
made  considerable  disturbance,  by  his  efforts  to  establish  the  Episco! 
pal  form  of  church  government  in  the  province.  By  virtue  of  a  com- 
hrmHi^Ta  of  "  ^'^Y^r^^\  ^"-'Wd  to  take^the  comm  „d  of 
whiUhlo  ?""'''"'■"''■ ''"'^  ^^"'  ^"  Hartford,  in  that  colony, 
wh  k  the  legis  ature  were  in  session,  to  comm.l  obedi.nice.  Whi£ 
a  tempting  to  have  h.s  commission  read  to  the  train-bands  at  that 

t 'md'told  FU  T"'''  i'"^  ""''^^  ;'^^^'  -''-^^  the  drum    to 
peat,  and  told  Fletcher,  who  commaiuh-d  "  silence,"  that  if  he  wn, 

mterrupt.-d  he  woul.l  «  make  the  sun  shine  through  h  m."     F  etc^ 
upon  this  desisted,  and  returned  to  New  York.  ^Ktcner 

Early  m  1«»3.  Count  Frontenac,  with  a  force  of  0  or  700  French 
vml  Indians  ma.le  an  incursion  into  the  Mohawk  country  and  ir 
prised  lui  Indian  village  on  the  river,  slew  many  of  the  WiXa  ts 
and  took  300  prisr.ners.  Col.  Schuyler  hastened  to  the  a  "mice  of 
his  allies,  and  with  about  300  h.  inns,  mostly  boys!  f  Lwe  ?rre- 
treatmg  enemy,  and  several  skirmishes  ensued.     WhenX  French 


t 


a 

I 


OUTLIJfB    BISTORT. 


98 


Bw  York,  Ac," 
it-govemor,  till 
considered  the 
id  the  office  of 
)  William  and 
ever  compelled 
Ibom,  his  son- 
on  nearly  two 
)m  Canada,  in 
%  women,  and 

^,  as  governor 
the  assembly, 
were  repealed, 
)red.     Leisler 
^leir  authority, 
ivere  tried  by 
ov.  Sloughter 
English  min- 
emies,  feariiig 
tiestly  pressed 
been  invited 
fas,  when  his 
3ath-warrant. 
ed."   Slough- 
It,  and  turbu- 

nt  to  the  late 
2  chief  com- 
nated  by  the 
'  commission 
as  a  maiwbf 
>sition.      He 
1  the  Episco- 
iue  of  a  corn- 
command  of 
that  colony, 
icp.     While 
mds  at  that 
le  drums  to 
t  if  h(!  was 
Fletcher 

700  French 
ry,  and  sur- 
inhahitants, 
ssistance  of 
ved  the  re- 
the  French 


reached  the  north  branch  of  Hudson's  river,  a  cake  of  ice  opportunely 
served  them  to  cross  it ;  and  Schuyler,  who  had  retaken  about  fifty 
Indians,  desisted  from  the  pursuit.  The  French,  in  this  expedition, 
lost  about  eighty  men,  and  such  were  their  sufferings,  that  they  were 
compelled  to  eat  their  own  shoes ;  the  Iroquois,  while  in  pursuit,  fed 
upon  the  dead  bodies  of  their  enemies.  In  1696,  Frontenac  made 
another  descent,  with  a  large  force,  and  spread  devastation  among  the 
pssessions  of  the  Five  Nations.  After  this  expedition,  the  Indians 
in  the  English  interest  continued  to  harass  the  inhabitants  near  Mon- 
treal, and  similar  parties  in  the  Fff^nch  interest  to  harass  those 
near  Albany,  until  the  peace  of  Ryswick,  in  1697. 

In  1698,  Richard,  Earl  of  Bellamont,  arrived  as  the  successor  of 
Fletcher,  and  his  commission  included  the  governments  of  Massachu- 
setts and  New  York :  md  for  the  latter,  he  brought  with  him  his 
kinsman,  John  Nanfan,  as  lieutenant-governor.  Piracy,  at  this  time, 
prevailed  in  the  American  seas  to  a  great  extent,  and  the  inhabitants 
of  several  colonies  were  accused  of  giving  the  pirates  aid.  The  most 
noted  of  these  marauders  was  a  Captain  Kidd,  the  remembrance  of 
whom  is  kept  alive  by  the  belief  that  he  buried  immense  sums  of  money 
along  the  coast.  To  suppress  piracy  was  one  of  the  avowed  purposes 
of  the  king,  in  selecting  a  man  of  the  high  rank,  resolution,  and  integ- 
rity of  the  Earl  of  Bellamont.  The  earl  died  in  1 701 ,  and  Nanfan,  the 
lieutenant-governor,  assumed  the  command.  Lord  Combury  was 
appointed  governor  the  following  year. 

Combury  began  his  administration  by  espousing  one  of  the  factions 
in  the  colony  which  had  its  rise  from  Leisler,  who  was  executed  for 
treason.     By  a  series  of  outrageous  acts,  he  endeavored  to  establish 
the  Episcopal  party.     He  prohibited  the  Dutch  ministers  and  teach- 
ers from  exercising  their  functions  without  his  special  license,  and 
imprisoned  some  of  them  for  disobeying  his  orders.     This  tyrant  was 
the  grandson  of  tl)e  Earl  of  Clarendon,  and  first  cousin  of  the  queen. 
"  %ving  dissipated  his  substance  in  riot  and  debauchery,  and  being 
compelled  to  fly  from  his  creditors,  he  obtained  from  his  rjatron  the 
government  of  New  Yo.k,  which  was  confirmed  by  the  queen,  who 
added  the  government  of  New  .Jersey.     His  charact(!r  is  portrayed 
as  a  compound  of  bigotry  and  intolerance,  rapacity  and  prodigality, 
voluptuousness  and  crueltv,  united  with  the  loftiest  arrogance  and 
the  uKninest  chicane."     His  dissolute  hnbits  and   ignobh;  manners 
completed  the  disgust  with  which  he  was  universally  regarded ;  and 
when  he  was  setMi  rambling  abroad  in  the  dress  of  a  woman,  the  people 
beheld  with  indignation  and  shame  the  representative  of  their  sove- 
reign and  the  ruler  of  the  colony.     In  1709,  tlu^  queen  was  compelled 
U)  revoke  his  commission  bv  the  complaints  of  the  jjcople  of  New 
York  and  New  Jers(!y.     When  deprived  of  his  office,  his  creditors 
put  hini  in  prison  in  the  province  he  had  governed,  where  he  remain- 
ed till  the  death  of  his  father  elevated  him  to  the  peerage,  which 
entitled  him  to  liberation. 

John.  F^ord  Lovelace,  Baron  of  Hurley,  the  successor  of  (Tornburv, 
orrived  in  the  province,  December,  1708.     The  hopes  entertained. 


24 


OUTLINE   RIST0R7. 


devolved  upon  Richard  Ing«dfby%,SuItl,r    T™'/ -^ 
maintained  a  thousand  of  t£r  wTves  ^Xit  w'^Ar*'*  f^ 

10,000/.  m  bills  of  credit,  to  be  redeemed  by  taxation  in  five  years 
Ngiolson  mustered  at  Albany  two  thousand  colonists?  one  tigg 

among  the  people.  The  court  was  bV Zf  ti^  ^  *  •  *"'"",'="'«  "f  them  were  sold 
Denmark;  Vhese  Amerlan  Wn^were  ?he  Xrl."  T"""!!"^  ^Z  '^^  '^'V^  -''""'  P""<=«  of 
English  manner;  but  ins.Ld  "f  a  biTnkJt  £v  hJ^. V"  ^^"f  ^J^'^^^'^^otho',,  .fter  the 
edged  with  gold,  thrown  over  all  thdr  othVr /aienr  Thr^ ''^^  """'"« 

drei»en,  of  the  play-house,  and  given  by  "he  miP^r!,!,  ^'"V'*f*'«  ^^^  «J'«c'ed  by  the 
them.  A  more  than  ord  nary  Memnitv  attenderf'  Thn  7"  "''T'^  .'".'""'«'  »  "''^^J'f 
Sir  Charles  Gottcrel  conducted  them  n  two  rirh„.^  ^^T"^  ""'''  '""^  °^  *•"  '""J-C 
berlain  introduced  the.n  into  the  roviloroZrpTh  ^'^  "'r""'J  •""*  "'«'  L""!  CW 
is  preserved  by  01dn,i,on.  nnd L'^"!";:':^^,^, .  ^''^"''P^-^'  »"  '»•«  l^'h  "f  April,  1710, 

coui/r^rS-dTpi^  .t7nd"e?;;r  t  "eVoT  «zTu'  ^^''^^""r  "^  °:'  p-''— 

which  we  thought  absolutely  for  the^^go^ of  ZS ^^'^^^H: ^^^^^  ^.^ 

in  ';o^:„t"m  w:,'htor"d.iC  ZZX'r  •"•.""«'""'''-"•'  "-  '"n«r  -nd  tedious  war. 
a«  a  strong  wall,  for  he  t  ri  f  even  to  .li^Z"'/  ^r'^''  '""^  l*^"'  "-  '"'^''  »"•"" 
rejoiced  when  we  heard  our  gat'^^u.,'  |° ,''''?  .  ""'  ''r*'  ""■"•  ^^  *««'  ""Rhtily 
and  itnmediutely,  i„  token  of  friends!  io  we  I.  !  ,  7  ?  T^ ,""  ""."^  '"  "'''""'  ^""•da ; 
and  with  one  consent,  assented  C  -KS  krh,  u'.f  "  ""I-''^'"''-'  ""^  '""k  up  .ho  hatchet 
lake  :  but  at  length.  «e  w^re  told  o  L.  o,^^^^^^  ""'""*'  ''^'f  "^■"'■""-  ""  "'«  "ide  the 
in  her  design  at  present  whkl  ,  .nZ  ,f  ^  r?'. ^^ ''"'"f,""P"Mant  affaim,  wa. prevented 
us.  should  now  I  in^  s  u  mbl  'i  nTak'eZ  '•  '''""'."'.•'  ^'"''^'  ^^^  '""^  '"">«'""  d'^'d^d 
of  great  weigh,  to  our  free  un  ng;  TL^Tf  ZTn^T  ^^  ^f'^"'-"""  "^  '■■"""'»  « 
we  must,  with  our  (bmilics  f.-nnko  onr  n  .»nL  »f/''°' '1'"^"  "hould  not  be  n.indful  of  us. 
either  oj  whtC.  w.ll  be  m„;;  '^Z^SiZn^'"'  """^  '"'"''""°""'  ''  '""«'  "-'". 

queen"^'',".:    broTSpll'Td  rt  "f  '"'  '"  '^''  """-• '--'  °-<ro.. 
in«t  g:_.;ou*  considcraUoII"   '^     •        '"  '"""'"  "^""^  «'''"'  •>"*«■"'•  '"•vor.  leave  it  if  her 


OUTLINE   HISTOar. 


ivere  frustrated 
>vemment  now 
r.  His  admin- 
in  unsuccessful 
Vew  York  dis- 
3,  she  procured 
ir  wages,  and 
Albany  while 
■enty  thousand 
.  to  press  upon 
!  more  effectu- 
Indian  chiefs, 
d  solicited  her 

nd,  arrived  as 
vith  him  three 
d  to  England 
these  persons 
Manor  in  C  o- 
In  1711,  the 
ise  under  the 
anada,  passed 
ns,  and  issued 
in  five  years, 
one  thousand 

rough  the  whole 
them  were  sold 
of  tho  Prince  of 
clothcfl,  after  the 
»in  cloth  mantle 
»  directed  by  the 
make  a  nhowjaf 
of  her  mojai^. 
the  Lord  Cham. 
Ii  of  April,  1710, 

our  predecessors 
her  th(js<!  things 
other  side  of  tho 

and  tedious  war, 
«t  we  have  been 
e  were  mightily 
reduce  Canada ; 
up  the  hatchet, 
on  this  side  the 
,  was  prevented 
litherto  dreaded 
n  of  (^anada  i« 
9  mindful  of  us, 
)r  stand  neuter, 

Bsent  our  groat 
leave  it  to  her 


S5 


Palatines,  and  one  thousand  Indians,  who  commenced  their  march 
towards  Canadaon  the  28th  of  August.  A  fleet,  under  the  command 
of  Admiral  Walker,  sailed  from  Boston  with  a  land  force  of  six  thou- 
sand four  hundred  men,  with  the  intention  of  joining  Colonel  Nich- 
Olson  before  Quebec.  The  admiral  arrived  in  thi  St.  Lawrence 
early  m  August,  but  owing  to  fogs  and  tempestuous  weather,  eight  or 
nine  transports,  with  about  a  thousand  men,  were  lost  by  shipwreck. 
Ihis  put  an  end  to  the  expedition,  and  the  admiral  sailed  for  Enir. 
land.  Nicholson,  who  had  proceeded  as  far  as  Lake  George,  was 
compelled  to  retreat.  The  peace  of  Utrecht,  signed  Marcf,  1713, 
put  an  end  to  hostilities,  and  continued  till  1739. 

Governor  Hunter,  after  a  wise  and  popular  administration,  left  the 
province  in  1719,  and  the  command  devolved  on  Colonel  Peter  Schuv- 
^r.    In  September,  1 720,  William  Burnet,  son  of  the  celebrated  Bishop 
Jlurnet,  arrived  as  the  successor  of  Governor  Hunter.   His  administra- 
tion ot  seven  years  was  prosperous.     Soon  after  his  arrival,  for  the 
purpose  of  securing  the  trade  and  friendship  of  the  Six  Nations,  he 
erected  a  trading-house  at  Oswego,  in  the  country  of  the  Senecas. 
ihe  great  merit  of  Governor  Burnet's  administration  consisted  in  his 
eltectual  efforts  to  diminish  the  trade  and  influence  of  the  French 
with  the  northern  Indians.     He  failed,  however,  in  his  endeavors  to 
prevent  the  establishment  of  a  French  fort  at  Niagara,  by  which  they 
secured  to  themselves  the  possession  of  the  west  end  of  Lake  Ontario 
as  they  had  previously  that  of  the  east  by  the  erection  of  Fort  Fron- 
tinac  many  years  before.     The  persecutions  in  France  at  this  period 
which  ensued  the  revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantz,  drove  many  of  the 
protestant  subjects  of  Louis  XIV.  into  foreign  countries.    Many  fled 
to  this  province.   The  most  wealthy  settled  in  the  city :  others  planted 
New  Rochelle  on  the  East  river,  and  a  few  seated  themse  ves  at 
New  Paltz  m  Ulster  county. 

In  1728,  Colonel  John  Montgomery  received  from  Governor  Bur- 
net the  seal  of  the  province,  and  assumed  the  government.  His  short 
admimstration,  terminated  by  his  death  in  1731,  was  one  of  tranquillity, 
and  not  distmguished  by  any  important  event.  During  his  term.  In 
1731,  the  boundary  between  New  York  and  Connecticut  was  finally 
settled;  and  a  tract  of  land  uiK)n  the  Connecticut  side,  of  6(),000 
acres,  called  the  OW««^,  was  ceded  to  the  former  in  consideration  of 
another  near  the  Sound,  surrendered  to  tho  hitter 

Governor  Montgomery  was  succeeded  by  Rip  Van  Dam,  the  old- 
est member  of  the  council,  and  an  eminent  merchant  of  the  oity,  who 
held  the  government  until  August,  1732,  when  William  CosW  ar- 
med, with  a  commission  to  govern  this,  and  the  province  of  New 
Jersey.  Ihc  Fn-nch.  during  this  year,  erected  Fort  Frederic  at 
Crown  1  omt,  wluch  gave  to  them  the  command  of  Lake  CImrnplain. 
ihe  hnanccs  at  this  period  were  much  embarrassed;  while  the  fre- 
quent calls  for  supplies  imposed  a  heavy  burden  upon  the  colony. 

"  1 1  '  mu  '•"^•'''''shnicnt  of  a  court  of  equity  was  agitated  in  tho 
assembly  1  he  governors  had  previously  exercised  the  office  of  chan- 
cellor, which  hud  lit  times  excited  the  jealousy,  and  produced  much 


M 


m 


OUTUNE    HIBTORT. 


controversy  among  the  colonists.  The  court  party  insisted  that  the 
governor  was,  ex  officio,  chancellor  of  the  colony,  while  the  popular 
party  warmly  opposed  this  position.  After  the  close  of  the  session, 
there  appeared  m  the  paper  called  "Zenger's  New  York  Weekly 
Journal,  severe  animadversions  on  the  government.  Several  printed 
ballads  likewise  appeared,  which  ridiculed  some  of  the  members  of 
the  legislature.  The  governor  and  council  considering  the  subject 
worthy  ot  notice,  voted  that  the  obnoxious  numbers  of  Zenker's 
paper,  and  two  printed  ballads,  were  derogatory  to  the  dignity  of  his 
majesty  s  government,  and  tended  to  raise  sedition  and  tumult.  Thev 
hkewise  voted  that  said  papers  and  ballads  should  be  burnt  by  the 
common  hangman.  Zenger  was  imprisoned  for  eight  months,  and 
much  ferment  was  produced  in  the  colony. 

Governor  Cosby  died  in  March,  1 736.  One  of  his  last  acts  was  the 
suspension  of  Rip  Van  Dam  from  his  seat  as  councillor  of  the  pro- 
vince.  Alter  Cosby's  death,  the  council  immediately  convened,  and 
beorge  Clarke,  the  senior  councillor,  next  after  Rip  Van  Dam,  was 
declared  president,  and  assumed  the  government.  A  powerful  partv. 
however,  was  formed  in  favor  of  Mr.  Van  Dam.  as  his  suspension 
trom  the  council  was  by  many  declared  illegal.  The  sharp  contro- 
versy on  this  point  was  ended  in  October,  when  Mr.  Clarke  received 
ms  commission  as  lieutenant-governor. 

Daring  the  administration  ot  Governor  Clarke,  the  colony  was 
embroiled  in  controversies  principally  relating  to  the  prerogatives  of 
the  governor  on  one  hand,  and  the  rights  of  the  people  on  the  other, 
in  their  second  session,  1737,  the  house  departed  from  their  accus- 
tomed  mode  of  proceeding,  and  instead  of  voting  to  take  the  govern- 
ors speech,  into  consideration,  voted  that  his  honor  the  lieutenant- 
governor  be  addressed.  This  address  is  a  remarkable  production 
tor  the  times  in  which  it  was  formed.  On  the  subject  of  the  revenue 
tiie  house  adopted  the  following  bold  and  energetic  language: 

"  "The  troe  caiwes  of  the  deficiency  in  the  revenue,  we  believe  are  too  well  known  to 

fnTi.  "f  I^l.*"  Tk"  "  """rT'y  <■"'  ""  '"  "'y  •""«»'  ""  'hat  head.  Had  thrcoSruo« 
2vl\  °^^'  »nh.b.tanui  of  this  province  met  with  a  .uitable  treatment  in  return"  iUsn" 
unhkely  that  we  should  now  be  weak  enough  to  act  like  othe«  before  us.  in  bTini  iS 

hke  .hP-^'lfn'T""'  "1-  """.:"«  'T'  """*'^«'«"'n'  to  be  given,  and  continued  the  doS! 
like  them  for  a  longer  time  than  what  was  convenient  for  the  safety  of  the  inhabitants"  but 
Xrrn?"  ■''°*"  ^  irnprudence  of  such  a  conduct;  and  the  miserable  conStiin  to 
tTci  wlT"r'"  I^V^'  "'"'^l"  '»;''.''''"*"«  "f  l"*^*"  «"ns  very  difficult  if  not  inZa^ 
S      1,        ''•''*''^"'  '"'»  l"'^*  '"  ''*'  P'""'  *i'hyour  honor,  and  hope  you  will  not  Xk 

msed,  or  put  what  we  shall  raise  into  the  power  of  a  governor  to  misapply,  if  we  can  pre 
^«?V  L  !!  "  ^«."'»^«  "P  any  other  deficiencies  than  what  we  conceive  are  fi  Snd 
just  to  be  paid,  or  continue  what  support  or  revenue  we  shall  raise  for  any  onger  t  me  than 
one  year;  nor  do  we  think  it  convenient  to  do  even  that,  until  such  law,  .?e  paL-rdas  we 
conceive  neces.nry  for  the  safety  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  colony,  who  have  repred  a^nut 

Lct'lf"'  m"'.""'"  'r:''T'  ""''  ^^'"^  *«  ""  """>  y""  -i"  ''""J*  it  r.  H  oLbTe  we  shouS 
act  agreeable  to,  and  by  the  grace  of  God,  we  shall  endeavor  not  to  deceive  them." 

In  1738,  Captain  Norris,  of  the  ship  Tartar,  then  lying  in  the  city  of 
JNew  York,  made  application  to  the  mayor  for  liberty  to  impress  Ihirtv 
seamen  to  man  his  vesst^i.  The  governor  and  council  ordered  the 
mayor  to  cause  the  impressment  to  be  made.     The  mayor  refused  to 


I 


OUTLINE    HISTOKT. 


isisted  that  the 
lie  the  popular 
of  the  session, 
York  Weekly 
Several  printed 
he  members  of 
ing  the  subject 
rs  of  Zenger's 
;  dignity  of  his 
tumult.  They 
B  burnt  by  the 
lit  months,  and 

st  acts  was  the 
or  of  the  pro- 
convened,  and 
Vnn  Dam,  was 
owerful  party, 
his  suspension 
sharp  contro- 
larke  received 

e  colony  wag 
rerogatives  of 
!  on  the  other, 
m  their  accus- 
ce  the  govem- 
the  lieutenant- 
>le  production 
f  the  revenue, 
guage: 

too  well  known  to 
id  the  conspicuoiu 
in  return,  it  is  not 
us,  in  being  lavish 
nued  the  donation 
e  inhabitants ;  but 
irable  condition  to 
cult  if  not  imprac. 
ou  will  not  take  it 
3  sums  unfit  to  he 
ily,  it'  we  can  pre. 
mceive  are  fit  and 
'  longer  time  than 
are  passrd  as  wo 
ve  reposed  a  tnist 
onabie  wo  should 
ve  them." 

in  the  city  of 
mpress  thirty 
1  ordered  the 
'^or  refused  to 


27 


J 


obey  the  order,  and  the  governor  and  council  prudently  declined  ta- 

kmg  measures  to  enforce  obedience.    At  the  close  of  Clarke's  admm- 

istration,  the  finances  of  the  colony  were  in  a  depressed  condition. 

Ihe  duties  on  negro  slaves,  wine,  rum,  brandy,  cocoa,  and  drv 

IT,o;S'''"J,^®''P*?'"''^\.P^*'  *^  September,  1742,  amounted  tJ 
ifc2,197  7s.  Ifd.  only ;  whde  the  expenses  of  government,  for  about 
the  same  period,  amounted  to  upwards  of  £4,600." 

In  1743,  George  Clinton,  the  son  of  the  Earl  of  Lincoln,  was  ap- 
pointed  to  supersede  Mr.  Clarke  as  governor  of  the  colony.  His 
arrival  was  highly  gratifying  to  the  colonists,  and  a  spirit  of  harmony 
prevailed.  In  1744,  war  was  declared  between  France  and  England, 
and  great  preparations  were  made  on  both  sides,  to  carry  it  on  with 
vigor.  A  similar  spirit  prevailed  in  their  respective  colonies  in  Amer- 
ica.  Large  appropriations  were  made  by  the  assembly  of  New  York 
to  carry  on  the  war.  In  1745,  the  English  colonies  united  in  an  ex- 
pedition  against  Louisburg,  on  Cape  Breton  Island.  This  important 
tortress  was  surrendered  in  June.  Eight  thousand  pounds  was  voted 
by  the  assembly  for  the  promotion  of  this  enterprise. 

The   country  north  of  Albany  was  kept  in  a  continued  state  of 
alarm  by  Indian  warriors,  who  ranged  in  small  parties,  marking  their 
course  by  conflagration  and  indiscriminate  slaughter.     The  fort  at 
Hoosic  was  captured  by  M.  De  Vaudreuil,  in  August,  1746  ;  and  the 
settlements  at  Saratoga  were  surprised,  and  many  of  the  inhabitants 
killed  or  carried  mto  captivity.      These  events  caused  much  distress, 
and  occasioned  much  alarm  even  in  Ulster  and  Orange  counties.    The 
plan  of  the  war,  in  1746,  was,  that  a  squadron  under  the  command 
ot  Admiral  Warren,  with  a  body  of  land  forces,  should  proceed  up 
the  bt.  Lawrence  ;  while  the  troops  from  New  York,  and  other  colo- 
nies  at  the  south,  should  be  collected  at  Albany,  and  proceed  against 
Crown  Point  and  Montreal.     The  assembly  of  New  York  entered 
with  great  zeal  upon  this  design :  they  levied  a  tax  of  £40,000,  to  re- 
deem bills  issued  for  the  occasion.     In  July,  a  congress  of  the  Six 
Nations  was  held  with  the  governor,  at  Albany,  wTio  was  attended 
by  Dr  Colden,  Mr.  Livingston,  and  Mr.  Rutherford,  members  of  the 
council.   1  he  indisposition  of  the  governor  prevented  him  from  open- 
ing the  counoi  m  person,  and  that  duty  fell  upon  Dr.  Colden.     The 
Indians  formally  renewed  their  pledge  to  unite  zealously  in  the  war 
against  the  French.     The  efforts  of  the  colonies  were,  however, 
En  land  ^         ^^  ^^^  ^'"''"'"^  ""^  ^^^  promised  assistance  from 

In  April,  1748,  the  preliminaries  of  peace  were  signed  at  Aix-la- 
Chnpelle,  and  hostilities  soon  after  ceased.  After  the  close  of  the 
war,  the  colony  enjoyed  a  period  of  gencial  tranquillity.  The  in- 
habitants vigorously  pursued  the  arts  of  peace,  and  by  industry 
economy,  and  enterprise,  repaired,  in  a  great  measure,  the  losses  sus- 
tained 111  the  preceding  war.  In  1760,  the  entries  at  New  York  were 
two  hundred  and  thirty-two,  and  the  clearances  two  hundred  and 
eighty-six.  Above  six  thousand  tons  of  provisions,  chiefly  flour,  were 
exported,  besides  large  quantities  of  crrain. 


OCTUNE   HISTORY. 


!i  m 


Governor  Clinton  having  resigned,  Sir  Danvers  Osborne  arrived  as 
his  successor,  in  October,  1753.  "  Clinton  is  represented  to  have  been 
mercenary ;  to  have  used  everv  plausible  device,  for  enhancing  the 
profits  of  his  government ;  to  have  sold  offices  and  even  the  rever- 
sions of  such  as  were  ministerial ;  and  to  have  amassed  a  fortune, 
during  his  administration  of  ten  years,  of  more  than  £80,000  sterling. 
He  became,  afterward,  governor  of  Greenwich  Hospital."  The  ad- 
ministration of  Sir  Danvers  Osborne  endured  but  a  few  days  only. 
Five  days  after  his  arrival,  he  was  found  suspended  by  the  neck  in 
the  garden  of  Mr.  Murray,  with  whom  he  resided.  This  unfortu- 
nate gentleman  is  supposed  to  have  committed  suicide  on  account 
of  grief  for  the  loss  of  his  wife,  and  by  the  embarrassments  which 
he  apprehended  would  attend  the  exercise  of  his  office  as  gov- 
ernor. 

James  de  Lancey,  who  had  been  appointed  lieutenant-governor  by 
one  of  the  last  acts  of  Governor  Clinton,  on  the  death  of  Osborne 
assumed  the  administration  of  government.  At  this  period,  the  Eng- 
lish and  French  extended  their  settlements  in  the  colonies,  and  eack 
were  anxious  to  secure  the  most  eligible  situations  for  trading-houses 
and  forts.  Mutual  complaints  of  aggression  were  soon  followed  by 
open  acts  of  hostility. 

In  1754,  a  convention  of  delegates  from  New  Hampshire,  Massa- 
chusetts, Connecticut,  Rhode  Island,  Pennsylvania,  and  Maryland, 
with  the  lieutenant-governor  and  council  of  New  York,  was  held  at 
Albany,  for  the  purpose  of  uniting  upon  some  scheme  for  the  com- 
mon defence.  The  plan  for  a  political  union,  drawn  up  by  Dr.  Frank- 
lin, a  delegate  from  Pennsylvania,  was  adopted  on  the  4th  of  July. 
This  plan  had  the  singular  fortune  to  be  rejected  by  the  provincial 
assemblies,  because  it  gave  too  much  power  to  the  crown ;  and,  at 
the  same  time,  to  be  rejected  by  the  crown,  because  it  gave  too  much 
power  to  the  people. 

In  September,  1765,  Sir  Charles  Hardy,  a  distinguished  naval  offi- 
cer,  arrived  in  New  York  with  commission  of  governor.  Being 
ignorant  of  civil  affairs,  he  put  himself  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  De 
Lancey,  and  was  guided  altogether  by  his  counsels.  Early  in  the 
spring  of  this  year,  the  colonies  made  preparations  for  vigorous  exer- 
tions against  the  enemy.  An  expedition  was  planned  against  the 
French  in  Nova  Scotia,  another  against  the  French  on  the  Ohio,  a 
third  against  Crown  Point,  and  a  fourth  against  Niagara.  The  first 
expedition  resulted  in  the  reduction  of  Nova  Scotia.  That  against 
the  French  on  the  Ohio  failed  by  the  defeat  of  General  Braddock, 
who  was  drawn  into  an  ambuscade  of  French  and  Indians  near  Fort 
du  Quesne.  The  exnodition  against  Crown  Point,  commanded  by 
Gen.  Wm.  Johnson,  though  unsuccessful  in  its  main  object,  served,  in 
a  measure,  to  dispel  the  gloom  occasioned  by  the  defeat  of  Braddock. 
Governor  Shirley,  of  Massachusetts,  took  the  command  of  the  expe- 
dition against  Niagara,  lie  advanced  to  Oswego,  where,  being  poorly 
supplied  with  provisions,  the  expedition  was  abandoned,  and  the  troops 
returned  to  Albany.     During  the  winter  and  spring  following,  ma- 


OUTLINE    HIBTOET. 


39 


me  arrived  as 
i  to  have  been 
inhancing  the 
i^en  the  rever- 
sed a  fortune, 
),000  sterling, 
il."  The  ad- 
5W  days  only. 
r  the  neck  in 
This  unfortu- 
e  on  account 
jments  which 
iffice  as  gov- 

t-govemor  by 
h  of  Osborne 
iod,  the  Eng- 
ies,  and  each 
•ading-houses 
I  followed  by 

shire,  Massa- 
td  Maryland, 
,  was  held  at 
for  the  com- 
)y  Dr.  Frank- 
4th  of  July, 
he  provincial 
>wn ;  and,  at 
ive  too  much 

9d  naval  offi- 
mor.  Being 
s  of  Mr.  De 
Early  in  the 
igorous  exer- 
against  the 
the  Ohio,  a 
I.  The  first 
rhat  against 
il  Braodock, 
as  near  Fort 
nmanded  by 
%  served,  in 
)f  Braddock. 
of  the  expe- 
being  poorly 
id  the  troops 
ilowing,  ma- 


rauding  parties  of  western  Indians  committed  many  atrocities  in  the 
counties  of  Orange  and  Ulster. 

In  the  plan  of  operations  for  the  campaign  of  1756,  Niagara  and 
Crown  Point,  then  in  possession  of  the  French,  were  the  principal 
points  of  attack.  Owing  to  the  improvidence  of  Gen.  Abercrombie, 
then  in  command,  in  the  absence  of  Lord  Loudon,  nothing  of  import- 
ance was  effected  by  the  English  forces.  In  August,  Marquis  de 
Montcalm,  commander  of  the  French  troops  in  Canada,  captured  the 
two  forts  at  Oswego,  which  he  demolished,  took  1,600  men  prisoners, 
with  120  cannon,  14  mortars,  two  sloops-of-war,  200  boats  and  bat- 
teaux,  with  a  large  quantity  of  stores  and  provisions.  The  campaign 
of  1757  was  equally  unsuccessful  on  the  part  of  the  English.  Fort 
William  Henry,  on  Lake  George,  with  a  garrison  of  3,000  men  under 
Col.  Munro,  was  compelled,  after  a  brave  defence,  to  surrender  to 
Montcalm.  This  event  gave  the  French  the  command  of  the  lake 
and  the  western  frontier. 

In  1758,  the  celebrated  William  Pitt,  Lord  Chatham,  now  placed  at 
the  head  of  the  British  ministry,  gave  a  new  tone  to  their  measures, 
and  a  fresh  impulse  to  the  colonies.  The  tide  of  success  was  soon 
turned  in  favor  of  the  English,  which  continued,  with  few  exceptions, 
till  Canada  was  subjected  to  their  arms.  The  plan  for  this  year  com- 
prehended three  expeditions,  viz,  Louisburg,  Ticonderoga,  and  Fort 
du  Quesne.  Louisbui-g  surrendered  to  Gen.  Amherst  in  July.  Gen. 
Abercrombie,  with  an  army  of  16,000  men,  passed  Lake  George  and 
made  an  attack  on  Ticonderoga.  After  a  contest  of  four  hours,  he 
was  compelled  to  retire  with  the  loss  of  nearly  two  thousand  in 
killed  and  wounded.  Abercrombie,  after  his  defeat,  sent  Col.  Brad- 
street,  with  3,000  men,  against  Fort  Frontenac,  on  the  northeastern 
side  of  the  outlet  of  Lake  Ontario.  Bradstreet  sailed  down  the  lake, 
landed  within  a  mile  of  the  fort,  and  in  two  days  compelled  it  to 
surrender.*  The  garrison  at  Fort  du  Quesne,  unsustained  by  their 
savage  allies,  on  the  24th  of  November  abandoned  and  burnt  this 
fortress  on  the  approach  of  the  British  army  under  Gen.  Forbes. 
Great  Britain,  having  resolved  to  annihilate  the  French  power  in 

•  The  expedition  under  Col.  Bradstreet  consisted  of  the  following  troops :— Regulars, 
135 ;  Royal  artillery,  30 ;  New  York  provincials,  1,112  ;  Massachusetts  do.,  675  ;  New  Jer. 
sey  do.,  412 ;  Rhode  Island  do.,  318 ;  batteau-men,  300 ;  and  about  60  rangere ;  in  all 
3,035.  The  regulars  were  commanded  by  Capt.  Ogilvie,  and  the  artillery  by  Lieut.  Brown, 
The  New  York  troops  consisted  of  two  detachments.  The  first  commanded  by  Lieutenanu 
colonel  CharleeClinton,  of  Ulster,  amounting  in  the  whole  to440,  under  Capts.  Ogden,  of  West. 
Chester,  Peter  Dubois,  of  New  York,  Samuel  Bladgcly,  of  Dutchess,  and  Daniel  Wright,  oi 
Queens.  The  second  was  commanded  by  LieutenanUcolonel  Isaac  Corse,  of  Queens,  and 
Major  Nathaniel  WoodhuU,  of  Suffolk,  amounting  to  668,  under  Captains  Elias  Hand,  of  Suf. 
folk,  Richard  Hewlett,  of  Queens.  Thomas  Arrowsniith,  of  Richmond,  William  Humphrey, 
of  Dutchess,  Ebenezer  Seeley,  of  Ulster,  and  Peter  Yates  and  Goosen  Van  Schaick,  of  Al. 
oS"i.'''    mu    """"P*  '"'"'  '^"'■'  Stanwix,  August  14th,  1758,  and  the  fort  capitulated  on  the 

I,  V  1  r  S'""""'"'^*''"  "*"  *«  f""  *'"»  exchanged  for  Col.  Peter  Schuyler.  Col.  Corse, 
who  had  distinguished  himself  in  the  three  preceding  campaigns,  with  a  part  of  hk  troops 
voluiitcercd  to  erect  a  battery,  in  the  night  of  the  26th,  in  the  midst  of  the  enem-'.  fire, 
which  in  the  morning  commanded  their  fort,  and  led  to  an  immediate  surrender.  Th« 
colonel  received  a  slight  wound,  but  not  so  severe  as  to  unfit  him  for  duty.  The  detach, 
meut  returned  to  Fort  Stanwix  the  10th  of  September."— Cfordon'*  Gax.  of  New  York. 


90 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


America,  made  adequate  preparations  for  the  campaien  of  17fift 
legislature  of  New  York  authorized  a  lewJoRan     ^^^^^^f  .  ^^f 

neo  4e  French  made  afrSSl'L'.r^p.    o  ZjZZZ:"  Si 
SLpI.I^:^'',?'  *'°"'"'"'  '^i™''  Mich5raLk?na?S,d?R 

SSf  S  -r 9:^c„,£ra^™^d"^^i-^^^ 

Sober.  MS,ckZ„Vlh^26*  e^OcTobr  Wr'^,  ""' ""T'" 
Dlaced  at  th*.  h«p^  ^f         -^o^n  oi  uctober.     Ihis  gentleman  beinff 

pLfeSlr4v«nf  t^'^'"^^'^*'^''''^^^^*^^  colonies,  Jwing  to  im" 
mte  vaZ  TnH     ft^^  country,  were  many  of  them  extremely  indefi- 

and' 167^4  bVirf'n"?"V'"'^l"'T-     ^  55^"*  ^'^^  "^^^e  fn  1664 


jgn  of  1769; 

pursue  their 
access.  The 
n,  and  issued 

and  redeem- 
upositions,  in 
to  8625,000. 
ivas  made  to 

Ticonderoga, 
•ok  Ticonde- 

■  without  op- 
was  slain  by 
as,  however, 
in  command, 
between  the 

■  Montcalm, 
efeated,  and 
g  spring  of 
►uebec.  On 
nac,  and  all 
rendered  to 

r  the  French 
eat  obstacle 
d  suddenly, 
emment,  as 
lieutenant- 
by  General 
;man  bein? 
>n  the  15th 
tr.  Golden, 
y  and  per- 

re,  respect- 
nprised  the 
ince  known 
ing  to  im- 
nely  indefi- 
le  in  1664 
3ontainin^, 
est  side  of 
s  territory 
s  of  New 
the  grant 

go  grants 
)rogressed 
urty-eight 


OTTTLIlfB  HIBTOST.  3| 

townships  had  been  granted  by  New  Hampshire,  extending  as  far 
west  as  the  shore  of  Lake  Ghamplain,  and  to  what  was  esteemed 
twenty  miles  east  of  Hudson  river.  To  check  these  proceedings. 
Gov.  Golden  issued  a  proclamation,  claiming  jurisdiction  as  far  east 
as  Gonnecticut  river.  He  also  commanded  the  sheriff  of  Albany 
county  to  make  return  of  all  persons,  who,  under  the  New  Hampshire 
grants,  had  taken  possession  of  lands  west  of  the  river.  In  opposi- 
tion to  this,  the  governor  of  New  Hampshire  issued  a  proclamation, 
declaring  the  grant  of  the  Duke  of  York  to  be  obsolete,  and  that 
New  Hampshire  extended  as  far  west  as  Massachusetts  and  Gon- 
necticut. 

Application  having  been  made  to  the  crown,  a  decision  was  ob- 
tamed  in  1764,  by  which  the  western  bank  of  Gonnecticut  river  was 
declared  to  be  the  boundary  line  between  the  provinces  of  New 
Hampshire  and  New  York.  The  government  of  New  York  proceeded 
to  organize  the  new  territory,  and  to  exercise  jurisdiction.  The  new 
district  was  divided  into  four  counties.  The  southwestern  part  was 
annexed  to  the  county  of  Albany,  and  the  northwestern  part  formed 
into  a  county,  by  the  name  of  Gharlotte  ;  east  of  the  Green  Moun- 
tains were  formed  the  counties  of  Gloucester  and  Gumberland.  Gourts 
were  held  in  these  counties,  the  grants  of  land  under  New  Hamp- 
shire  were  declared  illegal,  and  the  settlers  required  to  take  out  new 
charters  from  New  York.  Some  of  the  towns  complied,  and  pur- 
chased their  lands  the  second  time,  but  the  greater  part  refused.  Ac- 
tions of  ejectment  were  commenced  in  Albany  against  several  of  the 
ancient  settlers,  which  were  decided  in  favor  of  the  New  York  titles. 
When  the  executive  officers  came  to  eject  the  inhabitants,  they  gene- 
rally met  with  opposition,  and  were  not  allowed  to  proceed  in  the 
execution  of  their  offices.  The  militia  were  called  out  to  support 
the  sheriff;  but  as  they  agreed  in  sentiment  with  the  settlers,  they 
disbanded  themselves  on  the  appearance  of  armed  opposition.  As 
the  efforts  of  the  government  were  continued,  mobs  were  raised,  the 
opposition  of  the  settlers  became  more  bold  and  daring,  and  was  fre- 
quently characterized  by  acts  of  outrage  and  violence. 

In  1765,  much  excitement  was  produced  by  the  stamp  act,  passed 
by  tlie  Uritish  parliament,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  revenue  from 
the  colomes.     This  act  ordained  that  all  instruments  of  writing,  such 
as  deeds,  bonds,  notes,  &c.,  among  the  colonies,  should  be  null  and 
void,  unless  executed  on  stamped  paper,  for  which  a  duty  should  be 
paid  to  the  crown.     In  October,  a  congress  of  twenty-eight  delegates, 
from  Massachusetts,  Gonnecticut,  Rhode  Island,  New  York,  New 
Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Maryland,  and  South  Garolina,  was 
held  at  New  York,  to  consult  on  the  common  interest.     They  made 
a  declaration  of  the  rights  and  grievances  of  the  colonies,  and  peti- 
tioned lor  redress.    In  Connecticut  and  New  York  originated  an 
association  of  persons  styling  themselves  the  "  Sons  of  Liberty " 
which  extended  into  other  colonies,  who  bound  themselves,  among 
Other  things,  to  march  to  any  part  of  the  continent,  at  their  own  ex- 
pense, to  support  the  British  constitution  in  America :  by  which  was 


at 


OCTLINE    HISTOBT. 


^Sn.''*  *^^  P'-eventionof  any  attempt  to  carry  the  stamp  act  into 

In  New  York,  Peter  de  Lancey,  James  M'Evers,  and  other  stamo 
officers  obeyed  the  public  voice,  and  renounced  their  commission 
Gov  Golden  having  taken  the  oath  to  execute  the  stamp  act  became 

dt'v^atd'Lf  PT'"'"  "^^^"'*"!|-     ?^  '^^y  ^^«  carS  about  tr 
city  and  hung;  Ins  can-iage  and  other  property  were  burned ;  and 

his  person  was  probably  preserved  from  Violence,  only  S^  his  ad- 
vanced age.     Wlien  the  stamps  arrived,  they  were  lodged  i  Jthe  fort, 
which  the  governor  contrary  to  the  advice  of  his  council,  put  into  a 
state  for  defence.    He  was  obliged  to  surrender  their  custody  to  the 
city  corporation,  on  the  assurance  of  being  responsible  for  their  value 
and  to  declare  that  he  would  take  no  measures  to  enforce  he  act  but 
kave  the  subject  to  his  successor,  who  was  hourly  exacted     S^J 
Henrv  Moore,  Bart    who  was  commissioned  governyKly.'neS 
met  t^e  council  on  the  13th  of  November  following,  and  prSed  at 
once  to  attempt  the  execution  of  the  stamp  act.     The  unaEus  ad- 
vice  of  his  council,  and  the  demonstration  of  public  feeling,  induced 
him  to  a  more  prudent  course.  *  '"""^^** 

f.S'"'"  ^^ys  administration  was  terminated  by  his  death,  in  Sep- 
tember  1769.  During  his  term  of  service  efforts  were  madk  unsu£ 
cessfUlly,  to  sett  e  the  boundaries  between  this  province  and  Mass^ 
chusetts,  who  claimed  territory  to  the  Pacific  bcea^  EmSn's 
from  Massachusetts  mtruded  into  the  counties  along  the  Hudson,  and 
settled  even  in  the  manor  of  Rensselaerwyck.  They  were  friuenX 
removed  by  force,  and  blood  was  shed  mo^re  than  SeTn'he  Xmpt^ 
Commissioners  from  both  colonies  met  at  New  Haven,  October.  1767 
who  agreed  that  the  western  Ime  of  Massachusetts  should  be  fixed 
at  twenty  miles  east  from  Hudson  river,  but  differed  as  to  the  man- 
ner m  which  that  line  should  be  determined. 

At  the  termination  of  Gov.  Moore's  administration,  the  supreme 
court  consisted  of  four  judges:  Daniel  Horsemanden,  chief  EcT 
David  Jones,  second;  WiUiam  Smith,  third ;  and  Robert  R.  Sll 
*nA« ''^  ^''"''**'  J"'*'*'^-     ^h«  fi^«t  received  £300,  and  the  othfrs 
£200  per  annum.    The  salary  of  the  governor  had  been  increased 
from  time  to  time,  to  £2,000  per  annum,  with  a  perquisite  of  £400 
granted  as  an  appropnation  for  fire-wood  and  candles  for  Fort  George.' 
The  attorney  had  £150,  and  the  colonial  agent,  Mr.  Charles  at  W 
don,  £500  per  annum.    The  colony  of  New  York  contained  at  thi 
period  upwards  of  one  hundred  a/d  sixty  thousandTnbaKts 

on  Itfr  r£n  TW  ?'"'J  5^T"'  '^^  g«^«™"^ent  again  devolved 
K  1 4rS  f-  J^'^  ^'^  *''"■**  admmistration,  continued  till  Novem- 
ber, 1770,  when  he  was  superseded  by  John,  Lord  Dunmore  Whh 
the  service  of  this  nobleman  commenced  the  practice  of  paying  the 

rrs7o??h^  r^""'  '^^'^  P^^^*'^«  was  afterward  LSced 
by  most  of  the  colonies  as  a  serious  grievance,  as  it  made  the  govern- 
or  independent  of  the  assembly.    oSimore  governed  the  colony  un^I 

JlT77l  bv  W-r  "t"'^"  \''  /''''A'  ^"PP'-'i  on  theTh  o 
July,  1771,  by  William  Tryon,  the  last  of  the  royal  governors. 


iM 


I 
t 

t 

i 

( 
I 
I 
I 

g 

ii 

tl 

a 
d 
h 


m 


OUTLINK   HISTORY. 


8« 


tamp  act  into 

other  stamp 
commissions. 
>  act,  became 
3d  about  the 
burned ;  and 
y  by  his  ad- 
;d  in  the  fort, 
sil,  put  into  a 
istody  to  the 
r  their  value, 
3  the  act,  but 
pected.  Sir 
1  July,  1765, 

proposed  at 
animous  ad- 
ing,  induced 

;ath,  in  Sep- 
nade,  unsuc- 
and  Massa- 
Emigrants 
Hudson,  and 
3  frequently 
the  attempt, 
tober,  1767, 
Jd  be  fixed 
to  the  man- 

le  supreme 
ief  justice ; 
R.  Livings- 
the  others 
I  increased, 
e  of  £400, 
5rt  George. 
las,  at  Lon- 
led,  at  this 
itants. 
1  devolved 
ill  Novem- 
re.    With 
)aying  the 
Jenounced 
le  govem- 
3lony  until 
the  8th  of 
ors. 


In  1772,  Governor  Tryon  made  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  con- 
cihate  the  mmds  of  the  setUers  of  the  New  Hampshire  grants.    In 
1774,  the  Msembly  passed  an  act  by  which  it  was  declared  felony, 
punishable  by  death,  for  any  of  these  settlers  to  oppose  the  goveri. 
ment  by  force.     The  governor  at  the  same  time  made  proclaination 
offering  a  reward  of  fifty  pounds  for  the  apprehension  of  Ethan  Al- 
len, t>eth  Warner,  and  six  others  of  the  most  obnoxious  of  the  settlers. 
The  inhabitants  of  the  New  Hampshire  grants  became  still  more 
violent  m  their  opposition.    The  proscribed  persons,  in  an  address  to 
thepeope  of  the  county  of  Albany,  made  this  public  declaration:— 
We  will  kill  and  destroy  any  person  or  persons  whomsoever,  who 
snail  presume  to  be  accessary,  aiding,  or  assisting  in  taking  any  of  us." 
m  the  spring  of  1775,  an  event  took  place  in  the  New  Hampshire 
grants  which  exasperated  both  parties.    At  the  time  appointed  for 
the  session  of  the  court  at  Westminster,  in  the  disputed  territory, 
some  of  the  inhabitants  in  this  and  the  adjacent  towns  took  possession 
ot  the  courthouse,  to  prevent  the  officers  under  the  authority  of  New 
York  from  entering.   The  judges,  on  being  refused  admittance,  retired 
to  their  quarters.    About  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  the  sheriff"  and  other 
officers,  attended  by  an  armed  force,  repaired  to  the  courthouse. 
When,  being  agam  refiised  admittance,  some  of  the  party  fired  into  the 
house,  killed  one  man,  and  wounded  several.    The  people  were  highly 
mflamed  by  these  rash  proceedings.  Some  of  the  officers  were  seized, 
and  earned  to  the  jail  at  Northampton,  Massachusetts.    Matters  now 
appeared  about  to  be  brought  to  a  sanguinary  crisis.    But  at  this 
penod,  an  event  took  place,  which  arrested  the  attention  of  all,  and 
gave  a  new  channel  to  the  torrent  of  popular  fury.    The  breaking 
out  ot  the  revolutionary  war  at  Lexington,  caused  a  suspension  of 
local  and  provincial  contests;  and  the  public  mind  was  exclusively 
Ame  •      ***         ^^^**  ^°°*^^^  "°^  opening  between  Britain  and 

*  Du^^^'.^77^'  the  second  continental  congress  was  to  be  assembled 
at  Philadelphia.     The  subject  of  sending  delegates  to  this  body  was 
agitated  m  the  assembly  of  New  York ;  and  on  the  refusal  of  that  body 
to  appoint  them,  a  provincial  convention  was  called  by  the  people  for 
this  purpose.    The  convention  assembled  at  New  York  on  the  22d  of 
April,  and  proceeded  to  make  the  appointments.    This  convention 
was  composed  of  deputies  from  New  York,  Albany,  Dutchess,  Ulster, 
^^^S®'  Westchester,  Kings,  and  Suffolk  counties.    They  appointed 
rhilip  Livingston,  George  Clinton,  James  Duane,  John  Alsop,  Simon 
Boerum,  William  Floyd,  John  Jay,  Henry  Wisner,  Philip  Schuyler, 
Lewis  Morris,  Francis  Lewis,  and  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Jr.,  dele- 
gates  to  the  continental  congress,  who,  or  any  five  of  them,  were 
intrusted  with  full  power  to  concert  with  the  other  colonies,  and  adopt 
th^e  measures  best  adapted  to  sustain  their  rights. 

The  news  of  the  battle  of  Lexington,  (19th  of  April,  1775,)  caused 
a  violent  agitation  in  the  city  of  New  York,  which  prevailed  for  some 
days,  until  a  new  committee  of  superintendence,  consisting  of  one 
hundred  of  the  most  respectable  citizens,  was  formed  at  the  instance 

5 


84 


OUTLINE   HISTORY. 


m 


of  the  "  committee  of  observation."  It  was  resolved  that  a  provincial 
congress  ought  to  be  speedily  assembled,  to  assume  the  government 
of  the  colony,  to  prepare  for  defence,  &c.  It  submitted  at  the  same 
time  the  form  of  an  association,  to  be  signed  by  the  inhabitants,  de- 
claratory of  their  rights  and  liberties,  and  of  their  determination  to 
sustain  them.  This  association  was  signed  by  the  whigs  with  great 
cordiality,  and  by  the  tories  under  the  fear  of,  or  by  actual  constraint. 
Ihe  inhabitants  generally  began  to  arise  under  the  direction  of  com- 
mittees. Six  hundred  stands  of  arms  were  seized  in  the  city  arsenal 
and  distributed  among  the  people :  another  parcel  was  taken  from 
the  soldiery  by  Colonel  Willet,  when  on  the  way  to  the  harbor  to  be 
exported  to  Boston. 

It  was  deemed  of  importance,  in  order  to  put  the  country  in  a  pos- 
ture of  defence,  to  secure  the  fortresses  at  Ticonderoga  and  Crown 
Point.  On  the  10th  of  May,  Colonel  Ethan  Allen  took  possession  of 
liconderoga  by  surprise:  on  the  same  day,  Crown  Point  was  sur- 
rendered to  Colonel  Warner ;  a  third  party  surprised  Skeensboroueh, 
(now  Whitehall.)  The  capture  of  an  armed  sloop  at  St.  Johns  soon 
alter,  gave  to  the  Americans  the  entire  command  of  Lake  Champlain 
Governor  Tryon,  who  had  been  absent  on  a  visit  to  Europe,  returned 
to  New  York  on  the  24th  of  June.  He  was  much  esteemed  by 
many  of  the  citizens,  and  received  a  complimentary  address  from  the 
city  authorities.  His  exertions  to  promote  the  royal  cause,  soon  ren- 
dered him  extremely  unpopular.  In  October,  he  became  alarmed  for 
his  personal  safety,  and  retired  on  board  of  the  Halifax  packet. 

On  the  22d  of  May,  1775,  a  provincial  congress,  consisting  of  about 
seventy  members,  convened  at  New  York.  The  proceedings  of  the 
convention  were  determined  by  counties ;  New  York  having  four 
Albany  three,  and  each  of  the  others  two  votes.  Two  regiments' 
were  authorized  to  be  levied ;  bounties  were  offered  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  gunpowder  and  muskets  in  the  province  ;  fortifications  were 
projected  at  Kingsbridge,  and  the  Highlands;  and  Philip  Schuyler 
and  Kichard  Montgomery  were  recommended,  the  first  as  maior- 
general,  the  second  as  brigadier,  to  be  appointed  by  the  continental 
congress. 

Upon  the  adjournment  of  the  congress,  in  September,  for  a  month, 
they  delegated  their  powers  to  a  «  Committee  of  Safety ;"  and  this  ex- 
pedient  was  resorted  to  upon  every  subsequent  adjournment.  Ordina- 
rily, this  committee  was  composed  of  three  members  from  the  city 
and  one  from  each  of  the  other  counties.  When  on  the  re-assembling 
ot  the  congress,  and  at  other  times,  a  quorum  was  not  present,  the 
members  resolved  themselves  into  a  "committee  of  safety,"  and  thus 
the  public  business  was  never  interrupted.  The  committee  was  em- 
powered to  execute  the  resolves  of  the  provincial  and  general  con- 
gresses,  to  superintend  the  military  affairs  of  the  province,  to  appro- 
priate money  for  the  public  service,  and  to  convene  the  congress 
^  w  •       ^  ^""^      7  deemed  necessary. 

K  7  ^'i.e^^eneral  Washington  was  engaged  in  organizing  the  main 
body  of  the  American  army  in  Massachusetts,  an  important  expedi- 


I 


it  a  provincial 
B  government 
i  at  the  same 
habitants,  de- 
ermination  to 
gs  with  great 
lal  constraint, 
ction  of  com- 
3  city  arsenal 
is  taken  from 
harbor  to  be 

ntry  in  a  pos- 
a  and  Crown 
possession  of 
)int  was  sur- 
eensborough, 
t.  Johns  soon 
e  Champlain. 
ope,  returned 
esteemed  by 
ress  from  the 
ise,  soon  ren- 
i  alarmed  for 
packet, 
ting  of  about 
idings  of  the 
having  four, 
vo  regiments 
:he  manufac- 
cations  were 
lip  Schuyler 
3t  as  major- 
)  continental 

for  a  month, 
and  this  ex- 
snt.  Ordina- 
om  the  city, 
i-assembling 
present,  the 
y,"  and  thus 
tee  was  em- 
;eneral  con- 
e,  to  appro- 
le  congress 

g  the  main 
tant  expedi- 


# 


OUTLINE    HISTORY.  30 

tion  was  planned  against  Canada,  the  command  of  which  was  assign- 
ed to  Generals  Schuyler  and  Montgomery.  (Jeneral  Schuyler  having 
retired  on  account  of  ill  health,  Montgomery,  with  a  force  of  one 
thousand  men,  proceeded  to  Montreal,  and  from  thence  led  his  gallant 
little  army  to  Quebec.  During  his  progress,  Colonel  Arnold,  with  a 
boldness  and  perseverance  rarely  surpassed,  passed  up  the  Kennebec 
river  and  pursued  his  course  through  a  trackless  wilderness  of  three 
hundred  miles,  and  joined  Montgomery  at  Quebec,  oii  the  last  day 
of  the  year,  (1775,)  General  Montgomery,  with  a  force  of  less  than 
eight  hundred,  attempted  to  take  Quebec  by  storm.  This  brave  com- 
mander fell  in  the  assault,  and  the  Americans  were  repulsed  with  the 
loss  of  about  half  their  number.  Arnold,  now  in  the  command,  en- 
camped about  three  miles  from  Quebec,  where  he  maintained  his 
position  till  spring.  He  was  afterward  compelled  to  make  a  disas- 
trous retreat,  and  by  the  1st  of  July  the  whole  army  was  driven  fi:om 
Canada. 

Congress  being  informed  that  a  large  number  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Tryon  county  were  disaffected  to  the  American  cause,  and,  undei  the 
direction  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  were  making  military  preparation,  re- 
solved to  disarm  them.  General  Schuyler,  to  whom  this  business 
was  committed,  in  January,  1776,  called  out  seven  hundred  of  the 
Albany  militia,  and  commenced  his  march.  But  such  was  the  enthu- 
siasm of  the  people  that,  on  his  arrival  at  Caghnewaga,  his  force 
amounted  to  near  three  thousand,  including  nine  hundred  of  the 
Tryon  county  militia.  The  approach  of  this  formidable  body  awed 
the  royalists  into  submission.  The  whole  number  disarmed  was 
supposed  to  amount  to  about  six  hundred.  About  the  same  time,  a 
considerable  number  were  entrenching  themselves  on  Long  Island, 
in  order  to  support  the  royal  cause.  A  detachment  of  the  Jersey 
militia  was  sent  over,  by  whom  they  were  disarmed,  and  their  lead- 
ers secured. 

The  fourth  provincial  congress  convened  at  White  Plains  on  the 
9th  of  July.  This  body  took  the  title  of  "  The  Representatives  of  the 
State  of  New  York,"  and  exercised  all  the  powers  of  sovereignty, 
until  the  establishment  of  the  government  under  the  constitution.  On 
the  first  day  of  their  meeting,  they  received  from  the  continental  con- 
gress The  Declaration  of  Independence.  They  immediately  passed 
an  unanimous  resolution,  fully  approving  of  the  measure,  and  express- 
ing their  determination  at  all  hazards  to  support  it.  The  convention, 
on  the  16th  of  July,  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  Jay,  declared  that  all  per- 
sons abiding  in  the  state,  and  who  were  entitled  to  the  protection  of 
the  laws,  who  should  aid  or  abet  its  enemies,  should  on  conviction 
suffer  death. 

In  1776,  it  was  expected  that  the  enemy  would  make  New  York 
their  principal  point  of  attack.  Gen.  Washington  arrived  in  the  city 
on  the  14th  of  April,  and  great  exertions  were  made  for  putting  the 
Jlace  in  a  posture  of  defence.  On  the  22d  of  August,  Lord  Howe 
anded  a  force,  estimated  at  24,000  men,  on  Long  Island,  at  Gravesend 
bay.    The  Americans,  amounting  to  15,000,  under  the  command  of 


S6 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


M 


V  ;' 


Gen.  Sulhvaji,  were  encamped  on  a  peninsula  near  the  villaffe  of 
Brooklyn.  On  the  27th,  an  obstinate  battle  was  fought,  and  the  Ameri- 
f^fhr'"\?T!P'*  ^V^^^""^  *°  their  entrenchments  with  great  loss. 
S  thP  T^^  «/„the  30th,  a  safe  retreat  was  effected  from  tlie  island. 
Un  the  15th  of  September,  the  British  took  possession  of  New  York, 

A  lt"?"*'^A '■^''P'J' •'^^?^  '■^.^'■^'*  toHarlaem  and  King's  Bridge 
A  few  days  after  me  British  took  possession,  a  fire  broke  out,  in  which 

part  ofThe  dt"'*""  '  ^^'^  destroyed,  being  about  one  fourth 

thp^!?v^nf  ^1?'^*' v^V^  ^^J"  ^'^t'"g"ilhed  and  wealthy  inhabitants  of 

^LTl/    f         '''^'  ^"'^  ""^"y  ^"  ^^«  ^^>«««t  «^o"W.  were  loy- 

alists,aiid,  of  course,  enemies  to  American  independence.    On  the 

arrival  of   he  British  army,  the  disaffected  in  thiVpart  of  the  state 

and  the  neighboring  parts  of  New  Jersey,  embodied  Lmselves  under 

officers  selected  by  tJiemselves.     Oliver  de  Lancey  was  appointed  a 

general,  with  authority  to  raise  a  brigade  of  tories,  and  a  hke  com! 

mission  was  given  to  Courtland  Skinner,  of  New  Jersey.     TheTe 

troops  committed  many  murders  and  robberies  on  both  sides  of  the 

Hudson  river,  but  more  especially  in  Westchester  county.     The  pro- 

sSv"  w  ^'''''  """"^  ^'^T^'^  energetic  measures.     The  «  Council  of 

Dlov  miIirrv'frP''T'V°/'"^  *^''  P^'"^^"^  ^»d  papers,  and  to  em- 

mpnt«   in  A       k"     ^y  '^'  ^'^^^  P^^«^  numerous  alrests,  imprison- 

S«'.  3l    "'f '"r"'"'  '^^'■^  '"^^^  throughout  the  state.     Many 

s?a  e   n?h.  «'''  ^^"''^r.''''^  «ent  into  New  If  ork.  Others  expelled  the 

ifmf:.  «  S      '^"^""^n  ^^'^'^  security  to  resiae  within  prescribed 

hmits    and  occasionally  the  jails,and  even  the  churches,  were  crowded 

Tf  CnnnfrT^C^  '"""^^  T'^  ^""^  ^«''  ^afe-keeping  to  the  jaib 

t»,nT''f  l'"^D''-^"j^i?^  ^'"«  '"  P^'"*  o^  numbers  greatly  inferior  to 
his  a?2  fr  ^'•'^ifh,  General  Washington  drew  off^the  m^ain  bodj  of 
h^s  army  from  York  Island,  and  encamped  at  White  Plains,     tord 

"Th:  28ro7o:tT  ''rrV'^^.^'  ^^"-    ^"  -ngagemenl  ensued 
on  the  28th  of  October,  but  no  decisive  advantage  was  obtained ;  the 
Americans  retired  to  a  strong  position  on  the  heights  of  Crth  Gas! 
ie,  which  the  enemy  declined  to  attack.     GenerarWashinZn  leav 
ing  about  7  500  men  under  General   Lee  to  defend  Scije 
crossed  the  Hudson  and  continued  his  retreat  to  the  soutlmard    The' 
American  army  continuing  to  retire  from  New  York,  Sir  William 
Howe  embraced  the  opportunity  of  reducing  Fort  wUingtcm  !nd 
Fort  Lee,  on  the  Hudson.     While  these  operations  were  gS  onin 
GeZfcl";  '''''  "^  '^''  '"^''J  '^'  "«rthern  division  of  the  annyf  undir 
?Zfn?tf'  ''"'  'T'^l"^  ^'  '^''  "^••^'^  '"  P""'"«  Ticonderoga  in 
I .  t!  rl      i"'"'  T^  '"''de  pn..parations  to  Jecuro  the  command  of 
Lake  Champiain.     General  Arnold,  who  commanded  the  American 
fleet,  bemg  pursued,  was  obliged  to  blow  up  his  vessels,  and  after 
finng    he  fortress  „t  Crown  Point,  rctreated^o  Ticonde'oga  *  The 

i^oJilS'"""';'^  "''*""'  f -''•.r^'connoitering  the  latter  pi ac?,  deemed 
It  prudent  on  Uie  approach  of  winter  to  return  to  Cuuadft. 


4 


OUTLINE   HISTORY. 


8T 


ihabitants  of 
y,  were  loy- 
ce.    On  the 
of  the  state 
selves  under 
appointed  a 
a  like  com- 
3ey.     These 
sides  of  the 
.    The  pro- 
"  Council  of 
,  and  to  em- 
ts,  imprison- 
ate.     Many 
expelled  the 
prescribed 
>re  crowded 
to  the  jailj 
d  joined  the 

inferior  to 
ain  body  of 
tins.     Lord 
nent  ensued 
tained ;  the 
North  Cas- 
igton,  leav- 
rth  Castle, 
ward.  The 
ir  William 
lington  rtnd 
?oing  on  in 
rniy,  under 
iideroga  in 
tnmand  of 
American 
and,  after 
3gn.     The 
je,  deemed 


The  state  convention,  driven  from  New  York,  convened  from  time 
to  time  at  Harlaem,  King's  Bridge,  Philip's  Manor,  Fishkill,  White 
Plains,  Poughkeepsie,  and  Kingston.  On  the  1st  of  August,  1776,  a 
committee  was  appointed  to  report  a  constitution.  The  draft  of  this 
instrument,  which  was  prepared  by  Mr.  Jay,  was  reported  on  the 
12th  of  March,  and  finally  adopted  on  the  20th  of  April,  1777.  It 
was  amended  by  convention  in  October,  1801,  and  superseded  by  the 
present  constitution  in  November,  1821.  The  constiti'-'on  of  1777 
was  republican  in  its  character.  The  supreme  executive  power  was 
vested  in  a  governor  and  lieutenant-governor,  who  was  to  preside 
over  the  senate,  and  perform  the  duties  of  the  governor  in  case  of 
vacancy.  The  legislative  power  was  vested  in  the  senate  and  house 
of  assembly,  who  were  to  hold  at  least  one  session  every  year.  The 
governor  and  members  of  the  senate  and  house  of  assembly,  were 
to  be  elected  by  the  freeholders  of  the  state  of  New  York. 

The  returns  of  the  first  elections  under  the  new  constitution  were 
made  to  the  Council  of  Safety,  July  9th,  1777.  General  George 
Clinton  was  chosen  governor,  and  was  sworn  into  office  on  the  30th 
of  the  same  month,  at  Kingston,  being  then  in  the  active  command  of 
the  New  York  militia.  He  did  not  quit  the  field  until  after  the  defeat 
of  Burgoyne,  but  discharged  such  civil  duties  as  devolved  on  him,  by 
correspondence  with  the  Council  of  Safety.  At  the  adoption  of  the 
constitution,  the  state  was  divided  into  fourteen  counties  :  New  York, 
Richmond,  Kings,  Queens,  Suffolk,  Westchester,  Dutchess,  Orange, 
Ulster,  Albany,  Tryon,  Charlotte,  Cumberland,  and  Gloster ;  the  two 
last  form  part  of  the  present  state  of  Vermont.  The  first  six  (except 
part  of  Westchester  axid  part  of  Orange)  remained  in  possession  of 
the  enemy  until  the  peace,  the  highlands  forming  the  great  barrier  to 
his  farther  advance  from  the  south. 

The  principal  object  of  the  British  in  the  campaign  of  1777,  was 
to  ojien  a  communication  between  the  city  of  New  York  and  Canada, 
and  to  separate  the  New  England  from  the  other  states.     The  plan 
consisted  of  two  parts :  General  Burgoyne,  with  the  main  body  of 
the  army  from  Canada,  was  to  advance  by  the  way  of  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  and  effect  a  junction,  at  Albany,  with  the  royal  army  from  New 
York.     A  detachment  of  British  soldiers  and  a  largo  body  of  Indians, 
under  Colonel  St.  Leger,  with  a  regiment  of  New  York  loyalists, 
under  Sir  John  Johnson,  were  to  ascend  the  St.  Lawrence  to  Lake 
Ontario,  and  penetrate  towards  Albany  by  way  of  the  Mohawk  river. 
General  Burgoyne,  with  an  army  of  more  than  7,000  men,  exclusive 
of  a  corps  of  artillery  and  a  large  body  of  Indians,  invested  Ticon- 
deroga  on  the  30th  of  June.      This  fortress  was  abandoudod  by 
General  St.  Clair,  on  the  ajiproach  of  tlu;  enemy.     The  rear-guard 
of  the  American  army,  consisting  of  1,000  men,  under  (Joionel  War- 
ner, was  overtaken  and  defeated  at  Ilubbardston.     General  Schuyler, 
who  commanded  at  Fort  Edward,  was  oWmnl  to  retire  to  Saratoga 
before  the  su^)erior  force  of  the  enemy.     Wliile  the  British  were  en- 
camped at  I'ort  Edward,  a  detachment,  under  Colonel  Baum,  was 
«cnt  to  take  j)o8«ession  of  the  American  stores  at  Bennington,  in  the 


I 


88 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


t 


New  Hampshire  grants.    General  Stark  collected  the  militia  in  that 

don  the  siege  and  return  to  Montreal.     General  LrSehaviW 
advanced  as  far  as  Saratoga,  found  himself  sulSTy 'a  bTv? 

SLkro^K^T^n'of  O 'tT'^  'I  ^"'^  ''  ^«'««^  ^  '''^^^^-     In  this 
extremity,  on  the  17th  of  October,  he  was  compelled  to  surrender  his 

wljole  army,  consisting  of  more  than  5,700  meMo  General  Gates 

Dunng  the  operations  at  Saratoga,  Sir  Henr^  Clinton,  with  See 
thousand  men,  proceeded  up  the  tfudson,  with  the  view  of  effecting 
a  diversion  m  favor  of  Burgoyne.  On  the  Gth  of  October  he  maSf 
an  attack  on  forts  Montgomery  and  Clintoh.  These  works  were  car 
ned  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  but  most  of  the  garrisons  escaped" 
Pn[n'J"'*'rf!f?.'  ""'^  Constitution  were  evacult  d'and  Serai 

SS' Trvon  on  th'Tn'"^  ""^'^  Hudson,  retreated  to  Sill 
wnerai   iryon  on  the  following  day  burned  Continpntnl  v;nn„« 

where  considerable  stores  were  IposLdrGeneral  Cgt^^^^^^ 
Sf  J:^'hT\P'?'''^'^K"P  J'^^  ^^-'  devastated  the  T  tie' 

fhiV  V  f  ""P^'^"!  ^^^^^^8  and  1779,  nothing  decisive  was  effected  • 
the  British  engaged  in  no  enterprise  of  much  hnportance  and  apnea; 

tect  d  na';rof'tV'"''  T'"  *t"^''  P'""'^^''  and'^devasSe  theunpro- 
^d  a  r/at  ai  f,nt'T  Ti-  ^T  "'^^  ^^  ""^'^^  ^^^e  committed, 
Tain  bod  fofT.  5  P  ''"^  """"^  P"'"'^^  P''«P^'-ty  destroyed.  The 
main  body  of  the  American  army  was  concentrated  near  West  Point 
for  the  protection  of  that  imix)rtant  fortress.  General  Clinionhavnl- 
seized  the  works  at  Verplanck's  Nock  and  Stoney  PoTnt  CWal 
Washington  formed  a  design  for  their  recovery,  f  he  reductLn  of 
of  Jdv  n7«  w '"''"^  ^ri!  ^y  ^'^"-  ^•^y"^'  by  assault,  on  ho  loth 
ISd  Zinrthe'wan  ^'^  "^^^  '^'^  '^"^  ^«-^  enterprises  which 
The  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  (with  the  exception  of  thoOneidas 

Kinl  wChrr'    """'!,"?  '~'"E,.,ton.  Pei,n..vlvo„i„.  to  Tioga 
several  assauiN      hr^vT      i  "'  "^"""^  '''^'"^^  ^"^«  ^'»^'y  ''^T'^IIed 


i 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


39 


nilitia  in  that 
:h  the  British 
r,  with  about 
id  of  General 
erkimer,  who 
iged  to  aban- 
:oyne,  having 
d  by  a  brave 
reat.    In  this 
surrender  his 
eral  Gates. 
1,  with  three 
of  effecting 
ber,  he  made 
rks  were  car- 
ons  escaped, 
and  General 
i  to  Fishkill. 
ital  Village, 
ghan  with  a 
1  the  settle- 
id  then  em- 

vas  effected ; 
,  and  appear 
te  the  unpro- 
I  committed, 
oved.  The 
West  Point, 
iton,  having 
nt,  General 
reduction  of 
on  the  ItUh 
irises  which 

the  Oneidas 
promises  of 
do  the  fron- 
fid  devasta- 
igust,  1779, 
v&n,  with  a 
I.  to  Tioga 
re  hod  from 
'he  Indians 
own,  Tioga 
rhry  stood 
ley  repelled 
f*  W!ty  and 
rated  with- 


0 


t 


out  obstruction  into  the  heart  of  the  Seneca  country,  and  spread  deso- 
lation on  every  side.  Eighteen  towns  and  villages,  besides  hamlets 
and  detached  habitations,  were  burnt.  All  their  fields  of  corn,  their 
orchards  and  gardens,  were  entirely  destroyed.  By  this  summary 
proceeding  the  ardor  of  the  Indian  warriors  was  damped,  and  their 
inroads  became  much  less  frequent  and  destructive. 

At  the  period  of  this  expedition,  different  parts  of  the  state  suffered 
severely  from  the  depredations  of  detached  parties  of  Indians.  In 
July,  Colonel  Brandt,  with  a  party  of  Indians  and  royalists,  burned 
the  Mmisink  settlement  and  took  several  prisoners.  In  August,  the 
Indians  with  their  tory  associates  destroyed  the  settlements  at  Cana- 
joharie,  and  burnt  a  number  of  houses  at  Schoharie  and  Norman's 
creek.  In  October,  these  irruptions  were  renewed,  a  great  extent  of 
country  about  the  Mohawk  was  laid  waste,  and  many  of  the  settlers 
were  killed  or  made  prisoners. 

During  the  year  1780  and  1781,  the  operations  of  the  war  were 
chiefly  conducted  in  the  southern  states,  the  British  occupying  the 
city  of  New  York  and  its  vicinity.  In  1780,  a  plot,  fraught  with  im- 
minent danger  to  the  American  cause,  was  happily  discovered.  Gen- 
eral Arnold  having  solicited  and  obtained  the  command  of  West 
Point,  entered  into  a  negotiation  with  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  to  deliver 
that  important  fortress  into  the  hands  of  the  em  my.  To  facilitate 
the  correspondence,  John  Andre,  the  adjutant-gc.eral  of  the  British 
^^'"y' proceeded  up  the  Hudson  in  the  Vulture  sloop-of-war,  as  near 
W^t  Point  as  practicable,  without  exciting  suspicion.  On  the  night 
of  Septfinber  21st,  Andre  went  on  shore  in  a  boat,  and  met  Arnold 
on  the  beach.  Failing  to  get  on  board  the  Vulture  again,  Andre  at- 
tempted to  return  to  New  York  by  land,  in  disguise.  Receiving  a 
passport  from  Arnold,  he  passed  the  guards  and  outposts  without 
suspicion.  When  about  thirty  miles  from  New  York,  he  was  met 
by  three  militia-men,  PawWin^,  Williams,  md  Van  ^r^  who,  re- 
fusing  the  bribes  which  Andre  offered,  carried  him  to  their  command- 
ing officer.  He  was  tried  as  a  spy  by  a  board  of  officers,  condemned, 
and  executed. 

The  capture  of  Cornwallis  at  Yorktown,  Virginia,  convinced  the 
British  government  of  the  impracticability  of  conquering  the  United 
States.  The  provisional  articles  of  peace  between  the  two  countries 
were  signed  at  Paris,  November  30th,  1782.  On  the  19th  of  April, 
1783,  a  iorrnal  proclamation  of  the  cessation  of  hostilities  was  made 
throughout  the  army,  and  the  definitive  treaty,  acknowledging  the 
indq)enden^e  of  the  United  States,  was  signed  on  the  30th  o»  Sep- 
tember. 1  he  British  troops  evacuated  New  York  on  the  25th  of 
November,  and  the  Americans  took  possession  the  same  day. 

The  termination  of  the  revolutionary  war,  and  the  adoption  of  the 
federal  constitution  in  1788,  gave  a  new  aspect  to  the  affairs  of  the 
country.  During  the  war  a  considerable  jK)rtion  of  New  Yr)rk  was 
in  possession  of  the  enemy,  and  many  of  its  most  fertile  tracts  open 
to  their  ravages :  many  of  the  new  settlements  were  broken  up.  On 
the  return  ol  peace  Uicse  were  resumed,  oad  many  otliurs  commenced, 


J 


40 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


which  progressed  with  astonishing  rapidity.  Commerce,  also,  expe- 
rienced a  rapid  revival  on  the  return  of  peace.  In  1791,  the  exports 
to  foreign  ports  amounted  to  above  two  million  five  hundred  thousand 
dollars.  In  1793,  six  hundred  and  eighty-three  foreign  vessels,  and 
one  thousand  three  hundred  and  eighty-one  coasting  vessels,  entered 
the  port  of  New  York. 

The  controversy  relative  to  the  New  Hampshire  grants  still  con- 
tinued. Frequent  application  had  been  made  by  both  parties  to  the 
general  congress  for  the  interference  of  that  body,  but  no  decisive 
result  was  obtained.  In  1789,  the  legislature  passed  an  act  in  order 
to  settle  this  controversy,  and  acknowledging  the  territory  as  an  in- 
dependent state.  Commissioners  were  mutually  appointed,  and  in 
1790,  after  a  controversy  of  twenty-six  years,  the  subject  was  brought 
to  an  amicable  adjustment.  In  1791,  the  new  state  was  admitted  into 
the  Union,  with  the  name  of  Vermont. 

In  1786,  the  state  of  New  York,  to  quiet  or  put  at  rest  certain  an- 
tiquated claims  of  Massachusetts  to  a  portion  of  her  territory,  granted 
that  state  large  tracts  of  vacant  lands.     These  lands  consisted  of  two 
parts :  one  part  comprehended  all  that  part  of  the  state  lying  west 
of  a  line  beginning  at  the  north  at  the  mouth  of  Great  Sodus  bay, 
on  Lake  Ontario,  and  running  thence  southerly  to  the  north  line  of 
Pennsylvania,  except  one  mile  on  the  east  side  of  Niagara  river,  and 
the  islands  in  that  stream.     This  tract  consisted  of  six  millions  one 
hundred  and  forty-four  thousand  acres,  and  was  called  the  Genesee 
Country.     The  other  tract  comprehended  ten  or  twelve  townships, 
of  six  square  miles  each,  embraced  in  the  counties  of  Broome  and 
Tioga.      These  cessions  embraced  about  10,000  square  miles,  nearly 
one  fourth  of  the  state.  New  York  ceding  every  thing,  save  sove- 
reignty, to  Massachusetts  without  an  equivalent.      The  government 
of  Massachusetts  sold  the  first  tract  to  Oliver  Phelps  and  Nathaniel 
Gorham,  for  one  million  of  dollars,  and  the  other  to  John  Brown 
and  others,  for  three  thousand  three  hundred  dollars  and  some  cents. 
The  "  Military  Lands,"  as  they  were  called,  were  set  apart  by  the 
legislature,  in  1782,  for  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  state  of  New 
York,  who  should  serve  in  the  army  of  the  United  States  till  the  end 
of  the  war,  according  to  law.     The  military  tracts  contained  about 
one  million  eight  hundred  thousand  acres,  comprehending,  generally 
speaking,  the  counties  of  Onondago,  Cortlandt,  Cayuga,  Tompkins, 
and  beneca,  and  parts  of  the  counties  of  Oswego  and  Wayne.     Pre- 
vious to  the  cession  made  to  Massachusetts,  and  the  grant  made  to 
the  soldiers,  the  Indian  title  was  not  extinguished.     Messrs.  Phelps 
and  Gorham,  and  the  government  of  New   York,  had  to  extinguish 
these  before  settlements  could  be  made.     The  first  permanent  settle- 
ment made  in  the  western  territory  was  by  Hugh  White,  in  1784,  in 
company  with  four  or  five  families  from  Connecticut,  who  seated 
themselves  at  Whitcstown,  near  Utica. 

A  party  of  emigrants,  in  1790  or  1701,  made  a  road  through  the 
woods  from  the  settlements  of  Whitestown  to  Canandaigua.  Emigra- 
tion now  mcreased  from  year  to  year.   The  winter  was  the  season 


♦ 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


e,  also,  expe- 
l,  the  exports 
[red  thousand 
1  vessels,  and 
ssels,  entered 

nts  still  con- 
aarties  to  the 
;  no  decisive 
act  in  order 
)ry  as  an  in- 
nted,  and  in 
was  brought 
admitted  into 

t  certain  an- 
tory,  granted 
sisted  of  two 
3  lying  west 

Sodus  bay, 
north  line  of 
ra  river,  and 
millions  one 

the  Genesee 
e  townships, 
Broome  and 
Tiiles,  nearly 

save  sove- 
government 
i  Nathaniel 
ohn  Brown 
some  cents, 
apart  by  the 
ate  of  New 

till  the  end 
lined  about 
^.generally 

Tompkins, 
lyne.  Pre- 
nt  made  to 
srs.  Phelps 
•  extinguish 
ncnt  settle- 
in  1784,  in 
vho  seated 

irough  the 
n.  Einigra- 
the  season 


41 


usually  chosen  for  emigrating  from  New  England  to  the  western 
country.  Then,  as  the  country  was  shaded  by  forest  trees,  there  was 
commonly  snow  enough  for  sleighing.  In  1796,  the  British  evac- 
uated torts  Oswegatchie  and  Oswego,  and  immediately  afterward  set- 
ments  were  begun  at  these  places.  In  1797  and  1798,  settlements 
were  commenced  at  Lowville,  Watertown,  and  Brownville,  in  the 
counties  of  Lewis  and  Jefferson.  Settlements  were  now  rapidly  ex- 
tended on  every  side.  The  settlements  along  the  great  road  from 
Utica  to  Genesee  nver,  were  mostly  connected  by  the  year  1800,  and 
from  that  year  the  western  country  began  to  attain  consequence  in 
the  councils  of  the  state. 

In  1795,  Governor  Clinton,  having  for  eighteen  years  discharged 
the  office  of  governor,  declined  a  re-election  on  account  of  sustaining 
the  republican  principle  of  rotation  in  office.  He  was  succeeded  by 
John  Jay,  who  continued  in  the  office  till  1801,  when  Mr.  Clinton 
again  accepted  .-  re-election.  In  1796,  the  legislature  granted  the 
Oneida  Indians  an  annuity  of  85,552,  in  lieu  of  all  former  stipulations 
for  lands  purchased  in  1795;  $2,300  to  the  Cayugas ;  and  #2,000  to 
the  Onondagas.  A  general  organization  act  was  passed  in  1801 
dividing  the  -tate  into  thirty  counties.  Mr.  Clinton,  having  been 
elected  vice-president  of  the  United  States,  Morgan  Lewis  succeeded 
him  as  governor,  in  1804.  Mr.  Lewis  was  succeeded  by  Daniel 
D.  Tompkins,  in  1807.  Albany,  the  same  year,  was  made  the  caoi- 
tal  of  the  state.  ^ 

In  1810,  an  act  was  passed  by  the  legislature  "  for  exploring  the 
route  of  an  inland  navigation  from  Hudson's  river  to  Lake  Ontario 
and  Lake  Erie."  Commissioners  were  appointed  for  this  purpose 
who  made  a  report  the  following  year.*  The  subject  now  began  to 
excite  general  interest,  and  a  bill  being  introduced  by  Mr.  Clinton  an 
act  was  passed,  "  to  provide  for  the  improvement  of  the  internal  navi- 
gation  of  the  state."    Commissioners  were  again  appointed  to  solicit 

•The  first  Ie«i«Iadvo  movement  with  reference  to  a  communication  like  the  present 

House.  February  4th  1808.  th«t  "  a  Joint  com'mre^briTn.rd  ^\X' intrcSe™ Jj„' 
the  propnety  of  exploring  and  causing  an  accurate  survey  to  tn,  made  oVu^e  "Z  eSe 
and  direct  route  for  a  canal,  to  open  a  communication  beLeen  the  tideZaZ»Tth7Hul 
son  and  Lake  Erie  to  the  end  that  congrcsi,  may  be  enabled  to  approS  suih  sum.  ^ 
may  be  necessary  to  the  accomplishn.ent  of  that  great  object."  '' Th„TopS.n "^aJ^ 
Gordon.mh.s  very  able  Gaxutteer,  "was  received  by  the  House  '  with  wch  eZSon^  of 
surpnse  and  nd.culo,  a.  are  due  to  a  very  wild  and  foolish  project  It  wLTrrnaTelv 
however,  finnly  sustamed  by  the  proposer  and  his  fripnH.  »n.l  fi^.n.,  .  Z  ""^"'""'o  y, 
principle.  •  that  it  could  do  no  harm'and  migh  Itm  good  'Bm  £  i'lnrcZ.i  .'!''""  *" 
possessed  in  favor  of  the  Oswego  route,  c^rocted  .h"  ^"eyor Jltl  io  ca  ."^^^ 

1„%"„T'  ""r'"'  1"''  ^"T"';"  "'"  "*""'  '^""  •'"'*•'«"  H"d1on  river  and  Uko  Erie  Lrf 
,uch  other  route  a,  he  mtght  deem  proper:  shifting  to  the  survcyor-genoraUhe  re.^™,- 
bihty  of  cmntenancmg  a  project  deemed  absurd.     Six  hundred  doila^oX  could  b^D^" 

cured  for  the  exploration When  in  JBinmrv   IHtW   Mr  p  J^^'  1    ''"'" 

President  Jefler,on.  and  informed  him  that  fn  v./wThT.'  pro^J^noX^Vthelri 
revenue,  of  the  nation  .n  making  roads  and  canals,  the  state  of  New  VTk  had  exnlS 
the  route  o(  a  canal  Iroin  the  Huds,,,,  to  Lake  Erie,  and  had  found  it  pr.cticiL    a^Swhml 

fin.nl  7"'".f"'  i''A'"'^»""'»7  -nticipated.  the  president  repli^ t^Su \v„  a  „/" 
fine  project,  and  mght  he  executed  a  century  hence.' »  ^ 

G 


42 


OUTLINE    HISTORY. 


aid  from  the  congress  of  the  United  States.  De  Witt  Clinton  and 
Goyerneur  Morris  were  appointed  to  lay  the  subject  before  the  gen- 
eral government.  Thev  proceeded  to  Washington,  and  presented  a 
memorial  to  congress ;  but  were  unsuccessful  in  their  application  to 
that  body  for  assistance.  In  March,  1812,  the  commissioners  again 
made  a  report  to  the  legislature,  and  insisted  that  now  sound  policy 
demanded  that  the  canal  should  be  made  by  the  state  on  her  own 
account.  The  subject  was,  however,  soon  after  suspended  by  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  with  Great  Britain. 

War  having  been  declared  in  1812,  the  attention  of  the  Americans 
was  early  directed  to  the  invasion  of  Canada,  and  troops  to  the  num- 
ber ot  eight  or  ten  thousand  were  collected  along  the  line  for  this 
purpose.  They  were  distributed  into  three  divisions ;  the  northwest- 
ern army,  under  General  Harrison;  the  army  of  the  centre,  under 
General  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  at  Lewiston  ;  and  the  army  of  the 
north,  in  the  vicinity  of  Plattsburg,  under  General  Dearborn,  the 
commander-m-chiet.  Great  exertions  were  also  made  in  preparinc  a 
naval  force  upon  the  lakes,  the  command  of  which  was  Intrusted  to 
Commodore  Chauncey.  About  the  1st  of  October,  Commodore  Chaun- 
cev.with  a  body  of  seamen,  arrived  at  Sackctts  Harbor;  several 
schooners  which  had  been  employed  as  traders  on  the  lake  were 
purchased,  and  fitted  out  as  vessels  of  war.  Lieutenant  Elliot  was 
despatched  to  Black  Rock,  to  make  arrangements  there  for  buildine  a 
naval  force  superior  to  that  of  the  enemy  on  Lake  Erie 

On  the  13th  of  October,  a  detachment  of  one  thousand  men  under 
Colonel  Van  Rensselaer  crossed  the  Niagara  river  at  Lewiston,  and 
attacked  the  British  on  the  heights  of  Queenston.  They  succeeded 
m  dislodging  the  enemy,  but  not  teing  reinforced  from  the  American 
side,  as  was  expected,  were  afterward  repulsed,  and  compelled  to 
surrender.  Dunng  the  ensuing  winter,  the  operations  of  the  war  on 
the  New  York  frontier  were  mostly  suspended.  Some  skirmishing 
^P^'ISPfF^  ^''?"g  !he  St.  Lawrence;  but  the  opposing  enemies  being 
divided  by  a  barrier  of  ice,  not  sufficiently  strong  to  admit  of  the 
transportation  of  artillery,  no  enterprise  of  importance  was  attempted. 
In  April,  1813,  General  Dearborn  made  dispositions  for  a  descent 
upon  York,  the  capital  of  Upper  Canada.  The  enterprise  was  com- 
mittcd  to  a  detachment  of  one  thousand  seven  hundred  men,  under 
the  command  of  General  Pike,  assisted  by  the  fleet  under  the  com- 
mand ot  Commodore  Chauncey.  General  Pike  was  killed  in  the 
attack,  but  the  place,  with  large  quantities  of  military  stores,  fell  into 
•  k  u  fl^*  Americans.  Commodore  Chauncey  having  returned 
with  the  fleet  to  Fort  Niagara,  it  was  immediately  resolved  to  make  a 
descent  upon  lort  George,  situated  up«n  the  opposite  shore.  An 
attack  was  made  on  the  27th  of  May,  and  after  a  short  contest  the 
place  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans. 

During  these  operations  of  the  Americans,  several  enterprises  were 
undertaken  by  J  he  enemy.  About  the  last  of  May,  a  detachment  of 
about  one  thousand  British  soldiers,  under  Sir  George  Provost,  made 
an  attack  on  Sackctts  Harbor,  but  were  repulsed  with  considerable 


# 


OUTLINE    HI8T0RY. 


43 


Clinton  and 
)re  the  gen- 
presented  a 
plication  to 
oners  again 
ound  policy 
on  her  own 
ded  by  the 


to  the  num- 
ine  for  this 
3  northwest- 
ntre,  under 
army  of  the 
arborn,  the 
preparing  a 
intrusted  to 
lore  Chaun- 
or;  several 
lake  were 
Elliot  was 
r  building  a 

men  under 
iviston,  and 

succeeded 
!  American 
mpelled  to 
the  war  on 
ikirmishing 
mies  being 
mit  of  the 
attempted. 

a  descent 
!  was  com- 
ncn,  under 
r  the  com- 
led  in  the 
es,  fell  into 
g  returned 
!  to  make  a 
hore.  An 
:;ontest  the 

rises  were 
chment  of 
'^ost,  made 
nsiderable 


loss.  On  the  10th  of  September,  Commodore  Perry  captured  the 
British  fleet  on  Lake  Erie.  The  operations  on  Lake  Ontario  were 
less  decisive.  During  the  latter  part  of  summer  and  autumn,  frequent 
skirmishes  took  place,  but  no  important  advantage  was  obtained  by 
either  party.  After  the  victory  on  Lake  Erie,  great  preparations 
were  made  for  the  conquest  of  Montreal.  This  object  was  to  be 
effected  by  two  divisions  under  Generals  Wilkinson  and  Hampton, 
who  were  to  effect  a  junction  on  the  St.  Lawrence.  The  division 
under  Wilkinson  moved  down  the  river  early  in  November ;  on  the 
nth,  a  severe  but  indecisive  engagement  with  the  enemy  took  place 
at  Williamsburg.  General  Hampton  made  a  short  incursion  into 
Canada,  but  no  junction  was  effected.  The  enterprise  against  Mon- 
treal was  abandoned,  and  the  troops  retired  to  winter  quarters  at 
French  Mills,  near  St.  Regis.  Fort  George  was  evacuated  and  blown 
up  by  the  Americans.  In  December,  the  British  crossed  over  above 
Fort  Niagara,  and  took  that  place  by  storm.  After  the  capture  of  the 
fort,  they  proceeded  up  the  river  and  burnt  Lewiston,  loungstown, 
Manchester,  and  the  Indian  village  of  Tuscarora.  On  the  30tn,  a  de- 
tachment of  the  British  crossed  over  near  Black  Rock.  They  were 
feebly  opposed  by  the  militia,  who  soon  gave  way,  and  were  totally 
routed.  Having  set  fire  to  Black  Rock,  the  enemy  advanced  to 
Buffalo,  which  they  laid  in  ashes,  thus  completing  the  desolation  of 
the  Niagara  frontier. 

Early  in  July,  1814,  Fort  Erie  was  taken  by  the  Americans,  and 
during  the  same  month  sanguinary  battles  were  fought  at  Chippewa 
and  Bridgewater.  On  the  11th  of  September,  Sir  George  Prevost, 
with  an  army  of  fourteen  thousand  men,  made  a  descent  upon  Platts- 
burg,  and  after  a  severe  engagement  was  compelled  to  retire  with 
great  loss.  The  British  fleet,  under  Commodore  Downie,  was  cap- 
tured by  Commodore  Macdonough,  on  the  same  day.  The  war 
was  terminated  by  the  treaty  of  Ghent,  signed  by  the  commissioners 
of  both  countries,  December  24th,  1814,  and  ratified  by  the  president 
and  senate  on  the  17th  of  the  following  February. 

On  the  termination  of  the  war,  the  consideration  of  the  great  plan 
for  the  internal  navigation  of  the  state  was  resumed.  During  the 
session  of  1817,  a  memorial  was  presented,  signed  by  upwards  of 
one  hundred  thousand  citizens,  calling  upon  the  legislature  to  pass 
laws  for  the  commencement  and  execution  of  the  proposed  canals. 
An  act  was  accordingly  passed,  and  large  appropriations  made  for 
this  purpose.  The  Erie  and  Champlain  canals  were  immediately 
commenced  and  vigorously  prosecuted.  The  Erie  canal,  from  Al- 
bany to  Buffalo,  was  completed  in  1825,  at  an  expense  of  about  eight 
millions  of  dollars,  and  is  one  of  the  mos*  magnificent  works  of  the 
kind  ever  constructed.  The  Champlain  canal,  seventy-one  miles  in 
length,  was  completed  in  1823,  at  an  expense  of  $875,000. 

In  1817,  Governor  Tompkins  was  chosen  vice-president  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  and  De  Witt  Clinton  was  elected  to  succeed  him  as  gov- 
ernor of  New  York.  In  1822,  Mr.  Clinton  declining  a  re-election,  he 
was  succeeded  by  Joseph  C.  Yates.    During  this  year,  (1822,)  the 


44 


ALBANY  COUNTY. 


constitution  of  the  state  having  been  revised  by  a  convention  at 

ernor  TT^  H  ^  S"*?"  Z^l  ^^^'"  '^-^^^cted  to  the  office  of  gov 
ernor.  He  died  suddenly,  February  11th,  1828,  and  the  duties  of  hU 
office  devolved  on  Nathaniel  Pitcher,  the  lieutenan"  governor  Ma^ 
tin  Van  Buren  was  next  elected  governor  Hp  ^nLfoI  I'  j  .^ 
of  theoffi  nehe  1st  of  January^  IS^^l^iS:  X'^^r^XSTel 
months,  he  resigned.  He  was  succeeded  by  Enos  T  Thfoon  who 
exercised  the  office  of  governor  from  1829^0  1833;  wJeX  was 
succeeded  by  Wilham  L  Marcy.  Governor  Marcy  was  succeeded 
m  the  office  of  governor  by  William  H.  Seward,  in  1837    '"*'''^''*^'* 


# 


ALBANY  COUNTY. 

Albany  County  was  originally  organized  in  1683 ;  but  its  limits 
have  smce  been  greatly  altered.     In  the  year  1768,  there  were  but 
ten  counties  m  the  state,  viz:  New  York    WestrhP^ L    n^f*  I 
Orange,   Ulster,   Albany,'  Richmond,   IcTngs,  Q^een?  a^d^S^^^^^^^^^^ 
This  county  then  embraced  the  whol^  of  tlfe\eSry%f  New  York 
lying  north  of  Ulster  and  west  of  the  Hudson  river   aVwpn^««JS 
nortTiward  of  Dutchess  on  the  east  side  of  the  hX^     Wr^^^^^^^^^^ 
ength  now  is  28,  and  greatest  breadth  21  miles.     The  surlceTnd 
soil  are  very  much  diversified.     Along  the  Hudson  arralluvial  fl^^^^^ 
nowhere  exceeding  a  mile  in  width,  susceptible  in  some  daces  of 
feft  rJT""-     ^ir,  '^'''  «^^«'  *''«  «»^face  risesTbruK  140 
hawk  tt^'"?-^!;''^r"y  ^"''^^'■'^  *«  ^he  mountains.     On  the  Mo- 
are  thP  HpM    .''  ^"u?'  ™^?"'''  ^"^  "^^"'•^"y  ^'^^ile  ;  on  the  west 

anH  X  \u  n"^  *''^,  '"''""^y  ^^^^^'^ts  of  Undulating  grounds 
and  plains,  with  small  marshes  and  tracts  of  mid  wr>f  =n?^  j 
cay,but  which  of  late  years  have  beeJ^r  ^y  f"  led  Ly^g^su^^ 

urwCt'fields'^Ttiirlr^'r  'T''  %  ^^-'^^-^  clote7a^5E 
lui  wneat  nefds.     btill,  large  tracts  in  this  county  are  unimoroved 

whea't'of'^whirPr^''^^''^  ^r  '^'  ^''^'^^  P^'-^-"  i«  prodSvTof 
Z.T\      ^u       ""  ^'''■fe"'  ^"^P'"«  's  annually  sent  to  the  New  York 

fTom  the  Si  "T'^  ''  ^'"  ^'"''^''^  by  streams  which,  flowing 
draulic  pow?r     ThirP'^'"'-'  ?^  «"''.«««'  ^^ording  valuable  hj 

iohTr'!^""  """d^'  "^  ^^^  York,  and  the  oldest  city  in  the  Uni 
nif       n''"'  '"  ^^.  ^'''  ^"  ^-  Lat.,  and  3°  12'  E.  Lon  ,^from  Wash 


ivention  at 
in  January, 
ice  of  gov- 
uties  of  his 
lor.  Mar- 
t  the  duties 
ig  for  three 
iroop,  who 
len  he  was 
succeeded 


t  its  limits 

were  but 
Dutchess, 
i  Suffolk. 
>few  York 
veil  as  all 
s  greatest 
irl'ace  and 
ivial  flats, 
places  of 
iptly  140 
1  the  Mo- 

the  west 
>il  of  cal- 

grounds 
ands  and 
gypsum, 
ind  fruit- 
mproved 
uctive  of 
sw  York 

flowing 
able  hy- 
)pulation 

the  Uni- 
1  Wash- 
n  honor 
ited  the 
ne  was 
and  this 


"^w\ 


44 

•iOti 
Aii; 

Xn  ' 


H  '•4- 


t 


■rr. 


.-■,ij«^?r,  the  li-. 
.  ■;  icovernoi'.' 
tMaxf,  i829,vfhij 
'«;  vvas  siM'A'    ■  ?  •.'   ■ 


y  litis  l^,^,.,,Ui.Ha(4c.  of  iu«^. 


,|;, 


<?uties 


m. 


ALBANY  f:'OUi\Ty. 


• 


3r 


'lie  .x)t!af>  co»jjij!(tst>f  u»d 

;  ■   ■    '    '  -'•■  ;■  ^vrshf.'s  and   ■  •  ■-■'■■     -■      ^  ^ 
f«K  vlndi  ,jf  laic  years  hasv-x  hf- 


'iijtke  west 
i;  rounds 


Ur!pJ-OVU! 


;4  '*  ■ 


to    Hi- 


*#■ 


Li  on 


'>'>i,  in   'i  ^    ■ 


* 


ipranijof!  at 
m  Jariiiuiy. 

:;'3  0l  His. 

Mar- 
dutics 


It  it-?  mmu 


t.thf'  west 
>il  of  cal. , 


t:'*   \'i 


-,  i 


m 


ALBANY   COUNTY. 


45 


name  for  the  same  reason  was  applied  by  the  aborigines  to  the  site 
of  the  city  of  Schenectady,  where  it  is  yet  retained  with  a  slight  va- 
riation in  the  orthography.  The  Dutch  named  Albany  "Beaver- 
wyck,"  [i.  e.  Beaver-town,]  and  afterward,  "  Willemstadt."  It  was 
never  known  as  Fort  Orange,  or  Urania,  as  has  been  asserted ;  but 
the  fort  only  was  called  Fort  Orange.*  Albany  was  probably  never 
visited  by  a  white  man  till  Sept.,  1610,  when  Hendricke  Chrystance, 
who  was  sent  up  the  river  by  Henry  Hudson  to  explore  the  country, 
first  landed  here;  and  as  far  as  can  be  learned  from  tradition  and 
some  documentary  evidence,  he  landed  somewhere  in  the  present 
North  Market  street.  In  that  or  the  succeeding  year,  a  party  of 
the  Dutch  built  a  blockhouse  on  the  north  point  of  Boyd's  Island,  a 
short  distance  below  the  Albany  ferry^ 

This  house  was  erected  for  a  twJvold  purpose ;  first,  to  open  a 
trade  with  the  Indians  for  furs;  the  next,  to  secure  themselves  against 
any  sudden  attack  from  the  savages.  But  it  was  soon  demolished, 
for  the  next  spring's  freshet  and  ice  swept  the  whole  of  it  away. 
This  party  then  chose  a  hill,  subsequently  called  "  Kiddenhooghten"-f 
within  two  miles  of  Albany,  for  the  erection  of  another  trading- 
house.  The  Indians  called  this  hill  "  Ta-wass-a-gun-shee,"  or  the 
"  Look-out  Hill."  Not  long  afterward,  this  spot  was  abandoned, 
and  a  more  convenient  post  selected.  The  place  last  chosen  was  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  house  now  called  "  Fort  Orange  Hotel,"  in  South 
Market  street.  The  Dutch  there  erected  a  Fort,  "  mounting  eight 
stone  pieces  "X  ^^^  called  it  "  Fort  Orange." 

Until  after  the  year  1625,  the  Dutch  did  not  contemplate  making 
any  permanent  settlements  in  this  state.  They  merely  visited  the 
country  in  the  autumn  and  winter,  with  a  view  to  the  fur  trade 
with  the  Indians,  returning  in  the  spring  to  Holland,  or  "Vader- 
landt."  But  in  that  year,  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  first  en- 
tertained the  idea  of  colonizing'^their  newly  discovered  territories  in 
America,  and  accordingly  offered  large  appropriations  of  land  to 
such  families  as  should  "  settle"  in  their  colony  of  New  Netherlands. 
This  soon  brought  many  over,  and  from  that  period  till  1635,  several 
of  our  most  respectable  Dutch  families  arrived;  among  them  were  the 
ancestors  of  the  Van  Schelluyne,  Quackenboss,  Lansing,  Bleeker, 
Van  Ness,  Pruyn,  Van  Woert,  Wendell,  Van  Eps,  and  Van  Rensse- 
laer families. 

It  does  not  appear  that  any  stone  or  brick  building  was  erected 
here  (the  fort  excepted)  until  the  year  1647,  when,  according  to 


•  For  most  of  the  statements  given  respecting  the  early  history  of  Albany,  the  authors 
are  indebted  to  the  "  Historical  Reminiscences,"  published  in  the  American  Journal,  1835. 

i  Kiddenhoogkten,  or  Kidda-heighU  or  kill,  received  its  name  about  the  year  1701;  and, 
according  to  tradition,  in  memory  of  the  pirate  Kidd,  so  celebrated  "  in  song  and  story," 
who  it  is  supposed  concealed  much  of  his  ill-gotten  treasure  in  the  yicinity.  It  is,  however, 
doubted  whether  Kidd  ascended  the  Hudson  as  far  as  Albany. 

t  According  to  Mr.  Vander  Kempt,  the  translator  of  our  Ehitch  records,  they  were  called 
"  Stien-gestucken,"  or  stone  pieces,  because  they  were  loaded  with  ttone  instead  of  iron 
ball.  They  were  formed  of  long  and  strong  iron  bars,  longitudinally  laid,  and  bound  with 
iron  hoops,  and  were  of  immense  caliber. 


46 


ALBANY  COUNTY. 


near  the  fort,  and  he  comDiZ,  nf  ihA         '"''*"^  """rected 
••th=m8anker,(128gaUo„,f„fb3we«ooMj3'-  *°  ''^'> 

(rxte.TJiJirra,tfe5^^ 

ernment  of  the  city  ZZ  extrJ^lf  -^T^  ^J  ^."""^^S"  The  gov- 
the  character  Vor^  o""  Sr;lSm'"thaf  th  fT' '  ''  h 

ice;  heavy  penalties  were  impLd  for  T  I  /^^J  ""^  ^  "^'^^^  P^ 
laws  reffulatinff  the  trade  wifh7!,«T^-  ^®  i^*^*  infraction  of  the 
quently^ned"   Thlrte'r^^t^t'^^^^^^^^^  --- 

Schenectady  flats  where  ih^Ji^*^J  !  T  ^  *"®  "traders"  to  the 
the  fur  on  its  way  7oAlVn7.T^u^u^  ^  considerable  portion  of 

or  wampum  "^  consisted  principally  of  iewml, 

Ho£d''r,"hetlonrin  l»^°^,'"T  'T^^''^  -»'  »"'  «•»"> 

fetdtct"pf^?lSr~^^ 

fa        oeaverwick,  lor  their  newly  constructed  little  church."    In 


Ancient  Dutch  Church,  Albany. 


ALBANY   COUNTY. 


47 


on  this  foundation  they  raised  a  larger  structure.  Having  thus  com- 
pletely enclosed  the  first  church,  they  took  it  down  and  removed  the 
whole,  with  only  the  loss  of  public  worship  for  three  sabbaths.  The 
new  edifice,  which  had  been  constructed  in  this  manner,  was  one 
story  high,  of  Gothic  appearance,  having  its  windows  richly  orna- 
mented with  coats  of  arms.  This  church,  of  which  the  preceding  en- 
graving is  a  representation,  stood  about  ninety-two  years  in  the  open 
area  formed  by  the  angle  of  State,  Market,  and  Court  streets.  It 
was  taken  down  in  1806,  and  the  stone  of  which  it  was  constructed 
was  used  in  the  erection  of  the  South  Dutch  Church,  between  Hud- 
son and  Beaver  streets.  Fort  Orange,  on  the  river  bank,  appears  to 
have  been  but  a  slight  fortification.  In  1639,  a  complaint  was 
made  by  the  commandant  of  the  fort  to  Gov.  Stuyvesant,  stating 
"  that  the  fort  was  in  a  miserable  stafe  of  decay,  and  that  the  hogs 
had  destroyed  a  part  of  it"  A  laier  work  built  of  stone  was  erected 
on  the  river  hill,  at  the  west  end  of  State-street.  The  English  Church 
was  just  below  it,  at  the  west  end  of  a  market. 

As  has  been  stated,  the  government  of  Beaverwick,  or  Albany, 
while  under  the  Dutch  rule  was  rigid  and  arbitrary.  It  was  in  the 
hands  of  three  or  more  "  commissaries,"  appointed  by  the  governor 
and  council,  who  usually  held  their  oflices  for  one  year.  Without  the 
permission  of  the  coinmissaries,  no  one  was  allowed  to  build  houses, 
buy  or  sell,  or  to  establish  manufactories,  stores,  shops,  taverns,  or 
beer-houses.  In  1647,  Jan  La  Battle  applied  for  permission  "to 
build  a  brewery,"  which  was  granted  "  on  liis  paying  yearly  six  beav- 
ers, a  duty  of  perhaps  of  about  eighty  dollars.  The  duties  were 
generally  farmed  out,  or  sold  at  auction ;  and  during  this  year  and 
several  years  afterward,  the  duties  on  beer  in  Beaverwick  exceeded 
eight  hundred  dollars.  The  fines  imposed  for  the  violation  of  ordi- 
nances were  generally  distributed  in  the  sentence  in  this  way :  "  one 
third  to  the  church,  one  third  to  the  public,  and  one  third  to  the 
attorney-general." 

.hn'^"!;"*?  ^"I?™'  '*;:'"'  ':'?."*'?  ^''""y  *"  "'*3'  •>'« '«'"'  •«  ■<""«  '■•cts.  ah  the  people 

hrf.!,  ^T  J^""''',;  '^''/'T  '""^''  '''°'«'  S"'''"  «"«•  '«  '»'«  «««'!  «'»'  «nd»  were  of 
,u.AM  c  fi  '^''"*  «f  P'"""^'  <"•  'ogs-  The  gutters  on  the  rooft  went  out  almost  to 
ho  iniddle  of  the  .treet,  greatly  annoying  traveller!,  in  their  discharge.  At  the  stoopos 
(porchoH)  the  people  sprnt  much  of  their  time,  especially  on  the  shady  side;  and  in  the 
evenmgs  thoy  wore  filled  wuh  both  sexes.  The  streets  were  dirty  by  reason  of  the  cattle 
possessing  iheir  fre«  use  dunng  the  summer  nights.  They  had  no  knowledge  of  stoves, 
and  their  chmimcs  were  so  wide  that  one  could  .Irive  through  them  with  a  cart  and  horses! 
Many  people  siill  made  wampum  to  soil  to  Indians  and  traders.  Dutch  manners  every, 
where  prevailed !  but  their  dress  in  general  was  after  the  English  form.  They  were  re. 
garded  as  close  in  traffic;  were  very  frugal  in  their  house  economy  and  diet.  Their 
wonien  were  over-nice  in  cleanliness,  scouring  floors  and  kitchen  utensils  several  times  • 
weeK ;  nsing  very  early  and  goi.ng  to  sioep  very  late.  Th.ir  servants  were  chiefly  negroes. 
1  lieir  breaklast  was  lea  wiihoul  milk,  using  sugar  by  putting  a  small  bit  into  the  mouth. 
Ihe ir  dinner  was  buttermilk  and  bread;  and  if  to  that  they  added  sugar,  it  was  deemed 
dcliciotui."-ir««w«'.  Sketche,  of  Olden  Time,  in  Neu  York. 

Albany  was  incorpornt(;d  as  a  city,  under  Governor  Doncan's 
administration,  in  Um.  The  charter  limits  wore  one  mile  on  the 
river,  and  extended  northwest  to  the  north  line  of  the  manor  of  Rens- 
selaer, and  retaining  Uiat  width  thirteen  and  a  half  miles ;  the  fee  simple 


48 


ALBANY   COUNTY. 


of  which  was  vested  in  the  corporation.    Its  bounds  were  enlarged 
by  the  addition  of  part  of  the  small  town  of  Colonic,  in  1816,  which 
now  forms  the  fifth  ward.     The  government  of  the  city  is  now  lodged 
in  a  mayor,  recorder,  ten  aldermen,  and  .ten  assistant  aldermen,  who 
are  annually  elected  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  May.    The  plat  on  which 
the  city  is  built  is  uneven.     A  low  alluvial  flat  extends  along  the  river 
from  fifteen  to  one  hundred  rods  wide ;  west  of  which  riserf  abruptly 
a  hill  of  clay  and  sand,  m  the  first  half  mile  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
three  feet,  and  in  the  next  about  sixty-seven  feet  high;  from  this 
summit  the  country  extends  in  nearly  an  even  plain  to  Schenectady. 
The  position  of  Albany,  necessarily  makes  it  a  great  thoroughfare. 
The  completion  of  the  canals  has  given  it  a  great  commercial  im- 
portance, making  it  the  entrepot  for  a  great  proportion  of  the  pro- 
ducts destined  for  the  New  York  market.     To  accommodate  this 
trade,  a  basin  has  been  constructed  by  the  citizens  on  the  river,  in 
which  all  the  northern  and  western  canal  boats  are  received.    It 
consists  of  part  of  the  river  included  between  the  shore  and  a  pier 
eighty  feet  wide,  and  four  thousand  three  hundred  feet  long.    The 
pier  contains  about  eight  acres,  on  which  stores  have  been  built,  and 
where  immense  (juantities  of  lumber  and  other  articles  of  trade  are 
deposited.    The  basin  has  an  area  of  thirty-two  acres. 


Slate  and  City  Halls,  Albany. 

The  above  is  a  west  view  of  the  State  and  City  Halls,  the  fronts 
of  which  face  the  Academy  Park,  a  small  section  of  which  appears 
on  the  left.  The  building  on  the  right  is  the  City  Hall,  constructed 
of  white  innrblo,  hewed  out  by  the  state  prisoners,  at  Sing  Sing,  and 
distinguished  above  all  other  edifices  in  this  country  by  its  gilded 
dome,  like  the  Invalides  at  Paris.  It  was  completed  in  December,  1832. 
In  the  rotunda  of  this  building  there  is  a  statue  of  Hamilton,  a  cony 
of  that  by  Gn  enough,  in  the  Merchants'  Exchange,  destroyed  by  the 
great  fire  in  New  York,  in  IH'.i^.  There  are  also  two  designs  in  bass- 
relief,  executed  by  W.  Coflee,  at  the  cost  of  the  citizens,  commemora- 
live  of  De  Witt  Clinton  and  Sir  Walter  Scott.     A  bust  of  each  is 


ALBANY    COUNTY. 


40 


introduced  in  the  designs;  that  of  Clinton  is  surrounded  bv  fisures 
representing  Commerce,  Agriculture,  Science,  a  canal  lock,  &c.  The 
bust  oi  Scott  IS  accompanied  with  a  female  figure,  presenting  a  volume 
inscnbed  "  Marmion  f  the  words  "  Minstrel'^  and  «  Waverlv"  ao^ar 
on  a  scroll  below  ;  the  Genius  of  History,  Fame,  and  the  emblems  of 
death  and  immortality,  are  also  introduced.  The  New  State  Hall,  par- 
tially seen  on  the  left,  was  commenced  in  1835.  It  covers  an  area  of 
one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  by  eighty-eight  feet,  and  is  sixty-five  feet 
in  height.  The* materials  of  the  building  are  brick  and  stone;  the 
exterior  faced  with  marble,  from  Mount  Pleasant ;  the  ceilings  are 
arched  with  brick,  and  the  whole  fire-proof.  This  edifice  contains 
the  ottices  ot  the  secretary  of  state,  comptroller,  treasurer,  attorney- 
general,  surveyor-general,  «fec.  ^-, 


East  View  of  the  Capitol  at  Albany. 
^f'^s'f  ♦"^'V*'  l^  ""^  ?'*T  V""^  ""^  ^''«  ^^P't«l.  situated  at  the  head 

rilnr        i;       *"     L?''    ■'T'^ri  ^"i^   ^^''''^y  '^^^^   aboVC  tho    IcVcl    of  thc 

riycr.  It  is  substantially  built  of  stone,  at  an  expense  of  0120,000,  of 
wluch  thc  city  corporation  paid  #34,000.  The  hall  of  the  repre- 
sontntives  and  the  senate  clian.bcr,  each  contain  full  length  portraits 
I'J  Was  ungton  and  of  several  governors  of  the  state.     iHie  Academu 

;tr.'^"fn^  ?"^  ""^''  ""^  *'I"  ^"'^"^  '•l'""'^'  i«  «  fi"«  building,  con- 
structod  ot  Nyac  stone,  three  stories  high  and  ninety  feet  front; 
ros  .  a  he  city  rharge,  $00,000.  exclusive  of  the  site  and  some  im- 
o.  ant  donations.  Tho  A/ha ny  Institutr  has  cmmodious  apartments 
in  the  Academy.  Its  library  <;ontains  ahout  two  thousand  volumes, 
and   Its   musenn.  more  than   ten  thousand   specimens  in   geology 

ZZf7^'  r'""^'-  ''"'"■"■'  ^'"^'^'^^i"^'"-  casts/&c.  It  publishes  its 
tn  nsac  K,ns  frnm  t,me  to  time,  and  has  a  high  reputation  abroa.l. 
Ihe  A/f>a,n/  Ju-mah  Aaukmy,  is  a  bniutiful  building,  erected  by  a 

u  putation.     1  he  Lxchange.  Stanwix  Hall,  the  Museum,  and  several 


50 


ALBANY    COUNTY. 


of  the  churches,  are  fine  buildings.  The  Atheneum,  was  established 
in  1827 ;  the  Albany  Library,  established  in  1792,  and  now  connected 
with  the  Atheneum,  has  about  nine  thousand  volumes. 

There  are  six  banks,  viz: — Bank  of  Albany,  incorporated  in  1792; 
capital,  $240,000.  New  York  State  Bank,  incorporated  1803;  capi- 
tal, $369,600.  Mechanics  and  Farmers*  Bank,  incorporated  1811; 
capital,  $442,000.  Commercial  Bank,  incorporated  1825;  capital, 
8300,000.  Canal  Bank,  incorporated  1829 ;  capital,  $300,000.  Al- 
bany City  Bank,  incorporated  1834  ;  capital,  $500,000.  The  Albany 
Savings  Bank  was  incorporated  in  1820. 

There  are  25  churches :  4  Presbyterian ;  1  Associate  do. ;  3 
Dutch  Reformed ;  4  Methodist  Episcopal ;  1  Protestant  Methodist ; 
1  Colored  do. ;  3  Baptist ;  1  Colored  do. ;  2  Catholic ;  3  Episcopa- 
lian; 1  Friends;  1  Universalist.  Population,  33,663.  Albany  is 
distant  from  New  York  148  miles  ;  from  Washington  city,  376  ;  Phil- 
adelphia, 237;  Boston,  171  ;  Hartford,  92;  Montreal,  247;  Quebec, 
394 ;  Detroit,  664  ;  Buffalo  via  Utica  by  land,  296 ;  via  Cherry  Val- 
ley, 282  ;  by  the  canal,  363. 

Upon  the  northern  bounds  of  the  city  is  the  mansion  house  of  the 
late  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.,  the  patroon  of  the  manor  of  Ren»- 
selaerwick.  It  is  almost  entirely  surrounded  by  a  thick  forest  of 
trees,  giving  it  an  unusually  retired  aspect.  "  The  name  of  this  gen- 
tleman can  scarcely  be  mentioned  without  a  passing  tribute  to  his 
merit.  Blessed  with  great  wealth,  which  so  frequently  leads  to  sel- 
fish egotism  and  exclusiveness,  he  has  through  life  been  distinguished 
as  an  active  and  efficient  public  man  ;  bestowing  his  personal  services 
and  his  fortune,  to  the  encouragement  of  every  species  of  improve- 
ment in  literature,  science,  and  art.  His  name,  as  a  benefactor,  is 
associated  with  most  of  the  charitable  and  scientific  institutions  of  the 
state  ;  and  he  has  perhaps  done  more  than  any  other  citizen  to  foster 
agriculture  and  internal  improvements." — Gordon's  Gaz. 

Berne,  centrally  distant  west  from  Albany  20  miles,  was  taken 
from  Rensselaerville  in  1795.  Population,  3,740.  This  town  was 
settled  during  the  revolutionary  war,  by  a  number  of  Scotch  families. 
Berne,  East  Berne,  and  Readsville,  are  the  names  of  postofficcs. 
Centreville,  is  a  small  village.  The  lands  in  this  town  arc  leased  by 
Mr.  Van  Rensselaer. 

Bethi.ehkm,  the  first  town  south  from  Albany,  was  taken  from 
Watervlict,  in  1793.  Pop.  3,225.  The  flats  on  Hudson  river  arc 
inhabited  by  the  descendants  of  the  early  Dutch  settlers.  There  are 
here  extensive  limestone  caves,  one  of  which  has  been  explonul  for 
about  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  Coeyman's  creek  and  the  Norinans  kill, 
aflTord  valuable  hydraulic  power.  Cedar  Hill  nostotfice,  on  the  Hud- 
son, is  8  miles  south  from  Albany.  Mills  Island,  a  fertile  tract  in 
the  Hudson,  lies  partly  in  the  town. 

Coevmanh,  taken  from  Watt^rvliet  in  1791.  Pop.  3,107.  It  was 
early  settled  by  the  Diilcli,  and  r(u'civ(!(l  its  nani(;  from  one  of  the  first 
settlers,  himself  a  propric^tor.  Coeymnn's  villug(>,  at  the  junction  of 
Coeyman's  creek  with  the  Hudson,  14  miles  south  of  Albany,  includ- 


w 

« 


ALBANY    COUNTY. 


^l 


stablished 
;onnected 

[  in  1792 ; 
03;  capi- 
ed  1811; 
;  capital, 
000.  Al- 
le  Albany 

B  do. ;  3 
[ethodist ; 
Episcopa- 
V.lbany  is 
76;  Phil- 
Quebec, 
erry  Val- 
ise of  the 
r  of  Rens- 
forest  of 
r  this  gen- 
)ute  to  his 
ids  to  sel- 
tinguished 
il  services 
f  improve- 
efactor,  is 
ons  of  the 
1  to  foster 

ivas  taken 
town  was 
h  families, 
•ostortices. 
leased  by 

ikcn  from 
river  are 
There  arc 
plorcd  for 
mans  kill, 
the  Ilud- 
D  tract  in 

f.  It  was 
)f  the  first 
uiction  of 
ly,  includ- 


" 


ing  the  Sqtiare,  contains  150  dwellings.  Coeyman's  Hollow,  is  a  post 
village,  in  the  central  part  of  the  town  on  Hawnakrans  kill. 

GuiLDERLAND,  taken  from  Watervliet  in  1803.  Pop.  2,790.  Guild- 
erland,  West  Guilderland,  Guilderland  Centre,  and  Dunsville,  are 
postoffices.    The  town  is  centrally  distant  from  Albany  10  miles. 

Knox,  taken  from  Berne  in  1822.  Pop.  2,143.  The  lands  are 
leased  by  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer.  Knoxville,  or  Union  Street,  21  miles 
west  from  Albany,  has  about  30  dwellings. 

New  Scotland,  taken  from  Bethlehem  in  1832.  Pop.  2,914.  New 
Scotland,  8  miles  southwest  of  Albany,  has  about  40  dwellings. 
New  Salem,  Clarksville,  Union  Church,  are  postoffices.  Callagan's 
Corners,  is  a  small  settlement  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  town. 

Rensselaer viLLE,  taken  from  Watervliet  in  1790.  Pop.  3,712. 
Rensselaerville,  a  village  of  about  125  dwellings,  is  situated  on  Ten 
Mile  creek,  at  the  junction  of  the  Albany,  Delaware,  and  Greenville 
t.nnpikes,  24  miles  southwest  from  Albany.     The  following  view 


Northeastern  View  of  Rensselaerville, 

was  taken  near  the  Episcopal  church  seen  on  the  left.  The  church 
on  the  hill  is  the  Presbyterian,  and  that  on  the  right  the  Methodist. 
The  Baptist  church  is  not  seen  from  this  point.  On  the  Ten  Mile 
creek  thero  is  an  artificial  reservoir  or  dam,  flooding  80  or  100  acres, 
whicii  aflords  great  hydraulic  power.  This  stream  approaches  the 
village  through  the  ravine,  seen  between  the  hills  in  the  engraving, 
and  in  the  course  of  half  a  mile  falls  1.50  or  200  feet.  In  1788,  the 
first  mill  in  this  town  was  erected  by  Mi'ssrs.  Siunuel  Jenkins  and  Joel 
Culver  on  this  creek,  near  the  site  of  the  village.  This  town  was 
first  settled  during  the  revolution  by  Mr.  Henry  Vandyke,  an  elderly 

{;entleman,  who  located  himself  in  the  southwi^st  nart.  Samuel  Jen- 
;ins,  Melatiah  and  Nathaniel  Hatch,  Joseph  Woodford,  Thomas 
Brown,  Joel  ('iilver,  Jonathan  Crocker,  Aslihel  Culver  and  others, 
nettled  here  about  1788.    They  were  mostly  young  men,  from  Con- 


%f 


59 


ALBANY   COUNTY. 


necticut,  Massachusetts,  and  Dutchess  county.    They  built  their  log 
cabins,  cooked  their  provisions,  remained  during  warm  weather,  and  in 
wmter  returned  east.     These  first  settlers  were  very  poor.    For  the 
first  year  or  two,  not  a  horse  was  owned  within  a  mile  of  the  village, 
and  they  were  obliged  to  carry  their  maple  sugar  20  or  30  miles  on 
Hieir  backs,  exchange  it  for  com,  and  return  in  the  same  manner. 
1  he  first  log  cabin  m  the  village  was  located  on  the  spot  where  Mr. 
Charles  L.  Mumford's  store  now  stands,  and  was  erected  by  Mr 
hamuel  Jenkins.     In  the  hollow  near  the  village,  the  tories,  during 
the  revolutionary  war,  had  a  secret  place  of  rendezvous.     Here  they 
built  a   hut  of   bass-wood  logs,  oblong  in  its  form,  with  the  loss 
meeting  at  the  top,  and  capable  of  holding  60  or  100  men.    An 
unsuccessful  attempt  was  made  to  surprise  them.    The  military  road, 
built  during  the  old  French  war,  between  Athens  and  Schoharie,  pass- 
ed a  little  west  of  the  village  site.     Preston  Hollow,  30  miles  south- 
west of  Albany,  on  the  Athens  and  Cherry  Valley  turnpike,  has  about 
40  dwellings.    Potter's  Hollow,  2  miles  south  of  the  above,  and  Hall's 
Mills,  about  5  miles  south  from  Rensselaerville,  are  small  settlements, 
having  postoffices. 

The  following  account  of  the  captivity  of  two  lads,  John  and  Rob- 
ert  Brice,  is  drawn  from  a  pamphlet  by  Mr.  Josiah  Priest,  entitled 
I  fie  Captive  Boys  of  Rensselaerville." 

The  parents  of  these  children  emigrated  from  Scotland  in  1774,  and  settled  in  that  part 
ot  the  Rensselaerwick  patent  formerly  comprised  in  the  limits  of  this  town,  but  now  in 
those  ot  Berne.  The  war  of  the  revolution  had  raged  with  various  success  for  about  four 
years,  when  the  few  scattered  families  of  this  vicinity  began  to  be  in  constant  fear  from  the 
incursions  oJ  the  tories  and  Indians,  who  had  now  commenced  their  depredations  and  acts  of 
cold-blooded  cruelty  upon  the  inhabitants  in  the  neighborhood  of  Old  Schoharie.  The 
lamily  ot  Mr.  Bncc,  havmg  got  out  of  bread,  sent  one  morning  on  horseback,  Robert  the 
youngest  of  the  two  boys,  who  was  then  about  eleven  years  of  age,  with  o  bag  of  meal  to 
get  ground  at  a  place  called  the  Beaver  Dam,  eight  or  nine  miles  distant  from  their  dwell- 
ing.  He  amved  safely  at  the  mill,  in  company  with  three  other  lads,  who  went  thither  on 
a  similar  errand.  By  the  time  their  meal  was  ready,  the  day  was  far  spent ;  and  as  their 
route  back  mostly  lay  through  a  long  and  deep  forest,  they  all  but  little  Robert  concluded 

p  remain  with  the  miller  overnight.    John  Brice,  the  elder  of  the  two  boys,  was  at  th^ 
time  at  work  with  a  farmer  by  the  name  of  Johannes  Deitz,  who  resid..d  about  three  miles 

rom  the  mill,  and  thither  R,>bert  was  determined  to  go  and  spend  the  ni^.llt,  mid  return 
U^e  remnuider  of  the  way  home  on  the  next  morning.  The  bag  of  meul  iliilg  placed  on 
the  hor^e,  the  little  fellow  pursued  his  lonely  way  through  the  wilderness.  It  was  near  the 
commencement  of  twilight,  the  last  beams  of  the  descending  sun  were  flashing  their  golden 
glare  among  the  peaks  ol  the  mountains,  when,  on  approaching  the  house  where  he  infended 
to  have  passed  the  mght,  an  Indian  horribly  painted  rose  up  suddenly  from  llie  roadside, 
and  seizing  the  hndle  of  the  horse,  without  saying  a  word,  or  seeming  to  no.iec  the  rider 
kad  the  horse  directly  towards  the  ho,«e.  On  passing  the  barn  door,  the  boy  was  inspired 
with  additional  terror  on  beholding  old  Mr.  Deitz  lying  on  the  ground  watering  in  lus 
mood.     Between  lie  house  and  barn,  he  saw  in  a  similar  situation  the  wives  of  old  Mr 

the'ir"  ZtlTl  ""Tul  "™"  ';■'"'''''  "  "^  "'^'  '"""•  "'"'  "»  «■"«"'  f '■■'. '"  ""  --isht  persons; 
their  newly  shed  blood  sourc-ly  yet  cooled  in  the  evening  air.  He  now  perceived  iho 
house  to  be  full  of  Imlmns  hideously  painted,  busily  and  silently  employed  in  carrying  Z 

tonrfrn"„Vr""'"r'  *;'""!!'"'•  ^r-  '"  '•""•"•«  '"«  '■y«  """"d.  ••«  "^-held  at  «  iftHe  dis- 
tance from  the  house  his  brother  John  and  Cuplain  Deitz,  the  son  of  the  old  man,  tied  to 

™Jr't'!h"""'T'-  J*'*  T'^  i  "'^'"■'■y  ""''  '"■"•'"■O' being  accomplished,  the  Indian 
fhn  nii  7i  "1"r  '^^  'r'"'  "*^'"'^""''  •'"""■"  ^hich  Oicy  had  stolen,  and  hurried  from 
the  pace.     They  had  gone  but  a  little  way  from   (he  seen.,  of  butchery,  when  hearing  a 

all  m  flames.    1  ho  hrst  night  of  their  captivity  they  ilcpt  within  a  mile  of  their  parents,  in 


^  'ig 


ALBANY   COUNTY. 


58 


the  anns  of  the  savages.  Early  the  next  morning  they  resumed  their  flight ;  their  progress 
was  slow  through  the  woods,  occasioned  by  the  bulkiness  of  their  baggage,  while  they 
directed  their  way  towards  the  head  waters  of  the  Cattskill  creek,  sleeping  that  night  some, 
where  in  the  neighborhood  of  what  is  now  called  Potter's  Hollow,  a  few  miles  southwest 
of  Oakhill,  in  Greene  county.  From  this  place  they  again  set  off  in  the  morning  towards 
the  Schoharie  river,  and  ct  the  close  of  the  day,  while  ascending  to  the  height  of  land  aim. 
ing  to  reach  the  river  above  Middleburgh,  the  Indians  suddenly  became  very  much  alarmed. 
News,  it  appeared,  had  reached  the  garrison  at  Schoharie  of  the  outrage,  and  they  had 
sent  out  a  party  to  intercept  tlie  Indians  in  their  retreat ;  but  the  savages  had  discovered 
them  in  season  not  to  be  surprised.  Abandoning  their  horses,  plunder  and  all,  the  three 
prisoners  and  eight  scalps  excepted,  the  Indians  fled  into  the  woods  on  the  side  oiF  the  ridge, 
and  the  darkness  of  night  soon  hid  them  from  the  fury  of  their  pursuers.  If  they  had  not 
been  disturbed  in  their  course,  their  intention  was  to  have  availed  themselves  of  the  war- 
nor's  path  on  the  Schoharie  river,  leading  to  the  place  called  Brake^-bin,  from  thence  to 
Harpersfield,  and  so  on  to  the  Susquehannah,  the  Chemung,  Genesee,  and  Niagara.  As 
soon  OB  it  was  day,  having  slept  that  night  without  fire,  they  set  forward  again,  much  cast 
down  in  their  minds ;  pursuing  the  range  of  the  mountain  till  somewhere  near  Gilboa,  they 
crossed  the  creek,  and  passed  on  through  the  woods  to  Harpersfield ;  from  thence  to  the 
Chariotte  river,  coming  to  the  Susquehannah  at  McDaniel's  Mills,  since  so  called,  and 
thence  onward  down  that  river  to  the  Oqungo. 

Having  now  lost  all  their  provisions,  they  felt  the  sufferings  of  hunger,  and  had  noway  to 
relieve  themselves,  lest  their  tell-tale  guns  should  report  them  to  their  pursuers.    Three 
fl-^^j"""^  nights  they  were  compelled  to  subsist  on  nothing  except  what  the  bushes  might 
afford— wintergreens,  birch  bark,  and  now  and  then  a  few  wild  berries.    Captain  Deitz  was 
a  peculiar  sufferer,  as  suspended  from  a  stick  were   the  aged  scalps  of  his  father  and 
mother,  his  wife  and  the  four  bloody  memorials  of  his  babes,  adorned  with  the  half.grown 
hair  of  their  infant  heads.    These  were  constantly  in  his  view,  and  often  slapped  in  his 
face  by  the  savage  warrior.    Captain  Deitz  finally  died  at  Montreal  with  a  broken  heart. 
On  the  third  day,  when  not  far  from  the  mouth  of  the  Unadilla  river,  they  considered  them, 
selves  out  of  danger,  consequently  travelled  more  at  leisure,  stopping  frequently  to  hunt.   At 
such  times,  as  when  they  went  out  to  hunt  a  day,  intending  to  return  by  night,  the  Indians 
always  bound  Captain  Deitz  and  Robert's  brother  to  a  tree,  laying  them  flat  on  their  backs, 
^w      n"  1  ^^  *  '''^*'  elevated  to  a  limb ;  in  this  uneasy  posture  they  were  compelled  to 
suffer  till  their  return.    The  owner  of  Robert  had  received  a  wound  in  the  leg,  when  the 
party  were  pursued  by  the  detachment  from  the  garrison  at  Schoharie,  and  after  a  few  days 
travelling,  he  became  so  lame  as  to  be  unable  to  travel  as  fast  as  his  companions.    The 
poor  boy  was  now  separated  from  his  brother  and  Captain  Deitz,  and  was  left  behind  with 
lus  master  and  two  other  Indians.    The  first  intimation  to  the  boy  that  they  had  arrived  in 
ttie  Genesee  or  Indian  country,  were  the  yells  which  they  uttered,  and  the  responses  they 
received  from  a  great  distance,  which  were  continued  until  within  sight  of  each  other. 
Wc'e  commenced  a  persecution  which  the  little  ftllow  had  not  anticipated ;  for  the  Indian 
children  about  his  size  and  age  immediately  fell  upon  him  with  their  whips  and  fiats,  ainus- 
itig  themselves  to  see  him  jump  about  and  cry.    He  fled  for  protection  to  his  master,  but 
otjiained  none  from  that  quarter.    His  next  resort  was  to  fly  to  a  hut,  although  full  of  Indians, 
alllBughing  at  his  misfortunes ;  he  sprang  in  among  thorn,  trembling,  pnle,  and  bleeding, 
When  his  pursuers  desisted.     Whenever  they  approached  an  Indian  settlement,  the  same 
ominous  yells  were  renewed,  when  the  same  sort  of  persecution  again  befell  him  j  but  aa 
necessity  at  first  had  taught  him  to  fly  to  a  hut,  so  ho  now  had  learned  to  press  forward 
with  all  his  power  to  the  door  of  the  first  wigwam  which  offered  to  liis  view,  never  being 
repulsed  on  his  entry.     Four  times  on  passing  from  one  settlement  to  another,  he  cxpori. 
enced  the  same  sort  of  treatment ;  which  custom  at  one  time  had  neariy  cost  him  his  life. 
An  Indian  lad  much  larger  than  himself,  who  ought,  even  according  to  their  notions  of 
dignity  and  manners,  to  have  known  better,  knocked  him  down  with  a  chib,  but  he  spmiig 
up,  and  soon  found  the  accustomed  asylum,  drenched  in  blood.    At  length,  the  three  In. 
dians  came  to  a  place  called  the  Nine  Mile  Landing,  on  Lake  Ontario,  where  was  the 
home  of  his  master.    Here  they  shaved  his  head  and  adorned  it  with  feathers,  and  painted 
him  after  their  manner,  intending  to  bring  him  up  as  an  Indian,  taking  him  with  them  on 
their  hshing  anti  hunting  parties,  initiating  him  as  fast  aa  possible  into  their  mode  of  living. 
A  lew  weeks  after,  Ins  master  took  him  to  Fort  Erie,  opposite  to  wh(Te  Ihiflalo  now  stands, 
and  sold   him   or  fifteen  dollars  to  the  captain  of  a  vessel  on  Luke  Erie,  who  was  a  Scotch, 
man.     From  this  tiine  he  saw  his  Indian  arquuiiitanre  no  more,  going  immediately  with  his 
new  master  to  Detroit.     Supposing  that  if  he  continued  with  the  captain,  and  followed  • 
■ca-farmg  life,  all  oppurtiinity  would  bo  forever  lost  of  returning  to  his  parentu,  he  contrived 
•  plea  to  be  left  at  Detroit,  to  which  his  muter  consented.    At  this  place  ho  remained  until 


M 


ALBANY   COUNTY. 


thettoie  of  the  rovolutionwy  war,  when,  according  to  th«  articles  of  peace,  the  priaoncn  of 
both  countHM  w«ro  to  bo  «ont  to  their  homos.  His  brother,  at  the  time  of  theii  -oparation, 
waa  sent  to  Fort  Niagara,  and  ho,  in  company  with  Robert  and  many  oUiers,  were  released 
and  sent  to  their  respective  homes — Robert  Brice  is  now,  or  was  recently,  still  livin*  in 
Bethlehem  in  this  county ;  a  respected  oitiion  of  the  farmer  class. 

Watekvliet  was  organized  in  1788.    Pop.,  including  West  Troy, 

10,146.    It  includes  the  islands  in  the  Hudson  on  the  east ;  centrally 

distant  north  from  Albany  0  miles,  extending  10  miles  along  the 

Mohawk  river,  and  its  lowest  branch  cr  sprout,  and  flj  along  the 

Hudson.    Havers,  Van  Schaicks  or  Cahoes,  and  Green  or  Tibbets 

islands,  arc  formed  by  sprouts  of  the  Mohawk.    They  were  occupied 

by  tho  American  army  under  Gtmeral  Gates,  in  1777.    The  lands  of 

the  town  are  principally  comprised  in  the  manor  of  Rensselacrwick. 

Cahoes,  Ncskaynna,  and  West  Troy,  arc  villages.    The  small  but 

Jlourishmg  manufacturing  village  of  Cahoes  is  situated  near  the  falls, 

on  the  bank  of  the  Mohawk,  within  a  short  distiuice  of  the  junction 

of  the  Erie  and  Champlain  canals.     The  water-power  developed 

here  IS  very  great,  and  the  advantages  of  this  position  for  manufac- 

turtifl,  are  among  the  best  in  the  state. 

I..:"/''?  ^"''"^*  ^'i'"' '"  '^"'ilT  °'"""'  ^'"'W'' ""''  •"'"'  *'••»  "P""'"'  nHvantoge  from  tho 
bridge,  have  a  total  descent  of  78  f,.o^  and  a  perpendicular  pitch  of  about  40.  Almvo  the  caU 
nract,  the  bank  on  t^io  Inft  has  nearly  100  feet  iH-rpendicular  elevation,  and  below,  170  foot. 
On  the  ngh  above  the  pitch,  the  bank  is  low ;  but  below  it,  the  shore  is  botweeii  80  and  JK) 
loot  high ;  below  the  falls  the  river  luns  in  a  deep,  rocky  and  broken  bed  for  a  short  dis. 
tanco,  expanded  into  the  plat  id  pool  formed  by  tho  state  dam,  and  glides  over  that  dam  in 
one  lovely  sheet  of  about  i  of  a  mile  in  length,  whose  gentle  fall  of  7  feet  makes  a  pleasimt 
contrast  wiUi  tJio  gn<at  cataract  above.  In  floods,  tlie  whole  bed  at  tho  latter  is  covered 
wiUi  water,  which  descends  in  one  unbroken  torrent  about  900  feet  wide.  At  such  sea. 
sons,  tho  high  weky  barriers  which  confine  tho  stream,  tho  roar  of  the  cataract,  the  dash- 
iJg  of  Uie  troubled  waters  as  they  descend  the  rapids,  and  the  striking  assiniilatiou  of  the 
torrent  wjiii  the  wilderness  above,  give  to  the  scene  unusual  sublimity." 

West  Twy,  incor|)orated  in  1830,  comprising  Gibbonsvillc,  Wa- 
^rvhet,  and  Port  Schuyler,  is  situated  upon  the  Hudson,  opposite 
1  roy,  mid  may  be  considered  as  a  part  of  that  city.  [See  viav  of 
Irot/.]  A  comnuinication  is  constantly  kept  up  with  it  by  ferries, 
and  a  hno  macadamized  road  0  miles  in  length  along  the  river  con- 
nwta  It  with  Albany.  A  valuable  water-power  is  derived  from  the 
Junction  canal,  and  used  at  the  arsenal  and  oUier  works.  The  village 
has,  by  the  census  of  1840,  a  ix.pHlation  of  4,tM)7  ;  and  enjoying  all  the 
advantages  ot  navigation  jKissossed  by  Troy,  grows  rapidlv.  The 
UnittMi  htattis  arsenal,  located  here,  cojnprises  several  extensive 
buildings  of  stone  and  brick,  in  which  there  are  a  large  quantity  of 
arms,  with  W()rksl.oi)s  for  their  repair.  Among  the  cannon  are  some 
pieces  taken  at  Saratoga  and  at  Yorktown ;  others,  i)resented  to  the 
United  htaics  by  Louis  XIV.,  with  some  cast  in  New  York  and  I'hil- 
adelphia  during  tho  revolution.  Another  suburb  of  Troy,  called 
JNorth  Troy,  has  been  laid  out  upon  Tibbets  island,  upon  which  is 
tlie  railroad  depot. 

At  Neskayuna,  there  is  a  small  society  of  Shakers,  whi(^h  was 
e8ta()lished  hen-  in  S.-ptcmber,  1770,  bv  Ann  Lee.  They  own  2,000 
acres  ot  good  luiid,  well  cultivated  and  divided  into  four  farms,  on 


I 


ALBANY   COUNTY. 


65 


ins 


each  of  which  is  a  family,  the  whole  amounting  to  about  80  ,,^.„v,..» 
of  both  sexes  and  all  ages.  From  a  very  small  beginning,  the  society 
has  grown  into  several  communities,  the  largest  of  which  is  estab- 
lished at  New  Lebanon,  Columbia  county, 

Ann  Lee,  or  "  Mother  Ann,"  (as  she  is  usually  called,)  was  bom  at 
Manchester,  England.  About  the  year  1758,  she  joined  herself  to  the 
society  of  Shakers,  so  called  from  the  singular  tremblings  and  shak- 
ings with  which  these  people  were  affected  at  their  religious  meetings. 
According  to  the  account  given  by  her  biographer,  she  passed 
through  great  trial  and  distress  of  mind  for  the  space  of  nine  years, 
durmg  which  period  she  had  many  visions  and  revelations.  She  set 
up  herself  as  a  religious  teacher,  and  soon  collected  a  number  of  fol- 
lowers, who  believed  her  to  be  the  "  elect  lady,"  spoken  of  in  the  2d 
of  John.  After  having  been  imprisoned  in  England  and  confined  in 
a  madhouse,  she  set  sail  for  America,  in  the  spring  of  1774,  with  a 
number  of  her  followers ;  particularly,  Abraham  Stanley,  her  hus- 
band, William  Lee,  her  brother,  James  Whitaker  and  John  Hock- 
nell ;  and  arrived  at  New  York  the  following  August.  It  appears 
that  Mother  Ann  remained  in  New  York  nearly  two  years,  and  then 
went  to  Albany,  and  thence,  in  the  following  September,  to  Neeka- 
yuna.  In  1781,  she  began  a  progress  through  various  parts  of  the 
country,  particularly  of  New  England,  which  lasted,  we  are  told, 
about  two  years  and  four  months.  She  died  in  1784.  The  follow- 
ing lines  are  from  a  book  entitled  "  Christ's  Second  Appearing ;"  they 
arc  extracted  from  a  poem  called  "  A  Memorial  to  Mother  Ann," 
jmd  will  serve  to  show  in  what  light  she  is  viewed  by  her  followers. 

At  Manchester,  in  England,  this  burning  truth  began. 
When  Christ  mode  his  appearance  in  blessed  Mother  Ann  ; 
A  few  at  first  received  it  and  did  their  lust  forsake,  'f 

And  8uon  their  testimony  brought  on  a  mighty  shake. 

For  Mother's  safe  protection,  good  angels  flew  before, 
Towards  tlio  land  of  promise,  Columbia's  happy  shore ; 
Hail,  thou  victorious  Gospel,  and  that  auspicious  day, 
When  Mother  safely  landed  in  North  America. 

About  four  years  she  labor'd  with  the  attentive  throng. 
While  all  their  sins  they  open'd  and  righted  cv'ry  wrong  ; 
At  length  she  closed  her  labors  and  vanish'd  out  of  sight, 
And  left  her  faithful  children  increasing  in  the  light. 

How  much  they  ore  mistaken  who  think  tliat  Mother's  dead. 
When  through  her  ministrations  so  many  aoula  are  fed ! 
In  union  with  the  Father,  she  is  the  second  Eve, 
Dispensing  full  salvation  to  all  who  do  believe. 

Westerlo,  taken  from  Coeymans  and  Rensselaer  in  1815.  Pop.* 
3,000.  Centrally  distant  from  Albany,  southwest,  81  miles.  The 
western  part  pertains  to  the  manor  of  Renssolacrwick ;  the  eastern 
part  IS  m  Coeyman's  Patent.  The  Dutch  and  Germans  commenced 
settlements  in  1750,  around  the  lowlands.  In  1704,  they  were  much 
increased  by  the  arrival  of  many  emigrants  from  New  England. 
Disbrows  and  South  Westerlo  are  postoffices. 


•Mmnm 


66 


# 


% 


ALLEGANY  COUNTY. 


ALLEGANY  COUNTY. 


Allegany  county  was  taken  from  Genesee  in  1806.      It  is  44 
miles  long,  28  wide,  beiijg  part  of  the  tract  ceded  to  Massachusetts. 
The  two  western  tiers  of  towns  are  within  the  Holland  Land  Com- 
pany's purchase.    The  Genesee  river  flows  through  the  county  by  a 
deep  channel,  depressed  from  five  hundred  to  eight  hundred  feet  below 
the  higher  hills.     By  an  act  passed  in  1828,  this  river  was  declared 
a  public  highway  from  Rochester  to  the  Pennsylvania  line.    The  soil 
IS  of  a  good  quality,  there  being  extensive  tracts  of  alluvion,  and  the 
uplands  embrace  a  variety.     The  northern  part  is  best  for  grain,  but 
as  a  whole  it  is  better  for  grazing.     Wheat  and  corn  thrive  well  in 
the  valley  and  on  the  river  flats.    Of  the  former,  twenty-five  bushels 
an  acre  are  an  average  crop,  and  of  the  latter  forty.     On  the  upland, 
corn,  rye,  potatoes,  oats,  and  buckwheat,  are  productive  crops.     The 
growth  of  forest  trees  being  heavy,  lumbering  is  carried  on  exten- 
sively.    The  Rochester  and  Olean  canal,  chartered  in  1836,  and  now 
constructing,  enters  the  county  at  Portage  and  terminates  at  Olean,  in 
the  adjoining  county  of  Cattaraugus.     The  line  of  the  Erie  railroad 
also  passes  through  it.    The  county  contains  30  towns.    Pop.  40,917. 
Alfred,  taken  from  Angelica  in  1808,  distant  from  Albany  246, 
and  from  Angelica,  east,  10  miles.     Pop.  1,637.     The  town  is  a  good 
one  for  farming.    Alfred  and  Vandemark  are  postoffices.      Baker's 
Bridge  and  Alfred  Centre  are  villages.    In  1821,  Almond  and  Inde- 
pendence were  taken  from  the  town. 

Allen,  taken  from  Angelica  in  1823,  since  reduced ;  distant  from 
A  bany  244,  from  Angelica,  north,  6  miles.  There  is  a  postofiics  at 
Allen,  and  one  at  Allen  Centre.     Pop.  870. 

Almond,  taken  from  Alfred;  since  reduced  in  area.  Pop.  1,434. 
Ihe  Bath  and  Angelica  turnpike  passes  through  it.  Almond,  the 
largest  village,  16  miles  east  from  Angelica,  has  about  thirty-five 
dwellings.     Centre  Almond  and  North  Almond  are  postoffices. 

Amity,  taken  from  Angelica  and  Scio  in  1830 ;  distant  from  Al- 
bany 2.58,  from  Angelica,  south,  6  miles.  Pop.  1,356.  The  Genesee 
crosses  It  northwestwardly,  upon  which  are  flats  from  half  a  mile  to  a 
mile  wide.  Phillipsburg,a  very  flourishing  post  village,  lies  on  the  river 
and  line  of  the  Erie  railroad  in  the  northeast  angle  of  the  town,  and 
has  one  I  resbyterian  and  one  Methodist  church.  There  is  a  fall  here 
ot  twe.ve  or  lourteen  feet,  yielding  an  excellent  water-power.  Phil- 
lipsville,  HobbicviUe,  and  Genesee  Valley,  are  postoffices. 
^  In  the  vicinity  of  Phillipsburg  are  the  remains  of  three  Indian  forts, 
on  the  largest  of  which  there  formerly  stood  eight  aged  trees.  On 
the  bark  of  one  of  them  was  carved  a  figure  of  a  turtle,  underneath 
wtiich  there  wa^  also  cut  a  canoe,  with  seven  Indians  in  it,  headed 
down  stream.  This  was  done,  according  to  the  account  given  by 
the  natives  to  the  first  settlers,  by  a  party  of  seven  Indians  of  the 
lurtle  tribe,  to  inform  their  companions  that  they  had  gone  down  the 


It  is  44 

achusetts. 
and  Com- 
unty  by  a 
feet  below 
3  declared 

The  soil 
1,  and  the 
grain,  but 
ve  well  in 
fe  bushels 
le  upland, 
ips.  The 
on  exten- 
,  and  now 
t  Olean,  in 
3  railroad 
X  40,917. 
bany  246, 
is  a  good 

Baker's 
and  Inde- 

;ant  from 
itoffico  at 

)p.  1,434. 

lond,  the 
hirty-five 
zes. 
from  Al- 

Genesee 
mile  to  a 
the  river 
5wn,  and 

fall  here 
r.     Phil- 

ian  forts, 
3es.  On 
derneath 
;,  headed 
given  by 
IS  of  the 
lown  the 


ALLEOANT  COUNTY.  57 

Andover  taken  from  Independence  in  1824 ;  distant  from  Jimv 
252,  from  Angelica,  southeasterly,  16  miles.    Pop.  864. 

Anoblica,  formed  from  Leicester  in  1805;  from  Albany  256,  and 
from  New  York  327  miles.  The  Genesee  crosses  the  southwestern 
angle  of  the  town.    Pop.  1,261. 


View  of  the  Public  Buildings  at  Angelica. 


frnnTJ  h%I  if  ?•  ^  d''^'  ^^'*.  °^  ^^^  ^^"««^«  ^''''^^'  ^0  miles  west 
trom  Hath,  52  S.  from  Batavia,  mcorporated  2d  of  May,  1835,  is  the 
coun^  seat.     The  above  view,  taken  near  the  residence  of  Mr.  John 

I*nrh"^Tl,  Tu-^'  ^^^  P"^"*^  ^""*^'"g«  excepting  the  Baptist 
th.Su-  ^''^f'*'^'^  structure^  on  the  left,  is  the  ^islopal  church  ; 
the  building  with  a  spire,  the  Presbyterian;  the  one  with  a  cupola 

tL^"      •  "!t'  ^",?  ^^^l*'"  ^^^  «''*'■«'"«  'eft,  the  Methodist  church. 
Ihere  are  m  the  village  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  dwellings  and 

Irt»FX'"  r^;''*K  ""^"'-.f ''''  '.''T«  ^  ^^e'^'y  P^Per-  About  thre?  miles 
southwest  of  the  village,  is  the  seat  of  Philip  Church,  Esq.,  called 
Belvidere,  where  there  is  a  fine  house  with  a  farm  under  high  culti- 
vation.  The  county  was  first  settled  by  this  gentleman,  in  1804,  and 
the  town  IS  named  after  his  mother,  Mrs.  Angdica  Church,  the  e West 
daughter  of  General  Philip  Schuyler. 

Belfast,  taken  from  Caneadea,  by  the  name  of  Orrinsburg,  in 
1824  ;  name  changed  m  1825;  distant  from  Albany  264,  and  from 
Angdica,  west,  6  miles.  Pop.  1,684.  Summer's  Valley,  Rockville. 
and  Belfast,  are  post-offices. 

The  following  account  of  a  tornado,  which  passed  over  this  region 
a  lew  years  since,  is  taken  from  SiUiman's  Journal  for  July,  1839  :— 

"Having  visited  and  examined  the  scene  of  the  tornado,  so  well  described  by  Mr  Willipi 
Gaylord.  of  Ousco.  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y..  in  the  Genwee  Farmer,  Nov.  10,  1838  we 
also  can  bear  witness  to  the  tremendous  devastation  which  that  whirlwind  produced 

we  were  on  the  ground  in  September,  about  two  months  after  the  event.     Before  th« 
tornado,  a  region  of  4  or  500  acres  had  been  covered  by  a  dense  forest  of  Jinc  treetmanj 

Q 


58 


ALLEGANY   COUNTT. 


# 


V 


\ 


f 


of  them  very  tall  and  large ;  roads  had  been  cut  through  this  forest,  and  a  few  solitary 
houses  were  planted  in  it,  here  and  there.  Now  we  looked  in  vain  over  the  whole  tract 
for  a  single  perfect  tree.  Those  which  had  not  been  uprooted  or  broken  in  two  near  the 
ground,  were  shivered  and  twisted  off  at  different  elevations,  leaving  only  a  portion  of  a 
shattered  trunk,  so  that  not  a  single  tree  top,  and  hardly  a  single  branch,  were  found  stand, 
ing  in  the  air :  there  were  instead  only  mutilated  stems,  presenting  a  striking  scene  of  de- 
solation wherever  our  eyes  ranged  over  the  now  ahnost  empty  aerial  space.  On  the  ground 
the  appearances  were  still  more  remarkable.  The  trees  were  interwoven  in  every  possible 
way,  so  as  to  form  a  truly  military  abattis  of  the  moet  impassable  kind ;  nor  immediately 
Ufter  the  gale  could  any  progress  be,  in  fact,  made  through  the  gigantic  thickets  of  entangled 
trunks  and  branches,  without  the  labor  of  bands  of  pioneers,  who  cut  ofi'  the  innumerable 
logs  that  choked  every  avenue.  We  had  before  seen  many  avenues  made  through  forests 
by  winds,  prostrating  the  trees  and  laying  them  down  in  the  direction  of  its  course :  but 
never  had  we  seen  such  a  perfect  desolation  by  a  gyratory  movement,  before  which  the 
thick  and  lofty  forest  and  the  strongest  framed  buildings  vanished,  in  an  instant,  and  their 
ruins  were  whirled  irresistibly  around  like  flying  leaves  or  gossamer. 

"  Still,  it  was  truly  wonderful  that  people  were  buried  in  the  ruins  of  their  houses,  and 
travellers  with  their  horses  and  cattle  were  exposed  to  this  driving  storm  of  trees  which 
hterally  filled  the  air,  and  still  not  a  single  life  was  lost,  although  some  persons  were 
wounded. 

"  We  were  assured  that  this  wind  had  marked  a  track  of  devastation  for  twenty  miles  or 
more,  but  this  was  the  scene  of  its  greatest  ravages.  Two  or  three  miles  from  this  place, 
we  saw  a  wing  of  a  house  which  had  been  moved  quite  around,  so  as  to  form  a  right  angle 
with  its  former  position,  and  still  the  building  was  not  broken." — Editors. 

"  The  first  appearance  of  severe  wind,  (says  Mr.  Gaylord,)  was,  as  we  learned,  in  the 
town  of  Rushford,  some  fifteen  miles  from  the  place  where  we  observed  its  effects.  The 
day  was  hot  and  sultry,  and  the  coutse  of  the  gale  was  from  the  N.  of  W.  to  S.  of  East. 
At  its  commencement  in  Rushford,  it  was  only  a  violent  thunder  gust,  such  as  are  frequently 
experienced,  but  it  soon  acquired  such  force  as  to  sweep  in  places  every  thing  before  it. 
In  its  passage  the  same  violence  was  not  at  all  times  exerted ;  some  places  seemed  wholly 
passed  over,  while  in  the  same  direction  and  at  only  a  small  distance  whole  forests  were 
crushed.  In  the  language  of  one  who  had  suffered  much  from  the  gale,  *  it  seemed  to 
move  by  bounds,  sometimes  striking  and  sometimes  receding  from  the  earth,'  which  in> 
deed  was  most  likely  the  case. 

"  It  passed  the  Genesee  river  in  the  town  of  Belfast,  a  few  miles  below  Angelica,  and  its 
fury  was  here  exerted  on  a  space  of  country  perhaps  a  mile  or  a  mile  and  a  half  in  width. 
The  country  here  is  settled  and  cleared  along  the  river,  but  the  road  passes  at  a  little  dis- 
tance from  the  river,  and  at  this  point  wound  round  one  of  the  finest  pine  woods  to  be 
found  on  the  stream.  Of  course  when  it  came  over  the  higher  lands  from  the  N.  W.,  the 
tornado  crossed  the  river  and  the  plain  before  encountering  the  groves  of  pine.  In  the 
space  occupied  by  the  central  part  of  the  tornado,  say  three  fourths  of  a  mile  in  width, 
nothing  was  enabled  to  resist  its  fury.  Strong  framed  houses  and  bams  were  crushed  in  an 
instant,  and  their  fragments  and  contents  as  quickly  scattered  to  every  point  of  the  com* 
pass ;  while  those  out  of  the  direct  line  were  only  unroofed  or  more  or  less  damaged. 
Large  oaks  and  elms  were  literally  twisted  off,  or  crushed  like  reeds. 

"  The  road  from  the  north  approached  the  pine  woods  on  what  was  the  northern  veige 
of  the  tornado,  and  the  fiist  appearance  of  the  country  in  front  was  that  of  woodlands,  in 
which  all  the  trees  had  been  broken  off  at  the  height  of  20  or  30  feet,  leaving  nothing  but 
countless  mutilated  trunks.  On  entering  the  narrow  passway,  however,  which  with  im- 
mense labor  had  been  opened  through  the  fallen  trunks,  it  was  perceived  that  much  of  the 
largest  part  of  the  trees  had  been  torn  up  by  the  roots,  and  lay  piled  across  each  other  in 
the  greatest  apparent  confiision  imaginable.  Fortunately  for  our  view  of  the  whole  ground, 
a  few  days  before  our  arrival,  fire  had  been  put  in  the  •  windfall,'  and  aided  by  the  extreme 
dry  weather,  the  whole  was  burned  over  so  clean,  that  nothing  but  the  blackened  trunks 
of  the  trees  were  remaining,  thus  disclosing  their  condition  and  position  most  perfectly. 
This  position  was  such  as  to  demonstrate  beyond  the  possibility  of  a  doubt,  the  fact,  that 
the  tornado  had  a  rotary  motion  against  the  sun,  and  in  perfect  accordance  with  the  course 
which  we  in  a  former  volume  of  the  Farmer  have  ascribed  to  such  electric  aerial  currents,  a 
theory  first  developed  by  Mr.  Redfield  of  New  York. 

"  The  first  tree  met  with,  prostrated  by  the  tornado,  was  a  large  pine,  which  lay  with  its 
top  exactly  to  the  N.  of  West,  or  precisely  against  the  general  course  of  the  storm.  Hun. 
dreds  of  others  lay  near  in  the  same  direction  on  the  outer  part  of  the  whirl,  but  immedi- 
ately after  entering  the  fallen  timber,  the  heads  of  the  trees  began  to  incline  to  the  centre 
of  the  space  torn  down,  and  south  of  this,  the  inclination  was  directly  the  reverse  until  the 


ALLEGANY    COUNTY. 


59 


outmde  of  the  whirl  wu  reached,  when  they  all  lay  with  their  tow  to  the  east    Thi« 

almost  regular  posiUon  of  the  fallen  timber,  was  moat  distinct  in  the  bottom  courses,  or  that 

which  was  first  blown  down  those  that  resisted  the  longest,  being,  as  was  to  be  ejected 

pitched  m  the  most  diverse  direcuons.    That  there  was  also  an  upward  spiral  motion  caus! 

«ng  a  determination  of  the  rushing  air  to  the  centre  of  the  whirl,  would  appear  probable 

from  the  fact  that  articles  from  the  buildings  destroyed  were  carried  high  in  the  air.  and 

then  apparently  thrown  out  of  the  whirl,  into  the  common  current;  and  also  from  the  fact 

that  a  large  majority  of  the  trees  both  from  the  south  and  to  the  north  of  the  centre  of  the 

gale,  lay  with  their  heads  inclined  to  that  point,  while  the  centre  was  marked  by  the 

greatest  confusion  imaginable.    A  diagram  formed  of  a  continued  succession  of  circles 

moving  from  the  right  to  the  left,  would  illustrate  the  position  of  the  trees  first  uprooted,  as 

M  ^  88  when  first  crushed  by  the  approach  of  the  whirlwind, 

"  Many  curious  facts  illustrative  of  the  force  of  the  wind  were  related  by  the  inhabitants 

in  and  near  the  place.    A  farmer  attempted  to  drive  his  team  of  horses  to  the  bam.  but  the 

tempest  was  too  soon  upon  him.    When  the  rush  was  over,  and  it  was  seemingly  but  a 

moment,  he  found  the  bam  torn  to  pieces,  himself  about  thirty  rods  in  one  direction  from 

It,  and  his  horses  as  many  rods  the  other,  and  what  was  most  remarkable,  with  scarcely  a 

tragment  of  harness  upon  them.    A  wagon  was  blown  away,  and  a  month  afterward  one 

01  the  wheels  had  not  been  found.    A  house  standing  near  the  Genesee  river,  and  a  Uttlo 

out  of  the  line  of  the  gale,  was  completely  covered  with  mud  that  must  have  been  taken 

trom  the  bed  of  the  nver.    And  appearances  render  it  very  evident  that  near  the  centre  of 

the  whirl  the  water  was  enUrely  taken  from  the  channel." 

BiRDSALL,  taken  from  Allen  and  Almond  in  1829 ;  distant  from  Al- 
bany, southwest,  245  miles.  Pop.  328.  Birdsall  post-office  is  12 
miles  northeast  from  Angelica. 

Bolivar  was  taken  from  Friendship,  in  1825  ;  from  Albany  275 
and  from  Angelica,  southwest,  19  miles.  Pop.  408.  Bolivar  Village 
has  about  twenty-five  dwellings. 

Burns,  taken  from  Ossian  in  1826 ;  distant  centrally  from  Angelica, 
northeast,  16,  and  from  Albany  239  miles.  De  Witt's  Valley  and 
Whitney's  Valley  are  post-offices.    Pop.  847. 

Caneadea,  taken  from  Angelica  in  1808  ;  distant  from  Albany  267, 
from  Angelica,  northwest,  11  miles.  Pop.  1,647.  Caneadea  Village 
IS  centrally  situated.  The  Caneadea  Indian  reservation  commences 
here,  and  extends  northward  on  the  river  about  ten  miles,  through 
Hume  into  Portage  and  Granger. 

Centr-eville,  taken  from  Pike  in  1819 ;  from  Angelica,  northwest, 
18  miles.  Pop.  1,504.  Centreville  Village,  centrally  situated  in  the 
town,  has  about  thirty-five  dwellings. 

Clarksville,  taken  from  Cuba  in  1835  ;  from  Angelica,  southwest, 
18  miles.    Clarksville  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  326. 

Cuba,  taken  from  Friendship  in  1822 ;  distant  from  Albany  275, 
and  from  Angelica,  southwest,  18  miles.  Pop.  1,761.  Cuba  Village, 
centrally  situated,  near  which  the  lines  of  the  Erie  railroad  and  the 
Rochester  and  Clean  canal  intersect,  is  a  very  flourishing  place,  and 
has  about  eighty  dwellings,  one  Presbyterian,  and  one  Baptist  church. 
CadysviUe  is  2  miles  north  of  the  village. 

The  famed  Seneca  Oil  Spring  is  in  this  town,  within  eighty  rods  of 
the  county  line.  The  spring  rises  in  a  marsh,  distant  three  and  a  half 
rniles  from  the  village.  It  is  a  muddy,  circular,  stagnant  pool,  about 
eighteen  feet  in  diameter,  with  no  visible  outlet.  The  water  is  coated 
with  a  thin  layer  of  mineral  oil,  giving  it  a  yellowish-brown  color, 
similar  to  dirty  molasses.    The  oil  is  collected  by  skimming  it  from 


MMMPMI 


69 


ALLEOANY  COUNTY. 


,& 


the  fountain,  and  is  used  for  rheumatism  in  man,  and  sprains  and  sores 
for  man  or  beast.  The  spring  was  highly  valued  by  the  Indians,  and 
a  square  mile  around  it  has  been  reserved  for  the  Senecas.  The  oil 
sold  in  the  eastern  states  is  obtained  from  Oil  Creek,  in  Venango 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  it  is  more  pure  and  abundant.  The 
spring  gives  name  to  a  post-office. 

Eagle,  taken  from  Pike  in  1823;  centrally  distant  from  Albany 
264,  from  Angelica,  northwest,  24  miles.     Pop.  1,222. 

Friendship,  taken  from  Caneadea  in  1815.  Pop.  1,230.  Friend- 
ship Village,  on  the  line  of  the  Erie  railroad,  10  miles  southwest  from 
Angelica,  contains  about  sixty  dwellings. 

Genesee,  taken  from  Cuba  in  1830  ;  from  Angelica,  southwest, 
25  miles.  Pop.  569.  Little  Genesee  and  West  Genesee  are  names 
of  post-offices.     Little  Genesee  is  a  small  village. 

GvANGEu,  taken  from  Grove  ;  centrally  distant  from  Anr-«lica,  north, 
12  miles.  Grove,  Short  Tract,  and  Hickory  Swale,  are  post-offices. 
Pop.  1,064.  ^ 

Grove,  taken  from  Nunda  in  1827  ;  from  An^elicii,  north,  14  miles. 
East  Grove  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  625. 

New  Huds  kj,  formerly  namecl  Haight,  and  taken  from  Rushford 
in  1825  ;  from  Albany  268,  ond  from  Angelica,  west,  13  miles.  Black 
Creek  is  a  post-office.  The  summit  level  of  the  Rochester  and  Olean 
canal  is  in  this  town.     Pop.  1,488. 

Hume,  taken  from  Pike  in  1822  ;  from  Albany,  southwest,  260  miles  ; 
drained  by  the  Genesee  on  the  southeast.  Pop.  2,305.  Hume  and 
Cold  Creek  are  post-offices.  At  Mixville,  a  post  village,  15  miles 
northwest  from  Angelica,  there  are  about  twenty  dwellings,  and  an 
excellent  hydraulic  power,  comprising  four  perpendicular  falls,  making 
in  the  whole  seventy-five  feet  descent. 

Independence,  taken  from  Alfred  in  1821  ;  from  Albany  262,  and 
from  Angelica,  southeast,  20  miles.  Pop.  1 ,398.  Independence  Cen- 
tre.  Independence,  Whitesville,  and  Spring  Mill,  are  post  villages. 

Nunda,  taken  from  Angelica  in  1808  ;  from  Albany  253,  and  from 
Angelica,  northeast,  18  miles.  Pop.  2,614.  The  name  is  a  corrup- 
tion  of  an  Indian  word  signifying  "  potatoe  ground,"  applied  when 
this  town  comprehended  the  rich  flats  of  the  Genesee.  Nunda  and 
Lust  Hill  are  post-offices.  The  village  of  Nunda  Valley,  upon  the 
Cushaqna  creek,  is  a  place  of  much  and  increasing  business  ;  the  Ro- 
chester and  Olean  canal  is  to  pass  through  it. 

The  following  is  a  southern  view  of  the  open  square  in  the  business 
portion  ol  the  ])laco,  taken  at  Whitcomb  and  Co.'a  store.  The  vil- 
lage was  first  m-ttlocl  about  the  year  1826,  by  Deacon  Rawson,  Asa 
Heath,  hainupl  Swain,  David  Bassev,  James  M.  Heath,  and  others. 
1  he  iattei -named  jM-rson  built  the  first  tavern,  in  1826,  of  log*!.  The 
Haptist  and  I  resbytorian  churches  were  erected  in  1832.  The  vil- 
lage  contains  about  one  hundred  dwellings. 

Obbian,  taken  fn.m  Angelica  in  180.^ ;  trom  Albany  233,  and  from 
Angolirn,  northeast,  20  miles.  Pop.  046.  Ossian  village  is  centrally 
situated.  °  ' 


ATXEOANY  COUNXr. 


m 


Central  Part  of  Nunda  Valley  Village 


Pike,  taken  from  Nunda,  March,  1818  ;  from  Albany  255,  and  from 
Angelica,  northwest,  1 8  miles.  Pop.  2, 1 8 1 .  Pike,  centrally  situated, 
has  one  Presbyterian,  one  Methodist,  and  one  Baptist  church,  and 
about  nmety  dwellings.     East  Pike  and  East  Koy  are  post-offices. 

Portage,  taken  from  Nunda  in  1827  ;%entrally  distant  from  Al- 
bany  247,  and  from  Angelici,  north,  18  miles.  Pop.  4,715.  Portag^^- 
VI  e,  on  the  Genesee  river  at  the  head  of  the  rapids,  is  a  flourishing 
village,  containing  about  sixty  or  seventy  dwellings.  The  line  of  the 
Olean  and  Rochester  canal  passes  through  it.  Hunt's  Hollow  and 
Uakland  are  post-offices. 

This  town  is  located  in  an  exceedingly  interesting  region,  both  from 
the  wild  grandeur  of  its  river  scenery,  and  the  exhibition  of  human 
enterprise  and  skill  in  the  construction  of  a  tunnel  for  the  canal, 
through  the  solid  rock,  which  here  bounds  the  valley  of  the  Genesee. 
"  Ihere  are  three  distinct  fn  Is  on  the  river,  respectively  sixty,  ninety 
and  one  hundred  and  ten  feet  high,  within  the  space  of  two  miles, 
each  diHcring  in  character,  and  each  having  peculiar  beauties.     Al- 
though  the  cascades  are  highly  admirable,  they  are  almost  disregarded 
in  the  wonder  and  fear  caused  by  the  stupencfous,  perpendicular  walls 
oi  the  river,  rising  to  four  hundred  feet  in  height,  and  extending  along 
the  stream  for  three  miles,  with  almost  as  much  regularity  as  if  con- 
structed by  art     To  this  great  depth  the  river  has  woni  its  bed  in 
the  solid  rock,  in  turns  as  short  and  graceful,  as  if  winding  through 
the  softest  meadow."     The  middle  falls,  which  are  the  highest,  have 
been  the  scene  of  several  narrow  escapes,  of  which,  perhaps  the  fol- 
lowing  is  tlu'  most  nunarkahle.     Eiirly  in  the  spring  of  1827,  a  boy 
about  jourteen,  named  Joel  Burgess,  took  a  boat  into  the  river  above 
the  hills,  lor  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a  duck  which  ho  had  shot.     In 
his  eagerness  to  secure  the  prize,  he  lost  sense  of  his  peril  and  floated 
down  the  stream.     On  g(.ing  over  tlie  dam,  which  is  situated  about 
twelve  rods  above  the  catiiract,  he  was  thrown  out  of  the  boat,  but 
still  h.«ld  on  with  both  liHiuis.     Thus  clinging  to  the  frail  bark,  he  was 
fast  hurrying  to  an  awful  (huith,  when  his  feet  struck  a  small  pn.ject- 
Jiig  rock  in  the  bed  of  the  river.     With  admirable  [.resence  of  mind, 


# 


ALLECANY  COUNTY. 


♦ 


I 


he  let  go  of  the  boat  and  stood  fast  His  aituation  was  even  now 
full  of  danger.  On  each  side  the  water  was  deep,  and  the  current 
running  with  an  irresistible  force.  Chilled  and  exhausted  by  the  cold- 
ness of  the  element,  he  was  about  losing  hold  of  the  slippery  rock, 
when  those  ashore  succeeded  in  throwing  him  a  rope,  which  he  tied 
around  his  waist  and  was  dragged  exhausted  to  land.  Under  these 
falls,  on  the  northern  side,  is  the  "  Devil's  Oven,"  a  cave  fifteen  feet 
in  height,  and  sixty  feet  deep. 


Pass  of  the  Genesee  at  Portage  Falls. 


The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  gorge,  at  that  point  where  the 
river,  coming  from  the  south,  takes  a  sudden  and  abrupt  bend  to  the 
east.  It  IS  situnted  hnlow  the  middle  and  upper  falls ;  both  of  which 
me  m  full  sight  from  near  this  point.  The  spectator  is  supm.sed  to' 
be  8  anding  in  the  vu  ley,  and  looking  castwar.ilv  in  iho  direc-tion  of 
the  low-er  falls,  which  are  about  a  mile  ajid  a  linlf  distant.  Imme- 
diately  in  front  rise  muHsy,  jHTpendiculnr  rocks,  to  the  height  of  four 
hundred  Icet,  their  summits  crowned  with  gignntic  pines  and  hem- 


ALLEGANY  CJOUNTY. 


locks,  the  aged  sentinels  of  an  hundred  years.  In  the  perspective, 
the  river  meanders  along  its  rocky  bed,  until  finally  lost  to  the  view 
behind  projecting  precipices.  Far  in  the  distant  horizon  is  seen  the 
hills  of  the  Cashaqua,  and  to  the  right  "  Hornby  Lodge,"  standing  on 
the  verge  of  the  precipice,  resembling  an  ancient  chateau ;  its  rude, 
gothic  architecture  in  keeping  with  the  wildness  of  the  situation. 
The  sketch  for  the  above  engraving  was  taken  at  the  close  of  the 
year.  Winter  had  thrown  her  snowy  mantle  upon  the  face  of  na- 
ture. The  huge  evergreens  and  naked  limbs  of  the  other  forest  trees 
were  enveloped  in  their  irapery  of  white  ;  immense  icicles  hung 
from  the  rocks  ;  while  the  blue  of  the  distant  hills,  contrasting  with 
the  icy  splendor  and  sublimity  of  the  foreground,  combined  to  render 
it  a  scene  of  indescribable  grandeur.  Some  years  since,  a  party  of 
surveyors  cut  down  an  immense  pine,  standing  on  the  verge  of  the 
precipice.  It  turned  one  somerset  in  its  descent,  and  struck  its  butt 
perpendicularly  upon  the  rocky  bottom  of  the  gorge.  Every  limb 
fell  to  the  earth  with  the  shock.  It  stood  for  a  moment,  a  tall,  limb- 
less trunk,  quivered,  and  fell  with  a  crash. 

The  tunnel,  eleven  hundred  and  eighty  feet  in  length,  to  which  al- 
lusion has  been  made,  commences  at  a  point  on  the  southern  side  of 
the  gorge,  about  six  hundred  feet  east  of  the  lodge,  and  has  a  south- 
western termination  near  the  middle  falls.  The  following  description 
of  this  work,  and  the  "  lodge,"  is  (rom  an  interesting  series  of  letters, 
entitled  "  Midsummer  Rambles,"  published  in  the  New  York  Com- 
mercial Advertiser  in  the  summer  and  autumn  of  ISiO.  "  The  trunk 
of  the  tunnel  is  to  be  twenty-seven  feet  wide  and  twenty  feet  high. 
Fortunately,  the  character  of  the  rock  (sandstone)  is  favorable  to  the 
progress  of  the  work.  The  contractor  for  this  section  is  Elisha 
Johnson,  Esq.,  formerly  mayor  of  Rochester,  and  one  of  its  most 
enterprising  citizens.  Mr.  Johnson  commenced  this  vast  excavation 
last  year,  first  running  a  shaft  or  •  heading'  five  and  a  half  feet  near- 
est the  roof,  and  of  the  entire  width  required,  through  the  whole  length 
of  the  tunnel.  One  of  the  lateral  drifts,  for  the  mtroduction  of  air 
and  light  from  the  river  brink  to  the  main  tunnel,  had  also  been  pre- 
viously completed,"  the  opening  to  which  is  seen  in  the  engraving 
on  the  rock  m  front  of  the  "  Lodge." 

"  The  entire  excavation  of  this  tunnel,  including  the  gallery,  shaft, 
and  lateral  drifts,  will  amouot  to  more  than  twenty-five  thousand  cubic 
yards,  for  which  the  price  pid  is  four  dollarfi  per  yard.  This,  how- 
ever, will  not,  by  a  great  aii|ont,  cover  the  entire  cost  of  the  tunnel ; 
for  since  the  excavation  has  been  commenced,  sut-h  is  the  character 
of  the  rock— thrown  together  apparently  by  nature  in  loose  masses 
and  blocks— that  it  now  appears  that  the  entire  roof  and  sides  olthe 
tunnel  will  require  arching  wi»h  solid  mason  work.  Indeed,  tempo- 
rary arches  of  wood  have  been  found  necessary  during  the  progress 
of  almost  every  successive  yard  of  the  work.  It  is  by  far  the  great- 
est undertaking  of  the  kind  that  Ins  been  attempted  'in  our  country. 
"  Perceiving,  at  th<i  oiitsci,  that  his  contract  would  require  a  long 
time  for  its  completion,   Mr.  Johnson,  whose  daily  presence  was 


% 


64 


ALtEGANT  COUNTT. 


Hornby  Lodge  at  Portage  Falls. 

necessary,  wisely  determined  to  surround  himself  by  his  family.  He 
accordingly  prepared  '  a  lodge'  for  them  in  the  *  wilderness.'  The 
site  selected  is  wild  and  picturesque  in  a  high  degree.  It  stands 
upon  a  small  plain  or  table,  upon  the  highest  verge  of  the  precipitous 
bank  of  the  river  so  often  adverted  to,  a  tew  yards  only  from  the  edge, 
which  juts  out,  and  almost  impends  over  the  abyss,  threatening  to 
descend  and  overwhelm  all  that  may  be  below.  The  site  of  the 
building  is  near  the  southwestern  entrance  of  the  tunnel.*  Facing 
that  direction,  a  full  view  is  presented  of  the  chasm  of  the  river,  and 
the  upper  and  middle  falls ;  the  roar  of  which  is  incessant,  and  the 
ascending  clouds  of  vapor  of  which  forn.  objects  of  ever-varying  and 
incessant  mterest  and  beauty.  '  Homhy  Lodge'  is  the  name  of  Mr. 
Johnson's  castle,  and  the  grounds  around  it — purposely  kept  as  wild 
afl  nature  herself  has  made  them — are  called  '  Tunnel  Park.' 

"  The  house,  or  lodge,  is  of  itself  a  great  curiosity.    In  shape  it  is  an 
octagon,  sixty  feet  in  diameter,  and  two  stories  high — with        j-., 
wings — according  to  the  ground-plan  annexed.    It  is  sup-  ^^'^^^ 
ported  bv  the  trunk  of  a  nuge  oak  tree,  standing  in  the  Cf       ^ 
centre,  from  which  the  beams  and  rafters  radiate  to  the       W 
outward  circumference.     It  stands  directly  over  the  main 
tunnel,  the  roof  of  which  is  100  feet  beneath  the  base  of  the  lodge. 
The  work  is  prosecuted  by  relief  parties  night  and  day  ;  and  while 
the  miners  were  at  work  directly  ben«||A  the  lodge,  the  explosions 
of  the  powder  used  in  blasting  were  both  n<!iud  and  felt  by  the  family, 
essentially  disturbing  their  slumber  at  iflght.     The  ornaments  of  the 
lodge,  over  the  doors  and  windows,  and  much  of  the  furniture,  are 
truly  Gothic,  being  formed  from  the  crookedcst  limbs  of  trees  that 
could  be  found.    On  the  whole,  it  is  a  most  picturesque  establish- 
ment, standing  alone  in  lit  rustic  beauty,  and  looking  out  fearfully 

•  Having  formerly  been  »ome  year*  onffagted  on  public  works,  we  were  naturally  inter. 
Cited  in  the  eonitruction  ot  ihi"  place.  Much  cr»dii  i8  duo  to  Mr.  Edward  A.  fliillman,  t 
young  man  of  99,  who  in  tlio  regident  irulnimrnlal  engineer.  His  lines  have  |»cen  run  with 
uncommon  auccen  aa  compnred  witii  mmilar  worka  in  Europe. — H.  If. 


% 


ALLEOANT   COUNTY. 


65 


upon  the  confined  deep.  I  was  a  partaker  of  Mr.  Johnson's  hospi- 
tality for  one  night.  It  was  a  beautiful  moonlight  night ;  and  boUi 
by  day  and  night  I  enjoyed  the  scene  to  the  full. 

To  the  foregoing  description,  we  would  add  that  the  building  pre- 
sents a  similar  appearance  from  every  direction.  There  is  between 
each  pair  of  wings  a  door  which  opens  into  an  octagonal  saloon, 
occupymg  the  whole  of  the  basement,  excepting  the  wings.  This 
saloon  is  m  true  "  log  cabin"  style.  The  trunk  of  the  huge  oak,  pre- 
viously alluded  to,  with  its  shaggy  bark  covering,  rises  from  the  floor 
in  the  centre  of  the  room  as  a  pillar  to  support  the  ceiling.  The  fur- 
niture, chairs,  sofas,  &c.,  in  this  apartment  are  formed  of  the  rough 
limbs  of  the  forest.  The  wings  are  divided  into  rooms  of  convenient 
size  answering  the  respective  purposes  of  parlor,  library,  office, 
conservatory,  kitchen,  &c.  &c.  The  structure  approaches  to  the 
Swiss  Gothic  style,  and  its  peculiar  and  novel  feature  is,  that  while 
the  lower  story  is  an  octagon,  the  upper  is  a  quadiilateral,  diamonding 
with  the  base. 

We  will  close  our  account  of  this  region  by  a  description  of  the 
lower  falls,  taken  from  the  "  Rambles."  "  The  water  at  the  lower 
falls  rushes  around  an  immense  rock  in  its  descent,  close  under  the 
southeastern  bank.  Fortunately  for  visiters,  as  yet  the  scene  has 
been  thus  far  permitted  by  man  to  remain  in  a  state  of  nature.  It  is 
therefore  as  wild  and  romantic  as  can  be  desired.  A  dark  screen  of 
evergreen,  hanging  over  the  cataract  so  near  and  thick  as  to  render 
it  unsafe  to  push  through  it,  partially  hides  the  descending  torrent  of 
foam,  which  dots  after  its  final  plunge  the  river  to  a  considerable 
distance  with  cream-like  ornaments.  Partly  detached  from  the  main 
wall  which  confines  the  river  to  its  narrow  bed,  a  huge  rock  partially 
conceals  the  fall,  tapering  upward  like  a  sugar-loaf,  and  crested  with 
evergreens.  On  the  opposite,  or  western  side,  the  top  of  the  rock 
around  which  the  waters  hurry  in  their  maddened  wrath,  is  level  as 
the  house-floor,  and  large  enough  for  a  company  of 

Thoao  gallant  sons  who  shoulder  gum 
And  twice  a  year  go  out  a-training, 

to  perform  their  martial  exercisjs  upon.  Midway  from  the  top,  the 
sugar-loaf  is  united  to  the  main  buttress.  The  depth  of  this  fall  is 
m  feet."  ^ 

RiipiiFORD,  taken  from  Caneadea  in  1827,  is  centrally  situated 
from  Albany  270,  and  from  Angelica,  northwest,  20  miles.  Top.  1,502. 
Rushford  village  contains  1  Methodist  church,  and  about  70  (i  wellings. 

Scio,  taken  from  Angelica  in  1823,  and  centrally  d/stant,  south,  10 
miles.  Scio  and  Wellsville  are  post-offices.  Pop.  1,160.  In  its  ter- 
ritorial limits,  this  town  is  far  the  largest  in  the  county.  Its  surface 
is  high  and  much  bmken  by  streams,  and  heavily  timbered  with 
pines,  hemlock,  &c.  Most  of  the  township  is  in  its  primitive  wilder- 
ness state. 

Weht  Almond  comprises  township  No.  4  in  the  first  range  of 
Morris'  Reserve,  and  was  taken  from  Almond,  Angelica  and  Alfred 
in  1R35;  from  Angelica,  cast,  7  miles.    Pop.  810. 


66 


BEOOMB  COUNTY. 


Wirt,  taken  from  Friendship  and  Bolivar ;  from  Angelica,  south- 
west, 14  miles.  Pop.  1,208.  South  Branch  and  Richburg  are  post- 
offices. 


im 


BROOME  COUNTY. 

Broomk  county,  named  after  Lieut.  Gov.  Broome,  was  taken  from 
Tioga  in  1806.  Length,  on  the  Pennsylvania  line,  37  miles ;  breadth, 
on  the  Tioga  boundary  28,  on  the  Delaware  13,  and  midway  17 
miles.  Centrally  distant  from  New  York,  northwest,  252,  and  from 
Albany,  southwest,  145  miles.  The  surface  of  the  country  is  broken 
and  mountainous.  Among  its  principal  elevations  are  the  C'ookquago, 
the  Oquago,  and  the  Randolph  mountains.  The  valleys  bordering 
on  its  numerous  streams  are  extensive  and  fertile,  producing  large 
quantities  of  wheat.  The  soil  is  generally  better  adapted  to  grazing 
than  the  culture  of  grain.  Fruit  succeed"  well.  The  inhabitants 
are  principally  farmers,  and  its  agriculture  is  respectable.  The 
,  Chenango  canal  enters  the  county  on  the  north,  follows  down  the 
vallev  of  the  Chenango  river,  and  enters  the  Susquehannah  river  at 
Binghamton.  The  line  of  the  Erie  railroad  ;  asses  through  the 
county.     The  county  is  divided  into  1 1  towns.     Population,  22,348. . 

Barker  was  taken  from  Lisle  in  1831 ;  drained  by  the  Tioughni- 
oga  river  crossing  it  diagonally  from  northwest  to  southeast.  Pop- 
ulation, 1,258.  Chenango  Forks,  post  village,  12  miles  north  from 
Binghamton,  has  about  30  dwellings.  There  is  a  small  collection 
of  houses  at  Hyde  settlement. 

Chbnango  was  organized  in  February,  1791 ;  since  reduced  in 
limits.  It  is  centrally  intersected  by  Chenango  river,  which  enters 
the  Susquehannah  at  Chenango  Point.  Along  the  valleys  of  both 
these  streams  are  rich  alluvial  flats  from  one  to  two  miles  wide.  The 
land  is  broken  and  hilly,  containing  large  quantities  of  pine  and  other 
timber  for  market.  Population,  5,475.  The  village  of  Binghamton 
m  this  town,  formerly  i  ailed  Chenango  Point,  the  shire  village  of  the 
county,  was  incorporated  in  1813,  1824,  and  1834.  It  derived  its 
present  name  from  WiUiam  Bingham,  a  munificent  benefactor  of  the 
village  in  its  infunt  state.  This  gentleman  was  possessed  of  a  large 
estate,  and  was  the  proprietor  of  a  large  patent  of  land  lying  on  both 
sides  ol  the  Susquehannah,  including  the  site  of  the  village.  Mr. 
Bingham  was  a  native  of  England,  and  came  to  this  country  when  a 
voung  man,  and  went  into  the  mercantile  business  in  Philadelphia. 
He  was  a  member  of  wmgress  for  some  years  while  it  held  its  ses- 
sions at  Philadelphia,  His  two  daughters  married,  the  one  Alexander, 
tiic  other  Henry  Baring,  two  noted  bankers  m  London.  Mr.  Bing- 
ham died  in  London  in  1804. 


■i^ 


BKOOMB  COUNTT. 


67 


Western  View  of  Binghamton. 

The  above  shows  the  appearance  of  the  village  as  it  is  entered 
from  the  west  side  of  Chenango  river,  by  the  red  bridge,  (so  called,) 
which  IS  600  feet  long.  The  village  is  principally  on  the  east  side 
ot  tlie  Chenango,  and  contains  about  400  houses,  30  stores,  and  3,000 
inhabitants.  There  are  six  churches,  viz :  1  Episcopal,  1  Methodist, 
1  Tresbyterian,  1  Congregational,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Catholic.  There 
are  two  female  seminaries,  a  large  school  for  boys,  two  printing- 
offices,  the  courthouse  and  prison ;  two  banks— the  Broome  County 
Bank  incorpprated  1831,  with  a  capital  of  «100,000,  and  the  Bing- 
hamton Bank,  which  commenced  its  operations  in  1839,  with  a  capital 
of  « 100,000,  and  the  privilege  of  extending  it  to  one  million.  The 
village  of  Binghamton  is  150  miles  from  Albany,  90  from  Utica,  40 
from  Norwich,  22  from  Owego,  and  7  from  the  Pennsylvania  line. 
The  great  medium  of  transportation  to  the  place  is  by  the  Chenango 
canal.    This  canal,  which  terminates  at  Binghamton  and  Utica,  is 

^u  '"'t^^  '^"^'  ^®  ^®^*  ^'^^'  ^^  ^*  *^®®P-  '^^  number  of  locks  in 
the  whole  route  is  105.  The  canal  was  commenced  in  1834  and 
completed  in  1837,  and  cost  nearly  two  millions  of  dollars. 

The  tract  of  country  in  which  Binghamton  is  situated,  became 
first  known  to  the  whites  by  the  expedition  of  Gen.  Sullivan  against 
the  Indians  in  1779.    Upon  the  site  of  Binghamton,  a  brigade  of 
American  troops  under  the  command  of  Gen.  James  Clinton,  the 
father  of  De  Witt  Clinton,  encamped  for  one  or  two  nights  on  their 
way  to  join  the  main  body  under  Sullivan,  then  penetrating  westward. 
The  first  white  man  who  made  a  permanent  settlement  in  what  is 
claimed  for  the  village  vicinity,  was  Capt.  Joseph  Leonard,  who  was 
origmnlly  from  Plymouth,  Massachusetts.     He   first  emigrated   to 
Wyoming,  Pennsylvania.     He  owned  a  farm  in  that  place,  and  was 
under  arms  then;  at  the  time  of  the  massacre,  though  not  on  the  field 
of  action.     Ho  moved  from  Wyoming  in  1787,  with  a  young  wife  and 
two  little  children.     His  wife  and  children  were  put  on  board  a 


^' 


68 


BROOME  oouirrr. 


m 


canoe,  with  what  eoods  he  brought  up,  and  the  canoe  rowed  by  a 
hired  man ;  while  he  himself  went  up  on  land  with  two  horses,  keep- 
mg  the  shore,  and  regulating  his  progress  by  that  of  his  family  on  the 
nver.  A  Capt  Baldwin,  who  settled  on  toe  Chemung  river,  moved 
up  at  the  same  time  in  company  with  him.* 
^  Capt.  Leonard  received  his  first  information  of  this  region  from 
Amos  Draper,  then  an  Indian  trader  in  these  parts.  On  his  first  ar- 
rival, he  found  a  Mr.  Lyon,  who  lived  in  a  temporary  log  house  near 
where  Col.  Page's  ashery  now  stands.  In  two  or  three  weeks  after- 
ward. Col.  Wm.  Rose  and  his  brother,  from  Connecticut,  came  on  to 
Binghamton,  and  fixed  their  location  a  little  above  Capt.  Leonard's. 
During  this  year,  (1787,)  Joshua  Whitney,  Gen.  Wm.  Wliitney,  and 
Henry  Green,  from  Hillsdale,  Columbia  county,  came  to  this  place, 
and  settled  on  the  west  side  of  the  Chenango,  about  two  miles  above 
Its  junction  with  the  Susquehannah,  on  what  was  afterward  called 
Whitney  s  flats.  At  the  time  the  above  families  settled  here,  their 
nearest  white  neighbors  were  at  Tioga,  a  distance  of  forty  miles. 

Previous  to  the  settlement  of  these  first  emigrants,  a  number  of 
persons  from  Massachusetts  came  on  an  exploring  tour  to  this  region ; 
on  their  return  they  obtained  a  grant  from  the  legislature  of  Massa- 
chusetts of  a  large  tract,  which  they  afterward  purchased  of  the  In- 
dians. This  tract  contained  230,000  square  acres,  for  which  the 
company  paid  to  the  state  £1,500.  It  appears  that  when  the  agents 
ot  the  company  came  on,  they  found  that  patents  had  already 
been  granted  to  Bingham,  Wilson,  and  Cox,  by  the  state  of  New 
^ork,  which  interfered  with  their  grants.  This  claim  of  Massa- 
chusetts to  this  part  of  the  state,  originating  in  some  ancient  colonial 
claims,  was  finally  satisfied  by  the  grant  of  the  right  of  pre-emption 
to  certain  lands  m  western  New  York.  The  facts  respecting  the 
treaty  with  the  Indians,  &c.,  is  from  the  Annals  of  Binghamton. 

"  1  hey  made  their  propositions  to  the  Indians  for  the  purchase  of  it, 
appointed  a  time  and  place  for  the  negotiation  of  the  bargain,  and 
returned  home.  These  individuals,  at  first,  designed  to  form  a  com- 
pany to  consist  only  of  eleven  persons  ;  but  conceiving  the  purchase 
00  heavy  for  so  snriall  a  number,  and  having  so  ma^y  applications 
lor  co-partnership,  the  number  of  the  company  was  finally  fixed  at 
fy-  yi!s  company  appointed  as  commissioners  to  treat  with  the 
Indians,  Elijah  Brown,  Gfen.  Oringh  Stoddard,  Gen.  Moses  Ashley, 
Capt.  Raymond,  and  Col.  David  Pixley.  These  gentlemen  met  the 
Indians  m  treaty,  m  the  first  instance  on  the  Chenango  river,  the  east 
side,  two  or  three  miles  above  the  present  village  of  Binghamton,  in 
the  forepart  of  winter.  But  at  this  treaty  the  negotiation  was  not 
tully  completed,  and  they  adjourned  to  meet  at  the  Forks  of  the  Che- 
nango. At  this  second  treaty,  there  were  between  three  and  four 
hundred  Indians. 


^iHrlt  "i'mi';;"  "'■^./"i'^u'a'*  *■?'  ''!*'.  '"'"•"'y  °f  Bi"Kh«nUon,  to  a  work  published  »t  that 
?i^,K  ^"f  •.""?'•■'*  ^""■"' "»  Binghamton.  and  of  tl.e  country  conncc'.od  wiU™ 
from  the  carhcst  settlement,  by  J.  B.  WilkiiMon."  •••«.«- .«u  wim  n, 


I* 


BROOME   COUNTY. 


69 


I 


**  At  this  and  the  former  treaty,  it  is  said,  the  Indians,  who  were  fur- 
nished with  provisions  and  liquor  at  the  expense  of  the  company, 
would  get  drunk,  almost  to  a  man,  by  night,  but  be  sober  through 
the  day.  While  the  subjects  of  tiie  treaty  were  under  discussion 
from  day  to  day,  they  would  sit  in  circles  upon  the  ground,  and  listen 
with  the  utmost  decorum.  Their  chiefs,  when  they  spqke,  would 
speak  in  substance,  if  not  in  form,  in  accordance  with  parliamentary 
rule.  Captain,  and  afterward  Esquire  Dean,  was  their  interpreter, 
and  did  their  business. 

"  The  nominal  sum  paid  for  this  tract  is  not  now  known,  but  the 
payment  was  made,  one  half  in  money,  and  the  other  moiety  in  goods, 
consisting  of  rifles,  hatchets,  ammunition,  blankets,  and  woollen  cloths. 
The  last,  it  is  said,  the  savages,  in  perfect  character  with  their  taste, 
immediately  tore  into  strings  for  ornament 

"  An  estimation  was  made  of  the  entire  cost  of  these  ten  townships, 
to  wit :  the  purchase  price,  the  expense  of  the  treaties,  and  the  sur- 
vey made  ot  it,  and  found  to  amount  to  about  one  shilling  per  acre. 
The  number  of  acres  contained  in  the  tract,  as  has  just  been  stated, 
was  330,000  square  acres.    This,  equally  divided  among  the  sixty 

Proprietors,  would  give  to  each  3,838  acres,  with  a  fraction  over, 
'he  price  for  which  the  land  was  sold,  in  the  earliest  sale  of  it,  was 
uniformly  at  twenty-five  cents  per  acre ;  but  it,  after  a  little,  rose  to 
one  dollar  per  acre,  and  even  to  more. 

"  The  land  upon  the  shores  of  the  two  rivers,  and  for  some  distance 
back,  was,  even  at  the  time  of  the  purchase,  partially  cleared,  so  far 
as  the  Indians  have  their  lands  cleared.  The  under-brush  was 
cleared,  having  been  kept  down  by  burning,  and  grass  growing  on 
the  flats.  The  Indians  uniformly  keep  down  the  shrubby  part  of 
their  hunting  grounds,  that  they  may,  with  the  more  facility,  discover 
and  pursue  their  game.  Col.  Rose  says,  that  he  could  see  deer  upon 
the  mountains  immediately  back  of  him  for  half  a  mile,  so  free  were 
they  of  under-brush.  He  observes,  also,  that  the  woods  exhibited  a 
sombre  appearance,  from  their  annual  burnings.  The  large  island 
opposite  Judge  Stoddard's,  was,  when  the  first  settlers  came,  covered 
with  grass  and  the  anacum  weed,  a  tall  kind  of  weed,  the  roots  of 
which  they  were  in  the  habit  of  digging  and  drying,  and  then  grind- 
ing cr  pounding  for  bread  stuff;  or  rather  its  apology,  perhaps, 
when  their  corn  failed  them. 

"  The  Indians,  in  their  treaty  with  the  New  England  commissioners, 
reserved  to  themselves  the  right  of  hunting  upon  the  lands  they  had 
sold,  for  the  term  of  seven  years ;  and  jJso  made  a  reserve  of  one 
half  mile  square,  as  their  own  possession.  This  reserve  was  situated 
near  the  mouth  of  Castle  creek,  and  went  by  tho  name  of  the  Castle 
Farm.  Upon  this  reserve  the  Indians  of  the  neighborhood  who  did 
not  remove  to  New  Stockbridge,  or  Oneida,  resided.  Their  number 
on  the  farm  is  said  to  have  been  about  twenty  families.  They  by  no 
means  confined  themselves  to  this  little  spot.  They  cultivated  the 
ground  of  the  farm,  more  or  less,  but  depended  chiefly,  in  accordance 
with  their  long  custom  and  native  propensity,  upon  hunting  and  fishing.* 


• 


10 


BBOOME   COUNTY. 


• 


In  the  summer  of  1789,  a  very  considerable  accession  was  made 
by  persons  who  settled  in  the  Susquehannah  and  Chenango  valleys. 
Daniel  Hudson,  afterward  a  major  and  judge,  settled  between  Capt. 
Leonard  and  Col.  Rose ;  Jonathan  Fitch  settled  upon  the  creek  that 
took  his  name :  he  was  a  merchant  from  Wyoming,  and  had  been 
sheriff  of  the  county;  it  is  believed  he  was  the  first  representative  to 
the  state  legislature  from  the  new  county  of  Tioga.    The  first  reli- 
gious society  formed  within  the  bounds  of  the  settWer :   v^  /  :>  bap- 
tist church,  consisting  of  10  or  12  members,  formed  hy  I",.-  e-  Howe, 
a  very  early  settler  in  the  place.    He  was  succeed:  i  bv  Elae:  Pisk. 
This  society  became  extinct  about  the  year  1800.    A  Dutch  Re- 
formed church  was  founded  about  1798,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Manly, 
who  was  succeeded  in  his  ministrations  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Palmer:  this 
church  was  afterward  merged  into  the  Presbyterian.    The  present 
Presbyterian  church  was  organized  in  1 8 1 7.    Mr.  Niles,  their  minister, 
was  ordained  the  next  year.    He  died  in  1828,  and  was  succeeded  1) 
Mr.  Lockwood,  who  continued  his  pastoral  relation  till  1838.    He 
was  succeeded,  in  1836,  by  the  Rev.  John  A.  Nash:  in  1838,  Mr. 
Nash  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  David  D.  Gregory.    The  Episcopal 
church  was  incorporated  in  1816.     Rev.  Mr.  Keeler  was  the  first 
officiating  clergyman.    He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  F.  H.  Cumming. 
In  1821,  Mr.  Cumming  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Mr.  Gear.    The 
clergymen  succeeding  have  been  in  the  following  order :  Rev.  Na- 
thwiiel  Huse,  in  1824 ;  Rev.  Mr.  Cumming,  in  1829 ;  Rev.  Hiram 
Adams,  in   1831 ;  Rev.  Mr.  Shimeall,  in  1835 ;  and  Rev.  Edward 
Andrews,  in  1836.     The^  Methodist  society  was  formed  in  1817.    In 
1822,  the  Methodist  chapel  was  purchased  of  the  Episcopalians,  and 
moved  from  the  site  of  the  present  Episcopal  church  to  where  it  now 
stands.     The  present  Baptist  church  was  instituted  in  1829.     Elder 
Frederick  was  its  first  pastor.     The  succeeding  pastors  have  been  in 
the  order  following :  Revs.  Jason  Corwin,  Henry  Robertson,  Davis 
Dimmick,  William  Storrs,  and  Rev.  James  M.  Coley.     The  Congre- 
gational church  was  organized  in  1836,  and  the  Rev.  John  Stark- 
weatlier  was  called  to  be  their  pastor ;  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Samuel  W.  Bush.     A  Catholic  church  was  finished  in  1837.    In 
Jan.  1838,  a  Universalist  society  was  organized. 

Windsor,  the  ancient  Oquago,  was  taken  from  Chenango  in  1807; 
has  a  mountainous  surface,  and  is  centrally  intersected  by  the  Susque- 
hannah. Great  quantities  of  locust  timber,  valuable  for  shipbuilding, 
have  been  taken  from  this  town.  The  principal  settlement  is  on 
the  west  side  of  the  Susquehannah,  and  has  about  60  dwellings,  and 
350  inhabitants ;  16  miles  from  Binghamton,  and  128  from  Albany. 
Pop.  2,368.  ^ 

The  valley  of  Oquago  was  settled  by  the  whites  about  the  year 
1788,  The  most  of  the  earher  inhabitants  were  from  Waterbury 
and  Watertown,  in  Connecticut.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Buck  was  the  first 
mimater  who  preached  in  the  place.  He  was  called  by  the  first  settlers 
Major  Buck,  as  he  had  hold  that  office  during  the  revolutionary  war. 
Mr.  Williston,  a  missionary  from  Connecticut,  appears  to  liave  been 


BKOOME   COUNTT. 


71 


the  next.  Soon  after  the  formation  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  Rev. 
Seth  Sage  became  the  settled  pastor,  and  remained  such  till  his  death. 
The  Episcopal  church  was  organized  in  1803,  by  Bishop  chase,  then 
a  missionary  in  Western  New  York.  The  Presbjrterian  meeting- 
house was  erected  in  1800,  the  Methodist  in  1833. 

Oquago  was  the  residence  of  a  tribe  of  Indians.  It  appears  to 
have  been  a  half-way  resting-place  for  the  "  Six  Nations"  aB  they 
passed  south  of  Wyoming,  and  also  for  the  tribes  of  the  Wyoming 
valley  as  they  passed  north.  Jonathan  Edwards,  the  celebrated 
divine,  while  a  minister  at  Stockbridge,  Mass.,  took  a  deep  interest 
in  the  welfare  of  the  Indians  in  this  place.  He  procured  a  mis- 
sionary for  them.  Rev.  Mr.  Hawley,  and  three  other  persons,  Mr. 
Woodbridge,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ashley.  The  three  latter  returned.  Mrs. 
Ashley,  it  appears,  was  employed  during  her  stay  as  an  interpreter. 
Mr.  Hawley  remained  their  missionary  until  the  commencement  of 
the  French  war,  when  it  was  considered  unsafe  for  him  to  remain 
longer.  About  one  year  previous  to  this  time,  Mr.  Edwards  sent 
one  of  his  sons,  a  lad  of  about  nine  years  of  age,  to  Oquago,  under 
the  care  of  Mr.  Hawley,  to  learn  the  Indian  language,  in  order  to 
become  an  Indian  missionary.  When  the  war  commenced,  a  faithful 
Indian,  who  had  special  care  of  the  lad,  took  him  and  conveyed  him 
to  his  father,  part  of  the  way  on  his  back.  This  lad  was  afterward 
President  of  Union  College. 

The  following,  relating  to  the  privations  and  difficulties  encountered 
by  the  first  settlers  of  Oquago  valley,  is  from  Wilkinson's  Annals  of 
Binghamton, 

"  In  about  the  year  1794,  there  was  what  was  called  the  pumpkin 
freshet,  in  the  month  of  August;  the  Susquehannah  rising  much 
above  its  usual  height,  and  *iweeping  down  in  its  tide  the  productions 
of  the  fields — com,  pumpkins,  potatoes,  &c.  A  great  scarcity  was 
the  natural  consequence.  During  this  scarcity,  Maj.  Stow  shouldered 
a  bushel  of  wheat,  in  which  the  whole  neighborhood  had  a  common 
share,  and  started  for  Wattles'  ferry  to  mill,  a  distance  of  more  than 
forty  miles,  carrying  his  grist  the  whole  distance  on  foot.  He  got 
his  wheat  ground,  and  returned  in  the  same  trudging  manner^ 
During  his  journey,  he  purchased  one  quarter  of  a  pound  of  tea— at 
that  time  a  rare  article  with  the  settlers — to  help  out  the  repast 
which  he  anticipated  at  his  return.  Upon  his  arrival  home,  the 
neighbors,  who  held  an  interest  in  the  grist  of  wheat — and  most  pro- 
bably others  also — collected  at  the  major's  house,  to  hold  a  sort  of 
thanksgiving ;  which  was  to  be  celebrated  by  preparing  and  partak- 
ing of  as  sumptuous  a  feast  as  their  stores  would  admit.  Out  of  the 
flour  they  made  short-cake ;  but  having  no  hoir's  lard,  they  would 
ha^  come  short  of  this  luxury,  had  not  the  ma  bethought  himself 
of  some  bear's  grease  which  he  had  in  the  hou  ,  and  which  answer- 
ed as  a  substitute.  Their  tea  was  quite  a  new  article  to  them,  for 
which  they  were  not  prepared.  They  had  no  teakettle,  no  teapot, 
no  teacups.  Instead  of  the  first,  a  small  kettle  was  furnished  to  boil 
the  water  in ;  they  put  the  tea  into  the  same  to  steep  it ;  and  instead 


ii.^|i.>wiiWi'il1iitiS!|jH' 


91 


BBOOMB   COUNTY. 


of  cups  and  saucers,  they  used  a  wooden  bowU  which  they  passed 
around  from  one  to  the  other.  Still  they  made  a  merry  cheer  of  it ; 
felt  the  glow  of  sociability,  and  told  each  his  best  anecdote.  These 
early  inhabitants,  when  they  became  old,  would  tell  the  story  to  their 
children  and  more  recent  inhabitants,  with  moistened  eyes ;  but  said, 
it  was  then  a  heart-felt  thanksgiving  and  a  merry  time." 

CoLEBviLLE,  taken  from  Windsor  in  1821 ;  drained  centrally  by 
the  Susquehannah river;  from  Albany  123  miles.  Pop.  2,617.  Har- 
persville,  17  miles  N.  E.  from  Binghamton,  has  about  30  dwellings. 
Colesville,  New  Ohio,  Nineveh,  Dora,  and  Susquehannah,  are  post- 
offices.  Bellona  springs  in  this  town,  so  named  from  some  sulphur 
springs,  has  been  frequented  for  health  and  pleasure. 

CoNKLiN,  taken  from  Chenango  in  1824  ;  having  the  Susquehannah 
river  running  N.  W.  throiigh  it  in  a  deep  valley  with  fertile  flats. 
Pop.  1,471.  Conklm  and  Corbotville  are  post-offices:  the  former  of 
which  is  about  4  miles  E.  of  Binghamton. 

Lisle,  taken  from  Union  in  1801 ;  from  Binghamton,  N.  E.,  18 
miles.  Lisle,  Lisle  Centre,  and  Union  Village,  are  post-offices.  This 
town  was  settled  in  1792  by  emigrants  frwn  the  eastern  states.  Pop. 
1,558. 

"  A  congregational  church  was  organized  m  what  is  called  Lisle,  m 
the  year  1797,  by  the  Rev.  Seth  Williston,  who  had,  a  short  time  pre- 
viously, been  sent  there  by  the  Connecticut  Missionary  Society,  upon 
the  personal  application  of  Mr.  Edwards.  The  church  consisted,  m 
its  first  formation,  of  sixteen  members,  eleven  of  whom  were  by  pro- 
fession. In  1801,  William  Osbom  was  ekcted  to  the  office  of  a 
deacon ;  but  it  was  not  till  1810  that  he  was  consecrated  by  the  im- 
position of  hands  from  the  presbytery;  and  his  colleague,  Andrew 
Squires,  was  consecrated  at  the  same  time.  _ 

"Mr.  Williston  employed  about  half  of  his  time  in  pastoral  duties  m 
this  congregation;  the  rest  of  his  time  he  missionated  in  Union, 
Owego,  and  in  Oquago.  He  was  installed  pastor  of  the  church  in 
Lisle,  in  October,  1803  ;  and  from  this  period  he  appears  to  have  em- 
ployed all  his  time  within  the  pastoral  limits  of  this  one  congregation, 
until  he  was  dismissed  from  it  in  1810.  The  church  of  LisU,  was  the 
earliest  organized,  it  is  believed,  of  any  west  of  the  Catskill  and  south 
of  Utica.  At  the  time  of  Mr.  WiUiston's  installation,  the  council  or- 
ganized what  then  was  called  ♦  The  Susquehannah  Association,'  tak- 
ing in  some  of  the  northern  counties  of  Pennsylvania. 

"In  the  year  1796,  Mr.  E.  Edwards  built  the  first  saw-mill  on  the 
Onondaga  or  its  waters ;  and  was  nearly,  if  not  quite,  the  first  that 
came  down  the  Chenango  with  a  raft.  He  subsequently  carried  on 
lumbering  to  a  great  extent ;  and  the  pine  timber  of  that  section  being 
of  a  superior  quality,  compensated  for  his  being  so  far  back  from  the 
broader  stream  of  the  Susquehannah.  The  first  grist-mill  was  built 
much  later,  by  Dr.  Wheeler.  Previous  to  this,  the  inhabitants  came 
down  to  Castle  creek  for  their  grinding ;  and  when  that  mill  failed 
for  want  of  water,  they  were  obliged  to  go  to  Tioga  Point." 
Nanticoke,  taken  from  Lisle  in  1881 ;  from  Albany  144  miles. 


H 


BROOME   COtrNTY. 


73 


There  are  sulphur  springs  in  the  N.  W.  part  of  the  town ;  14  miles 
N.  W.  from  Binghamton.     Pop.  418. 

S)«i.;.PORD,  taken  from  Windsor  in  1821  ;  from  Albany  121,  from 
Binghamton,  E.,  24  miles.  The  town  is  thinly  settled,  being  stony 
and  mountainous.    Pop.  1,172. 

Triangle,  so  named  from  its  shape,  taken  from  Lisle  in  1831 ; 
trom  Albany  132,  from  Binghamton,  N.,  17  miles.  Pop.  1,692.  Tri- 
angle post-office  is  at  Clarke's  settlement,  near  the  E.  line,  where 
there  are  about  30  dwellings.  At  Union  Village  is  the  post-office 
named  Upper  Lisle.  ^ 

Union  was  organized  in  1791 ;  lies  on  the  north  side  of  the  Sus- 
quehannah ;  its  surface  is  undulating,  with  a  fertile  soil  of  gravelly 
loam.  The  village  of  Union  is  on  the  Susquehannah,  9  miles  W. 
Jx)m  Binghamton,  containing  about  50  houses  and  300  inhabitants. 
Maine  post-office  is  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town.  Pop.  2,600. 

The  town  appears  to  have  been  first  settled  about  the  year  1789. 
One  of  the  most  prominent  settlers  was  Gen.  Oringh  Stoddard,  one 
of  the  commissioners  appointed  by  the  Boston  Company  to  treat  with 
the  Indians.  Amos  Patterson,  afterward  judge  of  Broome  county, 
and  Joshua  Mersereau,  one  of  the  earliest  judges  of  old  Tioea 
county,  were  early  settlers  in  Union.  Judge  Mersereau  and  his 
brother  John,  were  originally  from  New  Jersey.  Previous  to  the 
revolutionary  war,  these  two  brothers  removed  to  Staten  Island 
where  thev  kept  a  large  tavern.  It  is  stated  that  they  were  the  first 
persons  who  commenced  a  line  of  stages  from  New  York  to  Phila- 
delphia, uniting  their  line  with  the  boats  that  plied  between  their  own 
dock  and  New  York. 

When  Staten  Island  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  British,  Judge  Mer- 
sereau and  his  brother,  being  zealous  in  the  American  cause,  left  the 
island  and  entered  into  the  American  service.    These  two  brothers 
were  the  principal  agents  in  preventing  the  British  from  crossing  the 
Delaware  m  their  pursuit  of  Washington.    Judge  Mersereau,  who 
was  a  commissary  through  the  war,  was  much  about  the  person  of 
Washmgton.    When  he  had  crossed  the  Delaware,  he  was  asked  if 
he  was  sure  that  he  had  removed  every  thing  that  could  be  employed 
to  transport  the  enemy  over.    Washington  replied  he  thought  he 
had.    Judge  Mersereau  begged  the  privilege  of  re-crossing  with  his 
brother  and  making  search.    They  went  back  and  searched  the  op- 
posite shore,  and  found,  below  the  surface  of  the  water,  two  Durham 
boats,  which  had  been  timely  sunk  by  a  royalist  who  lived  near. 
Ihey  raised  them  up  and  took  them  to  the  Pennsylvania  side. 

teeveral  ot  the  Indians,  whose  particular  location  was  at  the  Castle 
tarm,  had  temporary  huts  or  wigwams  in  Union,  near  the  river,  and 
on  both  sides.  These  they  occupied  more  or  less  for  several  years 
after  the  country  was  settled.  Where,  and  in  what  manner,  thev  ob- 
tained their  salt  was  always  a  mystery  to  the  whites.  They  would 
strike  a  course  over  the  mountain  about  opposite  Judge  Merseroau's. 
on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  and  after  an  absence  of  about  twe'lve 
hours,  would  return  with  a  pail  or  kettle  of  salt;  and  that,  too,  im- 

10 


74 


CAYUGA   COUNTY. 


mediately  upon  their  return,  would  be  warm.  Old  Mr.  Richards 
used  to  say,  that  the  Indians  would  cross  the  river  below  Willow 
Point,  rise  the  mountain,  and  bring  back  salt.  Sometimes  it  would 
be  warm.  He  inferred  that  there  must  be  a  salt  spring  near,  but  it 
never  could  be  found.  John  D.  Mersereau  relates,  that  when  a  lad, 
his  father  and  himself  have  endeavored  to  follow  the  Indians  when 
they  were  known  to  have  set  out  for  salt ;  but  they  soon  would  ap- 
pear to  be  apprehensive  that  they  were  watched,  and  would  either 
remain  where  they  were,  or  turn  from  their  course.  Never  more 
than  two  would  set  out  upon  the  expedition.  They  used  the  utmost 
precaution  to  prevent  the  whites  from  ever  discovering  the  secret 
spot.  They  had  other  places  to  which  they  resorted  for  salt,  one  or 
niore  in  the  neighborhood  of  Oquago.  Why  these  sources  oi  salt 
have  never  been  found  by  the  whites,  is  a  mystery. 

Vestal  was  taken  from  Union  in  1823,  being  divided  from  that 
town  by  the  Susquehannah.  It  is  a  lumbering  town,  being  but  a 
small  pa  t  of  it  cultivated.  Major  David  Barney  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers.  He  came  down  the  river  from  Cooperstown  with  a  large 
family  o;  children  in  a  canoe.  Vestal  is  8  miles  S.  W.  from  Bhig- 
hamton.    Pop.  1,250.    There  are  two  post-offices,  Vestal,  S.  Vestal. 


■•1 


CAYUGA  COUNTY. 

Cayuga  county  was  formed  from  Onondaga  in  1799 ;  but  other 
-  ounties  have  sine  i  be(>n  taken  from  it.    Greatest  length  N.  and  S. 
65,  greatest  hreadth  E.  and  W.  23  miles.     From  Albany,  W.,  150 
miles,  from  New  York,  301.     Upon  the  S.  the  surface  rises  into 
rid"cs,  along  the  Cayuga  lake,  the  Owasco  lake  and  inlet,  and  the 
Skaneateles  lake.     The  disposition  of  the  waters  shows  an  irregular 
surface.     The  Poplar  rid^^e,  E.  of  the  Cayuga  lake,  rises  in  some 
places  to  000  feet  above,  but  has  a  gentle  slope  towards  the  lake,  dis- 
playing finely  cultivated  farms.     The  casiern  declivity  of  this  a"d 
other  hills  arc  more  abrupt.    On  the  N.  ot  Auburn,  the  country  is 
comparatively  level,  yet  has  a  rolling  appearance  from  the  many 
largo  gravel  hills  scattered  over  the  plain,  assuming  in  many  places 
the  8cml)hinc(!  of  stupendous  mounds  formiul  by  art.     This  gravel 
has  much  limestone,  and  produces  excellent  wheat.     Few  portions 
of  the  state;  possess  more  fertile  lands,  or  can  boast  of  higher  cultiva- 
tion.    In  all  the  fruits  of  the  climate,  this  county  is  prolific,     Al)out 
two  thirds  of  the  land  is  under  improvement.     The  southern  i)ortion 
is  most  thickly  settliul.     The  Cayufja  lake,  which  forms  a  larg(>  part 
of  the  western  boundary,  is  a  beauliful  sheet  o<'  water,  'M\  milcji  lung, 
and  lr(»m  1  to  4  broad.     The  county  is  divided  into  22  towns.     Pop. 
.'i(),3(54. 
AuBuiiN  was  taken  from  Aurolius  in  1883.    The  town,  3  miles  by 


CAYUGA   COUNTY. 


76 


fe 


2,  comprehending  6  lots  of  the  old  military  tract,  is  included  within 
the  charter^^d  limits  of  the  village.  The  compact  part  of  the  village 
lies  2i  miles  from  Lake  Owasco,  on  the  outlet  of  that  name.  It  is 
lo6  miles  from  Albany,  314  from  New  York,  7  from  Weedsport  on 
the  Ji.rie  canal,  and  339  from  Washington.  Pop.  5,626.  There  are 
2  rresbvtenan  churches,  1  Episcopal,  1  Baptist,  1  Universalist,  and 
1  catholic ;  a  state  prison,  courthouse,  theological  seminary,  an 
academy,  2  banks,  4  printing-offices,  and  a  number  of  splendid  hotels. 
Auburn  IS  one  of  the  most  thriving  and  beautiful  villages  in  the  state. 
Its  principal  streets  are  adorned  with  lofty  buildings  of  brick  and 


Eastern  part  of  G:nesee-street,  Auburn. 


Auburn  was  first  settled  in  1793.  by  Col.  John  L.  Hardcnbcrch 
and  was  or  many  yenrs  called  '^  HardeUer^h^s  C«rn.r"  It  became 
a  post  village  in  IHOO.  and  in  1805  the  county  town  ;  and  received  Tt» 

a  (.dun   I    -^  t'fT'  ^  ''r  "^'^"•  ^  «'-'«^-^"i"'  ^''-.  '^"  "itu- 
h.  .  tn7.        "  .'S-i^''^  '-'f^'  ""^  ^"•-  *■'•"•"  the  spr,t  occupied  by 
the  establishment  ol  Messrs.  Leonard  &  Warden 

rnnn.l""^'  \'"'  '"'"''^'"f  "'"  /?'*'  ^-''^^^^^omc  was  commoncod,  and  tho 
county  courts  removo<Vto  this  place  from  Aurora.  In  1811  the  vil- 
ago  IS  supposed  to  have  contained  about  309  inhnbitanls  ;  the  court- 
h. use  ^.ns  the  .>nly  public  l.u.l.iing ;  even  this  was  in  an  unJinislIoIl 
.,,  I  ;  1  ^  ■;"«"iiction  ol  an  academy,  a  tliree-storv  brick  buildinp, 
uul  a  nent  l.ttl..  Kpiscrmal  cl.un-h  were  cnun.-nce.l.  and  a  J'res 
by  <'nnn  sncety  Inrned  (fmin-  this  year. 
in  IH15,  Auburn  was  incuriMjiutcd  a  village,  at  which  time  it  con- 


vtsammmmm 


76 


CAYUG/     -rOtTNTY. 


1 


tained  1,000  inhabitants.  From  this  period,  its  improvement  became 
more  rapid  and  uniform ;  walks  were  now  put  down  on  the  principal 
streets,  which  before  were  muddy  and  uneven.     In  1816,  the  state 

Krison  was  founded  in  this  plact ;  the  first  Presbyterian  church  in 
foith-street  was  commenced,  and  the  Bank  of  Auburn,  capital 
#200,000,  was  chartered.  In  April,  1817,  the  village  contained 
1,506  inhabitants,  148  dwellings,  20  stores,  and  40  mechanic  shops. 
A  railroad  connects  Auburn  with  Syracuse.  This  road  is  26  miles 
long,  and  was  constructed  at  an  expense  of  #460,000.  A  railroad  is 
now  constructing  between  this  place  and  Rochester,  which  passes 
some  distance  S.  of  the  Erie  canal,  through  the  flourishing  villages 
of  Canandaigua  and  Gen  ;v;i.  a  distance  by  this  route  of  77i  miles. 


Auburn  Theological  Seminary. 

The  Auburn  Theolajyical  Seminary  was  established  by  the  synod  of 
Geneva  in  181i),  and  by  the  act  of  incorpf)ration,  in  1820,  was  plao.rd 
under  commissioners,  chosen  by  the  synods  of  Genesee,  Geneva,  and 
Oneida.  There  arc  four  professors  in  the  iAstitution.  Over  300 
clergymen  have  been  educated  since  its  establishment.  In  1830,  the 
number  of  students  was  71.  The  principal  building  is  of  stone,  pre- 
senting a  front  of  200  feet.  The  library  cxliibils  o  valuable  colleo- 
tioii  of  choice  theological  works,  and  contains  upwards  of  5,000  vols. 
No  ('hnrge  is  made  for  the  use  of  the  library,  rooms,  or  furniture. 
The  Mi-lhodist  Episcopal  aocAciy  was  organized  in  1H21 ;  their  house, 
on  Chapel-street,  was  erected  soon  after,  and  has  been  since  sold  to 
the  Catholics  ;  their  present  stone  chni^l,  on  North-street,  was  crectetl 
in  IS.IS.  Till-  liiiptist  society  was  organized  in  1825,  and  built  ii 
chun-h  on  Soutli-striHit,  (since  sold  to  the  llniversalists.)  in  1821»; 
their  church  on  (if-nesee-street  was  erected  in  1834.  The  Second 
Presbyterian  Hociriy  was  organized  in  1820,  and  the  foundation  of 
their  house  laid.  In  1833,  the  Universalist  society  was  organized; 
and  in  1831.  the  CutholicH  fitted  up  their  church  on  C'hapel-stnet. 

The  following  is  n  r»  presenlntion  of  the  stale  prison  as  viewed  from 
the  N. ;  the  cupula  of  the  courlhouBC  is  seen  in  the  distance.    Tho 


CAVUCA    COUNTY. 


77 


State  Prison  at  Auburn. 

erection  of  this  prison  commenced  in  1816.  •♦It  occupies  a  plot  of 
ground  forming  a  square  500  feet  each  way,  enclosed  with  a  boundary- 
wall  2,000  feet  in  extent,  30  feet  high,  and  4  feet  thick  at  the  base. 
A  small  river  or  creek  runs  along  the  S.  side  of  the  boundary,  and 
sufRcient  power  from  the  stream  is  obtained,  by  means  of  a  water- 
wheel  and  shaft  through  the  wall,  to  work  the  machinery  within  the 
prison.  The  prison  buildings  stand  back  about  80  feet  from  the 
road,  and  form  three  sides  of  a  square ;  the  front  part  being  about 
280  feet  long  ;  each  of  the  return  wings  is  240  feet  long  and  45  in 
depth."  The  cost  of  erecting  the  prison  was  more  than  $500,000. 
The  usual  number  of  prisoners  of  late-years  has  b(>on  between  6  and 
700.  The  earnings  of  the  prison  during  the  year  ending  S(;pt.  1839, 
was  1(60,101.46;  the  expenditures  during  the  same  period,  $51,671.21. 
Religious  instruction  is  regularly  given  by  the  chaplain.  Sunday 
schools  are  instituted  in  the  prisons,  in  whi(^h  the  students  in  the  ti»e- 
ological  seminary  and  other  pious  persons  assist ;  the  younger  [(or- 
tion  of  the  convicts,  if  illiterate,  are  taught  to  read,  write,  and  cast 
accounts. 

"  The  building  contained  originally  550  cells.  More,  we  believe, 
have  lately  been  added.  They  arc  {)rincipally  distributer!  into  four 
tiers  or  stories,  and  constructed  on  each  side  of  the  block  or  wing. 
The  cells  are  each  7  Icet  long,  7  feet  high,  and  3i  wide.  They  aro 
milhcicntly  lighted,  well  warmed,  and  ventilated.  The  area  between 
the  cells  and  the  parallel  walls,  10  feet  wide,  is  open  from  the  grouni 
to  the  roof;  and  of  this  interval,  3  feet  adjoining  the  cells  are  occu- 
pMvl  by  the  galleries.  This  space  in  front  of  the  <x'lls  f<«rms  a  corn- 
pl(>te  S!»uiuling-ga||fry,  so  that  the  watchman  in  the  open  an^a  on  the 
ground  can  hear  even  a  whisper,  from  a  distant  cell  in  the  in»|)or 
story.  ' ' 

"Such  arc  the  provisions  and  precautions  for  the  separate  confme- 
mont  of  the  prisoners  at  night.  In  the  daytiine,  they  aro  eoinpclli'd 
to  labor  together,  in  an  orderly  and  penitentini  mniincr.  Soon  nflcr 
<iaylight,on  a  signal  given  by  the  prison  bell,  the  turnk«'V  unlocks  thu 


78 


CAYUGA  COUNTY. 


Prisoners  at  the  State  Prison  at  Auburn. 

doors  of  the  cells,  when  the  convicts,  each  with  his  night  tub,  water 
can,  and  mush  kid,  march  out ;  and  having  disposed  of  these  articles 
according  to  the  order  of  the  prison,  proceed  to  the  workshops, 
where  they  commence  the  labor  of  the  day.    At  a  fixed  hour  another 
bell  is  rung,  when  they  form  again  in  line,  and  march  in  silence,  with 
closed  Jiles,  to  the  mess-room,  where  they  breakfast  at  narrow  tables, 
so  arranged  that  they  a'-c  unable  to  exchange  even  looks  or  signs. 
After  an  interval  of  20  to  30  minutes,  they  return  in  the  same  manner 
to  the  workshops.     At  12  o'clock,  they  dine  under  the  same  caro  to 
prevent  intercourse.     On  the  approach  of  night,  they  wash  their 
laces  and  hands,  and  at  the  ringing  of  the  bell,  form  a  lino  according 
to  the  number  oi  their  cells,  march  out  of  the  shops  to  their  tubs,  and 
at  the  word  of  vH)mmand  take  them  up,  step  forward  and  empty  into 
the  drain  the  water  which  had  been  placed  in  them  in  the  morning 
to  purify  them.     They  then  proceed,  with  closed  files,  the  tubs  hang- 
mgontlioir  arms,  to  the  wash-room,  adjoining  the  kitchen,  where 
their  mush  and  molasses  in  a  kid,  and  water  in  a  can  for  drinking, 
have  been  placed  together,  in  rows,  by  the  cooks:  and,  without 
breaking  their  step,  they  stooj)  and  take  up  the  can  and  kid,  march  to 
their  rospectivo  galleries,  enter  their  cells  as  they  arrive  at  them,  and 
pull  Ihe  doors  partly  shut.     Each  gallery  is  occupied  by  one;  compa- 
»y,\vhic,li  is  marcht;d  and  locked  up  by  one  turnkev,  with  two  keys, 
dillering  from  each  other,  and  from  all  the  rest.     I'he  convicts  then 
cat  supper  in  their  resj)ectiv(«  cells.     At  an  early  hour  th(<y  are  re- 
quired, by  the  ringing  of  a  bell,  to  take  olf  their  clothes  and  go  to 
bed.  up<»n  their  ennvnss  hammocks;  when  well,  tliey  an^  not  permitted 
to  lie  down  iiefo,,'  the  bell  rings,  nor  to  get  up  again,  but  I'mm  neces- 
sity, until  the  ringing  of  the  in.miing  bell.     I>uring  the  night,  lurn- 
Keys  are  conntantly  moving  round  the  galleries,  wearing  vvoolh^n 
H  ('ks  on  their  li«ef.  and  walking  ho  noiselessly  that  tin-  cuiviets  are 
notable  to  discovei  their  presence  or  nbsem-.e ;  aitd  thus  Ihe  wIjuIm 


>v^ 


CAYUGA    COUNTY.  70 

wing,  containing  several  hundred  convicts,  is  preserved  in  perfect 
stillness  and  order.  It  is  obvious  that  no  communication  can  take 
place  between  the  convicts  at  night,  without  the  connivance  or  negli- 
gence of  the  turnkeys,  which  is  guarded  against  by  the  visits  of  the 
keeper  and  his  deputies  at  different  hours."— Gordon's  Gaz. 

The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  in  the  grave- 
yard N.  of  the  village. 

I'  Professori  Hist.  Ecclcs  Politiaequo  nostro  Reverendo  Matthaco  La  Rue  Pcrrine  D.  D. 
quindecim  annoa  a  principio  in  Seminario  Auburnensi  theologico  qui  oniditus  dilectus  mo. 
destus  iinpietate  crga  deum  afque  homincg  cunctos  imagine  Dei  creatos  siaccrus  vixit  nato 
maii  V  MDCCLXXVII  moriturus  cxitum  prospexit  tranquillus  patiens  benignus  spe  in 
Chnsto  solo  rndiatua  clirislum  esse  venxijj,  deum  et  redemptorcm  suum  gloriosisBimum 
gaudens  confessus  et  precatus  triumphavit  suis  bcnedixit  glorias  ascendit  Feb.  XII 
MDCCCXXXVI    Hunc  lapidcm  amici  nonnulli  orbati  posuere." 

[To  the  memory  of  Rev.  Matthew  La  Riio  Pcrrine,  D.  D.,  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical 
History  and  Polity,  for  fifteen  years,  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Auburn.  He  was 
learned,  amiable,  and  modest,  and  Uved  in  sincere  piety  towards  God  and  good  will  towards 
all  men  created  in  the  image  of  God.  He  was  born  May  5,  1777.  In  the  near  prospect 
of  death  he  was  tranquil  and  patient,  illumined  by  hope  in  Christ  alone,  whom  ho  joyfully 
confessed  to  be  the  true  God  and  his  most  glorious  Redeemer.  Having  prayed,  ho  tri- 
umphcd  over  death,  blessed  his  friends,  and  ascended  to  glory,  Feb.  12,  ia36.— Some  of 
his  bereaved  friends  have  erected  tliis  monument  lO  his  memory.] 

"1  Cor.  15;  57.  '  But  thanks  bo  to  God  which  giveth  us  the  victory  through  our  Lo' 
Jesus  Christ,'  Kev.  William  Lewis,  Jr.,  son  of  Wm.  and  Mary  Lewis  of  this  vicinity.  After 
his  course  of  preparatory  studies  in  Williams  College  and  Auburn  Theo.  Seminary,  and 
successfully  devoting  himself  to  the  cause  of  Education,  Temperance  and  Piety  in  Canada, 
New  York,  Indiana,  and  Ohio,  ho  went  home  to  God,  4  April,  1838,  aged  36  yeaiH.  From 
the  biMo  class,  his  interest  in  religion  began.  His  faith  and  character  were  formed  on  the 
Bible  J  and  ho  went  down  the  dark  valley  saying  '  all  is  light.'  " 

AuRELius,  organized  in  1789  ;  bounds  since  altered  ;  from  Albany 
159  miles.  Pop.  2,644.  Cayuga,  8  miles  W.  from  Auburn,  has  about 
30  dwelhngs.  Aurelius  and  Fosterdale  are  stnall  villages.  Clarks- 
ville,  1  mile  W.  from  Auburn,  has  about  50  dwellings. 


Camga  Bridge. 


The  obovc  view  of  Cayuga  Bridge,  which  crosses  the  Cnyuga 
Ink.-  on  the  groat  western  turnpike,  was  taken  on  the  western  bank, 
ami  sliows  on  tjio  oppo.si)..;  hUU-.  of  the  lake  u  iM.rtinn  of  the  hitle  vil- 
lage oi  t'.ayiiga.^  'J'he  large  building  on  tlu;  ri.-lit  is  th,  v,.||-knowi 
tavern  o|  iWr.  Titus.  Iiuving  sujx  lior  acrununndatictiM.  Tiiis  i)ri(lm>, 
so  lumuuH  Ml  i>olitieal  esliniutes,  was  coiiimcn<:id  ii,  W- ,-,  179U.  ana 


80 


CAYUGA    COUNTY. 


finished  in  September,  1800.  It  was  built  by  the  Manhattan  Com- 
pany of  New  York,  and  cost  $150,000.  Its  length  is  one  mile. 
"  This  bridge  is  the  longest  in  America,  perhaps  in  the  world,  and 
yet  five  years  ago,"  says  a  traveller  in  1800,  "  the  Indians  possessed 
the  shores  of  the  lake,  imbosomed  in  almost  impenetrable  woods." 
The  first  bridge  was  built  on  mud  sills— the  second  on  piles— the 
third  and  last  was  erected  in  1833,  and  cost  about  $15,000. 

Brutus,  taken  from  Aurelius  in  1802.  Pop.  2,045.  Weedsport 
incorporated  in  1831,  on  the  canal  7  miles  N:  of  Auburn,  26  from' 
Syracuse,  87  W.  of  Utica,  and  197  by  canal  from  Albany,  is  a  flour- 
ishing village,  with  about  120  dwellings.  CentreviUe  is  a  small  vil- 
lage on  the  canal. 

Cato,  taken  from  Aurelius  in  1802;  bounds  since  altered ;  from 
Albany  155,  from  Auburn,  N.  E.,  13  miles.  Cato  Comers  and  Cato 
are  small  villages.     Pop.  2,380. 

CoNauEST,  taken  from  Cato  in  1821 ;  from  Albany  162  miles. 
Pop.  1,911.     The  post-oflice  is  19  miles  N.  N.  W.  of  Auburn. 

FLEMmG,  taken  from  Aurelius  in  1823;  from  Albany  160  miles. 
Pop.  1,330.     Fleming,  5  miles  S.  of  Auburn,  has  about  20  dwellings. 

Genoa,  organized  by  the  General  Sessions  of  Ontario  county,  in 
All  ^  t"^/''i"iG  of  Milton;  name  and  bounds  since  altered;  from 
Albany  185,  from  Auburn  centrally  distant,  S.,  20  miles.  Pop.  2  591 
Genoa,  formeriy  called  the  "Indian  Fields,"  has  about 40 dwellings." 
Northville  has  about  20  dwellings.  Kings  Ferry,  Five  Comers,  and 
Last  Genoa  are  post-offices. 

Ira,  taken  from  Cato  in  1821 ;  from  Albany  189  miles.  Pop.  2,282. 
Ira,  24  miles  N.  of  Auburn,  has  about  25  dwellings. 

.f'^^J^""'  taken  from  Scipio  in  1823.  Aurora,  post  village  18 
miles  S.  W.  from  Auburn,  is  beautifully  situated  upon  the  lake  in  a 
Icrtile  country,  and  has  several  churches,  the  Cayuga  Academy,  and 
about  125  dwellings.  Levana,  also  upon  the  lake,  14  miles  from 
Auburn,  IS  a  small  village.     Pop.  2,500. 

Locke,  taken  from  Milton,  original  name  of  Genoa,  in  1802  ;  from 
Aifiany  166,  from  Auburn  centrally  distant,  S.  E.,  21  miles.  Milan 
at  which  is  the  post-office  of  the  town,  has  about  50  dwellings.  Pop.' 
1,800.  ' 

Mentz,  originally  named  Jefferson,  and  taken  from  Aurelius  in  1808; 
from  A  bany  1«1  mi_les.  Pop.  4,215.  Port  fiyron,  on  the  canal,  3 
miles  W  Irom  Weedsport,  and  8  from  Auburn,  has  about  150  dwell- 
'"^'f\  o  TP^,!^T  ^.^'^^  ^'^'^"  manufacturing  village  on  the  Owasco 
ouUct,  3  miles  N.  W.  from  Auburn.  Montezuma  Village  is  situated 
at  the  junction  of  the  Seneca,  Cayuga,  and  Erie  canals.  It  con- 
T\  «".  I^'Pisf-opal  and  a  Baptist  church,  a  collector's  office,  and 
ab  ,ut  75  dwdhngs:  distant,  10  miles  from  Auburn,  21  from  Geneva. 
64  from  Ro(;hestcr,  7  from  Cayuga,  35  from  Syracuse,  and  205  from 

^r.Tr^:  r  .''•'  !''^  ^^^^^  """^  successful  ill  sinking  a  shaft  about 

300  leet,  from  whu-h  issues  a  large  quantity  of  the  test  salt  water  in 

.  1i     :■    •?•       '"'^  """'''  ^™"^  '*  '•"  remarkably  free  from  impurities. 
Olid  the  facilities  lor  its  manufacture  arc  great,  the  ground  being  good 


OATIJGA   COUNTY. 


»l 


ttan  Corn- 
one  mile. 

world,  and 
possessed 

le  woods." 

piles — the 

K 

Veedsport, 

I,  26  from 
is  a  flour- 

.  small  vil- 

red;  from 
I  and  Cato 

62  miles, 
irn. 

160  miles, 
dwellings, 
county, in 
rod;  from 
op.  2,591. 
iwellings. 
mers,  and 

op.  2,282. 

'illage  18 

lake  in  a 

emy,  and 

iles  from 

[)2 ;  from 
.  Milan, 
gs.   Pop. 

3  in  1808; 

canal,  3 
50  dwell- 

Owasco 
I  situated 

It  con- 
lice,  and 
Geneva, 
205  from 
lift  about 
walrr  in 
ipurities, 
ng  good 


and  fire-wood  plenty  No  lime  is  used  in  the  manufacture  of  salt 
from  these  springs.  The  Montezuma  marshes  commence  about  a 
mile  westward  of  the  village:  they  are  gradually  drying  awayrand 
It  IS  believed  that  the  healthfulness  of  this  town  is^nSw^^lto 
any  m  the  vicmity.  ^ 

.f"J^'^  T""^!^^  I5^u*"  '*y'  *  ^^"  '^'^^w"  writer,  "is  the  paradise 
ofmusquetoes,'  which  tmy  and  troublesome  insect  are  here  notorious 

L  ««.vf  *o"Tl"iu ''!'  T'  "^^c' r'^^t^-ating  proboscis."  The  following 
Ihir^m'usl^altsl:^^^^^^^^  °'  '^'  '^^'^'^^^^  '^'^'^^^  ^h«  -^'^  '' 

nver,  near  the  present  route  of  the  canal,  at  Montezuma  Their  fomwaTexacS  fhat  of 
a  muaquetoe,  and  they  were  so  large  that  they  darkened  the  sun  1  k™  cloudfa^  Ly  flew 
between  the  earth  and  it.  Standing  the  one  upon  one  side  of  the  river  and  th^  other  o^ 
posite  on  the  other  bank,  they  guarded  the  river,  and  stretchinrtheir  lonrnecL Into  Z" 

the  stork  king  in  ^e  fable  chd  the  frogs.     The  destruction  of  life  was  great,  for  the  ei^ 

SlT'^r  ''"'f^  'tT^  't"'  "'"  ""  ^"'*''"'  •'""'•^  P""*  "'"bout  beit^de^oured  rthe' 
lltl^  A  /^  l?"g  before  the  monsters  could  be  exterminated,  and  then  only  b^  tho 
Th^Zt  *'^'''^"  ;he  warriors  of  the  Cayuga  and  Onondaga  nations  of  Indins 

wewS  Tut^n't'  ''".'  ^  ""T"""  ^'""'''  ^"'"P*"''^'  •""*  the  n>«ntmoth  musquetoes 
were  slain.    But,  sad  to  relate,  as  their  carcases  decomposed  in  the  sun.  every  oarticle  hn 

Tc^X  eV^mn::..'''''""'  "  "^''^ "'''"'"'^ ofmusquetoes  •    And  ZrCtmCi 

Moravia,  taken  from  SemproniuR  in  1833;  from  Albany  157,  from 
Auburn  centrally  distant,  S.  R,  20  miles.  Settlements  were  com- 
menced  here  m  1794.  A  branch  of  the  Owasco  inlet  here  falls  per- 
pendicularly 70  feet.     Pop.  2,010.    Moravia  is  a  small  village. 

JNiLEs,  taken  from  Sempronius  in  1833;  from  Albany  160,  from 
Auburn  centrally  distant  S.  E.,  15  miles.  Kellogsville  and  West 
Wiles  are  post-officeb.     Pop.  2,234. 

OwAsco,  taken  from  Aurelius  in  1802;  from  Albany  164  miles 
Uwasco,  a  small  village,  is  8  miles  S.  E.  from  Auburn.     Pop.  1  331 ' 

bcmo,  organized  as  part  of  Ontario  county  in  1789;  bounds  since 
altered;  from  Albany  180  centrally  distant  S.  from  Auburn,  10 
n>.le:!.  Scipio,  N.  Scipio,  Sherwood's  Comers,  and  Scipioville  are 
post-offices.     Pop.  2,255.  ^ 

SEMPKomuB,  organized  in  1799;  from  Albany  153,  from  Auburn 
^entrally  dis^tant,  B.  E.,  16  miles.    Skaneateles  lake  touches  it  on  the 

Sennet,  taken  from  Brutus  in  1807;  from  Albany  160  miles, 
bennct,  5  miles  N.  of  Auburn,  has  about  30  dwellings.     Pop.  2,060. 

bpRiNRPORT,  taken  from  Scipio  and  Aurelius  in  1823  ;  from  Albany 
166  miles.  Pop.  1,891.  Union  Springs,  so  called  from  two  springs 
whose  united  waters  form  a  useful  miil-stream,  laid  out  in  1818,  on 
the  Cayuga  lake,  10  miles  S.  W.  from  Auburn,  has  about  50  dwdiings. 

&TEHUNO,  the  northernmost  town,  formed  fromCnto  in  18Ji< ;  fron: 
Albany  172,  from  Auburn,  N.,  centrally  distant  28  miios.  Sterling! 
Manviile,  and  Little  Sodus  arc  post-offices.     Pop.  2,536. 

Summer  Hill,  originally  named  Plato,  and  taken  from  Locke  in 


82 


CATTARAUGUS   COUNTY. 


1821 ;  from  Albany  147,  from  Auburn,  S.  E.,  centrally  distant  26 
miles.    Summer  Hill,  in  the  south  part,  has  about  20  dwellmgs. 

Pop  1  446 

Venice,  taken  from  Scipio  in  1823;  W.  from  Albany  162  miles. 
Smith's  Corners,  14  miles  S.  W.  of  Auburn,  Talcott's  15,  Tupper  s  17, 
and  Stuart's  Comers,  are  small  villages.    Pop.  2,105. 

Victory,  taken  fromCatoin  1821 ;  from  Albany  167,  from  Auburn 
N.,  20  miles.  Lathrop's  Corners  has  about  25  or  30  dwellmgs. 
Pop.  2,371. 


;i 


CATTARAUGUS  COUNTY. 

C'.'  TARAUGUS  COUNTY,  taken  from  Genesee  in  1803;  centrally  dis- 
tuii     ->m  New  York  via  Catskill,  384 ;   from  Albany,  292 ;  from 
l:  vH:-;  ..  S.  E.,  50  miles.     Length,  E.  and  W.,  39,  and  greatest  breadth 
Jv.  !>i  -i  S.  36  miles.    It  derives  its  name  from  the  Indian  word  Gah- 
>a.ro-he-ras,  signifying  stinking  shore  or  beach,  originally  applied  to 
L8;*3  Erie,  and  thence  extended  over  the  adjacent  country.     This 
cod  ity  is  highly  elevated,  being  from  500  to  1200  feet  above  Lake 
E'-'e      Its  surface  is  broken  by  some  hills  of  no  mean  pretensions  to 
the  character  of  mountains,  but  in  general  it  is  but  moderately  uneven, 
and  in  some  parts  quite  level.     In  the  S.,  along  the  Allegany  river, 
there  are  broad  belts  of  white  pine,  behind  which  there  are  marshes ; 
excepting  these,  the  lands  are  generally  firm,  and  timbered  with  a 
variety  of  trees  of  lofty  growth.    No  region  of  this  state,  and  proba- 
bly  none  of  any  other  in  the  Union,  was  originally  covered  with  an 
equal  amount  of  valuable  timber.     Some  of  the  trees  have  measured 
230  feet  in  height,  and  five  of  them  have  been  known  to  furnish  an 
hundred  "lumber-man's"  logs.     Shingles  and  boards  for  the  supply 
of  the  whole  western  world,  have  been  manufactured  m  the  shingle 
shanties  and  saw-mills  upon  the  Allegany  and  its  tributaries.     The 
lands  in  the  N.  part  are  warmer  and  better  adapted  to  gram  and 
crass  crops  than  in  the  south,  except  at  the  S.  W.  corner.    This 
county  formed  part  of  the  Holland  Land  Company's  purchase,  who 
originally  owned  it  all  excepting  the  Indian  reservations.     About  one 
eighth  of  the  county  is  under  improvement.    The  county  is  divided 
into  26  towns.     Pop.  28,803. 

AsHFORD,  taken  from  Ellicottville  in  1824 ;  from  Albany  282,  from 
Buffalo  40,  from  Ellicottville,  N.,  10  miles.  Pop.  1,462.  Not  more 
than  a  tenth  part  of  the  town  is  yet  under  imprt)vement.  The  valley 
of  the  Cattaraugus  creek,  on  the  northern  line  of  the  town,  is  Irom  1 
to  2  miles  broad,  and  fertile.     Asliford  is  a  small  village. 

Burton  was  taken  from  Great  Valley  in  1831  ;  centrally  distant 
from  Ellicottville,  S.  E.,  16  miles.  Pop.  511.  "  Allegany  city,"  is  a 
plot  laid  out  some  years  since  upon  the  Allegany  river,  near  the  eaat- 


CATTARAUGUS   COUNTY. 


m 


era  boundary.    Not  more  than  one  thirtieth  part  of  thia  town  is  under 
improvement. 

Cold  Spring  was  taken  from  Napoli,  of  which  it  formed  the  south- 
ern part.  Pop.  673.  This  township  is  intersected  by  the  Allegany 
river.  At  the  mouth  of  Cold  Spring  creek,  which  enters  this  stream, 
is  an  "  Indian  village  called  Tunes-assah ;  the  reservation,  one  mile 
in  width  along  the  river,  extends  some  miles  above  and  several  be- 
low this  point  into  Pennsylvania ;  this  remnant  lately  had  at  its  head 
the  celebrated  chief  Complanter,  who  died  early  in  the  year  1836, 
aged  about  100  years.  Some  of  the  tribe  are  wealthy ;  have  large 
stocks  of  cattle,  and  some  saw-mills.  Much  is  due  for  the  improve- 
ment of  their  condition  to  the  judicious  efforts  of  the  society  of 
'Friends,'  of  Philadelphia,  who  have  long  maintained  instructors 
among  them,  teaching  the  primitive  arts  of  civilization,  and  who 
have  a  settlement  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town."  Some  of  the 
last  of  the  Indian  prophets  incorporated  a  part  of  the  tenets  of  Chris- 
tianity into  their  pagan  system.  A  few  years  since,  a  portion  of  the 
Indians  in  this  town  were  in  the  practice  of  collecting  around  a  log 
about  30  feet  long,  worked  into  a  resemblance  of  the  human  form,  to 
which  they  performed  a  kind  of  worship.  The  son  of  Cornplanter 
s^ibsequently  persuaded  them  to  throw  it  into  the  river. 

Cornplanter,  the  chief  above-mentioned,  it  appears,  was  the  son  of 
a  white  man,  who  lived  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Plank  ;  his  mother  was 
a  young  woman  of  the  Seneca  tribe.  The  Seneca  Indians,  during 
the  revolutionary  war,  were  led  on  against  the  Americans  in  the  Mo- 
hawk valley,  by  Cornplanter,  who,  in  one  of  his  incursions,  took  his 
father  prisoner.  He  however  treated  him  well,  and  released  him 
from  confinement.  In  a  letter  written  by  Cornplanter  to  the  govern- 
or of  Pennpylvania  in  1822,  complaining  of  the  attempt  to  impose 
taxes  upon  him  and  the  Senecas  residing  on  the  Allegany,  he  began 
as  follows: 

"  When  I  was  a  child,  I  played  with  the  butterfly,  the  grasshopper,  and  the  frogs.  As  I 
grew  up,  I  began  to  pay  some  attention,  and  play  with  the  Indian  boys  in  the  neighborhood, 
and  they  took  notice  of  my  siiin  being  a  diflferent  color  from  theirs,  and  spoke  about  it.  I 
inquired  of  my  mother  the  cause,  and  she  told  me  that  my  father  was  a  resident  of  Albany. 
I  ate  still  my  victuals  out  of  a  bark  dish :  I  grew  up  to  be  a  young  man,  and  married  me  a 
wife,  but  I  had  no  kettle  or  gun.  I  then  knew  where  my  father  lived,  and  went  to  see 
him,  and  found  he  was  a  white  man  and  spoke  the  English  language.  He  gave  me  victuals 
while  I  was  at  his  house,  hut  wheh  I  started  to  return  home  he  gave  me  no  provision  to  eat 
on  the  way.  He  gave  mo  neither  kettle  nor  gun,  neither  did  he  tell  me  that  the  United 
States  were  about  to  rebel  against  the  government  of  England,"  &.C.  (fee. 

"Cornplanter  lived  to  a  great  age,  having  deceased  within  the  last  eight  or  ten  years. 
He  was  an  able  man,  distinguished  in  subsequent  negotiations.  Ho  was  eloquent,  and  a 
great  advocate  for  temperance.  He  made  a  very  etfective  and  characteristic  speech  upon 
that  subject  in  1822.  '  The  Oreat  Spirit  first  made  the  world,  and  next  the  flying  animals, 
and  found  all  things  good  and  prosperous.  He  is  immortal  and  everiasting.  After  finish, 
ing  the  flying  animals,  he  came  down  upon  the  earth  and  there  stood.  Then  he  made  dif. 
ferent  kinds  of  trees,  and  woods  of  all  sorts,  and  peole  of  every  kind.  He  made  the 
spring  and  other  seasons,  and  the  weather  suitable  for  pmnting.  Those  he  did  make.  But 
ttilU,  to  make  whiskey  to  give  to  Indians,  he  did  not  make.'  •  »  »  •  <  The  Great 
Spirit  told  us  that  there  were  three  things  for  people  to  attend  to.  First,  we  ought  to  take 
care  of  our  wives  and  children.  Secondly,  the  white  people  ought  to  attend  to  their  farms 
and  cattle.  Thirdly,  the  Great  Spirit  has  given  the  bears  and  decrs  to  the  Indians.'  »  »  » 
•  The  Great  Spirit  has  ordered  me  to  quit  drinking.    Ho  wishes  me  to  inform  the  people 


84 


CATTABAUOO*   COUNTY. 


F 
ll^ 


that  they  should  quit  drinking  intoxicaUng  drink/  In  the  course  of  the  same  speech,  be 
cave  evidence  that  he  was  not  overmuch  pleased  with  the  admixture  of  his  own  blood. 
»  •  *  '  The  different  kinds  the  Great  Spirit  made  separate,  and  not  to  mix  with  and 
disturb  each  other.  But  the  white  people  have  broken  this  command,  by  mixing  their 
color  with  the  Indians.  The  Indians  have  done  better  by  not  doing  so.'  "—Stone'*  Ltft 
of  Brant.  , 

Ganothjowaneh,  a  distinguished  chief  of  the  Seneca  tribe,  was,  it 
is  said,  a  superior  orator  to  Red  Jacket.  He  was  called  by  the 
whites,  .Bi^-  Kettle,  that  being  the  signification  of  his  Indian  name.  It 
is  stated  that  he  never  tasted  ardent  spirits,  and  opposed  the  practice 
among  the  Indians,  and  suffered  some  persecutions  on  this  account. 
During  the  early  period  of  his  life,  he  was  opposed  to  the  introduction 
of  Christianity,  but  latterly  was  rather  in  favor  of  it.  Mr.  Wright, 
the  missionary,  now  living  among  the  Senecas,  near  Buffalo,  attempt- 
ed to  persuade  him  to  embrace  the  Christian  religion.  When  told 
that  he  was  a  sinner  in  the  sight  of  God,  Big  Kettle  appeared  to  be 
somewhat  surprised  ;  throwing  himself  in  an  oratorical  attitude,  he 
recounted  a  long  list  of  his  good  deeds,  and  endeavored  to  make  it 
appear  that  he  was  not  a  sinner.  He  once  came  to  Mr.  Wright,  and 
asked  him  the  question, "  Does  God  overrule  all  things  V  «  Certainly," 
replied  Mr.  Wright.  "  I  tell  my  people  so,  in  council,"  replied  Big 
Kettle  ;  "  but  when  I  am  alone,  and  think  how  much  iniquity  is  prac- 
tised by  the  white  people  in  getting  away  our  lands,  &c.,  and  how  they 
go  on  without  being  punished,  I  have  my  doubts."  He  said  that  the 
preaching  of  the  missionaries  was  good,  and  that  the  Indians  would 
listen  to,  and  follow  it,  but  he  said  it  would  be  useless :  the  bad  habits 
of  his  people  were  so  strong,  the  attempt  to  break  them  up  would  be 
as  idle  as  to  "  stop  the  wind  from  blowing  down  Lake  Erie." 

CovNEWANGo,  formcd  from  Little  Valley  in  1823 ;  from  Albany, 
312,  from  Ellicottville,  S.  W.,20  miles.  The  soil  is  excellent.  Pop. 
1,316.     Rutledge  is  a  small  post  village. 

Dayton,  taken  from  Perrysburg  in  1S35  ;  from  Albany  302,  from 
Ellicottville,  N.  W.,  25  miles.  Pop.  922.  The  surface  of  the  town  is 
undulating,  and  generally  heavily  timbered. 

Ellicottville,  taken  from  Ischua  in  1820 ;  was  named  after  Joseph 
ElUcott,  late  principal  agent  of  the  Holland  Land  Company.    Pop. 

Ellicottville,  the  county  seat,  is  from  Albany  292,  from  New  lork, 
by  the  way  of  Cattskill,  384,  from  Mayville,  E.,  50,  from  Angelica, 
W.,  35,  and  from  Buffalo,  S.  W.,  50  miles.  Grove  Hurlburt  and 
Orrin  Pitcher  were  the  first  settlers,  and  came  here  in  1815.  The 
following  view  of  the  county  buildings  was  taken  near  Gregory's 
tavern.  The  Episcopal  church  is  seen  on  the  left.  The  courtTiouse 
is  the  larger  building,  fronting  the  spectator.  The  jail,  a  stone  struct- 
ure, is  seen  on  the  right.  There  are  here,  besides  the  above,  2 
land  and  2  weekly  newspaper  offices,  a  fine  hotel,  a  Presbyterian 
church,  and  about  90  dwellings.  The  scenery  of  the  valley  and  sur- 
rounding hills  is  beautiful,  and  has  been  compared  to  the  Italian. 

FAaMERsviLLE,  taken  from  Olean  in  1812 ;  area  since  much  re- 
duced; from  Albany  280,  and  from  EUicottville,  N.  E.,  19  miles. 


■■^r^':,<^ 


CATTARAUGUS    COUNTY. 


85 


Pop.  1,294.    Farmersville  is  a  small  post  village.    About  one  fourth 
part  of  the  town  is  under  cultivation. 


Fr^ 


Southern  View  of  the  Public  Buildings,  Ellicottville. 


JANKLiNviLLE,  taken  from  Olean,  by  the  name  of  Ischua,  in  1812. 
Pop.  1,276.  Franklinville  Village  in  the  N.  E.  angle  of  the  town, 
13  miles  N.  E.  from  Ellicottville,  has  about  60  dwellings.  Cadiz,  a 
mile  below  on  the  Ischua  creek,  has  about  40  dwellings. 

Freedom,  formed  from  Ischua,  or  Franklinville,  in  1820.  Pop. 
1,831.  Freedom  Village,  26  N.  E.  from  Ellicottville,  Chelsea  21, 
and  Sandusky  24  miles,  are  small  settlements.  There  is  here  an  oil 
spring,  similar  in  many  respects  to  the  famous  Seneca  oil  spring  at 
Cuba,  Allegany  county. 

Great  Valley,  taken  from  Olean  in  1818  ;  from  Albany  299,  cen- 
trally distant  S.  from  Ellicottville  11  miles.  Chamberlain  is  a  village. 
Kilbuck  and  Great  Valley  are  post-offices.  The  Indian  reservation, 
about  a  mile  wide,  extends  along  the  river  to  the  east  line  of  the 
town.     Pop.  843. 

Hinhdale,  taken  from  Olean  in  1820.  Pop.  1,937.  Hinsdale,  26  S. 
E.,  and  West  Hinsdale,  16  miles  from  Ellicottville,  are  post  villages. 

Humphrey,  taken  from  Burton  ;  from  Ellicottville,  S.  E.,  centrally 
distant  10  miles.     Chapelsburg  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  459. 

Leon,  taken  from  Connewango  in  1832 ;  from  Albany  307,  from 
Ellicottville,  W.,  18  miles.  Leon  Centre  is  a  small  village.  Leon 
and  Leon  Mills  are  post-offices.     Pop.  1,325. 

Little  Valley,  taken  from  Perry  in  1818  ;  Little  Valley  village 
IS  a  small  settlement,  7  miles  S.  W.  from  Ellicottville.  Bucktooth  is 
a  post-office.  Not  one  fortieth  part  of  the  town  is  settled.  The  In- 
dian reservation  extends  along  the  Allegany  river  through  this  town. 
Pop.  671. 

Lyndon,  taken  from  Franklinville  in  -1829  ;  from  Albany  277,  and 
from  Ellicottville,  E.,  20  miles.    Hopkins  is  a  post-office.    Pop.  628. 


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88 


CATTARAUGUS   COUNTY. 


Machias,  taken  from  Yorkshire  in  1827 ;  from  Albany  288,  from 
EUicottville,  N.  E.,  10  miles.  Machias,  a  post-office,  and  Machias 
Comers,  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  1,085. 

Mansfield,  taken  from  Little  Valley  in  1830,  originally  named 
Cecilius ;  from  Albany  296,  and  from  EUicottville,  W.,  5  miles. 
Pop.  960. 

N APOLi,  originally  named  Cold  Spring,  and  taken  from  Little  Valley. 
Seeleysburg,  13  miles  S.  W.  from  EUicottville,  is  a  post-office.  Na- 
poli  is  a  small  village.     Pop.  1,142. 

New  Albion,  taken  from  Little  Valley  in  1830  ;  from  Albany  302, 
from  EUicottville,  W.,  10  miles.  New  Albion  is  a  post-office.  Poo. 
1,033.  '^  ^ 

Olean,  organized  in  1808 ;  bounds  since  much  reduced.  Pop.  638. 
Clean  Village,  at  the  junction  of  the  Glean  creek  with  the  Alleghany 
river,  is  the  oldest  place  in  the  county.  It  was  founded  by  Major 
Hoops,  and  named  by  him,  in  honor  of  Gen.  Hamilibn,  "  Hamilton  on 
the  Allegany."  Major  Hoops  was  originally  from  Philadelphia,  and 
served  as  an  aid  under  Washington  during  the  revolutionary  war. 
This  is  a  flourishing^  village,  and  is  destined  to  become  a  place  of  im- 
portance. The  New  York  and  Erie  railroad  is  to  pass  through  it ; 
and  the  Genesee  Valley  canal,  now  constructing  from  Roches|er 
south,  is  to  terminate  here.  The  width  of  the  Allegany  river  is  20 
rods,  with  a  channel  free  from  obstructions.  The  amount  of  lumber 
annually  sent  to  market  by  it,  is  about  200  millions  of  feet,  board 
measure,  of  superior  quality. 

Otto,  taken  from  Perrysburg  in  1823 ;  from  Albany,  W.,  300  miles. 
Waverly,  11  miles  N.  W.  from  EUicottville,  is  a  small  village.  Otto 
and  East  Otto  are  names  of  post-offices.     Pop.  2,125. 

Perrysburg,  originally  named  Perry,  was  taken  from  Olean  and 
Ischua  in  1814.  It  is  in  the  no-thwestern  angle  of  the  county  ;  from 
Albany  304,  and  from  EUicottville  30  miles.  Perrysburg  and  Ver- 
sailles arc  small  villages,  and  North  Perrysburg  a  post-office.     Pop. 

Persia,  taken  from  Perrysburg  in  1835 ;  from  Albany,  W.,  300 
miles.  Pop.  870.  Lodi,  25  miles  N.  W.  from  EUicottville,  upon 
both  sides  of  tne  Cattaraugus  creek,  is  partly  in  Eric  county.  It  was 
first  settled  on  the  Erie  county  side  of  the  creek,  in  1811,  by  Mr. 
Turner  Aldrich,  one  of  the  society  of  Friends ;  and  on  the  Cattarau- 
gus side,  about  the  year  1813,  by  Benjamin  Waterman,  Thomas 
I'arnswortli,  Daniel  and  Ahaz  Allen,  and  others.  Both  of  the 
church(!S,  the  Presbyterian  and  Methodist,  were  built  in  1832.  At  its 
first  scttlcincnt,  there  was  not  a  white  inhabitant  south  of  here  in  the 
western  half  of  the  county,  and  no  road  to  Pennsylvania  in  the  county, 
excepting  an  Indian  trail.  The  village  contains  about  100  houses, 
an  academy,  and  a  weekly  newspaper  office.  Tiie  creek  in  this 
town  affords  a  vahmhio  water-power. 

PoBTViLLK,  the  S.  E.  town  of  the  countv,  recently  taken  from 
Clean ;  from  Albany  2im  miles.  Pop.  468.  'Ricoviile  is  a  small  set- 
tlement ;  Mill  Grove  a  jMjBt-ofhce. 


'  288,  from 
td  Machias 

lily  named 
,  5  miles. 

ttle  Valley, 
tfice.    Na- 

Ibany  302, 
ice.    Pop. 

Pop.  638. 
Alleehany 
I  by  Major 
amilton  on 
slphia,  and 
nary  war. 
lace  of  im- 
hrough  it ; 
Rochesjpr 
river  is  20 
of  lumber 
eet,  board 

300  miles, 
ige.    Otto 

Olean  and 

ity;  from 

and  Ver- 

ce.    Pop. 

W.,  800 

ille,  upon 
'.    It  was 

1 ,  by  Mr. 
Cattarau- 

Thoinaa 
h  of  the 

2.  At  its 
ure  in  the 
•e  county, 
9  houses, 
!k  in  this 

kon  from 
imall  sot- 


CHATAUaUE  COUNTY. 


87 


RANDOLrn,  taken  from  Connewango  in  1826 ;  from  Ellicottviile 
b.  W.,  centrally  distant  about  35  miles.    East  and  West  Randoloh 
are  small  settlements.    Pop.  1,283.  'uiuoipn 

Yorkshire,  taken  from  Ischua  in  1820 ;  from  Albany,  W    28i 
from  Elhcottville  N.  E.,  15  miles.    Yorkshire,  Yorkshire  Forks, S 
Delavan  are  small  post  villages.    Pop.  1,292. 


CHATAUQUE  COUNTY. 

CHATAuauE  COUNTY,  the  southwestern  county  of  the  state,  was 
formed  fronri  Genesee  in  1808.  The  name  is  a  corruption  of  the  In- 
dian word  Ots-ha-ta-ka,  which  signifies  a  foggy  place,  and  was  ap- 
phed  to  the  country  around  the  head  of  the  Chatauque  lake,  even  now 
famous  for  its  fogs  Its  greatest  length  N.  and  S.  is  40,  and  greatest 
breadth  E  and  W.  36  miles;  centrally  distant  from  Albany,  W.. 
330,  and  from  New  York,  by  way  of  Cattskill,  N.  W.,  428  miles, 
ine  soil  generally  IS  strong  clay  loam,  very  productive  of  large  crops 
01  wheat,  oarley,  and  corn ;  the  last  is  however  destroyed  cometimes 
by  the  early  frosts  to  which  the  country  is  subject.  The  plain  upon 
climate^  *^  highly  fertile,  and  produces  the  finest  fruits  adapted  to  the 

This  county,  though  bordering  on  Lake  Erie,  is  situated  on  the 
elevated  groun  1  known  as  the  "  Chatauque  Ridge,"  which  divides  the 
waters  of  the  northern  lakes  from  those  of  the  Allegany  river.  This 
ridge  IS  generally  from  5  to  10  miles  from  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie, 
and  elevated  from  700  to  1400  Ibet  above  it.  The  general  surface 
ot  the  wjunty,  though  hilly,  is  not  mountainous,  and  the  highest  hills 
are  arable  to  thoir  summits  and  frequently  adorned  with  valuable  farms. 
1  he  soil  along  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie  from  1  to  4  miles  wide  is  a  border 
ol  rich  alluvion,  and  along  the  margin  of  the  rivers.  The  upland  is 
generally  a  moist  loam.  Grain  is  raised  in  considerable  quantities, 
and  the  county  is  generally  well  adapted  to  grazing.  Fruit,  such  as 
apples,  pears,  and  plums,  succeeds  well. 

Chatauque  Lake  is  a  fine  sheet  (.f  water  16  miles  long,  and  from  1 
to  4  wide.  Its  elevation  is  1,305  feet  above  the  ocean,  and  it  is  navi- 
gnted  by  steamboats.  This  county  formed  part  of  the  Holland  Land 
J^ompany  s  purchase ;  and  wild  lands  were  offered  by  them  at  91  .--.O 
to  »'»,  por  acre  ;  but  a  company  from  Batavia  bought  their  interest  in 
ttie  wild  Innd  of  the  county.  More  than  three  (luarters  of  the  county 
are  yet  unimproved.  The  county  is  divided  into  20  towns.  Pop. 
47,641.  ^ 

AHKvvRrnHT.  taken  from  Pomfrct  and  Villennva  in  1829;  distant 
jnm  Albany  310,  centrally  situated  from  Mayville,  N.  E.,  16  mile*. 

Bu.Ti,  formed  from  Lllicolt  and  Harmony  in  1823 ;  from  Albany 


88 


CHATAUQUE  COUNTY. 


334,  from  Mayville,  S.  E.,  17  miles.  Its  surface  is  hilly,  and  the  soil 
good.    Pop.  1,749. 

Carroll,  taken  from  Ellicott  in  1825;  from  Albany  336,  from 
Mayville,  S.  E.,  29  miles.  Carroll  and  Frewsburgh  are  small  set- 
tlements. Scarcely  one  third  of  the  town  is  yet  improved.    Pop.  1,632. 

Charlotte,  taken  from  Gerry  in  1829;  from  Albany  325,  and 
from  Mayville,  N.  E.,  13  miles.  Charlotte  Centre  is  a  post-office, 
and  Sinclairville  a  small  post  village.    Pop.  1,428. 

CuATAuauE,  organized  as  part  of  Genesee  county  in  1804 ;  since 
much  reduced  in  area.  It  is  upon  the  "  dividing  ridge,"  but  chiefly  on 
its  eastern  declivity,  and  produces  excellent  crops  of  com,  wheat, 
and  grass.    Pop.  2,980. 


»l 


Western  entrance  into  Mayville. 

Mayville  the  county  seat,  incorporated  in  1830;  distant,  336 
miles  W.  of  Albany ;  from  New  York,  via  Cattskill,  4S4 ;  from  Buf- 
falo, S.  W.,  66 ;  from  Erie,  Penn.,  35 ;  from  Warren,  Penn.,  40 ;  from 
Portland  Harbor,  E.,  7  miles.  This  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
sites  for  a  village  in  the  state,  and  is  situated  upon  the  high  grounds 
at  the  head  of  the  lake.  The  above  view  was  taken  near  the  resi- 
dence of  Mr.  M.  P.  Bemas,  on  the  road  to  Wcstfield,  at  a  point  com- 
manding a  view  of  the  principal  street  and  the  lake  in  the  distance. 
The  top  of  the  courthouse,  a  substantial  edifice,  costing  #9,000,  is 
seen  on  the  left.  Further  down  is  the  spire  of  the  Episcopal  church, 
nearly  opposite  to  it  the  Ba])tist,  and  on  the  right  of  the  engraving 
the  Academy.  The  Methodist  and  Presbyterian  churches  are  not 
seen  from  this  point.  The  Episcopal,  the  first  church  built  here,  was 
erected  about  1824.  Mayville  nas  about  80  dwellings.  In  the 
northern  part  are  two  spnngs  on  the  "  dividing  ridge'  within  ten 
minutes  walk  of  each  other.  One  of  which  flows  into  those  streams 
which  empty  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  the  other  into  those  which 
flow  into  the  Atlantic  by  the  St.  Lawrence.  Hartfield,  2  milos  E.  of 
Mayville,  is  a  small  villag-e.  There  is  a  j)08t-office  at  De  Wittville, 
and  one  called  Magnolia. 

CuEBBY  Creek,  taken  from  Ellington  in  1630 ;  from  Albany  diiO, 


CHATAUaUB   COUNTY. 


89 


and  from  Mayville,  E.,  18  miles.  There  is  a  post-office  at  Cherry 
Creek  village.     Pop.  1,141. 

Clymer,  formed  from  Chatauque  in  1821 ;  from  Albany  353,  and 
from  Mayville,  S.  W.,  15  miles.  Clymer  is  a  small  village,  and 
Clymer  Centre  a  post-office.     Pop.  800. 

JGllery,  on  Chatauque  lake,  taken  from  Chatauque  in  1821 ;  from 
Albany  342,  and  from  Mayville,  S.  E.,  13  miles.  Pop.  2,252.  El- 
lery  Centre  is  a  small  post  village. 

Ellicott,  taken  from  Pomfret  in  1812 ;  limits  since  reduced ;  from 
Albany  330,  and  from  Mayville,  S.  E.,  22  miles.     Pop.  2,568. 


Southern  view  of  Jamestown. 


Jamestown,  the  principal  village  in  the  county,  is  on  the  Chatauque 
outlet,  4  miles  below  the  lake,  and  contains  about  200  dwellings. 
The  above  view  was  taken  near  the  sawmill  on  the  Chatauque  out- 
let, seen  in  front,  and  shows  the  principal  portion  of  the  place.  The 
spire  in  the  centre  of  the  view,  is  that  of  the  Congregational  church. 
The  steeple  on  the  left  is  the  Presbyterian,  and  that  on  the  right  tho 
Academy.  There  are  also  a  Methodist  and  a  Baptist  church,  and 
2  weekly  newspaper  offices  in  the  place.  A  steamboat  plies  on 
the  lake  b-tween  here  and  Mayville.  James  Pendergrast,  Esq., 
from  Pittstown,  Rensselaer  co.,  established  himself  here  in  1811  or 
'12,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  the  village.  The  first  tavern  was  built 
sl-.ortly  after  by  Jacob  Fenton.  But  few  dwellings  were  erected  till 
IN  10,  when  tlie  plact;  rapidly  increased  by  emigrants  principally  from 
the  (Mistern  i)art  of  the  state.     Fluvanna  and  Dcxterville  are  villages. 

Em.inoton,  taken  from  Gerry  in  1824 ;  from  Albany  320,  from 
Mayville,  E.,  20  miles.  Pop.  1,709.  Ellington  and  Clear  Creek  are 
smnll  villages. 

FuKN.ii  (.'rkbk,  taken  from  Clymer  in  1829;  from  Albany  355, 
from  Mayville,  S.  W.,  17  miles.  Pop.  621.  The  greater  part  of  the 
town  is  yet  in  its  wilderness  state. 

Ckrrv,  divid(>d  from  Pomfret  in  1812 ;  from  Albany  326,  from 
Mayville,  S.  E.,  13  miles.  Vormcnt  is  a  small  village.  Pop.  1,246. 
Ab(»iit  three  fourths  of  \\wi  town  is  yet  unimproved. 

Hanover,  taken  from  Pomfret  in  1818.    Pop.  3,998. 

13 


#' 


90 


ClIATAUaUK    COUNTY. 


Silver  creek,  33  miles  from  Buifalo,  lies  on  a  harbor  on  Lake  Erie, 
and  has  about  100  dwellings.  Forestville,  on  Walnut  creek,  H  miles 
from  the  Lake,  has  about  100  dwellings,  and  a  weekly  newspaper 
office.  Nashville,  Smith's  Mills,  Irving,  and  Le  Grange,  are  small 
settlements. 

"  Walnut  croflk  in  this  town  has  its  name  from  a  black  walnut  troe,  which  fonnerly  ntood 
a  mile  above  its  mouth,  and  was  96  feet  in  circumference  at  its  base,  p^dually  and  grace, 
fully  tapering  80  feet  to  the  first  limb.  Its  entire  height  was  150  feet,  and  was  estimated  to 
contain  150  cords  of  wood,  or  50,000  feet  of  inch  boards.  The  bark  was  a  foot  thick.  I'he 
tree  was  entirely  sound  When  blown  down  in  1H32,  and  was  supposed  to  have  been  5(10 
yenre  old.  The  butt,  9  jbet  in  length,  was  transported  to  Buifalo,  liaving  been  excavated, 
and  was  there  occupied  as  a  grocery.  It  was  subsequently  carried  by  the  canal  to  the  At. 
lantic  ritica,  and,  spleniiidly  adorned,  was  exhibited  for  money  to  thuusaiids  of  adniirerB." — 
GordoiCs  Ifaz. 

Harmony,  taken  from  Chatauque  in  1816  ;  from  Albany  338,  from 
Mayville,  'i.,  13  miles.  Ashville  and  Panama  are  small  villages. 
Pop.  3,333.     About  one  fourth  of  the  town  is  und^.r  improvement. 

MiNA,  taken  from  Clymer  in  1824;  from  Albany  353,  from  Mayville, 
S.  W.,  13  miles.  Pop.  870.  There  is  a  small  settlement  at  Mina,  and 
one  at  Finley's  mills.     Most  of  the  town  is  yet  in  its  wilderness  state. 

Poland,  taken  from  Ellicott  in  1832  ;  from  Albany  316,  from  May- 
ville, S.  E.,  20  miles.  Kennedy's  Mills  and  Waterborough  are  small 
hamlets.     Pop.  1,082. 

PoMFRET,  taken  from  Chatauque  in  1808,  is  on  the  "  divided  ridge." 
Pop.  4,,'}66.  Fredonia  village  was  incorporated  in  1829 ;  is  on  the  ( 'an- 
adawa  creek,  315  miles  from  Albany,  22  N.  E.  from  Mayville,  45  S. 
W.  from  Buffalo,  and  3  from  Lake  Erie  at  Dunkirk,  it  is  the  oldest 
villfigc  in  the  county,  and  was  formerly  called  Canadawa,  from  the 
creek.     It  contains  about  120  dwellings.     The  aiuicxed  view  was 


Southern  view  of  Fredonia. 

taken  nenr  the  residiMice  of  Samuel  Johnson,  Ksti.  The  largo  build- 
ing with  »  H(jiiare  to^ver  is  the  Johnson  Hmise ;  the  steeple  next  to  it 
is  that  of  the  Baptist  church  ;  the  third  is  the  Academy,  incor|x)rated 
in  1836 ;  the  fourth  the  Presbyterian,  and  the  fifth,  on  the  extreme 


CHATAUaUE    COUNXy. 


91 


right,  the  Episcopal  church.  The  Methodist  and  Universalist  church- 
OS  are  not  seen  m  the  drawing.  Laona,  2  miles  above  Fredonia,  has 
a  valuable  water-power  and  about  46  dwellings. 

The  following  account  of  the  Gas  springs  in  this  vicinity,  is  from 
the  Report  of  Dr.  Lewis  C.  Beck,  published  in  the  New  York  Geo- 
logical  Reports  for  1832. 

c^k»'^^V^A?^  ^V..-By  far  the  most  interesting  exhibitions  of  the  evolution  of 
tauor  ThS  **">  p'"'"]'  *^*"?M"  '?'l'**'*«  "«  '»  beol»er.ed  in  the  county  of  Cha. 
^Ji^-„ri„I  f„  J^"  f  Fredoma,  mdeed,  has  attracted  much  attention  in  consequence  of  the 
SicWocXJ  '"th  ""•""*""'  ^"='""y.  -''J''"*''  ll'-'y  ^«  by  no  means  confined  to  this 
fo™  fh!  hl^  f^L  .  ^  spn'iga  .seem  to  have  their  origin  in  the  strata  of  slate  which 
dZnceftl  L*'  r""^'!!**  "^^^^  «f  everywhere  met  with  in  this  vicinity,  a  short 

veS!lT.W?^f'^Tt•'T•"'*  ""'y-fe^  y«»«  ««?«"•«  to  L  completely  con. 
l^lr^l^L  ^^^  T\  r^'"'  '""^."^  ""'*•  however,  resist  atmospheric  Bgoncies,  and  are 
'°ronrbhuZi!f  "  f"'''^"^  '"'";""'•  f  **""  '^''^''''y  '»'«''«"•  ^  -late  always'  emits  a 
bUumino  LTnT  M    ;■•  'tO«q»«ntly  contains  thin  scams  of  a  substance  resembling 

Sr  h«  -1  commonly  however,  this  bituminous  matter  occurs  in  patches,  hav" 

i^.r/!„  .h?'^  r"^1"^  ''"'r'""*  '*«*""''«'  ™P'«"i«'«  than  a  regular  stratum.  Th  ough 
E,^.f„..t  T'tJ"  '»'«"««^„ear  the  village,  are  everywhere  to  be  seen  bubbles  of 
tZn^T  *''  **  r"^*"*',-    ^''^  evolution,  however,  is  most  abundant  at  the  bridge,  and 

a  out  three  quarters  of  a  n.ile  below.  The  gas,  when  collected  in  a  proper  vessel  and  firTd 
ir  luml"ti??  """"  ""««'».^'"!  yeUow  above,  and  blue  near  the  orifice  of  the  buS: 
18  iliummati.ig  power  is  not  mfcrior  to  that  of  ordinary  coal  gas.     When  mixed  with 

hydr'g'Jn.""  ""  ""** '«'"'«'^'  "  "P'o*'"^  -i«'«n"y-     I'  -on^^  no  a^dmixture  o^slliihureued 
*'  The  illuminnting  power  of  this  gas,  and  its  abundant  supply,  miggeste.l  the  idea  of  its 

dii^lm  \'  '^}'"'^  '""T"  ""'  *""*  "^  '^^  "«"'''•  which  it  was  thought  could  ^ 

a^W  in  d,hwV''r''' '•'•'''•  Ashnftwas  accordingly  sunk  through  th.  «ia.e  about 
alr.mlvlS'.^.r'''^'"?""'' ''''''*'''•'  '•"■""«''  '«y""'  »'■"'«  Wttuninous  substance, 
£ft^H™  •"."'^  '^  r""^""  """"'«  «"''  '"•'  'h<^  «""■''  nndism.Pd  through  the 
£  rem  n-irt^Tw    "  M  "'  "";«"*  ^as  now  conducted  to  a  gasometer,  nn.l  front  thence  to 

H  M.T       f  ,.  "  "'"  'I''""™,  nffording  a  sutlicient  supply  of  gnn  for  70  or  8(1  lights. 

B. !..«„(  tl.H  snm.  gns  „r,.  horn  and  there  seen  rising  through  the  water  in  thin  creek  f"; 
n  ..ythrrequarlors  ot  tt  utile  below  the  village.  But  the  largest  quantity  is  evolved  « 
d  f,  .  7  ''.'."'■  **'"","'"  '"'*'''*'''  '""'■  ""■•  with  any  apparatus  which  I  could  command,  to 
dUrtnu...  the  amount  of  g,w  g.ven  out  at  this  place  in  a  given  tJtnc ;  but  bubbles  ri«e  with 
gr.^«t  rn pidity  from  an  nr..„  of  more  than  20  feet  square,  and  7  should  probably  be  warranted 
m  nssert.ng  that  .t  ,s  5  or  (i  times  greater  than  thai  obtained  nt  the  village.  ^'"^"'♦^•' 

„„«  „  r  "■*"•  '"''";'■•  ""  ^"'"'  ^"'''  *  ">''•'»  ffo"'  Fredonia,  bubbles  of  inflammable 
gns  „,ay  be  s,;en  ns.ng  through  the  water,  when  the  lake  is  caltA,  a  rod  or  two  fZ  the 
sm  e       u  the  town  of  S  u^ridan,  six  and  a  half  miles  from  Fredonia.  the  sa,  rgas^^a^s^ 

S"hol'eof*TliT»l'".r""-    P''"""-'   •"<*  •  "hor.  distance  below  Portland  JL^,nZ 
U  e  Hhore  <  1  the  lake,  there  is  supposed  to  be  a  sufficient  supply  to  light  a  city.     It  is  em 
ployed  m  U.e  lighthouse  at  the  harbor,  75  fee.  above  the  level  of  the  lake." 

Dunkirk,  formerly  owned  by  the  Dunkirk   Land  Company,  is 
pleasantly  situated  on  Lake  Erie,  and  is  destined  to  be  a  place  of 
great  unportiiiice  from  its  being  the  terminating  point  of  the  line  of 
thi|  New  York  and  Erie  railroad.     The  distance  from  Buffalo  is  44 
miles,  and  to  Piermont,  on  the  Hudson,  (about  22  miles  N.  of  New 
York,)  by  the  line  of  the  railroad,  446  miles.     This  whole  distance 
irom  Dijnkirk  to  New  York,  on  the  completion  of  the  road,  will  be 
accomplished  in  Irom  20  to  24  hours.     The  U.  S.  government,  view- 
iiig  the  growing  imjwjrtunce  of  the  place,  hasexptuided  largo  .sutis  in 
the  improvement  of  its  harbor.     This  port  is  occasionally  oix^n  many 
days,  and  even  weeks,  earlier  in  the  spring  and  later  in  Uie  fail,  than 


8a 


OHATAUaUE    COUNTY. 


Northeastern  view  of  Dunkirk  Harbor. 

that  of  Buffalo.  The  above  view  was  taken  about  a  mile  from  the 
village,  seen  on  the  left.  The  large  cupola  is  that  of  the  hotel^ 
capacious  brick  structure ;  the  steeple  next  to  it  is  that  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  and  the  smaller  one  the  Academy.  The  opposite  shore 
of  the  harbor  is  seen  beautifully  curving  around  in  the  distance,  and  is 
lined  to  near  the  water's  edge  with  a  fine  growth  of  forest  trees. 
Van  Buren  is  the  name  of  a  place  laid  out  as  a  city  2  miles  above  Dun- 
kirk, where  there  is  a  good  harbor.  Shumla  and  West  Milford  are 
small  villages.     Cassadaga  is  a  post-office. 

Portland,  taken  from  Chatauquc  in  1813;  distant  from  Albany 
354,  and  from  Mayville,  N.,  6  miles.  Salem  and  Centreville  arc  small 
settlements.  Pop.  2,136.  About  half  the  town  is  under  improve- 
ment. 

Ripley,  taken  from  Portland  in  1817,  on  the  "dividing  ridge,"  has 
a  hilly  surface.  Distant  from  Albany  348,  and  from  Mayville,  W., 
12  miles.  Pop,  2,197.  Quincy,  formerly  called  Ripley,  contains  the 
post-office  and  about  50  dwellings. 

Sheridan,  taken  from  Pomfret  and  Hanover  in  1827 ;  340  miles 
from  Albany,  and  20  N.  E.  of  Mayville.  East  Sheridan  and  Orring- 
ton  are  post-offices.     Pop.  1,883. 

Sherman,  taken  from  Mina  in  1822 ;  from  Albany  348,  from  May- 
ville, S.  W.,  12  miles.  Sherman  is  a  small  village.  Pop.  1,100. 
More  than  two  thirds  of  the  town  is  yet  a  forest. 

Stockton,  formed  from  Chatauque  in  1821  ;  distant  from  Albany 
823,  from  Mayville,  N.  E.,  8  miles.  Dclanti  and  Casadaga  are  small 
villages.     Pop.  2,078. 

ViLLENovA,  taken  from  Hanover  in  18i>3 ;  distant  from  Albany 
318,  from  Mayville,  N.  E,,  22  miles.  Omar  is  a  small  village.  Pop. 
1,655.     About  one  fourth  part  of  the  town  is  under  cultivation. 

Westfiei.d,  formed  from  Portland  and  Ripley  in  1821).  Pop. 
8,199.  Near  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile 
below  Portland  harbor,  is  a  carburetted  hydrogen  spring,  the  gas 
of  which  is  sufficiently  abundant  to  light  a  city,  and  is  used  for  the 
lighthouse  at  the  harbor,  seventy-five  feet  above  the  lake  level.    Mcln- 


CHATAUftUE    COUNTY. 


I  Albany 
^e.  Pi)p. 
ion. 

9.  Pop. 
>f  a  mile 
the  jras 
d  for  the 
.    Mcln- 


tyre's  sulphur  spring,  on  the  banks  of  the  Chatauque  creek,  3  miles 
from  the  lake,  was  formerly  much  frequented. 

Westfield  village,  from  Albany  342,  from  Mayville,  N.  W.,  6, 
and  from  Buffalo,  S.  W.,  60  miles ;  was  incorporated  in  1833.  It  is 
a  pleasant,  bustling  little  village,  situated  on  the  border  of  a  handsome 


View  in  central  part  of  Westfield  Village. 

plain,  and  containing  about  100  dwellings.  The  above  view  was 
taken  at  Edson  &  Son's  store,  and  shows  on  the  left  the  Episcopal, 
and  on  the  right  the  Presbyterian  churches.  The  other  public  build- 
ings iirc  the  Methodist  church,  Academy,  and  Westfield  Hotel,  a  sub- 
stantial  brick  edifice,  with  a  cupola.  About  two  and  a  half  miles 
from  the  village,  near  the  road  to  Mayville,  is  a  remarkable  gulf, 
known  as  the  "  Hogs  Back,"  which  is  much  resorted  to  in  the  sum- 
mer. The  first  settler  with  a  family  in  the  county,  was  a  Mr.  John 
McMahan,  from  Northumberland  county,  Penn.  He  came  here  about 
the  year  1803,  and  bought  of  the  Holland  Land  Company  a  tract 
six  miles  square,  on  the  Chatauque  creek,  in  this  town.  Portland,  or 
Barcelona,  one  mile  from  Westfield,  on  the  lake,  was  early  occupied 
by  the  French,  who  had  a  military  post  at  this  place.  The  lighthouse, 
40  feet  in  height,  standing  on  a  bluff,  is  a  conspicuous  object,  and  vis- 
ible at  a  great  distance  on  the  lake.     The  village  contains  about  40 


dwellings 


Rogersville,  Volusia,  and  Nettle  Hill  are  post-offices. 


04 


CHEMUNO    COUNTY. 


CHEMUNG  COUNTY. 

Chemung*  county  was  formed  from  the  western  part  of  Tioga  in 
1836.  Greatest  length,  N.  and  S.,  28 ;  greatest  breadth,  E.  and  W., 
20  miles.  The  surface  of  the  county  is  hilly.  The  soil  consists  gen- 
erally of  sandy  and  gravelly  loam,  interspersed  with  patches  of  marl 
and  clay.  The  uplands  are  commonly  better  adapted  to  grass  than 
grain ;  but  the  valleys  give  fine  crops  of  wheat  and  corn ;  oats, 
beans,  barley,  peas,  and  hops  thrive  almost  everywhere.  The  pine 
plains,  principally  in  the  towns  of  Elmira  and  Big  Flats,  formerly 
considered  almost  worthless,  are  now  deemed  highly  valuable ;  pro- 
ducing by  treatment  with  plaster,  and  due  succession  of  crops,  abun- 
dant returns  in  wheat,  Indian  com,  and  clover.  The  Chemung  canal, 
connecting  Elmira  with  Cayuga  lake,  is  about  20  miles  in  length. 
The  New  York  and  Erie  railroad  passes  through  the  towns  of  Che- 
mung, Southport,  Elmira,  and  Big  Flats.  Chemung  county  is  divided 
mto  ten  towns.     Pop.  20,731. 

Big  Flatb,  taken  from  Elmira  in  1822 ;  from  Albanv  207,  from 
Elmira  centrally  distant,  NW.,  10  miles.  The  navigable  feeder  of 
the  Chemung  canal  passes  centrally  through  the  town  in  an  easterly 
direction.     There  are  extensive  flats  on  the  Chemung  river.    Pop. 

Catherines  was  taken  from  Newtown  in  1798  ;  from  Albany  184 
miles.  Havanna,  founded  in  1829  by  Mr.  David  Ayres,  and  incor- 
porated in  1836,  18  miles  N.  from  Elmira,  is  a  very  thriving  village, 
containing  about  700  inhabitants.  It  is  situated  upon  a  small  stream 
rushing  over  a  high  hill  from  the  west,  with  three  cascades,  making 
together  a  fall  of  over  100  feet. 

This  town  appears  to  have  derived  its  name  from  its  having  been 
the  residence  of  Catherine  Montour,  the  wife  of  an  Indian  sachem  or 
king.  She  has  sometimes  been  called  Queen  Esther.  This  remark- 
able woman,  it  is  said,  was  a  native  of  Canada,  a  halt-breed,  her 
father  being  one  of  the  French  governors,  probably  Count  Frontenac. 
During  the  wars  between  the  Six  Nations  and  the  French  and  Hu- 
rons,  Catherine  was  taken  prisoner,  when  she  was  about  ten  years 
old,  and  carried  into  the  Seneca  country,  and  adopted  as  one  of  theii 
children.  At  a  suitable  age  she  was  married  to  a  distinguished  chief 
of  her  tribe,  by  whom  she  had  several  children.  Her  husband  was 
killed  in  battle  about  1730.  She  is  represented  as  having  been  a 
handsome  woman  when  young,  genteel,  and  of  good  address.  She 
frequently  accompanied  the  chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations  to  Philadelphia, 
and  other  places  where  treaties  were  holden.  On  account  of  her 
character  and  manners,  she  was  much  caressed  by  the  American  la- 
dies of  the  first  respectability,  and  invited  and  entertained  at  their 
houses.     Her  residence  was  at  the  head  of  Seneca  lake.     She  has 


» Chemung  is  said  to  be  big  horn,  or  great  horn,  in  the  ancient  Indian  dialeof.     And 
that  a  very  large  horn  was  found  in  the  Cliemung  or  Tioga  river,  has  been  well  ascertained. 


CIIEMUNQ   COUNTY.  ff^ 

been  accused  of  perpetrating  some  savage  atrocities  at  the  massacre 
at  Wyommg,  but  the  account  does  not  appear  to  be  well  authenti- 
cated. At  the  period  of  the  revolutionary  war,  Catherme's  town  con- 
sisted of  thirty  houses,  cornfields,  orchards,  &c. ;  these  were  all  de- 
stroyed by  Gen.  Sullivan,  Sept.  3,  1779,  in  his  expedition  into  the  In- 
dian country. 

Catlin,  taken  from  Catherine  in  1823 ;  from  Albany  190,  from 
Elmira,  NW.,  12  miles.  A  great  portion  of  the  town  is  yet  unsettled. 
Catlin,  West  Catlin,  and  Martins  Hill,  are  post-offices.    Pop.  1,119. 

Cavuta,  taken  from  Spencer  in  1824;  from  Albany,  SW.,  188, 
Irom  Elmira,  NE.,  20  miles.  It  is  rather  thinly  settled.  Cayuta, 
West  Cayuta,  and  Van  Eltensville,  are  post-offices.  Pop.  835.  The 
surface  of  the  township  is  hilly  and  broken ;  the  hills  are  covered 
With  pines  and  hemlocks. 

Cehmung,  organized  in  1791 ;  from  Albany,  SW.,  198,  from  El- 
mira, E.,  12  miles.  Surface  is  hilly,  and  broken  with  fertile  fiats 
along  the  Chemung  river.  Pop.  2,377.  The  Chemung  upper  and 
lower  Narrows  are  formed  by  high,  rocky  cliffs,  projecting  into  the 
river,  along  which  the  road  is  conducted  with  great  labor. 

"  In  the  south  part  of  the  town  is  a  mound,  called  Spanish  Hill,  elevated  110  feet  above 
the  plain,  and  near  the  river  bank,  described  as  a  work  of  art;  but  this  suggestion  is  ren- 
dered  incredible  from  the  fact,  that  the  area  of  its  summit  comprises  four  acres.  Upon  this 
summit,  however,  are  vestiges  of  fortifications,  displaying  much  skill  in  'he  art  of  defence; 
having  regular  entrenchments,  v\rhich  perfectly  commanded  the  bend  in  the  river.— Gordon'* 
Gazeteer. 

Dix,  taken  from  Catlin  in  1835,  is  the  NW.  town  of  the  county ; 
from  Elmira  20  miles.  Pop.  1,990.  Townsend,  Moreland,  and 
West  Catlm  are  post-offices.  Jefferson,  post  village,  partly  in  Steuben 
county,  at  the  head  of  Seneca  lake,  3  miles  N.  of  Havanna,  was 
founded  m  1828  by  Dr.  Watkins,  and  has  about  50  dwellings.    • 

Elmira  was  taken  from  Chemung  by  the  name  of  Newtown,  in 
1792.     Much  of  the  land  in  this  township  is  rich  and  productive,  par- 
ticularly the  flats  on  Chemung  river.     Pop.  4,791.     Elmira  village 
is  situated  at  the  confluence  of  Newtown  creek  with  the  Chemung 
river.     It  was  formerly  the  half-shire  village  of  Tioga  county,  and  i1 
now  the  seat  ot  justice  for  Chemung  co.     It  was  incorporated  in 
1815  by  the  name  of  Newtown,  which  name  was  changed  to  Elmira 
in  1828:  its  ancient  Indian  name  was  Conewawah,  a  word  signify- 
ing «  a  head  on  a  pole."     Elmira  is  admirably  situated  for  the  pur- 
poses of  trade,  in  the  midst  of  a  fertile  valley,  eight  to  ten  miles  in 
extent  Irom  N,  to  S.,  and  from  twelve  to  fifteen  miles  E.  and  W. 
The  place  is  connected  with  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland,  in  trade, 
by  the  Chemung  and  Susquehannah  rivers,  and  with  almost  every 
p()rtion  of  the  state  by  means  of  the  Chemung  canal,  which  leads 
through  Seneca  lake,  and  thence  by  the  Seneca  to  the  Erie  canal. 
The  village  contains  about  230  dwellings,  4  churches— 1  Presbyte- 
rian, 1  Baptist,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Episcopal— 2  newspaper  establish- 
ments, 1  bank,  and  a  number  of  select  schools.     The  village  is  on 
the  line  of  the  Erie  railroad. 


06 


CHEMUNG    COUNTY. 


Distant  view  of  the  Village  of  Elmira. 

The  above  view  was  taken  near  the  Sullivan  mill,*  about  a  mile 
eastward  of  the  village,  near  the  junction  of  Newtown  creek  witij  the 
Chemung  river.  The  first  spire  on  the  right  is  that  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church,  the  next  to  the  left  the  courthouse ;  the  others  are  those 
of  the  Episcopal  and  Baptist  churches.  The  bridge  seen  extending 
across  the  Chemung  is  600  feet  in  length. 

The  section  of  country  in  which  Elmira  is  situated  became  known 
to  the  whites  during  the  revolutionary  war.  When  Gen.  Sullivan 
was  penetrating  into  the  Indian  country,  in  1779,  the  Indians  under 
Brant,  and  the  tories  under  Colonels  Butler  and  Johnson,  made  a 
stand  to  oppose  his  progress  at  the  SE.  point  of  this  town.  They 
entrenched  themselves  by  a  breast-work  of  about  a  half  a  mile  in 
length,  so  covered  by  a  bend  in  the  river  as  to  expose  only  their 
front  and  one  of  their  flanks  to  attack.  On  Sullivan's  approach,  Aug. 
29th,  an  action  commenced  which  is  sometimes  called  the  "  Battle  of 
the  Chemung ;"  the  force  of  the  Indians  and  tories  has  been  estimated 
from  800  to  1,500,  while  that  of  the  Americans  was  between  4,000 
and  5,000.  The  following  account  of  the  battle  is  extracted  from  the 
2d  vol.  of  "  Stone's  Life  of  Brant." 

"  The  enemy's  position  was  discovered  by  Major  Parr,  commanding  the  advance  guard, 
at  about  11  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  29th  of  August.  General  Hand  immediately 
formed  the  light  infantry  in  a  wood,  at  the  distance  of  about  400  yards  from  the  breast. 
work,  and  waited  until  the  main  body  of  the  army  arrived  on  the  ground.  A  skirmishing 
was,  however,  kept  up  by  both  sides — the  Indians  sallying  out  of  their  works  by  small  par- 
ties, firing,  and  suddenly  retreating — making  the  woods  at  the  same  time  to  resound  with 
their  war-whoops,  piercing  the  air  from  point  to  point  as  though  the  tangled  forest  were 
alive  with  their  grim-visaged  warriors.  Correctly  judging  that  the  hill  upon  his  right  was 
occupied  by  the  savages,  Gen.  Sullivan  ordered  Poor's  brigade  to  wheel  off,  and  endeavor 
to  gain  their  left  flank,  and,  if  possible,  to  surround  them,  while  the  artillery  and  main  body 

*  So  called  from  its  being  only  a  few  rods  above  Sullivan's  landing  place,  where  he  en- 
camped  both  on  the  advance  of,  and  return  from  his  expedition  against  the  Indians.  The 
site  of  the  fortress  which  Sullivan  built,  can  be  distinctly  seen  from  the  south  windows  of 
this  mill. 


CHEMUNG    COUNTY. 


m 


^k^LaT    T  fT^f^  '^^l"  '"  '^°"*-    T''"  '"^«"  ^^  promptly  '>xecnu>d ;  but  a.  Poor 
^i^t^t^H     ,"««"'' »»'t«"«1«  became  animated,  and  the  possession  of  the  hill  wa«  bravZ 
S      ;  T  J-  '^'°"'  **  '"^^y  ^^^  "  •""  cannonade  for  more  than  two  hours.    BoA 
TnT  hn.1,     km'/*'"  *""",'*  *•*  *"  '^"'•"  "f  fi8*'^"g  '"""'■''"y-     Every  rock,  and  tree^ 
SkK'nt  hf    '-.k"  1?f?''^r  ^^^^  ^»''«'»  *«  *i"8«'*  messengem  of  dUth  wo7e* 
th^cUy  sent,  but  with  so  htUe  effect  as  to  excite  astonishment.    The  Indians  yielded  ground 
only  mch  by  inch ;  and  in  their  retreat  darted  from  tree  to  tree  with  the  agility  of  the  pan. 
ther,  otten  contesting  each  new  position  to  the  point  of  the  bayonet— a  thing  very  unusual 
Tif.„    i    nuhtismen,  and  still  more  rare  among  the  undisciplined  warriors  of  the  woods. 
i  hayendanegea  was  the  animating  spirit  of  the  savages.    Always  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight, 
he  used  eveiy  effort  to  stimulate  his  warriors,  in  the  hope  of  leading  them  to  victory.    Until 
the  artillery  began  to  play  the  whoops  and  yells  of  the  savages,  mingled  with  the  rattling  of 
musketry,  had  well-nigh  obtained  the  mastery  of  sound.     But  their  whoops  were  measur. 
ably  drowned  by  the  thunder  of  the  cannon.    This  cannonade  •  was  elegant,'  to  adopt  the 
phraseology  of  buUivan  himself,  in  writing  to  a  friend,  and  gave  the  Indians  a  great  panic. 
atUl,  the  battle  was  contested  in  front  for  a  length  of  time  with  undiminished  spirit.    But 
the  seventy  of  fighting  was  on  the  flank  just  described.    As  Poor  gallanUy  approached  the 
point  which  completely  uncovered  the  enemy's  rear,  Brant,  who  had  been  the  first  to  pone, 
irate  the  design  of  the  American  commander,  attempted  once  more  to  rally  his  forces,  and 
with  the  assistance  of  a  battalion  of  the  rangers,  make  a  stand.    But  it  was  in  vain,  al. 
though  he  exerted  himself  to  tlie  utmost  for  that  purpose— flying  from  point  to  point,  seem- 
ing  to  be  everywhere  present,  and  using  every  means  in  his  power  to  reanimate  the  flag 
ging  spints,  and  reinvigorate  the  arms  of  his  followers.     Having  ascended  the  steep,  ami 
gained  his  object  without  faltering,  the  enemy's  flank  was  turned  by  Poor,  and  the  fortunes 
ot  the  day  decided.     Perceiving  such  to  be  the  fact,  and  that  there  was  danger  of  beine 
surrounded,  the  retreauhalloo  was  raised,  and  the  enemy,  savages  and  white  men,  precipU 
lately  abandoned  their  works,  crossed  the  river,  and  fled  with  the  utmost  precipitation— 
the  Indians  leaving  their  packs  and  a  number  of  their  tomahawks  and  scalping.knives 
Dehind  them.    The  battle  was  long,  and  on  the  side  of  the  enemy  bloody.    Eleven  of  their 
dead  were  found  upon  the  field— an  unusual  circumstance  with  the  Indians,  who  invariably 
exert  themselves  to  the  utmost  to  prevent  the  bodies  of  their  slain  from  falling  into  the 
hands  of  their  foes.    But  being  pushed  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  they  had  not  time  to 
bear  them  away.    They  were  pursued  two  miles,  their  trail  affording  indubitable  proof  that 
a  poruon  of  their  dead  and  wounded  had  been  carried  off.    Two  canoes  were  found  cov. 
ered  with  blood,  and  the  bodies  of  14  Indian  warriors  were  discovered  partially  buried 
aniong  the  leaves.    Eight  scalps  were  taken  by  the  Americans  during  the  chase.     Consid 
enng  the  durahon  of  the  batUe,  and  the  obstinacy  with  which  it  was  maintained  the  loss 
ot  the  Americans  was  smaU  almost  to  a  miracle.    Only  5  or  6  men  were  killed,  and  be- 
tween  40  and  50  wounded.    Among  the  American  officens  wounded,  we-e  Mai.  Titcomb 
Capt.Clayes,  and  Lieut.  GoUis— the  latter  mortally.    All  the  houses  of  the  contiguous 
Indian  town  were  burnt,  and  the  cornfields  destroyed." 

The  first  settler  of  Newtown,  now  Elmira,  was  Col.  John  Hendy, 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  a  veteran  of  the  revolution.  In  the' 
summer  of  1788,  he  came  into  this  town  and  erected  a  log  hut  on  the 
pomt  where  Sullivan  had  encamped,  about  half  a  mile  from  the  pre- 
sent  centre  of  the  village  of  Elmira.  He  brought  his  family  to  this 
place  m  the  fall  of  the  same  year.  It  was  during  this  year  that  this 
section  of  the  country  was  surveyed  by  Gen.  James  Clinton,  Gen. 
John  Hathorn,  and  John  Cantine,  Esq.,  as  commissioners  on  the  part 
of  the  state.  The  land  at  this  time  was  estimated  and  sold  by  the 
state  at  eighteen  pence  per  acre  to  the  first  settlers.  The  second  log 
house  was  built  by  John  Miller  near  the  bank  of  the  river  on  the  farm 
now  occupied  by  Capt.  Partridge.  The  same  year,  and  the  year  fol- 
lowing, (1789,)  several  families  came  in  and  settled  on  the  south  side 
of  the  river,  m  Southport.  In  the  same  year,  Thomas  Hendy  and  a 
Mr.  Marks  built  log  houses  at  the  east  end  of  the  site  of  the  village. 
When  Col.  Hendy  built  his  log  cabin  on  the  pine  plain  of  Conewawah, 
the  only  highway  or  road  existing  in  the  country  for  hundreds  of 

13 


08 


CHEMlr^a  county. 


miles  round,  was  v;hat  waa  called  the  Indian  pathway,  extending 
from  Wilkesbarre,  Penn.,  to  Canada.  This  pathway  crossed  the  lot 
of  Col.  Hondy,  and  was  for  a  long  period  the  only  avenue  by  which 
emigrants  from  the  south  reached  Niagara  and  the  northwestern  part 
of  the  state. 

The  following  anecdote  relative  to  Col.  Hendy,  is  taken  from  a  pub- 
lication, in  a  pamphlet  form,  entitled  "  Views  of  Elmira,"  by  Solomon 
Southwick,  Esq.  It  is  from  this  publication  that  the  historic  notices 
of  this  place  are  mostly  taken. 

"  They  [the  Indians]  knew  nothing  of  ceremony,  and  never  waited  for  an  invitation  to  visit 
the  cabins  of  the  white  settlers ;  but  would  stalk  in  and  sit  themselves  down  as  freely  as 
they  had  been  used  to  do  in  their  own  huts ;  nor  were  ;hey  less  scrupulous  in  their  attacks 
upon  whatever  food  or  beverage  presented  itself.  If  any  of  the  whites  disliked  this  freedom, 
they  found  it  their  beat  policy  to  bear  patiently  with  the  ofurepeated  demands  upon  their 
hospitality  winch  flowed  from  it ;  but  in  gpite  of  their  philosojihy  were  sometimes  involved 
in  serious  strife  with  their  lawless  visiters.  One  evening  of  a  summer's  day,  Col.  Hendy, 
having  returned  from  the  labors  of  the  field,  found  two  Indians  at  his  house,  one  of  whom 
was  John  Harris,  celebrated  for  his  quarrelsome  and  malignant  temper,  as  well  as  vigorous 
and  athletic  frame.  He  had  insulted  Mrs.  Hcndv,  and  evinced  such  bad  intentions,  that 
his  companion,  aided  by  Col.  Hendy's  son,  had  found  it  necessary  to  bind  him  down  in  a 
chair,  which  operation  they  had  just  periormed  when  Col.  Hendy  came  in.  Whilst  the 
friendly  Indian  laid  down  and  went  quietly  to  sleep,  the  Colonel  seated  himself  to  watch 
the  motions  of  the  unruly  savage.  The  fellow  was  so  mortified  by  the  compulsion  and  rt. 
Btraint  imi)08ed  upon  him,  that  he  became  apparently  humble,  and  the  Colonel,  on  his 
promise  to  behave  well,  unbound  him,  and  ordered  him  to  lay  down  on  the  floor  and  go  to 
sleep,  whilst  he  threw  himself  on  the  bed,  but  did  not  think  it  safe  to  undress  or  sleep ;  and 
the  event  proved  the  necessity  and  prudence  of  his  precaution.  For  the  savage,  ruminating 
on  the  disgraceful  circumstance  of  his  having  been  bound,  till  his  revengeful  temper  was 
roused  to  a  high  degree,  rose  up  suddenly  crying  out  "  3Ie  be.  many,"  a  well  known  oxcin. 
malion  of  the  Indians  when  prepared  to  commence  a  light  single.lianded  witli  one  of  iheir 
own,  or  that  of  the  white  race.  This  was  a  critical  moment  for  Hendy,  who  quickly  per- 
ccived  there  was  no  time  to  bo  lost ;  ho  therefore  rose  up,  exclaiming  "  You  be  many-- 
Yoa  none  at  all — /  be  many .'"  and  as  the  Indian  sprang  forward  to  grapple  with  him, 
brandishing  a  long  knife,  the  veteran  gave  him  a  blow  on  the  side  of  his  head  which  laid 
him  prostrate  on  the  hearth ;  and  tlicn  seizing  him  by  the  hair,  beat  his  head  upon  iho 
hearth,  liil  the  savage  yielded  up  his  knife,  well  convinced  by  the  Colonel's  demonstrations, 
that  if  he  was  many,  his  host  was  tnany  mme,  or  at  least  too  many  for  him — and  the  next 
morning  ho  was  as  quiet  and  peaceable  as  a  lamb," 

"  In  1790,  we  believe  it  was,  Elmira  was  visited  by  some  ten  or  twelve  hundred  Indians ; 
one  of  tJie  oldest  settlers  assures  us  there  were  not  less  than  eleven  hundred.  Their  object 
was  the  negotiation  of  a  treaty  with  the  United  States.  On  our  part  the  venerable  Timo. 
THY  Pickering  was  the  principal  negotiator.  CJuv  Maxwell  acted  as  his  secretary,  and 
transcrilicd  the  treaty.  On  the  part  of  the  Indians  there  were  chiefs  of  all  the  Six  Natioiin, 
among  whom  were  Red  Jacket,  Big  Tree,  Trench  Peter,  Former's  Brother,  &c.  Jasper 
Parish,  ol  Canandaigua,  was  their  interpreter.  It  was  on  this  occasion  that  Red  Jacket 
made  one  of  hi«  most  eloquent  and  powerful  speeches.  One  of  the  chiefs,  and  several  of 
the  subordinates,  died  during  the  negotiation  j  and  their  bones,  it  is  said,  have  been  re. 
cently  found  in  digging  the  cellars  for  the  elegant  row  of  buildings,  called  Benjamin"*  Block, 
on  Front-Hircct.  The  treaty  was  held  immediately  east  of  the  present  courthouse  in  Lake- 
street,  under  an  ancient  oak.tree,  which  thenceforth,  if  not  before,  was  known  by  iho 
name  of  the  coun*.;!  tree." 

In  1702,  Nathaniel  Secly  built  the  first  frame  house  in  the  village 
of  NcwtoM  Si,  now  Elmira.  The  original  patentee  of  the  towns  of 
Southport  ami  Newtown  was  Moses  jJe  Witt ;  ho  sold  out  to  a  Mr. 
White.  In  17U4,  Guy  Muxwt-ll  and  Samuel  Hepburn  purchased 
the  village  plot  of  Elmira  from  Mr.  Whitt  In  1707,  Elmira  re- 
ceivod  a  visit  fn»m  Louis  I'hillipf,  the  present  king  of  France,  tho 
Duke  dc  Nemours,  and  the  Duke  do  Ijcrri.     These  distinguislied  per- 


CHENANGO   COUNTY. 


99 


sonages  had  been  spending  some  time  at  Canandaigua,  under  the 
hospitable  roof  of  Thomas  Morris,  Esq.,  son  of  Robert  Morris,  to 
whom  the  United  States  are  so  much  indebted  for  his  services  as  a 
financier  in  the  revolution.  Mr.  Morris  gave  the  royal  exiles  a  letter 
of  introduction  to  Henry  Tower,  Esq.,  who  then  resided  here.  They 
travelled  on  foot  through  the  Indian  pathway  from  Canandaigua  to 
Elmira,  a  distance  of  more  than  70  miles.  Mr.  Tower,  on  their 
arrival,  fitted  up  a  boat — an  American  ark  or  batteau — in  which  he 
took  them  down  to  Harrisburg,  through  the  Chemung  and  Susque- 
hannah  rivers. 

Erin,  taken  from  Chemung  in  1822 ;  from  Albany  186,  from  El- 
mira, NE.,  12  miles.  Erin  is  a  post-office,  centrally  located.  Pop. 
1,441.  The  surface  of  the  town  is  hilly  and  broken  and  the  soil 
rather  of  an  indifferent  quality. 

SouTHPORT,  taken  from  Elmira  in  1822 ;  from  Albany  203  miles. 
It  has  broad  and  rich  flats  upon  the  Chemung  river,  which  forms  in 
part  the  northern  boundary.  Wellsburg  on  the  Chemung  river,  6 
miles  SE.  from  Elmira,  is  a  small  post  village.  Southport  and  Seeleys 
Creek  are  post-offices.     Pop.  2,100. 

Veteran,  taken  from  Catherines  in  1823;  from  Albany  190,  from 
Elmira,  N.,  centrally  distant  12  miles.  Pop.  2,279.  Millport,  Piae 
Valley,  and  Veteran  are  post-offices. 


CHENANGO  COUNTY. 

Chenanqo  county  was  formed  from  Herkimer  and  Tioga  c(;>unties 
in  1798 ;  the  northern  part  of  which  was  erected  into  Madison  county 
in  1806.  Its  form  is  irregular;  the  greatest  length  N.  and  S.,  35 
miles ;  greatest  width,  28.  The  general  surface  of  the  county  is 
broken  and  hilly,  though  not  mountainous.  lis  valleys  are  extensive, 
rich,  and  fertile,  producing  large  crops  of  pra^n ;  while  the  uplands 
are  well  adapted  to  grazing.  Its  agriculture  is  respectable,  and  its 
inhabitants  are  generally  formers.  Live-stoc.'.  is  one  of  their  prin- 
cipal exports.  The  Susquehannah  river  crosses  the  SE.  corner  of  the 
county.  The  Chenango  river,  one  of  its  principal  branches,  flows 
southerly  through  the  centre  of  the  county.  The  Unadilla  river 
forms  most  of  the  eastern  bounds  of  the  county.  The  numerous 
streams  in  this  county  furnish  abundance  of  fine  mill  sites.  The 
Chenanj^o  canal  passes  through  the  county  in  the  valley  of  the  Che- 
nango river.  This  county  was  principuily  settled  by  emigrants  from 
the  eastern  states.  It  originally  included  the  twenty  townships  of 
the  "  Governor's  purchase,"  a  part  of  which  arc  now  in  Madison 
county.     The  county  is  divided  into  19  towns.     Pop.  40,779. 

BAiNnRtniiR,  organized  as  \r.irl  of  Tioga  county,  by  the  name  of 
Jericho,  in  1701 ;  name  since  altered  and  limits  much  reduced.    Top, 


% 


100 


CHENANGO   COUNTY. 


8,824.    The  town  forms  part  of  a  tract  given  by  the  state  to  suffer* 
ers  in  former  grants  to  the  present  state  of  Vermont. 

Bainbridge,  incorporated  in  1829 ;  a  large  and  thriving  village, 
pleasantly  situated  upon  the  W.  branch  of  the  Susquehannah,  upon  the^ 
Ulster  and  Delaware  turnpike;  110  miles  from  Albany,  and  14  S. 
from  Norwich ;  has  about  90  dwellings.  E.  Bainbridge,  N.  Bain- 
bridge, and  S.  Bainbridge  are  names  ot  post-offices. 

Columbus,  taken  from  Brookfield  in  1805 ;  from  Albany  83,  from 
Norwich,  NE.,  16  miles.  Columbus  is  a  small  village,  and  Columbus 
Comers  a  post-office.     Pop.  1,561. 

CovENTBV,  taken  from  Greene  in  1806;  from  Albany  117,  from 
Norwich  16  miles.  Coventry  and  Coventry ville  are  post  villages, 
on  the  Cattskill  turnpike.     Pop.  !,68l. 

German,  taken  from  De  Ruyter  in  1806;  from  Albany  115,  from 
Norwich,  W.,  15  miles.     Pop.  975. 

Gbeene  was  formed  from  Union  and  Jericho  in  1798 ;  limits  since 
reduced.  The  Chenango  river  passes  in  a  SW.  direction  through 
the  town,  upon  which  are  rich  alluvial  flats.  Pop.  3,452.  Greene, 
the  principal  village,  is  on  the  river,  20  miles  SW.  from  Norwich,  and 
19  N.  from  Binghamton.  It  contains  3  churches,  11  stores,  and 
about  90  dwellings.  It  was  laid  out  in  village  form  in  1806,  and 
was  at  first  called  Hornby.  East  Green  and  Genegansette  are  post- 
offices. 

The  first  person  who  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  the  village  of  Greene, 
is  supposed  to  have  been  Conrad  Sharp,  a  Dutchman,  who  located 
himself  about  two  miles  above  the  village  in  1794 ;  a  number  of 
othc  Dutchmen  came  in  and  formed  quite  a  settlement  in  his  vicinity. 
The  names  of  some  of  the  other  principal  settlers  were,  Stephen 
Ketchum,  David  Bradley,  Derick  Race,  Joseph  Tillotson,  Mr.  Gray, 
a  Baptist  elder,  and  EHsha  Smith,  who  was  the  agent,  for  a  number 
of  years,  in  behalf  of  the  Hornby  Patent ;  he  surveyed  the  town  of 
Greene  and  laid  out  the  village. 

The  fust  white  inhabitants  who  located  themselves  on  the  site  of 
the  village,  were  eight  or  ten  French  families,  who  fled  from  their 
country  during  the  revolutionary  period.  The  first  one  who  came 
appears  to  have  been  Simon  Barnet,  who  is  said  to  have  been  a 
Creole  from  the  West  Indies.  He  came  to  this  place  from  Philadel- 
phia, probably  sent  as  a  pioneer  for  the  French  company.  One  of* 
the  emigrants,  M.  Dutremont,  was  a  man  of  considerable  talents, 
learning,  and  wealth.  This  gentleman  contracted  for  the  lands  settled 
by  the  company.  The  purchase  was  made  of  William  W.  Morris 
and  Malnchi  Treat,  the  patentees.  Capt.  Juliand,  one  of  tlie  French 
emigrants,  came  into  the  place  in  1797,  a  little  after  the  first  c(>mpany. 
Abfjut  the  year  17»r),  the  celebrated  French  statesn^-'n,  Talleyrand, 
visited  this  place,  when  on  a  sylvan  jaunt  on  horseback  from  Phila- 
delphia to  Albany  in  company  with  a  French  gentleman.  When  here, 
he.bocumc  acquainted  with  the  son  of  M.  Dutremont,  with  whom  he 
was  so  much  pleased,  that  he  obtained  the  consent  of  his  parents  to 
take  him  to  France,  where  he  became  his  private  secretary.    By  tho 


CHENANGO   COUNTY. 


101 


death  of  M.  Dutremont,  the  financial  affairs  of  the  Httle  colony  be- 
came deranged.  He  was  drowned  while  fording  a  river  on  horse- 
back, on  his  way  to  Philadelphia.  As  he  had  not  paid  for  the  land 
occupied  by  the  emigrants,  it  reverted  back  to  the  patentees.  The 
emigrants  became  discouraged,  and  after  a  few  years  left  the  place, 
moved  down  below  Towanda,  and  joined  a  French  settlement  at  a 
place  called  Frenchtown,  now  Asylum.  Capt.  Juliand,  however,  re- 
mamed  m  Greene,  and  to  him  and  Judge  Elisha  Smith  the  founda- 
tion of  the  village  is  to  be  ascribed. 

••There  were  no  Indians  in  this  particular  section,  when  first  settled  by  the  whites.  But 
we  have  to  record  a  most  remarkable  mound,  the  rehc  of  Indian  superstition  and  industry. 
Ihcre  are  now  to  be  seen  only  some  imperfect  traces  of  it.  It  was  situated  about  two 
miles  •outh  of  the  village,  and  ab  lut  thirty  rods  from  the  river  bank,  on  what  is  now  the 
tarm  ot  Mr.  Lott.  The  mound,  before  it  was  dug  down  or  ploughed  over,  was  about  six  or 
seven  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  ground,  and  forty  feet  in  diameter ;  being  nearly  cir. 
cular.  I  here  was  also,  till  within  a  few  years,  a  large  pine  stump  in  the  centre  of  it.  the 
remains  of  a  large  pme.tree  which  was  standing  when  the  whites  came  in.  It  was  then 
however,  a  dead  tree.  When  it  was  cut  down,  there  were  counted  180  concentric  circles 
or  yearly  growths.  Estimating  the  ago  of  the  mound  by  the  concentric  circles  of  the 
stump.  It  must  have  been  over  300  years  old  when  this  section  of  the  country  was  settled 
An  examination  of  this  mound  was  made  in  1829,  by  digging,  and  there  were  found  hui 
man  bones  to  a  great  number;  and  lower  from  the  surface,  there  were  found  bones  that 
had  been  evidently  burnt;  suggesting  the  idea,  that  the  mode  of  disposing  of  the  dead 
when  these  bones  were  deposited,  was  burning  the  dead  body.  No  conjecture  could  be 
termed  as  to  the  number  of  bodies  buried  here.  They  were  found  lying  without  order 
very  much  ^wmWerf^  and  so  far  decayed  as  to  crumble,  or  fall  apart,  when  brought  to  the 
air  wid  handled.  The  supposition  would  not  be  an  unlikely  one,  that  these  bones  were  the 
remains  of  bodies  which  had  fallen  in  battle,  and  were  afterward  hurriedly  thrown  together 
and  buried.  •  •  •  •  In  the  mound  near  Greene,  there  were  found,  lying  quite  in  one  pile. 
M)»  arrow  heads,  cut  after  their  usual  form,  and  all  either  of  yellow  or  black /?in<.  It  will  b^ 
recollected  that  there  are  no  stones  of  this  kind  found  in  this  part  of  the  state  of  New 
York.  In  another  part  of  the  mound  there  were  found,  lying  together,  about  sixty,  made 
Biter  the  same  form.  A  silver  band  or  ring  was  also  found,  of  about  two  inches  in  di. 
amoter,  extremely  thin,  but  wide,  with  the  remains— in  appearance-of  a  reed  pipe,  lying 
within  It.  The  supposition  is,  that  it  was  some  sort  of  musical  instrument.  There  wm 
also  tound  a  number  of  stone  chisels,  of  different  shapes,  evidently  fitted  to  perform  differ, 
cnt  species  of  work.  A  large  piece  of  mica  also,  cut  into  the  form  of  a  heart;  the  border 
much  decayed,  and  the  different  lamina;  separated."— ^n«a/»  of  Binghamton. 

Guilford,  taken  from  Oxford  in  1813.  by  the  name  of  Eastern; 
name  since  changed  ;  from  Norwich,  centrally  distant  S.,  10  miles. 
I'op.  2,828.  Guilford  is  a  small  post  village,  Rockdale  a  post-office, 
and  Mount  Upton  a  small  settlement. 

LiNCKi.AEN,  taken  from  German  in  1823;  since  reduced  in  area; 
from  Albany  128,  from  Norwich,  NW.,  20  miles.  Lincklaen  and 
West  Lincklaen  are  post-offices.     I'op.  1,249. 

M(-DoNouoii,  named  in  honor  of  Commodore  McDonough,  taken 
from  Preston  in  1816;  from  Albany  l'i8,  from  Norwich,  W.,  14 
miles.  Pop.  1,309.  Near  tlie  south  line  of  the  town  is  a  sulphur 
spring  much  frotpiented.     McDonough  is  a  small  village. 

New  Uermn,  taken  from  Norwicli  in  1807.  Pop.  3,086.  New 
Berlin,  an  incorporated  village,  13  miles  NE.  from  Norwich,  and 
90  VV.  from  Albany,  on  the  Uuadilla  river,  has  I  Presbyterian,  1 
Episcopal,  1  Baptist,  ami  1  Methodist  church.  Thtre  are  here  154 
dwellings,  lo  mercantile  stores,  a  weekly  newspaper  office,  and  sev- 


102 


CHBNANnO   COUNTY. 


ernl  large  manufacturing  fistablishments.  South  New  Berlin,  9  miles 
east  from  Norwich,  has  uhout  40  dweUings.  New  BcrHu  Centre  is  a 
small  village. 

NoKwicii,  formed  from  Jericho  and  Union,  as  part  of  Tioga  county, 
in  1703;  area  since  much  reduced.  I'op.  4,14t).  Norwich  village, 
the  county  seat,  is  delightfully  situated  uflon  the  Chenango  river.  Its 
site  is  ntuch  admired  uy  travellers.    It  is  surrounded  by  lands  in  a 


.  Courthouse  and  other  buildings  in  Norwich. 

high  state  of  cultivation,  and  well  supplied  with  pure  and  wholesome 
water.  ThcM-e  is  a  mineral  spring  near  the  village  rosortc.;  to  for 
cutaneous  diseases.  The  above  view  shows  the  courthouse  in  the 
centre  of  the  engraving ;  the  building  with  a  spire  on  the  left,  is 
the  Presbyterian  church.  The  courthouBe  has  been  but  recently 
erected,  it  is  l)uilt  of  freestone,  and  is  one  of  the  most  splendid 
8tru«'tures  <»f  the  kind  in  the  state.  Besides  the  above,  there  are  in 
the  village  1  Episconal,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Methodist  churcli,  2  weekly 
n('wspu|M'r  olHces,  the  Chenango  Bank,  several  manufactories,  and 
about  'JOO  dwellings. 

OrsM.ic,  taken  from  Cerman  'n  1817;  distant  from  Albany  110, 
from  NiM-wich.  NVV.,  '20  miles.  «.)lselic  is  a  small  village,  and  South 
Olsflic  a  post-ollice.     Vop.  1,021. 

t>xK(iHi>.*  "The  present  town  of  Oxford  was  originally  a  part  of  the 
township  of  Fayelte.  a  tract  which  was  laid  out  sodii  after  the  war 
of  the  revolution,  and  sold  at  auction  in  New  York,  in  lots  of  a  mile 
scpiare.  This  township,  and  a  tract  called  the  (Jore.  bought  by  Cen. 
Hovey  and  Jutlge  Melancton  Smith,  ctmtaining  about  7, (KM)  "acres, 
were  incorporated  into  a  town  in  1703.  and  in  1704  the  first  town 
meeting  was  held  al  th(>  house  of  (Jen.  Hovey  ;  this  building  stood 
on  the  site  of  the  Fort  Hill  house,  (burnt  in  1830.)     Previtms  to  1701, 

■  Conuuuiuctted  tu  tLc  ituiliun  by  lionry  M.  Hyde,  Uxi. 


OHRNANOO   COUNTY. 


103 


there  were  no  settlers  on  the  western  part  of  Fayette  except  two, 
Mr.  Elijah  Blackman,  and  a  man  named  Phelps.  They  lived  on  lot 
02,  in  the  bounds  of  the  present  village. 

"  From  the  time  the  settlement  was  commenced,  by  the  exertions  of 
Gen.  Hovey,  whose  enterprise  and  hardihood  surmounted  every  ob- 
stacle,  the  population  rapidly  increased.  The  pioneers  who  com- 
posed the  settlement,  were  distinguished  for  qualifications  rarely  jws- 
scssed  hy  men  in  their  laborious  occupations.  Their  intelligence  was 
proverbial.  In  fact,  many  of  them  were  persons  of  considerable  sci- 
entific attainments.  They  obtained  an  act  of  incorporation  for  an 
academy  as  early  as  1704,  and  sustained  the  institution  in  the  most 
creditable  manner,  under  all  difficulty.  Gen.  Hovey,  whose  name 
seems  to  be  connected  with  nearly  all  the  occurrences  in  the  early 
days  of  the  town,  was  a  man  of  uncommon  business  abilities,  and 
was  a  favorite  of  the  distinguished  men  who  were  at  that  time  at  the 
head  of  affairs  in  this  state.  He  was  a  member  of  assembly  in 
1708,  and  was  also  a  judge  of  the  county.  He  afterward  removed 
to  the  Ohio,  and  at  the  time  of  Burr's  expedition  down  the  Mississippi, 
he  was  the  general  agent  of  a  company,  composed  of  some  of  the 
first  men  of  the  Union,  for  the  purpose  of  canalling  the  Ohio  at  the 
falls  opposite  Louisville.  The  project  failed,  and  Gen.  Hovey  was  a 
severe  sufferer  in  consequence.     He  died  about  1815. 

"  Nearly  all  the  settlers  were  natives  of  New  England,  and  a  ma- 
iority  were  from  the  state  of  Connecticut.  There  are  at  present 
living  many  of  the  hardy  pioneers  who  commenced  the  settlement. 
()f  these,  Mr.  Francis  Balcom,  Mr.  Jonathan  Baldwin,  Judge  Anson 
Cary,  Col.  Samuel  Balcom,  James  Padgett,  and  some  few  others,  are 
now  residing  in  this  town.  Judge  Uri  Tracy,  who  was  some  years 
since  a  member  of  congress  from  this  district,  and  who  died  three  or 
four  years  since,  was  likewise  an  early  resident,  and  principal  of  the 
academy." 

"  The  Indion  antiquities  in  and  about  the  village  of  Oxford  are  worthy  of  notice.  Of 
these,  the  Old  Fort  has  olwiiyg  attracted  the  most  attention.  This  fort  stood  upon  the  hill 
m  about  the  middle  of  the  viliB«e,  and  the  ditch  is  yet  to  be  distinguished,  in  front  of  the 
house  of  Ira  Wilcox,  Esq.  When  discovered,  it  was  a  regular  semicircle  from  the  river, 
and  enclosed  about  three  quartom  of  an  aero,  and  the  ditch,  when  the  ground  was  cleared, 
wos  in  many  places  four  feet  deep.  The  interior  of  the  fort  was  covered  with  the  largest 
kind  ol  ninplo  and  beach  frees,  and  on  the  top  of  the  bonk  hove  up,  stood  a  dead  pine 
stump,  which,  when  cut,  left  a  stump  on  which  was  counted  two  hundred  grains  or  circles. 
This  tree  evidently  sprang  up  after  the  ditch  was  dug.  There  were  upon  the  north  ond 
south  sides  of  the  fort,  two  places  where  the  ground  had  evidently  never  been  disturbed. 
ThoHo  ore  supposed  to  have  been  gates.  The  ditch  was  four  or  five  foet  wide,  and  on  the 
river  8i(lc,  the  bniik  having  been  almost  perpendicular.  The  fort  must  have  been  a  strong 
position.  Nothing  short  of  cannon  from  the  neighboring  hills  could  annoy  the  fort.  In 
the  course  of  subsequent  excavations  in  and  about  it,  human  bones,  cooking  utensils, 
and  other  relics,  have  been  found.  Of  course,  nothing  is  known  about  the  object  of  this 
fortification,  or  by  whom  built.  The  Oneidas  have  a  tradition  running  many  generations 
back,  but  iliey  can  tell  us  nothing  definite.  The  Oneidas  leave  us  this  tradition  :  that 
about  a  century  or  more  since,  a  gigantic  chief  occupied  it,  who  destroyed  all  their 
hunters  who  came  into  this  quarter.  Thiy  called  this  chief  Thick  Nrck.  The  Onei. 
dns  made  sfvcral  attempts  to  decoy  him  from  his  stronghold,  but  without  success. 
They  at  l(ii),'lb  managed  lo  go  I.etween  him  and  the  fori,  when  ho  ran  down  the  river 
alHuit  Kix  iiiilen  and  secrrled  biiiiMrll'  in  lb*-  niarah  nroiiiid  llie  pond  CHJIcd  Wam's  Pond. 
Here  he  was  discovered  and  killed  by  the  Oneidas,  who  buried  him  and  scratched  the  leaves 


104 


CHENANGO    COUNTY. 


over  his  grave  that  no  vestige  of  him  should  remain.  The  remnant  of  his  tribe  were 
adopted  by  the  Oneidas,  and  an  Indian  who  was  hung  at  Morrisville  many  years  since 
named  Abram  Antonc,  was  a  descendant  from  Thick  Neck. 

"  There  is  an  incident  connected  with  a  small  island  a  few  rods  above  the  bridge  over  the 
Chenango.  Some  years  ago,  two  worthies  residing  in  the  town,  having  quarrelled  about 
some  trifling  matter,  resolved  to  exchange  shots,  in  vindication  of  their  honor.  The  place 
selected  for  the  transaction  was  this  island.  On  the  day  appointed,  the  belligerents  made 
their  appearance  on  the  spot.  The  seconds,  however,  were  agreed  that  neither  should 
suffer  harm,  and  loaded  the  pistols  with  cork  instead  of  ball.  Each  second  inspired  his 
principal  with  courage,  by  imparting  to  him  the  information  that  his  antagonist's  pistol  was 
loaded  with  cork,  at  the  same  time  assuring  him  that  his  own  contained  the  lead.  The 
consequence  was,  the  duellists  manifested  great  bravery — no  one  was  hurt,  and  the  actore 
were  highly  compUmented  for  their  chivalry,  and  unhesitatingly  pronounced'  men  of  hotwr. 
The  island  has  since  been  called  Cork  Iiland." 


Central  part  of  the  Village  of  Oxford. 

The  above  view  was  taken  on  the  banks  of  the  Chenango  canal, 
and  shows  the  principal  public  buildings  in  the  village.  The  church 
on  the  left  is  the  Presbyterian,  the  smaller  building  with  a  cupola  in 
the  centre  is  the  Academy,  and  the  two  spires  seen  on  the  right  are 
those  of  the  Episcopal  and  Baptist  churches,  which  latter  structures 
stand  near  the  site  of  the  old  fort.  There  is  also  a  Methodist  church 
m  the  village,  2  weekly  newspaper  offices,  and  about  170  dwellings. 
There  are  several  bridges  over  the  Chenango  river,  and  the  Appian 
^"y;  from  Ncwburg,  terminates  here.  The  village  is  8  miles  south 
of  Norwich.  There  is  a  post-office  at  South  Oxford.  Population  of 
the  town,  3,177.  *^ 

Pharaalia,  first  settled  in  1798,  and  taken  from  Norwich  in  1806, 
by  the  name  of  Stonington  ;  name  afterward  changed  ;  distant  from 
Albany  1 14,  from  Norwich,  NE.,  1 1  miles.  Pop.  1,213.  Pharsalia  is 
a  small  post  village,  and  East  Pharsalia  a  post-office. 

Pitcher,  formed  from  German  imd  Lincklaen  in  1827 ;  from  Al- 
bany 127,  from  Norwich,  W.,  17  miles.  Pitcher  is  a  small  post 
village.     Pop.  l,f,Gl.  ^ 

Plymouth,  taken  from  Norwich  in  1806 ;  from  Albany  107,  from 


...jjiM^iik^ 


CLINTON   COUNTS'. 


105 


Norwich,  NW.,  7  miles.    Frankville,  formerly  known  by  the  name 
cf  the  French  settlement,  has  30  or  40  dwellings.    Pop.  1,625. 

PaESTON,  taken  from  Norwich  in  1806;  from  Albany  115,  from 
Norwich,  centrally  distant  W.,  7  miles.  Pop.  1,1 17.  The  Chenango 
river  and  canal  pass  through  the  SE.  section  of  the  town.  Mason 
and  Palmer's  Corners  are  small  villages. 

Sherbubne,  taken  from  Genoa  in  1806 ;  from  Albany  96,  from  Nor- 
wich,  N.,  11  miles.  Pop.  2,791.  The  flats  on  the  Chenango  river, 
which  flows  through  this  town,  are  remarkably  fertile.  The  portion 
ot  the  town  called  "  the  Quarter,"  was  early  settled  by  20  families 
trom  Connecticut,  who  bought  one  quarter  of  the  township.  They 
formed  themselves  into  a  religious  society  of  the  Presbyterian  denom- 
ination before  emigrating.  Thev  arrived  on  a  Thursday,  and  by  the 
succeedmg  Sabbath  had  erected  a  log  meeting-house,  in  which  they 
assembled  for  public  worship;  and  not  a  single  Sunday  has  since^ 
passed  without  divine  service  being  performed.  Sherburne,  post  vil- 
lage, has  about  100  dwellings. 

Smithville,  taken  from  Greene  in  1806  ;  from  Albany  131,  from 
Norwich,  SW.,  20  miles.  Pop.  1,762.  Smithville  is  a  village  of 
about  40  or  50  dwellings. 

Smyrna  was  taken  from  Sherburne  in  1808.  Pop.  2,240.  The 
first  settler  was  Joseph  Porter,  who  emigrated  here  in  1792.  The 
first  post-office  was  established  in  1808.  The  village  of  Smyrna  was 
incorporated  in  1834;  it  is  101  miles  from  Albany  and  11  NW.  of 
Norwich^  and  contains  about  60  dwellmgs. 


*tfj 


■■■1 1 


CLINTON  COUNTY. 

Clinton  county  lies  on  the  western  shore  of  Lake  Champlain,  at 
the  northeastern  extremity  of  the  state,  about  170  mil^s  N.  from  Al- 
bany.    Soon  after  the  conquest  of  Canada,  in  1 759,  the  shores  of  Lake 
Champlain  were  visited  by  speculators  in  quest  of  pine  and  oak  tim- 
ber, but  no  permanent  settlements  were  made  until  about  the  close  of 
the  revolution.     Its  greatest  length  N.  and  S.  is  40i  miles,  greatest 
breadth  37  miles.     The  northern  boundary  being  latitude  45°,  indi- 
cates the  rigors  of  a  cold  northern  country.  ,  The  natural  advantages 
enjoyed  by  this  county  have  been  undervalued.    Along  the  whole 
eastern  border,  adjoining  the  shore  of  Lake  Champlain,  a  wide  tract 
of  land  extends,  moderately  uneven  or  quite  level,  with  a  pretty 
strong  inclination  or  depression  e  astward,  averaging  8  miles  in  width 
of  no  inferior  quality.    It  amply  repays  the  labor  ol  the  husbandman. 
The  western  part  is  mountainous,  but  these  mountains  are  covered 
with  timber,  and  the  county  with  rapid  streams  and  mill  sites,  and 
abounds  with  the  richest  and  best  of  iron  ores,  already  extensively 
manufactured.    The  soil  is  of  various  qualities.    On  the  broad  belt 


106 


CLINTON   COUNTY. 


of  comparatively  level  land  above  noticed,  it  is  principally  a  clayey 
with  some  tracts  of  a  sandy  loam.  The  streams  supply  a  profusion 
of  good  natural  sites  for  all  sorts  of  hydraulic  work.  With  these 
advantages,  this  county  looks  forward  with  confidence  to  increased 
sources  of  business  and  profit.  About  one  fifth  part  is  settled.  Pop. 
28,180.    The  county  is  divided  into  10  towns. 

Au  Sable,  taken  from  Peru  in  1839;  distant  155  miles  N.  from 
Albany,  centrally  distant  from  Plattsburg  15  miles.  Pop.  3,229. 
The  village  of  Clintonville  on  the  Au  Sable  river,  partly  in  Clinton 
and  partly  in  Essex  counties,  was  incorporated  in  1825.  "  It  contains 
2  churches,  1  Presbyterian  and  1  Methodist,  8  mercantile  stores, 
upwards  of  80  dwellings,  and  730  inhabitants.  It  is  6  miles  W.  of 
Keesville,  17  from  Elizabeth,  and  18  from  Plattsburg.  The  exten- 
sive works  of  the  "  Peru  Iron  Company"  are  located  in  this  village, 
^hey  have  a  forge  of  18  fires,  an  extensive  rolling-mill,  a  nail  and  a 
cable  factory,  furnace,  &;c.  All  these  works  were  commenced 
when  the  place  was  comparatively  new,  by  I.  Aiken,  Esq.,  but  little 
was  done  till  the  organization  of  the  company  by  the  legislature  about 
the  year  1825. 

Beekman,  taken  from  Plattsburg  in  1820;  distant  from  Albany 
167,  NW.  from  Plattsburg,  18  miles.  The  township  is  6  miles  in 
width,  and  stretches  across  the  country  37  miles ;  the  eastern  part 
of  the  town  is  level  or  undulating,  the  western  mountainous.  Pop. 
2,763. 

Black  Bhook,  taken  from  Peru  in  1839;  from  Albany  163,  from 
Plattsburg,  SW.,  25  miles.  Black  Brook  and  Union  Falls  are  small 
villages.     Pop.  1,054. 

Champlain,  organized  in  1788;  from  Albany,  N.,  185  miles. 
Champlain  village,  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Chazy,  5  miles  from  Lake 
Champlain,  has  about  40  dwellings.  Rouses  Point,  23  miles  N.  from 
Plattsburg,  Corbeau,  arid  Perrysville,  are  small  villages.     Pop.  2,950. 

Chazy,  taken  from  Champlain  in  1804.  Pop.  3,592.  Chazy,  15 
miles  N.  of  Plattsburg  on  the  state  road  from  Albany  to  Canada,  and 
West  Chazy,  are  small  villages.  Chazy  Landing,  on  Lake  Champlain, 
is  3  miles  from  Chazy  village. 

Ellenburo,  taken  from  Mooers  in  1830 ;  from  Plattsburg,  NW., 
25  miles.     Pop.  1,164. 

MooEus,  named  in  honor  of  Gen.  B.  Mooers,  was  taken  from 
Champlain  in  1804  ;  from  Plattsburg,  NNW.,  18  miles.  Pop.  1,701. 
Mooers  is  a  small  post  village  on  the  Cljazy  river. 

Peru,  taken  from  Plattsburg  and  Willsburg  in  1792  ;  bounds  since 
altered.  Pop.  3,183.  Peru,  post  village,  10  miles  S.  of  Plattsburg 
and  4  from  Lake  Champlain,  has  1  Presbyterian,  1  Methodist,  and  1 
Catholic  church,  70  dwellings,  and  380  inhabitants.  Unionvilla 
and  Port  Jackson  are  post-otlices.  The  first  settler  in  Peru  village 
was  John  Cochran,  who  came  here  in  1794.  Rev.  Hernan  Garlick 
was  one  of  the  first  ministers  who  preached  in  this  section.  It  is 
said  that  he  used  to  cross  the  lake,  in  a  boat,  and  walk  30  miles  to 
preach  to  a  congregation. 


:  H 


CLINTON   COUNTY. 


107 


The  following  is  an  account  of  the  conflagration  of  the  steamer 
PhcEnix,  which  took  place  near  here,  on  Lake  Champlain,  September 

The  steamboat  left  Burlington  for  Plattsburg  about  midnight,  and  had  proceeded  by  one 
o  clock  m  the  mormng  as  far  as  Providence  island,  when  the  alarm  was  given.  The  boat 
at  this  ume  was  temporarily  commanded  by  a  son  of  the  captain,  Richard  M.  Sherman,  a 
young  man  of  twenty.two.  "  Amid  the  confusion,  danger,  and  difficulties  attendant  on  this 
ternbie  disaster,  he  displayed  an  energy  and  presence  of  mind,  not  only  worthy  of  the 
highest  praise,  but  which  we  might  seek  for  in  vain,  even  among  those  of  riper  yeais.  To 
quaUties  like  these,  rightly  directed  as  they  were,  was  it  owing  that  not  a  permm  wag  loH 
on  that  fearfiil  night.  In  that  burning  vessel,  at  the  dead  of  night,  and  three  miles  from 
the  nearest  land,  was  the  safety  of  every  one  cared  for,  and  ultimately  secured,  by  the 
promptness,  energy,  and  decision  of  this  young  com-nander." 

ShorUy  after  the  fire  was  discovered,  it  raged  with  irresistible  violence.  "  The  passen. 
gers,  roused  by  the  alarm  from  their  slumbers,  and  waking  to  a  terrible  sense  of  impending 
destruction,  rushed  in  crowds  upon  the  deck,  and  attempted  to  seize  the  small-boats. 
Mere,  however,  they  were  met  by  young  Sherman,  who,  having  abandoned  all  hope  of 
saving  his  boat,  now  thought  only  of  saving  his  passengers,  and  stood  by  the  gangway  witB^ 
a  pistol  m  each  hand,  determined  to  prevent  any  person  from  jumping  into  the  boats  be- 
tore  they  were  properly  lowered  into  the  water,  and  prepared  to  receive  their  living  freij^t. 
With  the  utmost  coolness  and  presence  of  mind  he  superintended  the  necessary  prepara- 
tions, and,  in  a  few  minutes,  the  boats  were  lowered  away,  and  the  passengere  received 
safely  on  board.  They  then  shoved  off,  and  pulled  through  the  darkness  for  the  distant 
shore.  As  soon  as  this  was  reached,  and  the  passengers  landed,  the  boats  returned  to  the 
steamboat  and  took  off  the  crew,  and,  as  the  captain  supposed,  every  hving  soul  except 
himself.  But,  shortly  after  the  boats  had  left  the  second  time,  he  discovered,  under  a  set. 
tee,  the  chambermaid  of  the  Phoenix,  who,  in  her  fright  and  confusion,  had  lost  all  con. 
sciousness.  Lashing  her  to  the  plank  which  he  had  prepared  for  his  own  escape,  this  gal. 
lant  captam  launched  her  towards  the  shore  ;  and  was  thus  left  alone  with  his  vessel,  now 
one  burning  pile.  Having  satisfied  himself  that  no  living  thing  remained  on  board  his  boat, 
and  with  the  proud  consciousness  that  he  had  saved  every  life  intrusted  to  his  care,  he 
sprung  from  the  burning  wreck  as  it  was  about  to  sink  beneath  the  waters,  and,  by  the 
means  of  a  settee,  reached  the  shore  in  safety.— This  is  no  exaggerated  story.  It  is  the 
simple  narrative  of  one  of  the  most  heroic  acts  on  record.  We  have  only  to  add,  that  the 
*'?£jn".**"'  *"  faithfully  and  fearlessly  discharged  his  duty  on  this  trying  occasion,  is  still 
(1840)  in  command  of  a  noble  boat  on  Lake  Champlain,  and  is  known  to  every  traveller 
as  Captain  Sherman,  of  the  steamboat  Burlington." 

^  The  following  description  of  this  terrific  scene  was  written  by  one  of  the  passengere : 

"  I  awoke  at  the  time  of  the  alarm,  but  whether  aroused  by  the  cry  of  fire,  the  noise  of  feet 
trampling  on  deck,  or  by  that  restlessness  common  to  pereons  who  sleep  in  a  strange  place, 
with  a  mmd  filled  with  sorrow  and  anxiety,  I  am  unable  to  tell.  I  thought  I  heard  a  faint 
cry  of  fire,  and,  after  a  short  interval,  it  seemed  to  be  renewed.  But  it  came  so  weakly 
upon  my  ear,  and  seemed  to  be  flung  by  so  careless  a  voice,  that  I  concluded  it  was  an 
unmeaning  sound  uttered  by  some  of  the  sailors  in  their  sports  on  deck.  Soon,  however,  a 
hasty  footstep  was  heard  passing  through  the  cabin,  but  without  a  word  being  uttered.  As 
I  approached  the  top  of  the  cabin  staire,  an  uncommon  brilliancy  at  once  dispelled  all 
doubts.  Instantly  tlie  flames  and  sparks  began  to  meet  my  eyes,  and  the  thought  struck 
me  that  no  other  way  of  escape  was  left  but  to  plunge  half  naked  through  the  blaze  into  the 
water.  One  or  two  more  steps  assured  me  that  this  dreadful  alternative  was  not  yet  ar. 
rived  :  I  hastily  stepped  aft,— a  lurid  light  illuminated  every  object  beyond  with  the  aplen. 
dor  of  a  noon-day  sun ;  I  fancied  it  was  the  torch  of  death,  to  point  me  and  my  fellow, 
traypllers  to  the  tomb.  I  saw  no  person  on  deck ;  but,  on  casting  my  eyes  towards  the  boat 
which  was  still  hanging  on  the  larboard  quarter,  I  perceived  that  she  was  filled,  and  that 
her  stem-sheets  were  occupied  with  ladies.  I  flew  to  the  gangway,  and  assisted  in  lower, 
mg  the  boat  into  the  water.  I  then  descended  the  steps,  with  an  intention  of  entering  fee 
boat ;  but  perceiving  that  she  was  loaded  deep,  and  that  there  was  s  strong  breeie  and  a 
high  sea,  I  desisted.  The  painter  was  soon  cut,  and  the  boat  dropped  astern.  I  ascended 
the  steps  with  the  design  of  submitting  myself  to  the  water  upon  a  plank ;  for  I  had  great 
confidence  m  my  skill  in  swimming,  and  I  acted  under  an  impression  that  the  shore  was 
only  a  few  rods,  certainly  not  half  a  mile  distant.  Judge  of  what  would  have  been  my  as- 
tonishment, and  probably  also  my  fate,  had  I  done  as  I  contemplated ;  when  the  fact  was, 
that  the  steamboat  at  this  period  was  in  the  broadest  part  of  Lake  Champlain,  and  at  least 


108 


CLINTON   COUNTY. 


three  miles  from  any  land.    I  had  left  the  deck  about  two  houn  before,  and  this  change 

had  occurred  in  the  mean  time.    I  looked  round  upon  the  deck  to  find  a  suitable  board,  or 

aomething  of  sufficient  buoyancy,  that  I  could  trust  to  amid  such  waves  as  I  saw  were  run. 

ning.    There  was  nothing  large  enough  to  deserve  such  confidence ;  I  looked  af^  over  the 

taffrail,  every  thing  there  looked  gloomy  and  forbidding ;  I  cast  my  eyes  forward,  the  wind 

was  directly  ahead,  and  the  flames  were  forced,  in  the  moat  terrific  manner,  towards  the 

stem,  threatening  every  thing  in  its  range  with  instant  destruction.    I  then  thought  if  I 

could  pass  the  middle  of  the  boat,  which  seemed  also  to  be  the  centre  of  the  fire,  I  might 

find  security  in  standing  to  windward  on  tlie  bowsprit.    I  made  tlie  attempt.     It  was  vain. 

The  flames  were  an  insurmountable  barrier.    I  was  obliged  to  return  towards  the  stem. 

There  was  then  no  one  in  sight     I  stepped  over  upon  the  starboard  side  of  the  quarter. 

deck.    I  thought  all  was  gone  with  me.    At  that  momen(  I  saw  a  lady  come  up  to  the 

cabin  door ;  she  leaned  against  the  side  of  it,  and  looked  with  a  steadfast  gaze  and   dis. 

trac  ted  air  towards  the  flames;  she  ''imed  and  disappeared  in  the  cabin.    It  was  Mrs.  Wil. 

son,  the  poor  unfortunate  lady  who,  afterward,  with  the  captain's  assistance,  as  he  informed 

me,  committed  herself,  with  many  piercing  shrieks  and  agonizing  exclamations,  to  the 

treacherous  support  of  a  small  bench,  on  the  troublotis  bosom  of  the  lake.    I  then  looked 

over  the  starboard  quarter  to  know  whether  the  other  boat  was  indeed  gone.    I  had  the 

^appiness  to  see  her ;  she  seemed  to  be  full,  or  nearly  so ;  one  or  two  passengers  were 

standing  on  the  lower  steps  of  the  accommodation  ladder,  apparently  with  the  design  of 

entering  the  boat  when  she  came  within  reach.     I  was  determined  to  enter  her  at  all  risks, 

and  instantly  leaped  over  the  quarter  and  descended  into  her.     I  found  her  knocking  under 

the  counter,  and  in  danger  of  foundering.    The  steam-vessel  still  continued  to  advance 

through  the  water :  the  waves  dashed  the  boat  with  considerable  violence  against  her,  and 

most  of  those  who  had  sought  safety  in  the  boat,  being  unacquainted  with  water  scenes, 

were  much  alarmed,  and  by  their  ill-directed  efforts  were  adding  to  the  risk.    Under  these 

circumstances  it  became  necessary  to  cut  the  fast,  which  was  done,  and  the  boat,  and  those 

that  were  in  it,  were  instantly  secure.    All  these  incidents  occurred  in  a  shorter  time  than 

I  have  consumed  in  writing  them.    From  the  moment  of  my  hearing  the  first  alarm  to  that 

of  leaving  the  steamboat,  was  not,  I  am  satisfied,  near  ten  minutes ;  I  believe  it  was  not  five." 


View  of  Plattshurg. 

Plattsburg,  organized  in  1785.  Pop.  6,397.  Plattsburg,  an  incor- 
porated village  and  county  seat,  is  distant  from  New  York  319,  from 
Albany  164,  from  Whitehall  1 12,  and  from  Ogdensburg,  E.,  120  miles. 
The  accompanying  view  was  taken  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  Sa- 
ranac,  about  30  rods  above  the  bridge.  The  first  steeple  on  the  left 
is  that  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  the  second  the  Methodist,  the  third 
the  courthouse,  the  fourth  the  Episcopal,  and  the  fifth  the  Catholic. 


CLrNTON   COUNTY. 


109 


Besides  the  above-mentioned  public  buildings,  there  is  an  academy, 
the  Clinton  county  bank,  and  about  300  buildings. 

A  settlement  was  commenced  in  this  village  "  previous  to  the  revo- 
lution, by  a  Count  Vredenburg,  a  German  nobleman,  vjrho,  marrying 
a  lady  of  the  household  of  the  queen  of  England,  obtained  a  warrant 

L  ^^'^^  ^^'^^  ^^  'and,  which  he  located  on  Cumberland  bay, 
whither  he  removed,  although  he  did  not  perfect  his  title  by  patent.  He 
built  a  large  house  on  the  spot  now  occupied  by  the  United  States 
Hotel  in  Plattsburg,  where  he  resided,  as  tradition  reports,  in  extraor- 
dmary  luxury,  having  his  floors  covered  with  carpets,  and  his  win- 
dows shaded  with  damask  curtains.  When  the  revolutionary  strug- 
gle commenced,  he  sent  his  family  to  Montreal,  but  remained  some 
time  after  their  departure,  and  then  suddenly  and  mysteriously  disap- 
peared :  his  house,  and  a  saw-mill  he  had  built  3  miles  above,  on  the 
Saranac,  ♦  at  Vredenburg's  Falls,'  being  at  the  same  time  burned.  He 
was  generally  supposed  to  have  been  robbed  and  murdered  by  some 
one  covetous  of  the  money  and  plate  which  he  displayed. 

"  In  July,  of  1783,  after  the  preliminaries  of  peace  had  been  settled, 
Lieut,  (since  Maj.  Gen.)  Benjamin  Mooers,  adjutant  of  Hazen's  regi- 
ment of  Canadian  and  Nova  Scotia  refugees  stationed  at  Newburg, 
on  the  Hudson,  with  2  other  officers  and  8  men,  left  Fishkill  Landing 
in  a  boat,  and  by  way  of  the  Hudson,  the  portage  from  Fort  Edward 
to  Lake  George,  and  by  that  lake  and  Champlain,  reached  Point  au 
Roche,  9  miles  N.  of  Plattsburg,  where  he  and  his  companions,  on 
the  lOlh  August,  commenced  the  first  permanent  settlement  of  the 
county. 

"  A  company,  consisting  of  Judge  Zephaniah  Piatt  and  others,  form- 
ed soon  after  the  war  for  the  purchase  of  military  warrants,  located 
their  warrants  on  Lake  Champlain.  In  August,  1784,  the  judge, 
Capt.  Nathaniel  Piatt,  and  Capt.  Reeve,  personally  surveyed  the 
Plattsburg  patent  on  Cumberland  bay,  and  laid  off,  among  others,  10 
lots  of  100  acres  each,  to  be  given  to  the  first  10  settlers  who  came 
on  with  families.  Another  tract  of  100  acres  was  allotted  as  a  dona- 
tion to  the  first  male  child  bom  on  the  patent.  Messrs.  Jacob  Ferris, 
John  Burke,  Derrick  Webb,  Jabez  Pettit,  and  Cyrenus  Newcomb, 
were  the  first  settlers  on  the  *gift  lots;  and  Piatt  Newcomb,  Esq., 
was  the  fortunate  first  bom  male,  but  not  the  first  child  bora  on  the 
patent ;  Mrs.  Henry  Ostrander  having  previously  given  birth  to  a 
daughter,  who  intermarried  with  a  Mr.  Wilson,  of  Chateaugua,  of 
Franklin  county.  From  this  period  the  settlement  of  the  county 
steadily  progressed. 

"  The  first  court  was  holden  at  Plattsburg  on  the  28th  day  of  Oct., 
1788,  of  which  the  following  persons  were  officers:  Charles  Piatt, 
judge ;  Peter  Saily,  Wm.  McAuley,  and  Pliney  Moore,  assistant  jus- 
tices;  Theodorus  ?latt,  justice ;  Benjamin  Mooers,  sheriff;  John 
Fautfreyde,  coroner;  Robert  Paul,  John  Stevenson,  Lott  Elmore, 
Lewis  Lezotte,  and  Jonathan  Lynde,  constables.  Grand  jury,  Cle- 
ment Goslin,  Allen  Smith,  Abner  Pomeroy,  Jonas  Allen,  Joseph 
Shelden,  Peter  Payn,  Moses  Soper,  Edward  Everett,  Elnathan  Rog- 


.V,f  V 


f'i  1 


HO 


CLfNTO>f    COUNTY. 


ers,  John  Hoffnagle,  Cyrenus  Newcomb,  Melchor  HofFnacle,  Stephen 
Cuyler,  Jacob  Ferris,  John  Ransom,  and  John  Cochran.  — Gordon's 
Gaz. 

Plattsburg  is  rendered  memorable  as  the  place  of  the  victory  of 
Com.  McDonough  and  Gen.  Macomb,  over  the  British  naval  and 
land  forces,  in  Sept.  1814.  The  following  account  of  the  military 
movements  on  the  land  are  copied  from  the  statements  given  by  Maj. 
A.  C.  Flagg  and  Gen.  St.  J.  B.  L.  Skinner,  who  both  were  actors  in 
the  scenes  described. 

" '  On  the  3l8t  Aug.,  (says  Maj.  Flagg,)  the  advance  of  the  British  army  under  Gen.  Brisbane 
entered  Champloin,  and  encamped  on  the  north  side  of  the  great  Chazy  river,  and  on  the  same 
day  Maj.  Gen.  Mooers  ordered  out  the  militia  of  the  counties  of  Clinton  and  Essex,'  en  nuute. 
'  The  regiment  from  Clinton  co.,  tinder  Lieut.  Col.  Miller,  immediately  assembled,  and  on  the 
Sd  Sept.  took  a  position  on  the  west  road  near  the  village  of  Chazy ;  and  on  the  3d,  Gen. 
Wright,  with  such  of  his  brigade  as  had  arrived,  occupied  a  position  on  the  same  road,  about 
8  miles  in  advance  of  this  place.  On  the  4th,  the  enemy  having  brought  up  his  main  body 
to  Champlain,  took  up  his  line  of  march  for  Plattsburg.  The  i^e  corps,  under  Lieut.  Col. 
Apphng  on  the  lake  road,  fell  back  as  far  as  Dead  creek,  blocking  up  the  road  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  impede  the  advance  of  the  enemy  as  much  as  possible.  The  enemy  advanced 
on  the  5th,  within  a  few  miles  of  Col.  Appling's  position,  and  finding  it  too  strong  to  attack, 
halted,  and  caused  a  road  to  be  made  west  into  the  Beekmantown  road,  in  which  the  light 
brigade  under  Gen.  Powers  advanced ;  and  on  the  morning  of  the  6th,  about  7  o'clock, 
attacked  the  militia,  which  had  at  this  time  increased  to  nearly  700,  under  Gen.  Mooers ; 
and  a  small  detachi  ent  of  regulars  under  Maj.  Wool,  about  7  miles  from  this  place.  After 
the  first  fire,  a  considerable  part  of  the  militia  broke  and  fled  in  every  direction.  Many, 
however,  manfully  stood  their  ground,  and  with  the  small  corps  of  Maj.  Wool,  bravely  con- 
tested the  ground  against  five  times  their  ntmiber,  falling  back  gradually,  and  occupying 
the  fences  on  each  side  of  the  road,  till  they  arrived  within  a  mile  of  the  town,  when  they 
were  reinforced  by  two  pieces  of  artillery  under  Capt.  Leonard ;  and  our  troops  occupjring 
a  strong  position  behind  a  stone  wall,  for  some  time  stopped  the  progress  of  the  enemy.' 

"  At  this  point,^ne  of  die  finest  specimens  of  discipline  ever  exhibited,  was  shown  by  the 
British  troops  on  the  occasion  of  the  opening  Capt.  Leonard's  battery  upon  them.  The 
company  to  which  I  was  attached,  formed  a  part  of  the  left  flank  of  our  little  army,  and 
was  on  the  rise  of  ground  west  of  the  road  leading  from  Mr.  Halsey's  comer  to  Isaac  C. 
Piatt's,  and  about  midway  between  the  artillery  and  the  head  of  the  British  column  ;  and 
the  whole  scene  was  open  to  our  view.  Here,  (at  Halsey's  corner,)  was  a  battery  of  two 
field-pieces,  so  perfectly  masked  by  a  party  of  the  infantry,  that  the  enemy  probably  was 
not  aware  of  it,  until  it  opened  upon  him.  There  a  dense  column  of  men,  with  a  front 
equal  to  the  width  of  the  road,  and  extending  nearly  half  a  mile  in  length,  pressing  on  with 
a  buoyancy  and  determination  of  spirit,  betokening  an  expectation  that  they  would  be  per. 
mitted  to  walk  into  our  warks  without  much  opposition.  How  sad  the  disappointment  to 
the  victorious  veterans  of  so  many  bloody  fields  of  Europe  !  So  perfect  was  the  motion  of 
the  troops  in  marching,  that  they  seemed  a  great  mass  of  living  matter  moved  by  some 
invisible  machinery.  Yet  I  can  now  almost  fancy  we  could  hear  them  cracking  tlieir 
jokes,  and  each  claiming  for  himself  the  honor  of  being  the  first  to  make  a  lodgment  in 
the  Yankee  forts ;  when  suddenly,  with  the  noise  of  thunder,  the  sound  of  a  cannon  came 
booming  through  the  air.  It  sent  forth  a  round  shot  which  took  effect  near  the  centre  of 
the  front  platoon,  about  breast  high,  and  ploughed  its  way  through,  sweeping  all  before  it, 
the  whole  length  of  the  column ;  opening  a  space  apparently  several  feet  wide,  which, 
however,  was  immediately  closed,  as  if  by  magic ;  and  on  the  column  pressed  as  if  nothing 
had  happened.  A  second  shot  was  fired  witli  the  like  effect,  and  similar  consequences ; 
but  when  the  third  discharge  came,  with  a  shower  of  grape  shot,  there  was  a  momentary 
confusion.  Immediately,  however,  the  charge  was  sounded  by  some  dozen  British  bugles ; 
which  through  the  clear  and  bland  atmosphere  of  a  bright  September  morning,  was  the 
most  thrilling  and  spirit-stirring  sound  that  could  greet  a  soldier's  ears.  In  an  instant  of 
time,  the  men  forming  the  advance  of  the  column  had  thrown  their  knapsacks  on  either 
aide  the  road,  and  bringing  their  pieces  to  the  charge,  advanced  in  double  quick  time  upon 
our  miniature  battery. 

"  *  Our  troops  being  at  length  compelled  to  retire,  contested  every  inch  of  ground,  until 
they  reached  the  south  bank  of  the  Saranac,  where  the  enemy  uttemptcd  to  pursue  them, 
but  was  repulsed  with  loss.    The  low  of  the  British  in  this  skinnish,  was  Col.  WelUngton, 


CLINTON   COUNTY. 


Ill 


and  a  Heat,  of  the  3d  Buffs,  and  two  Lieuts.  of  the  58th,  killed ;  and  one  Capt.  and  one 
Lieut,  of  the  58th  light  company  wounded,  together  with  about  100  privates  killed  and 
wounded,  while  that  on  our  part  did  not  exceed  25.  The  corps  of  riflemen  under  Col. 
Appling,  and  detachment  under  Capt.  Sproul,  fell  back  from  their  position  at  Dead  creek 
in  time  to  join  the  militia  and  regulars  just  before  they  entered  the  village,  and  fought  with 
their  accustomed  bravery.  The  British  got  possession  of  that  part  of  the  village  north  of 
the  Saranac  about  11  o'clock,  but  the  incessant  and  Well-directed  fire  of  our  artillery  and 
musketry  from  the  forts  and  opposite  banks,  compelled  them  to  retire  before  night  beyond 
the  reach  of  our  guns.'  The  bridge  in  the  village  was  defended  during  this  day  by  Capt, 
Martin  I.  Aikin's  company*  of  volunteers,  who  were  stationed  in  the  saw.mill  on  the  south 
bank  of  the  river  for  that  purpose.  The  enemy  arrived  towards  night  with  his  heavy  artil. 
lery  and  baggage  on  the  lake  road,  and  crossed  the  beach,  where  he  met  with  a  warm  re. 
ception  from  our  row-galleys ;  and  it  is  believed,  suffered  a  heavy  loss  in  killed  and  wound- 
ed. On  our  side,  Lieut.  Duncan  of  the  navy  lost  an  arm  by  a  rocket,  and  3  or  4  men  wore 
killed  by  the  enemy's  artillery.  The  enemy  encamped  on  the  ridge  west  of  the  town,  his 
right  near  the  river,  and  occupying  an  extent  of  nearly  3  miles,  his  left  resting  on  the  lake 
aboiit  a  mile  north  of  the  village.  From  the  6th  until  the  morning  of  the  11th,  an  almost 
continual  skirmishing  was  kept  up  between  the  enemy's  piclnu  and  our  militia  and  volun- 
teers  stationed  on  the  river,  and  in  the  mean  time  both  aiinies  were  busily  engaged— ours 
in  strengthening  the  works  of  the  forts,  and  that  y>'  the  enemy  m  jiecting  batteries,  collect, 
ing  ladders,  bringing  up  his  heavy  ordnance,  and  makini^  other  preparations  for  attacking 
the  forts.  On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  a  body  of  Uie  eafiuy  under  Capt.  Noadie,  attempted 
to  cross  at  the  upper  bridge  about  7  miles  west  of  the  village,  but  were  met  by  Capt. 
Vaughn's  company  of  about  25  mon,  and  corn  pilled  to  retire  with  the  lose  of  two  killed,  and 
several  wounded.  On  the  morning  oi  li;;  11th,  the  enemy's  fleet  came  round  the  Head 
with  a  tight  breeze  from  the  north,  and  attacked  ours  which  lay  at  anchor  in  Cumberland 
bay,  two  miles  from  shore  east  of  the  fort. 

" '  The  enemy  commenced  a  simultaneous  bombardment  of  our  works  from  7  batteries, 
from  which  several  hundred  shells  and  rockets  were  discharged,  which  did  us  very  Uttle 
injury ;  and  our  artillery  had  nearly  succeeded  in  silencing  them  all  before  the  contrat  on 
the  lake  was  decided. 

"  '  The  enemy  attempted  at  the  same  time  to  throw  his  main  body  in  the  rear  of  the  fort, 
by  crossing  the  river  3  miles  west  of  the  town,  near  the  site  of  Pike's  cantonment.  He 
succeeded  in  crossing,  after  a  brave  resistance  by  the  Essex  militia  and  a  few  of  the  Ver- 
mont  volunteers,  in  all  about  350,  stationed  at  that  place,  who  retired  back  a  mile  and  a 
half  from  the  river,  continually  pouring  in  upon  them  an  incessant  fire  from  behind  every 
tree,  until  Lieut.  Sumpter  brought  up  a  piece  of  artillery  to  their  support,  when  the  enemy 
commenced  a  precipitate  retreat. 

"  '  The  VeiTOont  volunteers,  who  had  hastened  to  the  scene  of  action  on  the  first  alarm, 
fell  upon  the  enemy's  left  flank,  and  succeeded  in  making  many  prisoners,  including  3  ofiicers. 

" '  Had  the  British  remained  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  30  minutes  longer,  he  must 
have  lost  nearly  the  whole  detachment  that  crossed.  Our  loss  in  this  affair  was  five  killed 
and  eight  or  ten  wounded,  some  mortally. 

"  *  Immediately  on  ascertaining  the  loss  of  the  fleet.  Sir  George  Prevost  ordered  prepara- 
tions to  be  made  for  the  retreat  of  the  army,  and  set  off  himself,  with  a  small  escort,  for 
Canada,  a  little  after  noon.  The  main  body  of  the  enemy,  with  the  artillery  and  baggage, 
were  taken  off  in  the  afternoon,  and  the  rear  guard,  consisting  of  the  light  brigade,  started  at 
daybreak  and  made  a  precipitate  retreat ;  leaving  their  wounded  and  a  large  quantity  of  pro. 
visions,  fixed  ammunition,  shot,  shells,  and  other  public  stores,  in  the  different  places  of 
deposit  about  their  camp.  They  were  pursued  some  distance  by  our  troops,  and  many 
prisoners  taken ;  but  owing  to  the  very  heavy  and  incessant  rain,  we  were  compelled  to 
return.  The  enemy  lost  upon  land  more  than  1,000  men,  in  killed,  wounded,  prisoners, 
and  deserters,  while  our  aggregate  loss  did  not  exceed  150.' " 

The  fo"  '  'irr  account  of  the  naval  action  is  from  ^Perkins*  His- 
tory of  the  I,  ■'■  War" 

"  The  ^  ■'  .  I;  -;  ,ider  Commodore  McDonough,  lay  at  anchor  in  the  bay,  on  the 
right  flank  o.  ui;.  ^^.mencau  lines,  and  two  miles  distant.    Great  exertions  had  been  made 


'lit 


■m 


*  "This  company  was  coinpcisfrt  of  youn);  men  and  ho5r»  of  the  village,  most  of  whom  were  not  subject  to 
mittuiry  duly,  who  voliinteeo^d  after  the  iiiililin  had  gone  out  on  the  Chazy  road,  offered  their  services  to 
Gen.  Macomb,  who  accepted  ttieir  offer,  armed  the  commny  with  rifles,  and  ordered  them  to  repair  to  tlio 
liead-quartere  of  Gen.  Mooers,  and  report  for  duty."  Three  only,  it  \»  »aid,  of  tha  mcniben  of  Ihia  corpg 
were  over  18  years  of  age. 


1» 


CLINTON   COUNTY. 


hy  both  parties  to  produce  a  miperior  naval  force  on  this  lake ;  the  Americans  at  Otter 
creek,  and  the  British  at  the  isle  aux  Noix.  On  comparing  their  relative  strength  on  the 
11th  of  September,  the  American  fleet  consisted  of  the  Saratoga,  iiag-ship,  mounting  36 
guns;  Eagle,  20  guns;  Ticonderoga,  17  guns;  Preble,  7  guns;  6  galleys,  of  2  guns  each, 
12  guns ;  four,  of  one,  4  guns ;  making  in  the  whole,  86  guns ;  and  820  men.  The  British 
fleet  consisted  of  the  frigate  Coniiance,  flagship,  mounting  39  guns ;  Linnet,  16  guns ; 
Cherub,  11  guns;  Finch,  11  guns;  five  galleys,  of  2  guns  each,  10  guns;  eight,  of  one,  8 
guns ;  making  in  the  whole  95  guns,  and  1,020  men. 

"  The  British  land  forces  employed  themselves  from  the  7th  to  the  11th,  in  bringing  up 
their  heavy  artillery,  and  strengthening  their  works  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Saranac. 
Their  fortified  encampment  was  on  a  ridge  a  little  to  the  west  of  the  town,  their  right  near 
the  river,  and  their  left  resting  on  the  lake,  1  mile  in  the  rear  of  the  village.    Having  deter- 
mined on  a  Himultaneous  attack  by  land  and  water,  they  lay  in  this  position  on  the  morning 
of  the  11th,  waiting  the  approach  of  their  fleet.    At  8  o'clock,  the  wishod-ibr  ships  appear- 
ed  under  easy  sail,  moving  round  Cumberland  head ;  and  were  hailed  with  joyous  acclama. 
tions.    At  9,  they  anchored  within  300  yards  of  the  American  squadron  in  hne  of  battle ; 
the  Confiance  opposed  to  the  Saratoga,  the  Linnet  to  the  Eagle ;  13  British  galleys  to  the 
Ticonderoga,  Preble,  and  a  division  of  the  American  galleys.     The  Cherub  assisting  the 
Confiance  and  Linnet,  and  the  Finch  aiding  the  galleys.     In  this  position,  the  weather 
being  perfectly  clear  and  calm,  and  the  bay  smooth,  the  whole  force  on  both  sides  became 
at  once  engaged.*     At  an  hour  and  a  half  after  the  commencement  of  the  action,  the  star, 
board  guns  of  the  Saratoga  were  nearly  all  dismanded.     The  commandant  ordered  a  stem 
anchor  to  be  dropped,  and  the  bower  cable  cut,  by  means  of  which  the  ship  rounded  to, 
and  presented  a  fresh  broadside  to  her  enemy.      The  Confiance  attempted  the  same  ope- 
ration and  failed.    This  was  attended  with  such  powerful  eflects,  that  she  was  obliged  to 
surrender  in  a  few  minutes.     The  whole  broadside  of  the  Saratoga  was  then  brought  to 
bear  on  the  Linnet,  and  in  15  minutes  she  followed  the  example  of  her  flag-ship.    One  of 
the  British  sloops  struck  to  the  Eagle  ;  3  galleys  were  sunk,  and  the  rest  made  off";  no  ship 
in  the  fleet  being  in  a  condition  to  follow  them,  they  escaped  down  the  lake.    There  was 
no  mast  standing  in  cither  squadron,  at  the  close  of  the  action,  to  which  a  sail  could  he 
attached.     The  Saratoga  received  65  round  shot  It  her  hull,  and  the  Confiance  105.    The 
action  lasted  without  any  cessation,  on  a  smooth  sea,  at  close  quarters,  2  hours  and  20 
minutes.     In  the  American  squadron  52  were  killed,  and  58  wounded.    In  the  British,  84 
were  killed,  and  110  wounded.    Among  the  slain  was  the  British  commandant.  Com. 
Downie.    This  engagement  was  in  full  view  of  both  armies,  and  of  numerous  spectatora 
collected  on  the  heights,  bordering  on  the  bay,  to  witness  the  scene.    It  was  viewed  by  the 
inhabitants  with  trembling  anxiety,  as  success  on  the  part  of  the  British  would  have  opened 
to  them  an  ''asy  passage  into  the  heart  of  the  country,  and  exposed  .t  numerous  population 
on  the  bordeis  of  the  lake  to  British  ravages.     When  the  flag  of  the  Confiance  was  struck, 
the  shores  resounded  with  the  acclamations  of  the  American  troops  and  citizens.     The 
British,  when  ihcy  saw  their  fleet  completely  conquered,  were  dispirited  and  confounded." 
"  A  short  distance  fi'om  the  village,  are  the  ruins  of  the  cantonment  and  breastworks 
occupied  by  Gen.  Macomb  and  his  troops.     A  mile  north,  is  shown  the  hjiise  held  by  Gen. 
Prevost,  as  his  head-quarters,  during  the  siege  ;  between  which  and  the  village  the  marks 
of  cannon-shot  on  the  trees  and  other  objects  are  still  visible.    Further  onward  about  5 
miles,  on  a  hill  overlooking  the  village  of  Doekmantown,  is  the  spot  where  a  sanguinary 
engngemcnt  took  place  between  the  American  and  British  troops,  which  resulted  in  the 
dcalli  of  the  British  Col.  Wellington  and  several  men  of  both  armies." — Oordon't  Gaz. 

The  following  inscriptions  were  copied  from  monuments  in  the 
graveyard  in  Plattsburg. 

"  In  memory  of  Gen.  Benjam.n  Mookrs,  who  died  Fob.  20,  1838.    He  served  as  lieu, 
tenant  and  adjuUint  during  the  revolutionary  war.    He  commanded  the  militia  at  the  battle 


*  ><  I  will  mention  omt  circiimfltancR  tor  Iho  purpcxn  n(  •howing  th«  fVauiR  nf  mind  In  which  thn  br«v» 
McOonouitli  I'ntt'rwl  x]w  biuilc,  and  In  wlmm  hi-  ptU  M»  trim  for  mirpone.  After  the  niemy'*  (twi  hovi-  In 
■Igbt,  Ihp  tni'ii  of  lilH  thin  will,  oiw-nililpd  im  tlK'  iiunrteMiK'k,  wh>*n  he  knH'Ipd  down,  and  In  humlili',  and 
."irvenl  nrayiT,  roninieniJHl  hinisrif,  lila  mm,  and  the  caiise  In  wltlrli  Ihcy  wereenfrafeii,  In  the  fjiid  of  Ha«- 
llca,  anil  arum*  from  that  (vietiin-,  with  a  calmiiniM  and  ncrenlly  ilcpliied  on  hlH  hn>w,  whirh  Hhoweil  he  had 
lerelviKl  roinfnrt  ami  aimintiirr  fnim  above.  One  nihcr  little  Inrldent,  and  I  will  proceed  with  my  Kiihject. 
Durlnx  the  t)''.iet<l  (larl  ol  ilie  liaiile,  the  hen  riiop  was  "hot  away,  when  a  cock  earaped  and  (lew  up  Into  the 
riKKinS,  dnp.K'd  hlawlngi,  and  iruwud  nioal  inaiitlilly  !  'I'lio  HailoncuiMldered'''  j  m  a  auiv  on«n  iifaiiccea, 
and,  rliee.riiiK  from  one  end  of  the  ahip  to  the  other,  wem  to  their  work  of  deailii(  death  to  the  enemy  with 
redoiihlnl  exmilim.  The  rirk  remained  In  the  riffllnii  during  the  whole  of  the  vngmemnnt,  ever  anil  anon 
cheering  the  men  on  to  ■  greater  eienlon  by  hli  clear  ahrlll  voice."— fien.  Skinuer't  acatuot  */  IA«  Utitit  of 
PltlMurf. 


COLUMBIA   COUNTY. 


118 


of  Plattsburgf,  Sept.  11th,  1814.  He  was  the  first  settler  in  this  county  who  remained  her* 
through  life.  He  was  the  first  sheriff  of  the  county,  and  for  30  yeaiu  county  treasurer.  He 
repeatedly  represented  this  section  of  country  in  the  assembly  and  senate  of  the  state,  and 
discharged  the  important  duties  which  deyolved  upon  him  as  a  citizen,  a  soldier,  and  » 
Christian,  with  fidehty  to  his  country,  and  integrity  to  his  God." 


Crrave  of  Commodore  Downie  at  Plattsburg. 

"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  George  Downik,  Esq.,  a  post.captain  in  the  British  navy, 
who  gloriously  fell  on  board  his  B.  M.  S.  Confiance,  while  leading  the  vessels  under  his 
command  to  the  attack  of  the  Anrerican  Flotilla,  at  anchor  in  Cumberland  flay,  off  Platts. 
burg,  on  the  llth  of  Sept.,  1814." 

"  To  mark  the  spot  where  the  remains  of  a  gallant  officer  and  sincere  friend  were  honor- 
ably  interred,  this  stone  has  been  erected  by  his  affectionate  sister-in-law,  Mary  Downie." 

Saranac,  taken  from  Plattsburg  in  1834 ;  from  Albany,  N.,  145 
miles.  Pop.  1,464.  Redford,  21  miles  southwesterly  from  Platts- 
burg, has  about  60  dwellings.  Here  are  the  extensive  works  of  the 
Iledford  Crown  Glass  Company.  Bakersville  is  a  small  village 
about  5  miles  NE.  from  Redford. 


COLUMBIA  COUNTY. 

Columbia  county,  taken  from  Albany  in  1786:  its  greatest  length 
on  the  E.  line  36,  medium  broadth  18  miles.  Centrally  distant  N. 
from  New  York  125,  from  Albany,  SE.,  34  miles.  The  surface  of 
the  county  is  considerably  diversified,  though  no  part  can  be  called 
mountainous.  Ranges  of  small  hillocks  are  interspersed  with  exten- 
sive plains  or  valleys,  and  much  of  rich  alluvion.  There  arc  some 
excellent  lands,  and  much  of  the  larger  portion  may  be,  by  judicious 
culture,  rendered  highly  productive.  Nature,  in  the  abundant  beds 
of  lime,  has  furnished  the  means,  as  if  by  a  special  providence,  of 
tempering  the  cold  and  ungrateful  constituents  of  the  clay ;  and  in 
many  places  the  lime  in  the  form  of  marl  does  not  require  burning  to 

16 


'  1 


114 


COLUMBIA  COUNTY. 


become  a  stimulant.  Scarce  any  portion  of  the  state  is  better  adapted 
to  the  raising  of  sheep,  and  the  profits  from  this  source,  already  great, 
are  yearly  increasing.  This  county  is  famed  for  the  quantity  and 
quality  of  its  Indian  com  Lead  and  iron  ore  are  found  in  this  county. 
It  is  divided  into  19  towns.     Pop.  44,237.  ,        ,     . 

Ancram,  originally  named  Gallatin,  and  taken  from  Livmgston  m 
1803  ;  from  Albany,  S.,  51,  centrally  distant  S.  E.  from  Hudsoiv  21 
miles.  Pop.  1,769.  The  Ancram  Iron  Works  operate  quite  exten- 
sively in  castings  and  bar  iron  from  the  celebrated  ore  of  Salisbury,  in 
Connecticut.     Ancram  is  a  small  village  near  the  W.  line  of  the  town. 

AusTERLiTz,  taken  from  HillsdaJe,  Canaan,  and  Chatham,  in  1818  ; 
surface  hilly  and  mountainous.     Pop.  2,090.     Spencertown,  15  miles  < 
NE.  of  Hudson,  and  Green  River,  are  small  villages. 

Canaan,  organized  in  1788  ;  bounds  since  altered.  Canaan  Cor- 
ners 24,  Canaan  18  miles  NE.  from  Hudson,  and  Red  Rock  are 
small  settlements.  The  surface  of  the  town  is  mountainous,  with 
some  fertile  valleys.     Pop.  1,957. 

Chatham,  taken  from  Canaan  and  Kinderhook  m  1795.  lop. 
3,650.  Chatham  Four  Corners,  on  the  Albany  and  Hartford  and  the 
Hudson  and  New  Lebanon  roads,  is  a  small  settlement,  20  miles  SE. 
of  Albany  and  14  NE.  from  Hudson.  Chatham,  North  Chatham, 
New  Conville,  and  Harlaemville  are  post-offices. 

Claverack,  organized  in  1788.  Pop.  3,053.  This  name  is  denved 
from  Klauver-mck  literally  Clover-reach ;  so  called  in  its  early  settle- 
ment from  the  immense  fields  of  clover  which  abounded  here.  Cla- 
verack post  village,  4  miles  E.  of  Hudson,  was  the  seat  of  justice  for 
the  county,  from  1787  to  1806,  when  it  was  removed  to  Hudson.  It 
is  a  beautiful  village,  and  contains  about  60  dwellings.  Churchtown, 
Smoky  Hollow,  and  Centrevillc  are  small  villages.  This  country  was 
settled  at  a  very  early  period  by  the  Dutch.  The  following  extracts 
from  ancient  newspapers,  show  that  difficulties  between  the  land- 
lords and  tenants  are  not  confined  to  our  time. 

To  the  printer  of  the  New  York  Gazette,  dated  May  20th,  176(5. 
Sir,— For  many  months  peat  we  have  heard  a  great  deal  of  tlie  uneasiness  and  riotoug 
behavior  of  the  tenants  upon  several  of  the  larffe  manors  of  this  government.  And  as 
these  diaordcrs  have  risen  to  a  very  great  and  dangerous  height,  and  the  causes  of  tnem 
variouxiy  spoken  of,  and  not  well  understood,  (some  imputing  the  fault  to  the  landlords, 
and  othere  the  tenants,)  it  is  surprising  that  more  care  hiia  not  been  taken  to  set  tiio  whole 
affair  in  a  clearer  light ;  which,  besides  that  it  might  tend  to  an  annoublo  settlement  of  tho 
difference,  would  dispose  tho  public  to  join  in  discountenancing  the  blnmeable  party,  and 
obtain  redress  f  )r  the  injured.  On  the  one  hand,  it  seems  strange  that  the  landlords  sliould 
draw  upon  thiniselves  so  much  trouble  and  vexation,  so  much  ill-will  and  opposition  from 
their  tenants,  unless  tho  matters  they  insist  on  are  just  and  reasonable,  and  of  very  great 
importance.  On  the  other  hand,  it  seems  equally  strange  that  tho  tenants  should  take  such 
desperate  steps,  and  hn/anl  tlie  ruin  of  their  families,  the  loss  of  property,  and  even  hie 
itself,  unless  their  grievances  are  of  the  Pu«t  insupportable  kind,  and  such  as  it  is  worro 
than  death  to  liear.  If  these  matters  were  explained  by  an  impartial  narrative,  it  would,  I 
believe,  do  service  to  tlic  parties  and  oblige  tho  public,  A-c.  A.  o. 

Extracts  from  letters  from  Claverack,  near  Albany,  dated  June  37th,  1766. 
"  For  some  nu.nths  a  mob  bus  frcquenlly  assembled  and  ranged  the  eastern  part  of  the 
nwnor  of  Rensselaer.    Ln*      eek  they  apiwared  at  Mr.  Livingston's  with  some  proposals 
10  him;  but  he  being  from  home,  they  returned  to  Mr.  Rensselaer's  son's, «bout  two  inilet 


COLUMBIA    COUNTY. 


115 


from  Claverack,  where,  not  finding  him  nt  home,  they  used  some  insulting  words,  and  left 
a  message  for  Mr.  Rensselaer,  that  if  he  did  not  meet  them  next  day  at  their  rendezvous,  they 
would  come  to  him.  On  Ae  26th,  the  sheriff  of  Albany,  with  150  men  under  his  com. 
mand,  went  to  disperse  the  rioters,  who  were  assembled  it  is  supposed  to  the  number  of  60 
in  a  house  on  the  manor.  On  the  sheriffs  advancing  to  the  house  they  fired  upon  him, 
and  shot  off  his  hat  and  wig,  but  he  escaped  unhurt — many  shots  were  exchanged  on  both 
sides.  Of  the  miUfta,  Mr.  Cornelius  Tenbrook,  of  Claverack,  was  killed,  and  seven 
wounded.  Of  the  rioters,  three  were  killed  (two  of  whom  were  the  ringleaders)  and  many 
wounded,  among  whom  was  Capt.  Noble  (one  of  the  chief  instigators)  in  the  back.  The 
rioters  retreated  to  Capt.  Noble's  house,  where  they  formed  a  breastwork,  and  did  not  quit 
the  house  till  the  sherifTs  party  left  the  place.  He  afterward  went  to  Poughkeepsie  to  get 
assistance  from  the  regulars  to  disperse  the  whole ;  but  the  regulars  were  gone  to  Pender. 
graft's  house,  on  Philip's  Patent,  in  Dutchess  county. 

"  We  hear  from  Fredericksburg,  in  Dutchess  county,  that  on  Saturday  last,  as  a  party  of 
regulars  stationed  there,  under  the  command  of  Major  Brown,  were  crossing  a  bridge,  they 
were  met  by  about  30  of  the  rioters,  who  were  going  to  join  Pendergraft,  tlieir  chiet*8 
party — a  skirmish  ensued,  whereon  two  of  the  regulars  were  wounded,  and  it  is  supposed  a 
much  greater  number  of  the  rioters,  who  generally  dismounted  and  fled  to  the  cornfields 
and  bushes,  leaving  some  of  their  horses  and  guns,  which  were  taken,  and  one  prisoner. 
Several  more  were  taken  that  night.  The  next  evening  they  sent  a  flag  of  truce  with  50 
followers,  who  were  all  lodged  in  the  meeting-house,  and  the  next  day  several  more  parties 
came  in.  Pendergraft's  wife  was  gone  to  persuade  her  husband  to  accept  of  the  governor's 
mercy,  as  were  many  more  wives  of  the  rioters.  We  hear  of  no  lives  lost.  It  was  reported 
that  300  of  the  rioters  lodged  at  Qunkcr  Hill,  intending  to  attack  the  regulars  on  the  13th 
ult."  [How  many  uneasy  moments  must  such  of  these  tetuible  regulars  feel,  who  are  pur- 
Euadcd  that  they  are  employed  to  support  In  Equity  ?] 

Prom  the  New  York  Gazette,  dated  November  10th,  1768. 
"  On  Saturday  last,  the  great  cause  between  the  Crown  and  Mr.  John  Van  Rensselaer 
was  ended.  It  was  tried  by  a  struck  jury,  and  came  on  before  the  Hon.  Justice  Jones,  on 
Tuesday  the  25tli  of  October,  and  continued  (with  evening  adjournments  by  the  consent 
of  parties)  until  the  5lh  inst.  The  suit  was  for  intrusion  upon  the  crown  lands,  to  try  the 
limite  of  that  part  of  tlie  old  Rcnsscluerwick  manor  and  estate  called  Claverack.  It  was  pro. 
moted  by  certain  reduced  officers  upon  a  supposition  that  tliere  was  a  great  tmpatented 
vacancy  between  the  manor  of  Rensselaerwick  and  Livingston,  and  the  patents  of  Kinder, 
hook  and  Westenhook,  and  carried  on  at  the  expense  of  the  crown.  'There  never  was  a 
trial  in  this  colony  so  solemn,  important,  and  lengthy.  The  counsel  spent  about  eleven 
hours  in  summing  up  the  evidence :  Mr.  Attorney  General,  Mr.  Mayor,  Mr.  Duane,  and 
Mr.  Kissam,  were  of  the  counsel  for  the  crown ;  and  Mr.  Smith,  jr.,  Mr.  Scott,  and  Mr. 
Thomas  Smith  conducted  the  defence.  The  judgn  was  clear  in  his  charge  upon  the 
construction  of  the  old  patent  in  the  Rensselaer  family,  and  the  jury  in  two  hours  agreed 

on  their  verdict  for  the  defendant This  estate  was  attached  upon  the  same  princi. 

pies,  by  certain  petitioners  a  few  years  ago ;  but  their  petitions  were  dismissed  by  the  gov. 
ernor  and  council,  in  the  administration  of  Gen.  Monckton,  on  the  20th  October,  1762." 

Clermont,  organized  in  1788 ;  from  Albany,  S.,  43  miles.  Pod. 
il,231.  Clermont,  12  miles  S.  of  Hudson,  is  a  small  post  village.  It 
jwas  the  ancient  seat  of  the  Livingston  family,  and  the  residence  of 
/('hancellor  Livingston,  the  well-known  patron  of  Fulton,  who  named 
his  first  American  steamboat  the  "  Clermont,"  The  following  biogra- 
phical sketch  is  extracted  from  the  Encyclopedia  Americana. 

"  Robert  R.  Livingston,  an  eminent  American  politician,  wns  born  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  November  27ih,  .1716.  Ho  was  educuted  nt  King's  College,  and  graduated 
in  1765.  He  studied  and  practised  Inw  in  that  city  with  great  success.  Near 
the  commencement  of  the  American  revolution  he  lost  the  office  of  recorder,  on  ac. 
count  of  his  atUicbmrnt  to  liberty,  and  was  olrctcd  to  the  first  general  congress  of  the 
colonies ;  was  one  of  the  committee  appointed  to  prepare  the  Dt'cliirulion  of  Independence  j 
in  1780,  was  appointed  secretary  of  (orr\sn  afTnir- ;  and  ihnmK'iout  the  war  of  the  revolu. 
tion,  signalized  himself  by  his  zrsl  and  efficiency  in  the  revolutionary  cause.  At  the  adop. 
tion  of  the  C(mslituti(m  of  New  York,  he  wtw  appointed  chancellor,  whi('h  office  he  held 
until  he  went,  it-  IROl,  to  Frntice,  ns  minister  pleiiii.oleiitiiiry,  appointed  by  I'rewdetit  Jrf 
ferson.    He  was  received  by  Napoleon  Bonaparte,  tJicn  first  consul,  with  marked  respect  and 


1' 


*■ 


^sh 


116 


COi-UMBIA    COUNTY. 


«A««.litv  *nit  Aimna  a  residence  of  several  years  in  the  French  capital,  the  chancellor  ap. 
n«S^Ch«  favorite  fbreijni  envoy.  He  conducted,  with  the  aid  of  Mr.  Monroe,  the  nego. 
SXn  M'nZTZcTJon  of  Louiaiana  to  the  United  State,  took  leave  of  the  ^ra. 
consul  Tlfi)  and  made  an  extensive  tour  on  the  continent  of  Europe.  On  hw  return 
ftoTpnr .  NnnMoon  then  emperor,  presented  to  him  a  splendid  snulf.box.  with  a  minia. 
riikoness  o?'£sclf,  (?^  painted  by  the  celebra^d  toaW.    It  was  in  Pans  that 

he  fimodTfrionSihip  and  cloae  personal  intimacy  with  Robwt  FtUton,  whom  he  matena^ly 
2^  stcdwiOi  council  and  money,  to  mature  his  plan  of  steam  navimuon.  In  180.>,  Mr. 
UvfnLion  returned  to  the  United  States,  and  thenceforward  employe!  himself  m  promoUng 
ti^^BarmLCriculture.  He  introduced  into  the  state  of  New  York  the  use  of  gypsum, 
and  the  MoriTrace  of  sheep.  He  was  president  of  the  New  York  Academy  of  fine  arts, 
«?wllich  he  wwTchiof  founder.  Ho  died  March  26th,  1813.  with  the  reputation  of  an 
able  statesman,  a  learned  lawyer,  and  a  most  useful  citizen." 

CoPAKE,  token  from  Taghkanic  in  1824;  from  Albany,  S.,  57 
miles ;  from  Hudson,  SE.,  Ifl  miles.  The  town  is  part  ot  the  Liv- 
infrston  manor.  Pop.  1,505.  The  eastern  part  of  this  township  is 
mountainous  ;  on  the  western  border  is  Copako  lake,  which  covers 
about  000  acres,  and  embosoms  an  island  of  about  20  acres,  which 
has  been  the  residence  of  members  of  the  Livingston  family. 

Gallatin,  taken  from  Ancram  in  1830;  from  Hudson,  bli.,  1j 

'"germantown,  organized  in  1788;  from  Albany,  S.,  39,  and  from 
Hudson,  S.,  12  miles :  commonly  known  by  the  nume  of  the  German  or 
East  Camp.  Pop.  r,tJ8.  Tliere  arc  three  landings  on  the  Hudson. 
In  June,  1710,  seventy  of  the  palatines  sent  out  by  Que^en  Anne  set- 
tied  on  this  spot,  then  part  of  Livingston  manor.  In  1725,  pursuant 
to  m  arrangement  bt^tween  George  I.  and  the  proprietor,  this  tract 
was  granted  by  letters  patent  to  the  persons  belonging  to  Last  tamp, 
as  the  settlement  was  called,  in  trust  to  appropriate  40  acres  for  he 
use  of  a  church  and  school,  and  to  divide  the  rest  exiually  among  the 
inhabitants.  The  settlement  first  commenced  by  three  small  lodges, 
or  dorfs.  the  German  word  for  village,  named  respectively  after  the 
superintendent  of  each,  as  Wciser'sTjorf,  Ivneiskerns  Dort,  &c. 

GiiKNT,  taken  from  Claverack,  Kinderhook,  and  Chatham  in  1818. 
Population  2,557.     Ghent  is  a  small  village,  10  miles  northeast  ot 

Hii'^oALK  was  organi7.ed  in  1788;  centrally  distant  14  miles  E. 
of  Hudson.  Pop.  3,470.  Green  river  and  Hillsdale  are  post-offices. 
Unhnnnv  disputes  relative  to  titles  to  liuid  in  this  town,  long  agitated 
the  inluil.itaiits,  and  stn-eral  lives  were  lost  in  the  controversy  before 
it  was  finallv  settled  by  arbitration.  _     _  .l    u  i      u 

11...W..N,  the  capital  of  Columbia  county,  is  sitiiatcd  on  the  E.  bank 
of  llutison  river,  110  miles  from  New  York,  20  from  Albany,  and  J8 
from  West  Stockbridge,  Mass.  Lat.  42^  14'  N.,  long.  14'  L.  from 
New  York.  The  citv  is  liiuly  situated  on  an  elevatum  ol  about 
.•iO  feet  above  tlu;  Hudson,  the  western  part  ot  which  »»  a  bold  clill 
or  promontory  projt cling  into  the  river,  more  than  60  feet  High. 
The  principarpart  of  the  city  is  built  on  a  street  one  mile  long,  ex- 
tending  in  a  straight  line  from  ihr  foot  of  Prospect  Hill,  to  the  prom- 
cnade'on  the  extremity  of  the  difl'.  Nearly  all  the  streets  intersect 
each  other  at  right  angles,  except  near  the  river,  where  they  conlorm 


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# 


COLUMBIA   COUNTY. 


117 


to  the  shape  of  the  ground.  The  promenade  at  the  western  extrem- 
ity, ajid  f^gnting  the  principal  street,  commands  a  beautiful  view  of 
the  river,  the  village  of  Athens  opposite,  the  country  beyond,  and  the 
towering  Catskill  mountains.  The  bay  south  of  the  city  is  locked  in 
by  a  loftjr  eminence,  anciently  termed  Rorabuck,  now  called  Mount 
Merino,  m  consequence  of  there  being  a  sheep  farm  established  here 
some  years  since.  The  city  contains  5  churches— 1  Presbyterian,  1 
Episcopal,  1  Baptist,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Universalist.  There  is  an 
academy,  a  number  of  classical  schools,  the  Hudson  Lunatic  Asylum, 
a  private  hospital  for  the  reception  and  cure  of  lunatics,  1  bank,  and 
3  printing-offices.  An  elegant  counhouse  has  been  recently  erected. 
Water  is  brought  in  subterranean  pipes  from  the  foot  of  Becraft's 
mountain  for  the  use  of  the  city.    Pop.  5,671. 

Hudson  was  founded  in  1783,  by  enterprising  men  of  property 
from  Rhode  Island  and  Nantucket,  of  the  names  of  Jenkins,  Paddock, 
Barnard,  Coffin,  Thurston,  Greene,  Mintum,  Lawrence,  and  others,  in 
all  thirty  persons.  About  twenty  of  this  company,  in  the  early  part  of 
1783,  sailed  up  the  Hudson  to  find  some  navigable  situation  on  which 
to  commence  a  new  settlement.  They  selected  and  purchased  the  site 
on  which  the  city  now  stands,  which  at  that  time  was  occupied  as  a 
farm,  with  a  single  store-house  on  the  bank  of  the  river.  In  the  fall 
of  this  year,  two  families  arrived  and  commenced  a  settlement.  In  the 
spring  of  1784,  the  other  proprietors  arrived,  bringing  with  them  seve- 
ral vessels;  they  were  soon  followed  by  other  emigrants  from  the  east- 
ward. Between  the  spring  of  1784  and  that  of  1786,  there  were  150 
dwelling-houses  erected,  besides  wharves,  warehouses,  shops,  bams, 
&c.,  and  several  works  connected  with  manufactures ;  and  tho  pop- 
ulation had  increased  to  1,500  persons.  In  1795,  Mr.  Ashbel  Stod- 
dard removed  from  Connecticut,  established  a  printing-office,  and 
issued  a  weekly  paper,  the  "  Hudson  Gazette." 

Hudson  was  incorporated  a  city  in  1785.  At  this  period  about 
twenty-five  vessels  were  owned  in  the  place,  which  were  mostly  em- 
ployed in  the  West  India  trade ;  a  few  were  engaged  in  the  whale 
and  seal  fishery,  which  was  carried  on  with  considerable  success,  and 
Hudson  rapidly  increased  in  wealth  and  population.  During  the  rev- 
olutionary struggle  in  France,  and  the  long  protracted  war  in  Europe, 
such  was  the  demand  for  neutral  vessels,  and  such  the  hiijrh  prices  of 
freight,  that  the  vessels  owned  here  were  engaged  in  the  carrying 
trade.  This  trade  was  not  long  enjoyed,  for  British  orders  in  council 
and  French  decrees  swept  many  of  them  from  their  owners.  Other 
losses  foUoAved  by  shipwreck,  and  the  embargo,  non-intercourse,  and 
the  war  which  succeeded,  almost  finished  the  prosperity  of  Hudson. 
The  city  was  a  port  of  entry  till  1815.  The  immense  losses  at  sea 
produced  much  embarrassment  and  many  failures,  and  kept  the  place 
in  a  state  of  depression  for  a  considerable  period.     From  this  de- 

gression  it  is  gradually  and  steadily  advancing.     The  Hudson  and 
Berkshire  railroad  proceeds  from  this  city,  across  the  route  of  the 
New  York  and  Albany  railroad,  31  miles  to  the  west  line  of  Massa- 


lis 


COMIMniA    rOUNTY. 


chiisetts  at  West  Stockbridge,  whence  it  is  continued  for  two  nDiles, 
till  it  unites  with  the  groat  western  railroad  of  that  state.    ^ 

The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from 
monuments  in  the  graveyard  in  this  place : 

"  To  tli«  momory  of  Wii.uam  Howard  Aixkn,  lieutenant  in 
tliP  U.  S.  Nnvy,  wlio  wiu  killed  in  the  net  of  boarding  a  piratictnl 
eciiooncr  on  ilii-  ooiist  of  Culm,  nonr  Malnnzoa,  on  tlui  9lli  of 
Novoinlicr,  IH^'J,  iKSiJ — Wiliiuni  Howard  Allen.  Hid  reniaiiiB, 
firnt  liiiriiMl  nt  Mntnnzns,  were  removed  to  ihia  city  l)y  the  U. 
S.  Kov'Tiinieiit,  nitd  interred  under  the  dir«<clion  uf  the  Com. 
mon  ('ouneil  of  thia  city,  beneath  thia  marble  erected  to  Ilia 
honor  by  (he  citizona  of  hia  native  place,  1833.  William  How- 
ard Allen  waa  born  in  the  oily  of  Hudaon,  July  8,  1790 ;  ap. 
|)oiMti>d  a  midahipmnn  in  IHDI,  and  a  lieutenant  in  1H11 ;  took 
a  eonapieuoua  part  in  the  enHOf(cnienl  between  the  Argua  and 
Pelican  in  1813,  and  waa  killed  while  in  the  command  of  the 
U.  8.  Bchooner  Alligator. 

"  Pride  of  hia  cotmtry'a  banded  chivalry, 
,    Hia  fame  tlicir  hope,  hia  name  tlieir  battle  cry, 
Ho  lived  aa  mothcra  wixh  their  aona  to  live. 
He  died,  aa  futliera  wiah  their  aona  to  die." 

Allen'*  Monument, 

"  In  memory  of  John  Mii.ton  Mann,  M.  D.,  who  waa  drowned  croaainn;  the  Hud. 
aon  from  this  city  to  Atiiena,  Auguat  24,  A.  D.  1809,  aged  43  yean.  This  monument  ia 
ereotiHl  na  n  token  of  their  love  by  hia  bereaved  wife  and  children.  Doctor  Mnnn  waa 
l)om  in  Atllebury,  MaaanehuMCtta ;  he  waa  educated  at  Brown'a  Univeraity  in  Providence, 
Rhode  Island  ;  and  came  to  n^aide  in  Hudaon,  A.  D.  1800.  Thia  city  ia  indebted  to  him 
for  the  introduction  of  vaccine  innoculation,  though  here  oa  elaewhere,  the  philanthropic 
enier))ri8e  waa  obliged  to  contend  oguinat  prejudice  and  miarcproaentation.  The  Common 
Council  of  Hudaon,  of  which  body  he  waa  a  member,  voted  that  they  would  attend  hia  fu. 
neraj  and  wear  crape  on  the  left  arm  thirty  daya  on  account  of  their  roapect  for  hia  char, 
ucter,  and  their  regret  for  his  loaa.  Here  are  laid  the  remaina  of  one  whom  aocicty  re. 
apocied  and  hia  kindred  loved.  Ho  waa  a  wise  acholar,  a  akilful  phyaician,  a  kind  hualjand 
niul  father,  and  a  aincero  Chriaiian.  Deeply  ia  he  bewailed.  Few  men  of  hia  time  poa. 
aeased  a  mind  nuire  happily  turned  to  the  acquisition  of  aciencc,  or  exhibited  more  per. 
aincuoualy  patieiu'e  and  vigor,  than  Doctor  Atann.  Alaa !  juat  aa  hia  facultiea  had  become 
mature,  and  aoeiety  had  learned  their  value— juat  when  in  the  prime  of  bodily  and  mental 
ninniiiKKl,  with  hia  lionora  thickening  upon  him,  dcutli  atruck  him  down.  But  let  not  in. 
fuli'l  grief  regard  hia  mind  aa  having  been  culdvated  or  hia  knowledge  accumtilated  in  vain ; 
for  ao  he  waa  enabled  to  enter  the  future  life  with  enlarged  capacities  of  oivjoyineni,  with 
more  worthy  views  of  his  own  nature  and  deatiny,  with  a  clearer  apprehension  of  hia 
Iteavenly  Father's  will,  and  with  added  incitement  to  conatant  obedience.  We  will  not 
mu\irn,  then,  aa  they  who  have  no  hope." 

KiNHF.RiiooK  was  organized  in  1788  ;  the  surface  of  the  town  is  di- 
vtM'silird,  soil  gravt>lly  flay  of  sandy  loam,  and  generally  well  culti- 
vated. Vo\).  :}.r>li».  This  platHi  was  settled  at  an  early  period  by 
some  Dutch  aiul  Swedish  families.  Its  name  is  of  curious  origin,  and 
signifies  vhililirns  corner,  or  point ;  s(>  called  from  the  number  of 
children  lu'lonijinir  tt)  a  SwtMlish  family  that  anciently  lived  on  a  point 
of  land  about  half  a  milt^  above  the  present  upper  landing.  Several 
of  their  descendants  are  now  living  of  the  fourth  and  fifth  generation. 
Valatie  is  a  large  manufacturing  village  in  this  town,  14  miles  N.  of 
Hudson,  at  the  junction  of  the  Valatie  and  Kinderhook  creeks.  It 
contains  1  Presbyterian,  I  Mt^thodist,  mid  1  Lutheran  church,  8  mcr- 


s. 


COLUMBIA   COUNTY. 


110 


cantilo  stores,  300  dwellings,  and  1,700  inhabitants.  .  Kindcrhook 
villa/jo  on  the  old  post-road  to  Albany,  12  N.  of  Hudson,  6  E.  from 
the  river,  and  20  miles  S,  from  Albany,  is  finely  situated  on  a  beauti- 
ful level  plain.  Many  of  the  dwollincs  have  spaeious  yards  and 
gardens  decorated  with  shrubbery ;  and  groves  ot  trees  interspersed 
here  and  there  give  this  place  a  pleasing  aspect.  There  are  several 
churches,  an  academy  in  high  repute,  and  about  90  dwellings. 


-  iJ  (  k  4p  ^^ 


Birthplace  of  President  Van  Buren,  Kinderhook. 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  house  in  which  Martin  Van 
Buren,  recently  president  of  the  United  States,  was  bom.  It  is  situ- 
ated about  60  rods  E.  of  the  central  part  of  the  village,  near  the 
banks  of  the  creek.  It  was  at  that  time  occupied  by  his  father,  Abra- 
ham  Van  Buren,  as  a  tavern,  and  the  town  meetings  of  former 
days  were  held  within  its  walls.  Originally  it  had  a  gable  roof  with 
two  attic  windows,  in  Dutch  style ;  and  the  small  building  seen  on 
the  right  stood  in  the  rear  and  was  used  as  a  kitchen.  On  a  beam  in 
the  cellar,  cut  rudely  with  a  penknife,  are  the  initials,  M.  V.  B ;  a 
memento  of  the  president's  youthful  days. 

The  following  epitaph  of  president  Van  Buren's  brother,  was  copied 
from  a  tablet  in  the  new  graveyard,  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile  N. 
of  the  village. 

"  In  memory  of  Abraham  A.  Van  Buren,  who  died  nt  Hudson,  Oct.  30tli,  183G,  in  the 
4!)th  year  of  his  ago.  He  had  been  for  many  ynars,  and  was  at  tho  time  of  his  death,  mir- 
rotate  of  tho  cmmty  of  Columbia ;  and  by  his  talents  and  integrity,  secured  universal  respect 
and  esteem.    Peace  be  to  his  ashes." 

Livingston  was  organized  in  1788.  Glenco,  9  miles  SE.  from 
Hudson,  and  Johnstown,  are  small  villages.    Pop.  2,534. 

"  Livingston  manor  or  lordship,  originally  contained  that  tract  which  now  composes  tho 
towns  of  Livingston,  Taghkanic,  Copake,  Ancram,  Gallatin,  Clermont,  and  Germantown. 
It  was  granted  by  the  English  government,  while  America  was  a  colony,  to  Robert  Livings, 
ton,  who  had  been  some  years  settled  in  this  country  and  who  was  a  member  of  the  Briu 
ish  king's  council.  This  consisted  of  several  distinct  grants  made  in  tho  yeum  1G84, 1G85, 
and  1686.  In  1310,  agreeable  to  an  arrangement  with  Queen  Anne,  tho  proprietor  con. 
veyed  a  tract  containing  6,000  acres  adjoining  tho  Hudson  from  the  SE.  part  of  the  manor, 
to  a  number  of  Palatines,  who  had  served  in  her  armies,  and  were  now  driven  from  Ger- 


|: 


■s-^Siy-'.-.-- f>-'V-« 


120 


COLUMBIA   CODNTY. 


many  by  the  French  army.  This  tract  conadtuted  the  township  of  Germantown.  In  1714  a 
new  grant,  or  grant  and  confirmation,  was  made  of  the  manor  to  the  original  proprietor, 
and  erected  into  a  lordship,  with  the  usual  privileges  and  royalties  at  that  day  annexed  to 
baronies.  He  was  authorized  to  constitute  a  Court  Baron,  and  appoint  the  officers  thereof; 
and  the  manor  tenants  were  entitled  to  elect  a  member  to  the  legislative  assembly  for  the 
manor,  and  without  losing  their  votes  in  the  county  elections,  which  privilege  they  exer- 
cised  until  the  revolution." 

New  Lebanon  was  taken  from  Canaan  in  1818.  Lebanon  Springs 
village  is  25  miles  from  Albany,  32  NE.  from  Hudson.  There  are  here 
about  35  dwellings,  and  several  taverns  for  the  accommodation  of 
visiters  at  the  spring.  The  spring  is  ten  feet  in  diameter  and  four 
deep,  and  discharges  water  sufficient  to  turn  several  mills  near  its 
source.  The  water  is  tasteless,  inodorous,  and  soft,  and  is  deemed 
beneficial  in  internal  obstructions,  salt-rheum,  and  cutaneous  affec- 
tions generally.  The  place  is  much  resorted  to  for  health  and  amuse- 
ment. The  surrounding  country  is  salubrious  and  picturesque.  New 
Lebanon  is  a  small  settlement,  one  mile  and  a  half  SE.  of  the  spring. 


^"^^tes? 


n  KH  HLnuLnj 


!A 


Shaker  Buildings  in  New  Lebanon. 

New  Lebanon,  Shaker  village,  called  by  its  inhabitants  the  village 
of  the  "  Millennial  Church,"  is  two  and  a  half  miies  S.  of  the  spring, 
on  the  western  side  of  the  Taghkanic  mountain,  and  contains  about 
six  hundred  inhabitants.  The  annexed  view  shows  one  of  their 
dwellings  (containing  a  family  of  150  persons,)  and  their  meeting- 
house, which  was  erected  in  1823.  This  place  of  worship  is  some- 
what singular  in  its  construction.  It  is  eighty  feet  long  by  sixty-five 
wide,  all  in  one  room,  without  beams  or  pillars,  having  a  domical  roof 
covered  with  tin ;  and  a  porch  thirty-four  by  twenty-seven  feet,  roofed 
and  covered  the  same  way.  The  building  is  of  wood,  but  the  founda- 
tion and  tlights  of  steps  are  of  marble. 

"  This  edifice,"  says  a  visiter,  "  stands  in  a  beautiful  grass  plat,  in 
the  centre  of  the  village.  There  are  no  seats  in  the  house,  except  for 
spectators  of  their  worship.  Their  stone  walls  and  other  fences  are 
constructed  with  the  utmost  regularity  and  precision,  and  their  gate- 
posts are  of  massive  marble  columns,  of  many  tons  weight.  They 
manufacture  a  great  variety  of  articles  for  sale,  which  are  remarka- 
ble for  their  neatness  and  durability ;  and,  in  short,  their  farms,  their 


COLUMBIA   COUNTY. 


131 


gardMis,  their  manufactories,  and  houses,  all  exhibit  the  pleasing  effects 
of  industry  and  rural  economy.     Indeed,  they  are  one  independent 
community ;— -their  property  is  all  held  in  common,  and  '  nowhere,' 
says  Professor  Silliman,  •  in  any  community,  can  the  moralist,  the 
philosopher,  or  the  statesman,  see  such  a  demonstration  of  the  power 
u  '"'^"^^'^y  ^"'^  economy.'    They  cheerfully  pay  their  proportion  of 
the  public  taxes,  and  share  all  the  burdens  of  government  except  the 
bearing  of  arms,  which  they  deem  to  be  unlawful.     They  never  ask 
charity  for  any  purpose,  but  always  have  hands  and  hearts  to  give. 
We  were  conducted  through  the  whole  establishment  in  every  de- 
partment.   Their  internal  domestic  arrangement  is  excellent.     Their 
standing  motto  seems  to  be,  to  save  time  and  labor,  and  all  their  va- 
rious machines  ajnd  utensils  are  constructed  to  this  end.     We  visited 
their  extensive  dairy,  their  washing-house,  mills  and  manufactories, 
all  of  which  evinced  the  most  consummate  skill  and  nicety.    We  also 
visited  their  school,  consisting  of  about  one  hundred  hearty,  rosy- 
cheeked,  and  contented  children,  from  eight  to  fifteen  years  of  age. 
They  underwent  a  very  creditable  examination  in  the  various  branches 
of  astronomy,  grammar,  reading,  spelling,  arithmetic,  &c.,  and  gave 
us  the  most  satisfactory  proof  that  they  are  not  trained  up  in  igno- 
rance. .  .  .  .  As  far  as  our  observation  extended,  they  are  as  willing 
to  let  others  think  for  themselves,  as  they  are  to  cherish  their  own 
peculiarities ;  and,  surely,  if  they  are  tolerant  we  should  not  be  in- 
tolerant.   They  are  indeed  a  most  singular  people,  but  they  have 
many,  very  many,  excellent  qualities.    They  are  plain  in  their  de- 
portment and  manners,  close  though  honest  in  their  dealings,  but  kind, 
benevolent,  and  hospitable  ;   and  they  remember  and  treasure  up 
every  kindness  shown  to  them.    In  short,  they  are  inoffensive,  quiet, 
and  valuable  citizens  ;  and  notwithstanding  the  idle,  and  even  abomi- 
nable stories  that  have  been  put  forth  against  them,  after  close  ob- 
servation for  many  years  past,  it  is  our  deliberate  conviction  that  among 
themselves  they  strictly  live  up  to  their  professions,  and  that  their 
conduct  and  morals  are  irreproachable."* 

The  society  own  about  2,000  acres  of  land  in  this  town,  and  about 
half  as  much  more  in  Hancock,  Mass.,  the  adjoining  town.  Within 
a  few  years  after  "  Mother  Ann,"  as  she  is  usually  called,  made  an 
establishment  at  Neskayuna,  {see  Watervliet,  p.  56,)  another  was  be- 
gun at  New  Lebanon,  which  is  now  the  principal  Shaker  establish- 
ment in  the  state.  Their  religious  tenets  must,  of  course,  necessarily 
affect  the  order  of  their  societies,  by  producing  an  entire  separation 
of  the  men  from  the  women. 

The  leading  characteristic  in  the  worship  of  this  people,  is  their 
dancing.  This  they  describe  as  the  involuntary  result  of  the  exhilirat- 
ing  and  overpowering  delight  received  through  the  outpouring  of  di- 
vine grace  upon  their  hearts.  The  evolutions  and  changes  in  the 
dance,  by  constant  practice,  become  as  precisely  correct  as  the  man- 
ceuvres  of  a  regiment  of  experienced  soldiers ;  it  becomes  in  fact  a 


*  New  York  Commercial  Advertiser. 
16 


189 


COLUMBIA   COUNTY. 


mechanical  movement.  No  one  ever  nnakes  a  mistake,  or  throws  the 
rank  in  disorder  from  inattention  or  inexperience  ;  but  every  thing  is 
conducted  in  the  most  exact  order,  as  if  every  step  and  movement  of 
the  body  was  directed  by  a  gauge  and  rule.  Dances  are  sometimes 
held  in  private  houses,  when  variations  are  frequently  introduced. 
On  some  occasions  it  is  said  their  movements  are  so  rapid,  that  the 
eye  can  scarce  follow  or  keep  pace  with  their  swift  motions. 

♦♦  The  principal  doctrines  of  the  Shakers  are  a  belief  in  the  second 
appearance  of  Christ  in  the  person  of  the  holy  mother.  They  admit 
of  .but  two  persons  in  the  Godhead,  God  the  Father,  and  God  the 
Mother,  which  they  say  is  according  to  the  order  of  nature,  being 
male  and  female.  To  relieve  the  depraved  race  of  man,  they  believe 
that  it  became  necessary  for  God  to  take  upon  him  the  real  character 
of  human  nature  as  it  is,  male  and  female,  and  that  his  first  appear- 
ance was  in  the  person  of  man,  and  the  second  in  the  person  of  wo- 
man, whereby  the  work  of  redemption  was  finished  and  completed. 
The  confusion  and  wickedness  that  prevailed  in  the  Catholic  Church, 
during  the  long  period  which  preceded  and  followed  the  reformation, 
they  ascribe  to  the  work  of  redemption  not  being  completed  in  Christ's 
first  appearance,  it  being  the  necessary  period  that  must  intervene 
between  the  making  and  fulfilment  of  the  promise  of  Christ,  that  he 
would  estftblish  his  law  of  righteousness  on  earth.  They  believe  in 
perfect  holiness,  and  insist  that  salvation  from  sin  here  is  necessary 
to  salvation  from  misery  hereafter.  They  regard  the  Bible  as  a  tes- 
timony of  Christ's  first  appearance,  but  deny  that  it  contains  the  word 
of  God,  or  of  life,  as  they  consider  a  belief  in  the  second  appearance 
of  Christ,  or  in  the  spiritual  character  and  mission  of  the  holy  mother, 
as  indispensable  to  salvation." 

Stockport,  so  named  from  Stockport,  England,  the  native  place  of 
Mr.  Wilde,  the  proprietor  of  the  mills  at  Columbiaville,  was  taken  from 
Hudson,  Ghent,  and  Stuyvesant,  in  1833,  The  Claverack  and  Kin- 
derhook  creeks  unite  near  the  centre  of  the  town.  In  breaking 
through  the  high  bank  of  the  river,  these  streams,  within  three  miles, 
have  several  falls  which  amount  to  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  feet, 
and  this  water-power  has  given  rise  to  the  several  flourishing  manu- 
facturing villages  named  below.  Columbiaville,  six  miles  N.  of  Hud- 
son, has  very  extensive  cotton  factories,  and  about  forty-five  dwell- 
ings. The  Hudson  river  Seminarv  is  located  here.  The  ptint  works 
for  printing  calicoes,  were  established  fourteen  years  since,  by  James 
Marshall  &  Co.,  and  employ  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  hands. 
There  are  in  this  vicinity  about  seventy  dwellings.  Chittenden's 
Falls  are  seven,  and  Springville  two  and  a  half  miles  from  Hudson. 
At  Glencadia,  on  the  Kinderhook  creek,  three  and  a  half  miles  from 
Hudson  city,  there  are  two  falls  amounting  to  about  seventy  feet,  on 
which  are  situated  extensive  cotton  factories.    Pop. 

Stuyvesant  was  taken  from  Kinderhook  in  1823.  Stuyvesant  or 
Kinderhook  Landing,  on  the  Hudson,  is  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
miles  N.  of  New  York,  five  W,  from  Kinderhook,  twenty  S.  of  Al- 
bany, and  contains  about  fifty  dwellings.     Pop.  1,946. 


CORTLAND   COUNTY. 


tit 


Taohkanio,  taken  from  Livingston,  in  1823,  by  the  name  of  Gran- 
jfer ;  name  and  bounds  since  altered.  It  is  one  of  the  towns  of  Liv- 
ingston manor,  and  lies  SE.  of  Hudson  fifteen  miles.    Pop.  1,724. 


CORTLAND  COUNTY. 

Cortland  county,  taken  from  Onondaga  in  1808,  and  named  in 
honor  of  Gen.  Pierre  Van  (^ortlandt,  who  was  a  large  landholder 
here :  centrally  distant  NW.  from  New  York  200,  and  from  Al- 
bany, W.,  145  miles.  This  county  forms  part  of  the  high  central 
section  of  the  state.  It  has  the  dividing  ridge  between  the  northern 
and  southern  waters  across  its  northern  and  western  borders.  It  is 
consequently  elevated.  Its  surface  is  composed  of  easy  hills  and 
broad  valleys,  giving  it  a  gently  waving  and  diversified  aspect.  The 
soil  is  generally  a  gravelly  loam,  rich  and  productive.  This  county 
comprises  four  whole  and  two  half  townships  of  the  tract  granted  by 
the  state  to  the  soldiers  of  the  revolution,  and  is  settled  chiefly  by 
emigrants  from  the  eastern  states.  Pop.  24,605.  It  is  divided  into 
11  towns. 

Cincinnatus,  taken  from  Solon  in  1804;  W.  from  Albany  131, 
from  Cortland,  SE.,  15  miles.  Pop.  1,301.  Cincinnatus,  the  post 
village,  contains  about  30  dwellings. 

CoRTLANDViLLE,  taken  from  Homer  in  1829 ;  142  miles  from  Al- 
bany.   Pop.  3,799.     The  following  view  shows  the  princip^  public 


Public  buildings  in  Cortlandville. 

buildings  in  the  village.  The  first  building  on  the  right  is  the  Meth- 
odist church,  the  second  the  Academy,  the  third  the  Presbyterian, 
the  fourth  the  Baptist,  and  the  last  the  Universalist  church.    The 


i«4 


CORTLAND   COUNTY. 


courthousn  is  soon  on  tho  opposite  side  of  the  street.  Tlic  village  is 
plonsiujtiy  situiiJod  and  laid  out  in  regular  squares.  There  arc  liere 
two  weekly  newspar)or  ofliccs  and  about  120  dwellings,  some  of  them 
splendid,  with  neat  door-yards  adorned  with  trees,  shrubbery,  &c.  &r. 
McGrawsville,  a  small  village,  is  4  miles  E.  from  Cortlandville.  South 
Cortland  and  Port  Watson  are  post-otficos. 

Tho  following  cnitaph  was  co»ned  from  a  monument  in  the  grave- 
yard at  (Cortlandville. 

"  In  memory  ofMiirllia  Moriiok,  wife  ofDnvid  Merrick,  who  dind  April  8,  1831,  in  tho 
6Sd  ytinr  of  hor  ntc«<.  Shn  hud  pii(w«»d  the  loat  3!)  years  of  her  life  in  thiH  town  and  HDiiior, 
havinx  been  iinuniK  tlie  finit  aeitlcn*  in  tliia  ouuniy.  Hho  deported  tliia  life  in  tho  full  faith 
of  a  hieased  iJuviuiir.     Shu  lived  rcipocted  and  died  regretted." 

Fkektown,  taken  from  ('incMnnatus  in  1818  ;  frt»m  Albany  140,  and 
from  Cortland,  SE.,  IC  miles.  Freetown  Corners  is  a  small  village, 
and  Freetown  is  a  post-otlico.     Pop.  U4l>. 

HoMi'.u,  organized  in  1794.  The  township  is  level;  tho  soil  a 
sandy  and  olay  loam.  Pop.  3,572.  Homer  village,  the  largest  in 
the  county,  is  beautifully  situated  upon  a  plain,  upon  the  W.  bank  of 
the  Tioughnioga  river  ;  from  Albany  138  miles,  40  N.  from  Oswego, 
80  S.  froui  Syracuse,  2i  N.  from  Cortland  village.  The  following 
view  shows  on  tlie  right  the  Episcopal  church,  tlie  building  next  is 


PiihHc  buildings  in  Homer. 

the  Acadt^my,  the  third  the  Presbvterian,  the  fourth  the  Methodist, 
and  the  fifth  the  Baptist  church.  I'he  Cortland  Academy  is  a  highly 
flourishing  institution,  having  a  collection  of  nhilosophicnl  apparatus 
and  a  cabinet  of  niincrals.  The  public  buihlings  arc  \\\wn  a  stjuaro 
of  0  acres.  The  village  was  uicorporated  in  1826,  tind  has  about  200 
buildings. 

The  following  is  the  copy  of  ail  inscription  on  a  monument  in  tho 
graveyard  m  this  village. 

"Rev.  Ei.natiu\  Waikfr,  waa  born  at  Tnunton,  Maiw.,  Fob.  7ih,  1780;  tfrndiintrd  at 
Brown'a  Colics'.  Rhode  Island,  Sept.  7th,  1803.    Joined  ilio  church  in  Dighton,  Maai., 


I  * 


DELAWARE    COUNTY. 


125 


Jan.  31, 1805,  was  ordained  and  installed  Paator  of  iliia  church,  Oct.  25th,  1809.  Died 
.June  4lh,  1820.  This  monument  is  erected  by  an  affectionate  people  as  the  last  testimony 
of  respect  to  their  beloved  pastor.  Rev.  Mr.  Walker  settled  over  this  church  when  it  con. 
Bisted  of  99  meml)er8.  Admitted  during  his  ministry  481.  L  eft  when  he  died  440.  Hav. 
ing  ended  his  labors  and  called  upon  God,  saying  Lord  Jesus  receive  my  spirit,  be  M 
asleep. 

Marathon,  originally  named  Harrison ;  taken  from  Cincinnatus  in 
1818;  from  Albany  146,  and  from  Cortland,  SE.,  15  miles.  Pop. 
1,063.  Marathon  is  a  small  village  about  4  miles  from  the  county 
line,  on  the  south. 

Preble,  taken  from  Tully  in  1808  ;  from  Albany  138,  from  Cort- 
land, N.,  10  miles.  Preble,  a  small  post  village,  is  seven  miles  N.  of 
Cortland.     Pop.  1,247. 

Scott,  taken  from  Preble  in  1815;  from  Albany  146  miles.  The 
surface  of  the  township  is  broken  by  ridges  of  hills  running  N.  and 
S.,  with  valleys  of  good  kmd.  Pop.  1,332.  Scott  Centre,  post  vil- 
lage 10  miles  NW.  of  Cortland,  has  about  20  dwellings. 

Solon,  organized  in  1798;  from  Albany  140,  from  Cortland,  E., 
10  miles.  Solon  and  East  Solon  are  post-offices.  Pop.  2,311.  This 
township  has  a  soil  of  good  quality,  and  the  inhabitants  have  been 
much  engaged  in  rearing  cattle. 

Truxton,  taken  from  Solon  and  Fabius  in  1808;  limits  since 
changed  ;  from  Albany  128,  NE.  from  Cortland  12  miles.  Pop. 
3,658.  Truxton  village,  pleasantly  situated  on  the  right  bank  of  the 
river,  has  about  40  dwellings.     Cuylor  is  a  jwst-office. 

Viroil,  organized  in  1804 ;  from  Albany  148,  from  Cortland,  S., 
6  miles.     Virgil  and  Hartford  are  small  post  villages.     Pop.  4,501. 

WiLLET,  taken  from  Cincinnatus  in  1818;  from  Albany  137,  from 
Cortland,  SE.,  17  miles.  Pop.  870.  This  is  a  hilly  township  and 
but  thinly  settled. 


DELAWARE  COUNTY. 

Delaware  ooirNTv,  formed  from  Ulster  and  Otsego  counties  in  1797, 
is  centrally  distant  from  New  York  via  Cattskill  160,  SW.  from 
Albany  77  miles.  Greatest  length  NE.  and  SW.  60 ;  irreatest  breadth 
SE.  and  NW.  37  miles.  *' 

The  (bounty  has  a  broken  and  diversified  surface — from  the  rugged, 
lofty,  and  barren  mountain  side  and  summit,  to  the  subsiding  hill  and 
the  high  and  low  plain,  with  the  rich  valley,  and  the  low  and  fertile 
nlhivion.  Its  climate  is  subject  to  sudden  and  great  chang(>.s  of  tem- 
p(«rature.  yet  not  unfrii'ndly  to  lu^alth  and  longevity.  It  is  principally 
waiored  by  the  northeastern  sc»urces  of  the  Delaware,  a  large  navi- 
gable river  of  Pennsylvania,  on  which  stands  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 
The  east  branch  of  the  Susquehfinnah,  another  large  stream  of  Penn- 
sylvania, forms  a  part  of  the  northeastern  boundary,  as  does  the  Del- 


196 


nur.AWAMIl  CnVNTY. 


Bwnrti  a  pnrf,  of  itn  soiithwodtorn.     Tho  ('ookqUvigo  brnnoh  of  tho 

Dnliivviuc.  or  flin  lino  Djfliiwttio,  nm  it  ouuht  to  bo  ciillod,  runs  noiirly 

C(>n(nilly  iIiiohkIi  tho  <;ouiiiy  fiorii  J\K.  to  SW. ;  tho  Popucton  bmnch 

riiiiN  nvnrly  pi\rn\M  with  tliin,  a  »hort  di»tnno,o  to  tho  south  of  it. 

Th«w<  Ntmimn  with  the-ir  I)niii('hn»,  nnd  umny  immllcr  utroiiniB,  Hprond 

pic-ntifiilly  ov(n-  thn  whole*  r.oiinty,  und  nupply  a  vant  profunion  oi  fine 

HiloN  for  inillK.     Tho  «iu(dily  of  iho  noil  is  un  viiriou«  an  tho  gurfftoe. 

Oh  thf>  npliiiid  thoro  in  ii  luitfo  pi(»p«)rtion  of  chorolato.rolorod  l<»nin, 

nnd  (lio  vnllcvN  inid  iilluviul  lldiN  hiivo  ii  rich  mould.     Tho  wholo  may 

Im  piimounctid  t\  goo<l  country  lor  fnrmintf,  woll  watered  hy  »mull 

springs  nnd  nvulols.     'j'ho  hoiivy  tr«dn  ot  thin  county  folIowN  tho 

course  of  itN  Imnhcr.  which  ^oc«  in  riiOn  hy  thn  Dohiwnrc  nnd  Hui- 

•pK'hnnntdi  rivtMN  to  Philtuiclphiii  nnd  Hnllin'utre;  whilo  considorablo 

frndic.  is  carried  on  wilh  the  towns  on  (Im  lludnon.  to  which  there 

nrt>  turnpikcH  in  vnrioux  dire<'tion(i.     Tlui  value  of  tho  wild  InndN  in 

(he  county  in  (h»m  two  to  tlufie  dollum  an  aero,  and  tho  improved 

hind»  in  (he  vnll.'Vj*  av(>rnge  about  IM  ilollnm,  while  (hone  on  t  ui  hillH 

my  worth  nlxait  ft  dollnrn  (he  nciT.     W(<Ht  of  the  Mohnwk  branch 

of  the  l>clM\\ai>i».  (he  comity  wiis  divided  into  s<ivernl  pa(en(a  ;  but 

vnM  o\'[\  \\i\H  included  in  (hi'  llardcnburi^'h  pa(ent.    In  I7(IH,  William, 

J«)hn.  Ah'xnndcr.  and  .Io«eph  Unrpcr.  wi(h  eighteen  otIuTK,  obtained 

u  pa(<>n(  here  (or  'i'iMO  i\cr«>s  of  land,  and  noon  atler  (ho  Harpers 

ivmoV(>d   fron>  Cherry   Vallev.  nnd  nuide  a  setllemcnt  which  was 

enlli'd  llarpcrslii'M.  but  whic)>  \\i\n  broken  up  by  the  IndiauH  nnd 

tories  duriuij  (he  revolu(iomiry  wnr.    About  ont^  ipiartcr  of  the  county 

is  untler  iniprovenient.     Pop.'  H'iMH.     The  county  has  18  towns. 

Anukh.  (nken  fn>m  iV!iddle(own  in  181J);  from  Albany  t)(),  cRn( rally 
dis(anl  tSl'..  fii>n\  helhi  Ift  miles.  Shnverdtwn  nnd  Andes  an;  jmst- 
olh<v'ji.  This  (own  und  Hovina  weiv  prii;cii)ally  settled  by  Ujo  Scotch. 
P.m.  'UH\. 

n«»viNA,  (nken  fn>n»  Mi«ldletown.  Dt^lhi,  nnd  Stamford,  in  1820; 
«li»tnn(  fi-on)  Ali»any  81).  fn.m  l>elhi  cen(rally  si(uatod  E.  10  miles, 
lioviuii  an<l  Fish  Lake  ar«'  |H»st-olHces.     J'op.*  I.-IOJI. 

Cci.tUKxrKK.  taken  frt>m  Middletown,  pnr(  o(  Dster  county,  in 
nuii;  boimils  since  iv«b«ced ;  from  Albanv  »»I,  fnan  Delhi  S.  aj 
miles.  l'olehe8(erand  Popac(on  an>  |)o»t-ol"ilees.  Pop.  l,5t»7.  Tho 
surface  in  hilly,  sontewhni  mountainoiis.  The  settlements  nn'  prin«'i- 
pnlly  on  a  branch  of  the  Susqnehannnh,  which  pns.ses  (Imiuijh  tho 
town.  * 

l>\vr\roRT.  formed  in  1817  :  fitmt  Albany  Oft,  fn)m  Pellii  centrally 
iiilnnte«l  N.  11  miles.  |)aven|>ort.  West  l)aven|K)rt,  and  Davenport 
(Vndv.  nrt>  iv>8(.o(ti,>es.     Pop.  M.Oft-t. 

Dm.ni.  taken  Irom  Middle(own.  K«»rtwrij;h(.  nnd  Walton,  in  17^8  j 
i»n»«  since  nuicb  n^dnccd :  fnnn  Albany  77.  west  from  Cattskill  08, 
from  Kinir-<(on  0"  miles.     Pop.  *J..%ftft. 

The  ti>llo\MnL'  view  of  I^tlhi  village,  (he  county  sent,  was  tjikonon 
the  eastern  bank  of  the  r»elnwar»\  This  villnge'wns  incorporated  in 
18VM,  The  buildmij  with  a  s(«v]>le  s«vn  on  the  extreme  right  is  a 
tkrtory— the  spire  near  ii»c  centre  of  tho  view  is  that  of  tho  Kpis- 


DKI.AVVARB  COUNTY. 


13T 


Eastern  view  of  Delhi  Village. 

ropnl  churrh,  the  ono  to  thn  loft  the  rrcsbytorian,  and  the  cupolns 
nrp  ro«prrtiv(>ly  thoso  of  fhn  Oourthonso,  Jail,  and  Academy.  Th« 
nradrmy  hnrc.  nndor  tho  r.harco  of  tlin  Ilov.  Danic;!  She  ihnrd,  is  in- 
corporated and  nourishing.    The  village  contains  about  IC.)  dwellings. 


Delaware  Literary  Institute,  Franklin. 

Frankm\,  taken  from  Ilarperslicld  whilst  part  of  Olspgo  county,  in 
1702;  area  since  much  ulltM-ed.  It  was  settled  in  17Hr>.  Pop.  ^,0*25. 
Franklin  village  is  pleasantlj^  situated  ItJ  miles  VV.  from  Delhi,  80 
frf)m  Kingston,  and  00  S.  of  Uti(;a,  and  contains  1  Presbyterian.  1 
Baptist,  and  1  Methodist  chureh,  and  about  500  iidiabitants.  "  The 
I)««lawarc  Literary  Institute  was  ineor|M)nited  in  IHJ}.').  The  build- 
ing is  of  stone,  HO  Icet  long,  42  wide;,  and  4  stories  high.  It  containf, 
beaides  rooms  to  accommodate  80  male  students,  a  chapel,  two  re- 


188 


DELAWASE  COUNTY. 


citation  rooms,  and  one  for  apj  aratus.  Cost,  including  the  site,  $7,500. 
It  has  a  chemical,  a  philosophical  apparatus,  and  a  library.  It  is  di- 
rected by  a  board  of  24  trustees.  It  has  a  male  and  female  depart- 
men-  and  five  teachers  are  employed  in  instruction.  Rev.  Silas  Fitch 
IS  principal,  and  Merit  Piatt  lecturer  and  instructer  in  natural  science. 
It  has  110  students.  The  moral  influence  and  pecuniary  advantages 
It  affords  are  considered  highly  favorable."  East  Franklm  and  North 
rrankim  are  post-onices. 

Hamden,  taken  from  Walton  and  Delhi  in  1825;  from  Albany  85, 
irom  Uelhi,  SW.,  8  miles.  Hamden  is  a  small  post  village  on  the 
Delaware.     Pop.  1,469.  * 

Hancock,  a  large  and  somewhat  mountainous  township,  was  taken 
from  Cdchester  in  1806 ;  from  Albany  129,  and  from  Delhi  centrally 
distant  SW.  27  miles.  Hancock,  East  Branch,  Bloomfield,  Paulina, 
and  Partridge  Island  are  the  post-offices.  Pop.  1,027.  The  inhabi- 
tants, who  are  principally  engaged  in  lumbering,  are  chiefly  settled 
upon  the  Popacton  branch  of  the  Delaware. 

Harpersfield,  organized  in  1788  as  part  of  Montgomery  county  ; 
bounds  since  much  reduced  ;  from  Albany  62  miles.  It  has  a  moun- 
tainous surface.  Pop.  1,696.  Harpersfield,  18  miles  NE.  of  Delhi, 
and  West  Harpersfield,  arc  small  post  villages.  North  Harpersfield 
IS  apost-office.  ^ 

The  following  is  extracted  from  Mr.  Campbell's  interesting  and 
valuable  work  entitled  "  Annals  of  Tryon  County :" 

„h!lf"  l""^'  .^'"'''""'  •^o*'"'  Alexander,  and  Joseph  Harper,  with  eighteen  other  individuals. 
Obtained  a  patent  for  twenty  two  thousand  acres  of  land  lying  in  the  now  county  of  Dela! 

S  J  ^"Ttr  """°/^^  ^'T.  ^^^"^  ^"""y  «°°"  "'■•'"■•  ""'I  made  a  settlement  there 
m«nf  J^  '^  "S^^'^fi^''';,  This  settlement  had  begun  to  flourish  at  the  commence. 

Tk    f  .     '^"'    ^°'-  •^°^"  "*^*'" ''"''  "'*'  command  of  one  of  the  forts  in  Schoharie. 
R«v  M,  p     "^  "u""""'  °^  1  successful  enterprise  of  Col.  Harper,  was  furnished  by  the 
1777  T'u7?u  «'<=«']'«d  the  information  from  him.    He  informed  me  that  in  the  year 

reJiJn  H.  lift  ,h°Tf"''S^'^.'  '^^^  in  Schoharie,  and  of  .11  the  frontier  stations  in  this 
Ihf  Z.    r       ?•  '  '"  ^^'>°'"'"e.  and  came  out  Uirough  the  woods  to  Harpereficld  in 

Se  r/nf  r  '"^..'"^'"■'  ""?  '^^r  '^^"""^  '■^•^  ^^  ^''""«'  <■«'  Cherry  Valley  to  investigatS 
Z,2  .  f  "^  ^"'  'n"!l'*r?''  *•"  "^^  """"'"«  "  »'''"•'  •''"«'  °f  Indian  trail,  and  waJas. 
cending  what  are  now  called  Decatur  Hills,  he  cast  hi.  eye  forward  and  saw  L  company  of 

SI  a.tZn?*H'^'*fl''^"''*'"^''  ''™u'  ^*'°  '""^  *''•'  appearance  of  Indian..  He  kuew^bat°f 
,m  T^Tl  A  "J'"""  V^'™  !'^«/,^T'd  "hoot  him  down  ;  he  resolved  to  advance  right 
tolwrnVh""!^^''^'"^'^''"'''""  for  himself  he  could.  As  soon  »,  he  came  near  enough 
to  discern  the  wh«e  of  their  eyes,  he  knew  the  head  man  and  .everal  others;  the  head 

rZh  r"'?u"  '"«""•  ^^^  ""'""^  ^'"'  •>'«  K^cat-coat  on,  so  that  his  rcgii.,entals  were 
XwHn'  ,  k""*!  "»t  '''£,9«n««d;  i!'*  firet  word  of  addres.  of  Col.  Haiper's  w«i, 
How  do  you  do,  brothers?'  The  reply  was,  'Well-Low  do  you  do,  brother?  Which 
brJihZTnT'"^'l'°«"^'  'On  a  secret  expedition:  and  which  ^ay  are  you  bound, 
^nn  «Ti  .   "  •'!'' Susquehannah,  to  cnt  off  the  Johnston  settlement.'     (Pa«on  John 

VZ  t  ,  2'?''"  "f  Scotch  families  had  settled  down  the  Susquehannah,  at  what  i. 
lZM.n  I  T^C.,^''""^  "'"^  *"'"'  "^"'^  "'«  I""'P'«  ^h""'  I'x'y  *"«  nbout  to  destroy.) 
wn^s  (hp  r^n  v"'''Th^''r  J^"  T  ["^^^  .^"^^'J'  '^*  *«  ""»'"'  "f  S-^henevmi  creek.i 
W^journey  '^^  "'"''""*  '"^'^  "^"^  '^''"''  ^^  '"'''  '*>""  «°°^  •?««<'•  """l  Proceeded  on 

du't,!?^*"'/  *^"l!f  '"'!  "  ""!*  ^'y  '"'"'"  """"  '"''■"'^  •'«'  "»»•'  »  «i«^»i'  through  the  woods,  a 
men  m^i„;±  "'.  '*",""'f '  °"  •»  ""  h'^'d  of  Charlotte  river,  where  wor.  a  number'of 
tTb  Zf  «!„^f  '7"'''"''i"'T  '"  •"''•'  ^'^'"'  """«'  'WO  days' provisions,  a  canteon  of 
ru.n,  and  a  rope,  and  meet  him  down  the  Chariotie,  at  a  small  clearing  called  Evan.',  place. 


w 
h( 
It 
pt 


tin 

Kll 

at 
III* 
ml 
lilt 
dai 


DFLAWARE  COITNTY. 


129 


each  man  with  his  rope"aW  S  couTe  for  rUHn^  •  ^.''  "".''  ^"  ■*  5™"^  ■""*  ^""""ed. 
found  the  Charlotte  luen  thprT  i„  "^  j     •  ■ '*"'''"f  •  .'^''•'"  •>«  ""''ved  at  Evans's  place  he 

the  flat,  and  d  covered  S  17  „1  a  l^TT  ^'"^'''  ^^^  '='«^  *«''  «y««  down  upon 
are/sadCol  Er  ?h,vX.rH  .'^'^^^^  '*'"  """"^y  '^^  encamped.  '  There  they 
brewt-high  ?o  "m^  ■  a£?Hv,     ■  *"\^e/t  fiUness,  forded  the  creek,  which  wm 

and  then  peparTf^rlhe  con,"S"  I'^r,  ^""*''?''  '"'''^''  ^''^^  "^^^  ^'"n^  refreshment. 
WhentheyXe  tothe  Itmy  Th^^^^^^^^  T'  K"'"f  *°  "PP^"^  '"  «''«  «""'• 

deep  sleep :  their  armraml  »n  ^L?  '^    7  "^J^  '""""  '''«"' '««'  '"^^-ds  the  fire,  in  a 

satisned  with  the  booty  and  pnsoners  already  obtained,  were  unwillinK  to  risk  anv  thin!; 
S  h!^%  fi.         P  •  ^'"-'""der  Harper,  one  of  the  prisoners,  and  drawing  his  sword 

t^]n^an7fea;?„^"Vey^Stket^^^^ 

him,  which  he  proSd  to  do     TJ  r?n^"       *  '«*>"««'«"i  ^rnnt  to  interfere  and  protect 

facing  inward,  wTduts  and' whipTTn  tSLldT"*^"'  ''^""'"^  '"  '""  P""""'  ""-' 
fro^^hrn^rwSiSiirifL':;'-  tt --.-<'  -  .he  fi™tsignalspr.n« 

Jai:;ttot.h^::s:i['';;^eC;';:t£d/Sar"r""-  -^ «»'  *-"  the  fort  witU 


tlie  country,  an.l  tl.o  nppC    of  ,miSJ^^vm    i"^  "  '""  "f  ,""'"<  ""'"ir^  ""^  """'^''''-    Tho  n.,IH  of 

17 


t-  -, 


130 


DELAWARE  COUNTY. 


KoRTRicHT,  organized  as  part  of  Otsego  county  in  1793 ;  from  Al- 
bany 68  miles.  IJIoomvillc,  7  miles  NE.,  and  Ko'rtright  14  miles  from 
Delhi,  are  small  villages.  South  Kortright  and  North  Kortright  arc 
names  of  post-oflices.     Pop.  2,442. 

Ma«onvii,i-r,  taken  from  Sidney  in  1811;  from  Albany  lO.'i,  and 
from  Delhi  NW.  centrally  distant  24  miles.  Pop.  1,420.  This  town 
contains  great  (juantitics  of  pine,  and  lumbering  is  the  principal  oc- 
ciination  of  its  mhabitants. 

MERRi»rrii,  taken  from  Franklin  and  Kortright  in  1800;  from  Al- 
bany 77,  and  from  Delhi  centrally  situated  N.  8  miles.  Men«lith 
and  West  Meredith  are  small  settlements.  Pop.  1,(J40,  Dr.  Dwight, 
in  his  journey  to  the  Niagara  Falls  in  1804,  passed  through  this  town. 
He  says:  *•  Meredith  is  in  the  fullest  sense  anew  settlement.  In  the 
year  1800  it  contained  only  218  inhabitants,  and  in  the  year  1810, 
78B.  Peculiar  (ifl'orts  have  been  made  by  Mr.  Law  to  introduce  into 
this  township  sober,  industrious,  virtiious  settlers.  In  this  manner  he 
has  probably  .secured  its  prosperity,  both  moral  and  physical,  for  a 
century.     Since  the  date  of  my  journal,  the  inhabitants  have  built  an 

academy,  in  which  they  assemble  ibr  public,  worship From 

the  house  of  Mr.  T^aw,  a  handsome  mansion  in  the  centre  of  the  town, 
the  prospect  stretches  to  the  south,  over  a  valley  ultimately  boimded 
by  mountains  at  the  distance  of  thirty  miles ;  and  to  the  north,  over 
another  valley  which  extends  ten  miles.  'JMie  hill  which  limits  the 
northern  prospect  is  covered  with  a  niagnilicent  growth  of  whito 
pines  ;  one  ol  which  having  fallen  down  was  measured  by  Mr.  Law, 

and  was  found  to  be  two  hundred  and  forty-seven  feet  in  length 

It  is  not  imprt)bable  that  the  n(;xt  generation  may  never  see  a  white 
pine  of  the  full  size,  and  may  regard  an  (^xact  account  of  this  noble 
vcffctable  production  as  a  mere;  table."— />»/'/>/»<'.«  Travels,  vol.  4. 

MiUDi.RTowN,  taken  from  Uochestcr  and  "Woodstock  as  part  of  Ul- 
ster county,  in  1780;  area  since  much  reduced  ;  settled  by  emigrants 
from  New  England,  and  by  S(>otch,  Dutch,  Irish,  and  CJerman  emi- 
grants; from  Albany  70,  from  Delhi  centrally  situated  SE.  20  miles. 
Middletown,  Ashviile,  Colesville,  and  Halcottsville,  are  iK)st-ofHces. 
Pop.  2,(M)8.  * 

KoxniTRv,  taken  from  Stamford  in  1700;  area  since  altered;  per- 
manently settled  by  New  England  emigrants  in  1700;  from  Al- 
bany «,3  miles.  Hoxbury,  formerly  called  Beaver  Dam  village,  and 
Moorcsvill(>,  28  miles  E.  of  D(>|hi.  are  small  villages.     Pop.  3,004. 

Sn)NKV,  taken  from  Franklin  in  1801  ;  from  Albany  100,  and  from 
Delhi,  NW.,  21  miles.  Sidtiey  Plains,  Sidiu'y,  and  New  Road,  are 
post-otHces.  Near  here  is  a  locality  called  "  the  Beaverdam,"  where 
there  are  the  timbers  remaining  of  a  dam  constructed  by  the  beavers 
which  Hooded  30  or  40  acres  of  land.     Pon.  1,720. 

One  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  town  was  Timothy  Beach,  originally 
from  Fairfield  county,  Connecticut.  At  the  close  of  the  revolutionary 
war,  Mr.  Bt^ach.  with  his  son,  a  lad  of  about  12  years,  proceeded  up 
the  Hudson  river  to  Cattskill,  and  from  thence  struck  across  the  wil- 
derness to  Wattle's  Ferry,  a  distance  of  about  one  himdred  miles. 


OELAWARG   COUNTY. 


181 


Being  considered  dangerous  to  penetrate  that  distance  without  a 
guide,  they  procured  the  services  of  an  Indian  conductor.  Mr. 
lieach  selected  his  farm  near  Wattle's  ferry,  on  the  Susquehannah, 
then  m  a  wilderness  state,  since  known  as  the  Ketchum  farm.  He 
then  returned  through  the  same  woods,  carrying  his  boy  on  his  horse 
behind  him,  till  he  arrived  in  Connecticut.  On  November  11th,  1784. 
Mr.  IJeach  with  his  family  went  up  to  Albany,  and  from  thence  con- 
tinued their  journey  till  thoy  arrived  at  Otsego  lake,  the  head  waters 
ol  the  busquchannah.  Here  they  left  their  teams,  as  the  road  pro- 
ceeded no  lurther,  put  their  effects  on  board  of  a  batteau,  and  glided 
gently  dov/n  the  lake,  a  distance  of  nine  miles  to  its  outlet,  where  they 
encamped  in  the  open  air,  on  the  spot  where  the  village  of  Coopers- 
town  is  u.m  built.  On  the  third  day  after  leaving  this  place,  Mr. 
Uoach  arrived  at  his  farm,  on  which  was  a  small  clearing,  having  a 
'%'  "ouse  in  a  ruinous  state,  in  the  centre.  It  appears  that  the  place 
had  belonged  to  a  Scotchman  who  was  killed  by  the  Indians  in  the 
revolutionary  war. 

"  The  shortnpsB  (if  timo,"  soyo  Mr,  Priost,  (in  a  pamphlet  giving  iin  account  of  the  adven. 
turcs  i)f  this  (omily,)  "  between  their  nrrivnl  here  anil  the  getting  in  of  winter,  prevented  the 
building  a  larger  and  n  better  log  house.  During  this  winter  they  became  experimentally 
ncquainled  with  cold,  hunger,  ond  a  variety  of  sorrows,  known  only  to  the  pioneers  of  an 
entire  new  country.  Money  wiw  of  but  little  use,  as  food  was  not  to  be  bought  where 
there  wag  nono  for  sale,  as  scarcely  any  as  yet  had  been  produced.  There  were  but  five 
families  in  the  whole  eominuiiity,  who  having  come  in  the  spring  of  the  same  season,  had 
not  tlieri'lore  hud  tiiiu,  to  raise  but  little,  consequently  food  of  any  kind  was  scarcely  to  be 
found  among  Iheiii.  To  procure  it  from  a  distance  was  also  extremely  difficult,  there  being 
no  Hettlemeiit  where  it  could  be  had,  nearer  than  old  Schoharie,  a  distance  of  about  wventy 
miles,  to  which  |)laco  at  that  time  the  road  was  not  much  better  than  none  at  all. 

"  This  dreadful  winter  nt  length  jiasscd  away,  and  with  it,  in  a  measure,  their  sufiferings  • 
as  by  this  time  they  had  learned  of  the  Indians  hovir  to  catch  fish,  which  abounded  in  the 
river,  coves,  and  cre.sks  of  the  country.  Without  this  relief  they  must  have  finally  perished. 
Hut  now  a  new  scene  of  things,  such  as  they  had  never  before  witnessed,  says  M«.  Priest 
were  about  to  captivate  their  attention.  March  had  begun  to  yield  its  rains ;  the  snow  to' 
»eel  lis  dmsoiving  power ;  every  rill  and  creek  of  the  mountains  to  swell  and  roar,  pluninnir 
forward  over  crag  and  cliff  to  the  vales  below.  The  devious  Susquehannah  began  to  put 
on  majesty,  drinking  largely  of  its  annual  libation  from  earth  and  sky,  swelling  the  headlona 
waters,  whu'h  as  they  rose  lilted  and  tore  away  the  ice  from  tho  shores  and  promontories. 
Loud  soiimla  were  heard  to  moan  along  the  thick-ribbed  ice,  the  covering  of  the  watem 
bumiing  ill  ten  thousand  places  with  the  noise  of  tempests.  But  now  commenced  a  more 
aiiia/ing  display  ol  ihe  power  of  the  waters.  Already  iis  banks  were  overflown,  and  the 
distant  lorestii  of  the  flats  along  the  river,  inundated  with  the  sweeping  flood  to  the  very 
base  oi  Ihe  lulls.  The  broken  ice  began  to  move,  largo  islands  of  it  to  rush  upon  each 
other,  siill  breaking  more  and  more,  urging  its  way  forward  with  resistless  fury.  Now  the 
roar  incrennes,  large  fields  of  ice  plunge  into  the  woods  on  either  shore ;  the  trees  bending, 
groan  and  snap  nmiiider  beneath  the  overwhelming  load,  still  passing  on  till  thrown  in  huge 
heaps  along  the  chores  ami  in  tho  adjacent  woods.  Still  the  main  channel  pureuos  its  way, 
every  monieiit  adds  to  the  enormous  weight  it  bears.  As  far  as  the  eye  can  view  from 
the  tops  of  coiiinmnding  eniinenres,  above,  below,  ail  its  commotion,  plunging  onward 
with  a  loud  and  steady  roar  tdl  stayed  on  some  long  level  in  the  river.  Here  it  makes  a 
stand,  or  but  slowly  moves  j  as  a  vast  army  on  the  verge  of  battle,  which  halts  to  adjust 
Its  prowess,  then  to  move  again.  So  the  river  in  its  grandeur  resumed  its  course  a  mo. 
meni,  while  from  shore  to  shore  the  ice  stood  piled  in  pyramids,  hafing  up  and  down  as  if 
111  anger.  But  now  the  level  narrows  to  a  defile  between  the  mountains,  when  all  at  once 
the  mass  for  many  nulos  above,  with  whirling  eddies,  stood  at  bay.  So  halu  the  embattled 
host,  whose  scouts  descry  the  foe  ;  the  council,  cool  in  war,  debate  tho  safest  mode  to  briiijr 
their  legions  fiercely  to  the  fight.  Now  suddenly  the  waters  rise  and  boil  and  foam  through 
all  Its  heaiw  and  ranks  of  massive  ice  ;  as  generals  do,  inspiring  courage  in  the  soidier'a 
breMt.    The  upper  flood*  having  gathered  head,  ujge  on  with  augtnented  power  ita  coune ; 


.. 


182 


DUTCHESS    COUNTY. 


expectation  stands  aghast ;  the  lowing  herds  with  stupid  gaze  wonder  at  the  noise,  deer 
from  their  coverts  scamper  to  the  hills,  dogs  howl  from  fear  at  the  dismal  sounds,  hones 
snort,  bounding  with  staring  eyeballs  both  right  and  left ;  when  all  at  once  the  frozen  dam 
gives  way  and  rushes  on  with  sound  of  thunder.  Fury  and  desolation  mark  iu  progress, 
trees  torn  from  their  roots  plunge  here  and  there,  old  timber  with  fences  swept  from  the 
fields  and  woods,  mingle  in  the  ruin ;  onward  roars  the  unconquered  deluge,  till  from  Otsego 
lake  to  where  the  frightful  Caughnawaga  dashes  to  foam  the  descending  river  with  the  sub. 
dued  and  shivered  ice :  which  ends  the  scene. 

Stamford,  taken  from  Woodstock,  and  organized  as  part  of  Ulster 
CO,  in  1792;  from  Albany  58,  from  Delhi,  centrally  distant  NE.,  16 
miles.  Pop.  1,681.  Hobart,  upon  the  Delaware  river,  is  a  village 
containing  about  80  dwellings.  Stamford  is  a  small  village  near  the 
head  of  the  river. 

Tompkins,  originally  named  Pinefield,  and  taken  from  Walton  in 
1808 ;  it  has  a  mountainous  surface.  Pop.  2,032.  Deposit  village, 
upon  the  Delaware,  and  partly  in  Broome  co.,  1 16  miles  from  Albany, 
40  SW.  from  Delhi,  and  on  the  Erie  railroad,  has  about  70  dwellings. 
Cannonsville  and  Barbersville  are  small  settlements. 

Walton,  taken  from  Franklin  in  1797;  from  Albany  94,  from 
Delhi,  centrally  situated  SW.,  17  miles.  Walton  village,  on  the 
Delaware,  has  about  70  dwellmgs,  within  the  area  of  a  mile.  Pop. 
1»844, 


DUTCHESS  COUNTY. 

Dutchess  countv  was  organized  in  1683.  It  is  on  the  E.  side  of 
the  Hudson  river,  75  miles  S.  of  Albany,  and  74  N.  of  New  York. 
Greatest  length  N.  and  S.  38,  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W.  26  miles. 
This  county  is  one  of  the  most  opulent  in  the  state,  though  its  area 
has  been  reduced  by  the  erection  of  the  small  county  of  Putnam  from 
its  southern  end.  Along  the  eastern  border  towna  there  are  ranges 
of  hills  called  the  Fishkill  or  Matteawan  mountains.  Along  the  west- 
em  borders  of  these,  the  surface  is  tossed  into  ridges  and  valleys, 
knolls  and  dales,  fancifully  diversified,  producing  a  great  variety  of 
position,  of  soil  and  aspect,  and  a  multitude  of  brooks  and  springs. 
Li  the  southern  part  are  some  of  the  highest  peaks  of  the  Highlands! 
That  called  the  Old  Beacon,  two  miles  from  Matteawan  village,  anj 
three  from  Fishkill  Landing,  raises  its  crest  1,471  feet,  and  the  New 
Beacon  or  Grand  Sachem,  half  a  mile  southward,  towers  1,685  above 
tide.  Their  names  are  derived  from  the  Beacons  placed  on  their 
summits  during  the  revolution-  From  the  top  of  the  latter,  the  view 
on  the  S.  embraces  the  country  upon  the  Hudson,  for  25  miles  to 
Tappan  bay-,  on  the  SE.  includes  Long  Island  and  the  sound;  and 
upon  the  NE.  and  W.  comprehends,  in  the  diameter  of  a  circle  50 
miles  in  extent,  scenery  of  every  diversity,  blending  the  beauties  of 
cultivation  with  the  stern  and  unchangeable  features  of  nature.  The 
jxrincipal  streams  are  the  Hudson  river  on  iU  western  boundary,  Ten 


DUTCHESS  COUNTY. 


13d 


Si  w   n  '  ^i  Wappinger's  creeks.    As  a  whole,  the  county  is 

tfLT    '  P'"''*""'"^  abundantly  wheat,  rye.  com, oats,  and  gras^ 

Yort      tT"'^"'"!'".''"!?.*^!  P''*^*^"^^  i«  ^°°"a  y  exported  toliew 
York.     This  county  is  divided  into  18  towns,    ^p.  50,926. 

2  ^r^n.nTnt'^^y  '^  ^^  fr'^'"  New  York*^  05  miles.  Pop. 
thll'if ,         1761  Amenia  was  part  of  the  Crom  Elbow  precinct, 

^t  whh  f  ^"^""^^f  '"**'  ^  '"P^""^*^  °««»  ^'^'l  ^  1788,  into  a  town- 
ship with  Its  present  name.    Ameniaville.  24  miles  E.  of  Poughkeep- 

bel  ,r^''"  ?"'^'u  ^*^^  ^'"^"^^  Seminary,  in  Ameniavifle.  h£ 
been  m  operation  about  5  years,  and  is  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

mrtl^te'^l"'''''"'!?^'  S^"^^^^'  20  "^iles  from  Poughfeepsie,  lies 
partly  m  this  town,  and  partly  in  Sharon,  in  the  state  o!  Connecticut. 
It  is  pleasantly  situated  m  a  beautiful  and  populous  valley,  rich  in  the 
resources  of  agricultural  wealth.  The  township  compSs"he  wiSth 
ot  the  oblong  tract,  and  the  E.  tier  of  lots,  in  the  Great  Nine  Part- 

^Zr/.  ^'^?  ^'■^''^  ^''^'"  ^^^  *^"*^'*''^  to  the  W.  line  of  Connecticut, 
granted  to  m«e  proprietors  or  partners.  It  is  stated  in  Spafford's 
Gazetteer,  that  "in  1711,  Richard  Sackett  and  family  lived  on  this 
tract,  and  continued  the  only  white  family  until  1724,  when  Ulric  or 
Oliver  Winegar  removed  thither  from  the  German  Camp  in  Livings- 
ton manor  with  a  few  other  families.  But  the  improvements  wire 
ConneSicut  »"^     1741,  when  several  families  emigrated  here  from 

Beekman,  organized  in  1788;  from  New  York,NE.,  87,  from  Al- 
bany,  b  ,  90  miles.  Pop.  1,400.  The  Clove  vale  in  this  town,  which 
was  early  settled  by  the  Dutch,  is  extremely  fertile.  «  On  the  Sprout 
creek,  which  rises  m  this  town,  a  great  quantity  of  human  bones  have 
accidentally  been  discovered,  lying  promiscuously,  as  if  a  vast  pile 
ot  human  bodies  had  here  bisen  made,  and  left  to  rot.  No  tradition 
has  been  preserved  of  this  event,  but  it  is  supposed  the  spot  was  once 
the  scene  of  a  bloody  Indian  battle,  and  that  the  slain  were  hastily 
thrown  together,  probably  friends  and  foes,  and  left  to  the  raven,  the 
tox,  and  the  worm.".  Beekmanville,  on  the  Fishkill,  16  miles  E.. 
Greenhaven,  18,  and  Poughquake,  18  E.  of  Poughkeepsie,  are  small 
sett  ements.  At  the  Beekman  furnace  1,000  tonf  of  pfg  iron  are  an- 
nually manufactured.  ^  ^ 

Clinton,  organized  in  1788;  NE.  from  New  York  90,  from  Al- 
bany, i>h  ^0,  and  from  Poughkeepsie,  NE.,  16  miles.  Clintonville, 
1  leasant  Plains,  Clinton  Hollow,  and  Schultz  Corners,  are  small  set- 
tlements.    Pop-  1,830. 

Dover,  taken  from  Pawling  in  1807  ;  from  New  York,  N.,  80,  and 
irom  Albany,  h.,  90  miles.  This  town  was  eariy  settled  by  the  Dutch, 
l^op.  1,999.  Dover,  South  Dover,  24  E.  from  Poughkeepsie,  and 
Chestnut  Kidge,  2  miles  S.  from  Dover  village  are  small  settlements. 

i\ear  Dover  village  is  a  remarkable  cavern,  which,  from  the  re- 
fiemblance  ot  the  entrance  to  the  pointed  Gothic  arch,  is  called  the 
fctone  Church.  The  following  description  is  from  the  pen  of  a  late 
visiter : —  ^ 

"  The  Stone  Church  consists  of  a  fissure  in  the  rock  on  a  declivity 


tP**!^- 


m 


nUj^HCas   COUNTY. 


Dover  Stone  Church. 


*-\i^ 
M 


u 


of  the  mountain,  and  near  its 
base,  through  which  passes  a 
rippling  streamlet,  which,  in  its 
passage  down  until  it  reaches 
the  ground- work  or  floor  of  the 
church,  forms  numerous  and 
extensive  cascades,  some  of 
thirty  feet  in  height,  and  from 
ten  to  fifteen  in  breadth.  This 
current  has  been  loojted  upon 
as  the  great  architect  of  the 
work.  The  opening,  though 
so  narrow  at  the  top  as  to  ap- 
pear almost  closed,  gradually 
widens  to  its  base,  so  that  it 
forms  a  vast  arch  of  very  con- 
siderable regularity,  ot  per- 
haps twenty  feet  span  and  up- 
wards. Its  greatest  depth  is 
probably  two  hundred  feet ; 
.     ,.     ,    .        .  '"''i    the   inner     or   princii)ul 

apartment,  (it  bemg  divided  into  two  spacious  halls,)  is  about 
seventy  foot  ni  length,  and  is  well  lighted  and  aired  from  above.  The 
mite-chamber,  as  it  may  be  termed,  or  hall  of  entrance,  is  separated 
Irom   he  church  by  a  hu^e  mass  of  rock,  which  has  detached  itself 

3  Z  Jt  "'  '"•'**'  ?  .. ''  ''^P.  '^y'°^  ^^^  P">P>*-  The  view  is 
well  htted  to  inspire  feehn^s  of  devotion.  Tfie  heart,  touched  by 
the  religious  gloom  and  solemnity  of  the  place,  acknowledges  the 
power  ot  the  (n^ator,  and  rses  in  admiration  of  his  works." 

«Ji"l";"'':i'^"n'"'^7"''"*.'"  *^^^-  ^''^P-  *0,43<{.  This  town  was 
settled  hy  the  Dutch,  previous  to  anv  other  in  the  countv  Its  eiirlv 
inhalniants  calKnl  it  Vis-kill,  that  is," fish  creek;  kill  beiiig  the  Dutch  • 
or  creek,— h,Mice  its  present  name.  Matteawan  is  a  beautilul  manufao- 
turing  village  upon  tlie  Fishkill  creek,  about  a  mile  from  the  lu"d  ng, 
at  tlu.  foot  ol  the  MaUeawan  mountain.  It  was  founded  in  1814,  by 
Messrs.  Schenck  and  Leonard,  about  which  time  the  Matteawan  com- 
pany was  formed.  There  arc  here  several  large  cotton  mills,  and 
laetoruvs  ot  various  descriptions.  There  are  about  2,000  nelsons 
connected  with  and  employed  in  the  works.  S.  Grosv^nor  &  Com' 
pany  are  the  agents  ol  the  company  in  New  York.  There  are  many 
mat  dwclmgs,  and  two  beautiful  churches,  one  Presbyterian  and  one 
tipiscopalian.  at  whose  sabbath  schools  2.50  children  attend  No 
intoxicnting  liquors  are  ivrmitted  to  be  sold,  and  almost  the  whole 
iwpulation  have  pledged  themselves  to  abstain  from  their  use.  "  The 
deep  va  ley.  with  its  cascades  and  rapids ;  the  village,  with  its  neat 

Tv^  hunJlwlf''  T"^"J'^^"^  *'"^^^"!*^''  *^"^  ornamlntal  churches 
beamiff,.;  •  T,'P'^"'^«"«  mountain,  render  this  one  of  the  mos 
beautiful  scones  ,n  the  stale,  where  enlightened,  cheerful,  and  perse- 


DUTCHESS    COUNTY. 


135 


Factory  Buildings  in  Matteawan,  Fishhill. 


ycring  industry  is  reaping  its  due  reward.    It  attracts  much  atten- 
tion, and  is  greatly  resorted  to  in  the  summer  season." 

Glenham,  Franklinville,  and  Rocky  Glen,  are  small  manufacturing 
villages.  Fishkill  Landing,  Hopewell,  New  Hackensack,  Carthage, 
Upper  Landmg,  Johnsonville,  Hughsonville,  Stormville,  Shenandoah, 
Cackcmeycr's  Mills,  Gayhead,  and  Peckville,  are  small  villages  or 
hamlets.  Fishkill  village,  on  the  creek,  5  miles  from  the  ifudson 
river,  and  16  from  Poughkeepsie,  is  situated  upon  a  beautiful  plain,  in 
a  fertile  country,  and  has  about  eighty  dwellings,  an  academy,  one 
Episcopal,  and  one  Dutch  church.  A  portion  of  the  American  army 
were  located  here  in  the  revolutionary  war.  Their  barracks  were 
about  half  a  mile  south  of  the  village.  The  head-quarters  of  the 
oHicers  was  the  dwelling  now  occupied  by  Isaac  Van  Wyck.  Esq., 
generally  known  by  the  name  of  the  "  Wharton  House."*  The  bar- 
racks commenced  about  30  rods  north  of  this  dwelling,  from  the  resi- 
dence of  the  widow,  Mrs.  Cornelius  Van  Wyck,  and  extended  south- 
wardly near  the  line  of  the  road,  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain.  The 
soldiers'  graveyard  was  situated  near  the  base  of  the  mountain,  where 
a  road  turns  off  from  the  turnpike  to  the  east.  While  the  army  was 
here,  the  tory  and  other  prisoners  were  confined  in  the  old  Dutch 
stone  church,  represented  in  the  following  engraving.  In  this  church,  it 
is  said  that  Enoch  Crosby  was  confined,  and  escaped  in  an  apparently 
niiracnilous  manner. 

The  following  is  an  inscription  on  a  monument  in  the  graveyard, 
adjoining  the  church : 

•  This  dwelling  and  its  vicinity  is  the  scene  of  "  The  Spy,"  by  J.  Fennimore  Cooper. 
Some  years  since  a  work  was  published,  entitled  "  Enoch  Crosby,  or  the  Spy  Unmasked," 
which  attempted  to  identify  the  hero  of  Cooper's  novel  with  a  person  then  living.  This 
production  is  generally  believed  to  have  but  slight  foundation  in  truth.  It  is  not,  however, 
questioned,  but  tliat  tliere  was  stich  a  person  as  Enoch  Crosby,  and  that  some  of  the  adven. 
tures  attributed  to  him  actually  happened.  He  died  at  South  East,  in  Putnam  co.,  about 
10  or  19  yean  since. 


•3 


186 


DUTCHESS   COUNTY. 


"  Glory  to  God  alone !  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  tlie  Reverend  Nicholas  Van  Vrnncken, 
minister  of  Jehovah  Jeaus,  and  Paator  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Congregations  of  Fishkiil 
Hopewell,  and  New  Hackensack.  This  excellent  man  lived  tenderly  beloved,  and  died 
deeply  lamented,  by  the  people  of  his  charge.  He  was  born  the  a4th  of  May,  1762  and 
departed  in  peace  and  rested  in  hope,  the  20lh  of  May,  1804,  aged  41  years  11  months 
and  19  days.  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  tukelh  away  j  blessed  be  the  name  of  the 
Lord." 


Old  Dutch  Stone  Church,  Fishkill. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  newspapers  published  at  the  time 
to  which  they  refer : — 

"  July  latk,  1765.— We  hear  from  the  Fishkills,  that  for  a  week  or  two  past,  a  tiger  or 
panther  has  been  seen  in  the  woods  in  that  neighborhood,  not  far  from  Mr.  Depcyster's 
house.  It  had  killed  several  dogs,  torn  a  cow  so  that  she  died  the  minie  day,  and  carried 
off  the  calf;  it  likewise  carried  off  a  colt  of  about  a  week  old.  Eight  men  with  their 
guns  went  in  search  of  it,  and  started  it  at  a  distance  j  it  fled  with  great  swiftness,  and  has 
been  smce  seen  at  the  Fishkills." 

"August  28<A,  1776 — A  few  days  since  about  100  women,  inhabitants  of  Dutchess 
county,  went  to  the  house  of  Colonel  Brinkerhoff,  at  Fishkill,  and  insisted  upon  having  tea 
at  die  lawful  price  of  six  shillings  per  pound,  and  obliged  that  gentleman  to  accommodate 
them  with  one  chest  from  his  store  for  that  purpose.  Shortly  after  he  sold  his  cargo  to 
some  Yorkers,  who,  for  fear  of  another  female  attack,  forwarded  tlie  nefarious  stuff  to  the 
North  nver  precipitately,  where  it  is  now  afloat,  but  the  women  have  placed  theireuard  on 
each  side." 

"Forty  Dollani  Reward  will  be  paid  by  the  subscriber,  besides  all  reasonable  expences, 
tor  detecting  and  bringing  to  justice,  one  or  more  of  a  gang  of  villains,  eight  or  ten  in  num. 
ber,  wlio,  on  tlie  night  of  the  17di  of  August  iHst,  armed  with  guns,  bayonets,  and  swords, 
surrounded  the  house  of  Mrs.  Phebe  Thomas,  on  Quaker  Hfll,  in  Dutchess  county,  which 
some  ot  Uieir  number  forcibly  entered,  and  after  many  threatening  expressions,  robbed  the 
subscriber  of  die  following  articles,  viz.  180  silver  dollars,  28  guineas,  9  half  Johanneses, 
1  green  silk  purse,  opening  with  a  spring  with  a  large  silver  hook,  and  containing  between 
X4  and  £o  in  small  silver,  with  one  guinea j  two  pairs  of  silver  shoe  buckles;  1  silver 
tablespoon,  marked  with  the  lettew  R.  M..  with  a  T  at  top  between  them ;  1  small  silver 
8nuH.box,  marked  A.  S.;  1  large  paper  snuftboj: ;  one  silver  thimble  ;  two  penknives,  (one 
with  a  mother-of-pearl  handle,)  in  cases ;  one  carved  ivory  tooth.pick  case  ;  one  lawn  hand. 
Kerehiet ;  one  red  and  white  linen  do.;  three  cotton  stockings,  and  one  pair  of  white  yarn 
fJ^^^"'  ,  P""  "^  'J"ckl08  lias  been  found  upon  a  fellow,  who  went  by  the  name 
ot  Williams,  who  fomieriy  used  to  profess  himself  a  painter  in  New  York;  was  lately 
taken  up  on  a  charge  of  some  other  felonies,  and  imprisoned  at  Kingston,  in  Ulster  county. 


DUTCHESa   COUNTT. 


137 


Quaker  H.ll,  Nov.  5, 1777.  m^ry  FERRARI." 

r  rr„m«  !n!     ^-  u     7'''«^.w'»o  Wag  Unfortunately  killed  at  camp  the  11th  ult      The 

lell,  which  tore  h.s  body  .n  a  ahockmg  manner,  and  put  an  immediate  period  to  his  exisTence!" 

iJl!^T''^''n\-^''  """^-^^  *''■''"'  *^^  ^^'""^'■y  seat  of  the  late  Dr.  S.  Bard ; 
taken  from  C  mton  m  1821 ;  from  New^York,  N.,  81,  and  from  Alba: 

"bout'V  mills  nV  ^X'^'^tf'  *Iyde  Park  village  and  landing  are 
es  abolrsn  Ww  u^""  P°»|.hkcepsie  The  village  has  several  church- 
rnl  tTr.??'  dweihngs,  a  distmgu.shed  female  seminary  and  a  classi- 
he  P  Sti  7l  ^''^"'  ^'^^  '"^inificcnt  seat  of  the  late  Dr.  Hosack  is 
here.     Staatsburg  is  a  post-office,  2  milea  N.  of  Hyde  Park 

i'^:^-  uf  ^f  ^  oi-iginally  named  Freedom,  and  taken  from  Beekman 
and  Fishkill  m  1821 ;  from  Albany,  S.,  77,  and  from  Poughke^ 

nnm.!  .?  ;  g'-««'l«"lPla'"«'  Spouts  Creek,  and  Arthursburg,  are 
names  of  post-offices.     Pop.  1,851.  ^ 

]^^^h':^^^!^^?''t'^T^'''^\'f''f'''^^^^'^  from  Albany  63  miles.  Mi- 
24  m^irr  '"%^^  S"  ^"4  I^a%««e  Corners  and  Rock  City,  each 
24  miles  from  Poughkeepsie,  are  small  villages.    Pop.  1,726. 

North  East,  organized  in  1788.     The  surface  of  this  township 
js  covered  with  portions  of  the  Taghkanic  and  Matteawan  mountains 
1  he  western  mountains  are  cultivated  to  their  summits,  and  have 

NnrhA  '^".^«/^VJ?*'''P7^'*"'"«^^-  Spencer's  Comers,  31  NE., 
North  Amenia,  28  NE.,  and  Federal  Store,  25  miles  NE.  from  Pough- 
keeps.e,  are  small  villages.  The  form  of  this  town  is  nearly  that  of 
a  boot,  10  miles  long  E.  and  W.,  5  wide  at  the  top  or  W.  end,  3 
across  the  ancle,  and  with  a  foot  7  miles  in  length.  Pop.  1,381 
PodT'Z'  %^^'^^^^.l!'  17f ;  from  Poughkeepsie,  SE.,  22  miles. 
ihll  I;  Pawlmgville  and  Quaker  Hill  are  small  post  villages; 

the  latter  was  first  settled  by  Friends  in  1740.  ^  ^ 

Pine  Plains,  taken  from  North  East  in  1823;  from  Albany  72 
S^'fr  P'"«  P'^'"«'  28  miles  NE.  from  Poughkeepsie,  has  abou^  40 
dwellings.  Hammertown  and  Pulver's  Comers  are  small  settlements. 
pVir^  "?  fu'^""^  this  township  is  mountainous.  In  the  north- 
S  r  t''^  "^""^  formerly  an  extensive  plain  covered  with 
pines,— hence  the  name  of  the  town.    Pop.  1,324 

Pleasant  Valley,  taken  from  Clinton  in  1821  ;  from  New  York 
84  and  irom  Albany  82  miles.  Pleasant  Valley  is  a  manufacturing 
village  7  miles  NE.  from  Poughkeepsie,  beautifully  situated  upon  the 
right  bank  of  Wappmger's  creek,  and  has  1  Presbyterian,  1  Metho- 
Sli;  i  f  "^"^''  ^nd  1  Episcopal  church,  and  about  100  dwellings, 
bait  Point,  12  miles  NE.  from  Poughkeepsie,  and  Washington  H?!- 
low,  are  small  villages.     Pop,  2,219. 

Poughkeepsie  was  organized  in  1788:  its  name  is  said  to  have 
been  derived  from  the  Indian  word  Apokeepsing,  signifying  safe  har- 

18 


188 


DUTCHESS   OOUNTr. 


bor.  Tlie  face  of  the  country  along  the  Iludson  river  is  somewhat 
broken,  but  the  general  surface  is  but  nnoderately  uneven.  Pop. 
10,006.  The  village  of  Poughkeepsie,  one  of  the  most  thriving  and 
substantial  places  in  the  state,  was  first  founded  by  a  number  of 
Dutch  familos  somewhere  about  the  year  1700.  Being  situated 
about  half-way  between  New  York  and  Albany,  it  occasionally  be- 
came, in  early  periods  of  its  history,  the  place  of  iegislutive  deliberations. 
The  convention  which  met  to  deliberate  on  the  Federal  Constitution, 
and  vot<ul  for  its  adoption,  met  in  this  place  in  178H.  The  atuiexed 
engraving,  taken  Irom  one  published  in  the  Family  Magazine,  Dec. 
1888,  is  a  representation  of  the  first  house  erected  in  this  place.     It 


..rffe^ii 


^-^f^^?^*aijP:r 


Van  Kleek  House. 

was  built  in  the  year  1702,  by  Mvndcrt  Y.m  Kleek,  one  of  the  earliest 
settlers  of  Dutchess  county.  The  house  and  grounds  attached  are 
still  in  possession  of  his  descendants.  It  belonged  to  Matthew  Vas- 
sar.  Esq,,  in  1835,  the  year  in  which  this  house  was  demolished. — 
The  distant  building  seen  on  \ho  left,  is  that  of  the  old  brewery,  this 
ancient  edifice  exhibited  its  port-holes,  a  feature  so  conunon  m  the 
buildings  of  the  early  sc^ttlers,  they  being  necessary  for  defeju-e  against 
the  original  possessors  of  the  soil.  In  1787,  this  building,  then  a 
public  house  of  some  note,  was  used  as  a  stadt-housi- ;  the  eleventh 
session  of  the  U^gislature  of  this  state  was  held  flierein.  Ueorge 
Clinton  was  then  governor  of  the  sfati-,  and  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt, 
afterward  mayor  of  New  York,  lieutenant-governor. 

Poughkeepsie  is  by  the  river,  70  miles  from  Albany,  and  i:>  from 
New  York,  18  from  Kingston,  H  fnan  Newburg,  and  4ii  fronj  Hud- 
son. Pojnilation  of  the  village  in  1810,  was  7,710.  Tin;  central  part 
of  the  village  is  nearly  a  tnile  from  the  landing  place  on  the  Hudson, 
standing  on  an  elevated  })lain  about  ilOO  feet  from  the  river.  Several 
roads  conveniently  graded,  and  the  principal  one  paveil,  lead  from 
the  ^hore  to  the  plain  above,  which  on  tin-  north  is  overlook<'d  l)y  a 
beautiful  slate  hill,  (Vf>ni  which  is  a  commanding  prospet:t  of  the  adja- 
cent country.  Tlie  Fall  ereek  or  kill  meanders  through  the  plain  on 
which  the  village  is  built,  and  fmally  passes  into  the  Hudson  by  a 


1 


ntrTCIIEBS    COUNTY. 


180 


.1 


succession  of  cataracts  and  cascades,  which  together  fall  more  than 
160  leet,  affording  water-power  for  a  number  of  mills  and  factories. 
Ihere  are  11  churches,  viz:  2  Presbyterian,  2  Episcopal,  2  Meth- 
od.st.  2  Tnends,  1  Baptist,  1  Catholic,  and  1  African;  there  is  also 
a  Universahst  society.  There  are  3  banks,  having  an  aggregate 
capital  ot  $850,000,  3  newspaper  offices,  and  a  variety  oTmanu- 
tac  uring  establishments.  Within  the  limits  of  the  viHage  are  twelve 
male  and  female  schools,  all  of  which  are  of  a  superior  order. 


Poughkeepsie  Collegiate  School. 


The  above  is  a  representation  of  the   Poughkeepsie  Collegiate 
bchool,  erected  on  the  summit  of  an  elevated  hill  about  a  mile  from 
the  Hudson,  and  half  a  mile  northward  from  the  business  part  of  the 
village.      This  structure  is  modelled  after  the  Parthenon  at  Athens 
Jind  IS  35  by  1 15  f.-et  in  size,  exclusive  of  the  colonnade ;  inclusive,' 
77  by  137  ieet.     It  cost,  exclusive  of  the  ground,  about  forty  thousand 
dollars.     J  his  uistitution  was  opened  for  the  reception  of  pupUs  in 
INov.,  183(J,  under  the  superintendence  of  Mr.  Charh^s  Bartlott  as- 
sisted by  eight  competent  teachers.     During  the  first  term,  there 
were  .",0  pupils ;  the  second,  84 ;  the  third,  94  ;  and  the  fourth  term. 
108.       Its  situation  is  truly  a  noble  one;  standing  ow  an  eminence 
commanding  an  extensive  view  of  almost  every  variety  of  feature 
necessary  to  the  perfection  of  a  beautiful  landscape.     From  the  col- 
onnade,  which  entirely  surn.unds  it,  the  eye  of  the  spectator  can 
compass  a  circuit  of  nearly  fifty  mile*, :  on  the  south,  at  a  distance  of 
tw,>nty  miles,  the  Highlands  terminate  the  view,  within  which  an 
apparent  plain  stretches  to  their  base,  covered  with  highly  cultivated 
arms,  neat  mansions,  and  thriving  villages.     Similar  scenery  nu^eti 
he  eye  on  the  east,  but  more  undulating.     ()„  the  west  and  north, 
the  Hudson  rolls  on  in  its  pride  and  beauty,  dotted  with  the  sails  of 
iiiliin.   commerce  and  numen.us  steamboats,  all  la.l.ni  with  products 
ot  industry  and  busy  mm.     in  iIk^  dim  distance,  the  azure  summits 
of  the  (atskill,  reared  to  the  clouds,  stretch  away  to  the  north,  a  dis- 
tanee  of  forty  miles,  where  the  far-famed  •  Mountain  House'  is  dis- 
tinct y  seen,  hke  a  nearl,  in  its  mountain  (Test,  at  an  elevation  of 
nearly  three  thousand  fi-et  above  th(^  river.     At  our  feet,  like  a  beau- 
ilul  panorama,  lies  the  village  of  p„ugbk.>epsi...  with  its  churches,  iti 
Uterary  institutions,  and  various  improvements  in  view,  indicating  the 
existence  of  a  liberal  spirit  of  well-directe.l,  enterprise."     The  DuUh. 


ife' 


140 


DUTCHESS   COUNTY. 


^i- 


I 


Dutchess  County 


[L.  S.] 


.vs. 


ess  County  Academy  was  erected  in  1836,  in  the  southeast  part  of 
the  village,  at  an  expense  of  about  914,000.  The  average  number 
of  its  pupils  is  about  one  hundred.  "  The  objects  of  this  institutioa 
are  to  prepare  young  men  for  college,  for  teachers  of  common  schools, 
for  the  counting-house,  or  any  of  the  active  pursuits  of  life." 

The  following  is  copied  from  the  ancient  records  in  Poughkeepsie, 
and  will  serve  to  show  one  form  of  a  legal  instrument  in  olden  times. 

Thomas  Sanders  Esqr.  Justice  of  the  peace 
for  said  County  Assigned. 
To  all  Constables  and  other  officers  as  well  within  the 
said  County  as  Elsewhere  within  the  Collony  of  New 
York  to  whom  the  Execution  hereof  doth  or  may 
Concern  Greeting 

WHEREAS  I  have  Received  Information  and  Charge  against  one 
James  Jones  Lately  Come  from  Lebanon  In  ye  County  of  Windham 
In  ye  Collony  of  Conecticut  and  Liveing  in  Dutchess  County  at  the 
house  of  one  Ellexander  Griggs  Calls  him  self  a  Weaver  a  Lusty 
Well  Sott  Likely  man  full  faced  Brown  Complextioned  and  wares  a 
Black  Wigg  Irishman ;  by  birth  by  the  brogue  on  his  Speach  Who 
is  Charged  before  me  to  be  a  Dangerous  person  and  is  suspticted  to 
have  Stolen  a  Silver  Spoon  or  the  bigest  part  of  a  Silver  Spoon ;  as 
by  a  Warrant  Produced  ;  and  the  Complaint  of  William  Dcrddy  of 
Lebanon  in  County  afores"*  Some  time  in  the  month  of  this  Present 
November. 

Notwithstanding  Soav\,;Ul  Endeavours  for  apprehensions  of  him 
he  hath  not  as  vett  been  apprehended  but  hath  withdrawn  himself 
and  Hed — Lately  from  Lebanon  in  ye  Coimty  of  Windham  'n  yo 
Colloney  of  Conecticut  and  is  ( -ome  to  our  County  of  Dutchess  These 
are  therefore  in  his  majesties  name  to  Conunand  you  and  Every  of 
You  to  make  diligent  Search  within  your  Severall  Precincts  and 
Districts  for  said  James  Jones  and  to  make  hue  and  Cry  after  him 
from  Town  to  Town  and  from  C'ounty  to  County  and  that  as  well 
by  horsemen  as  footmen  according  to  Law  and  if  you  shall  find  the 
said  James  Jonc^  that  then  you  do  Carry  him  before  some  one  of  his 
majesties  Justice  of  the  Peace  Within  the  County  or  place  Whare  he 
shall  be  taken  to  be  Dealth  withall  acoonling  to  Law  Hereof  fails 
not  at  your  porrills-—  Given  Under  uiy  Hand  In  Dutchess 

County  this  Seventeenth  Day  of  November  In  the  fourth  year  of  our 
Reaiju^n  And  In  the  Year  of  our  Lord  God  Everlasting^An"  1730 
To  Franc  ('ooll  High  Constapel     _,,  ,     ,.  "dT  ,,„*         «      , 

In  Dutchess  County  ui^rsue  After     ^''«  '"'''■''  *^'   #    ^  ^'"'"''*  Sanders 
the  Person  In  this  Hue  and  Cry  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

Red  Hook,  taken  from  Rhincbeck  in  1818;  from  Albany  55,  and 
from  New  York  m  miles.  Pop.  2,833.  Red  Hook  is  a  small  village, 
26  miles  N.  from  Poughkeepsie.  Upper  Red  Hook,  Uarrytown,  and 
Tivoli,  are  post-ollices. 


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141 


RhinIbeck,  organized  in  1788,  is  centrally  distant  from  Pouffh- 
keepsie  17,  from  Albany  57,  and  from  N.  York  91  miles.    Pop  2,749 
The  surface  of  the  township  in  the  eastern  part  is  rolling,  in  the 
7olTZl:u  ''^''•.  The  Rhinebeck  flats,  near  the  centre,  ate  noted 
for  easy  culture  and  fertility:  the  Wirtemburg  tract,  in  the  SE.  part 

the  use  ornh^?  ^  ''ft-'""'  ''^''^^^'  ^^^"  ^^"der^d  productive^by 
«ompr      PJ^«ter.    This  town  was  settled  at  an  early  period,  by 

GeTmanv  aS  «™i''''  ""^  ^^"^^^  ^'  "^'"^  ^'^"^  ^^e  riU  Rhine  il 
wasZmPrW  h.?r  '^''";  ^"  "^"S'"^*  proprietor.  Much  of  the  land 
form  Thl^  vM  ""  V^'^F  *[^^''^^  ^^""'^^  «»t  to  tenants  in  small 
Ss  S  liLiT  «^«**««*f^*  -^'f  *  >^as  incorporated  in  1834, 
Sd  a  Me^hoHi,^'  h  u*"*^  ^"^^'T  ^'  ^^"*^"«  «  ^"tch  Reformed 
h^  the^P  nhv      f!^-''^'  f  ,A«^demy,  with  upwards  of  100  houses 

Sew  YoS  sSf iL';r;'"^'  °"  ^^^^  "^^^'  ^« «« •""-  ^-- 


Methodist  Church  and  Academy,  at  Rhinebeck. 


The  above  is  an  eastern  view  of  the  Methodist  church  and  the 

a  DkinTnf  *\'  r"^'f  P"'^*  "*"  *^«  ^'"^?«-     The  Methodist  church! 
a  plain  but  substan  lal  stone  structure,  is  seen  on  the  left  and  the 
Academy  on  the  right.     The  church  was  erected  in  1822    the  Rei 
JrecbornGarrettson.  a  resident  of  this  town,  contributed  largely  to 
^.erection.    Mr.  Garrettson  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  Meth- 

s  memo^vTr  '  ^ause  of  Christianity,  and  of  his  exemplary  lite, 
r  r„«  K  ^  '8  deservedly  cherished  with  respect  and  affection.  Mr 
S;;  Chur.'i.'';;f  F  ^n^^^^^  V^^'^-  his  parents  were  members  of 
A^uf  th«  h  "^-^^'r?  •'^."'^^^^^  their  children  in  the  same  faith. 
MethodSt  nr/'T'"^  ''f  '^^  American  revolution,  some  of  the  first 
HniivVf  h-  P??/^*'?"  ^  '«  came  over  to  America  labored  in  the  vi. 
son?!     I         ' '  residence.     Ho  joined  thr  Methodist  society,  and 

sTnt^onl  ?n'T"  ^  'r"'''"'"^  P'''^"'''^^'--  "«  ^««  nmarkably  con- 
scientious n  the  performance  of  whatever  he  considered  his  duty 
Being  convinced  that  slaveholding  was  wrong,  he  gave  his  slaves  thef; 

desire  their  services,  without  making  them  a  compensation.    Having 


*  m 


142 


ERIE    COUNTY. 


conscientious  scruples  which  deterred  him  from  taking  the  prescribed 
state  oath,  during  the  revolutionary  period,  he  suffered  some  persecu- 
tions on  this  account.  In  one  instance,  he  was  seized  by  a  mob,  who 
took  him  to  a  magistrate,  by  whom  he  was  ordered  to  prison.  While 
part  of  the  mob  were  taking  him  thither,  they  were  dispersed  by  a 
remarkable  flash  of  lightning,  and  he  was  left  unmolested.  In  1788, 
Mr.  Garrettson  was  appointed  presiding  elder  for  the  district  north 
of  New  York,  then  including  all  the  circuits  from  New  Rochelle  to 
Lake  Champlain.  In  1793,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Livingston, 
daughter  of  Judge  Livingston,  of  Clermont,  in  the  manor  of  Livings- 
ton. In  1799,  a  mansion-house  was  erected  on  the  bank  of  the 
Hudson,  in  Rhinebeck,  where  his  family  were  settled  during  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  inscription  on 
his  monument,  in  the  graveyard  attached  to  the  church  represented 
in  the  engraving. 

"Sacred  to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  Freeborn  Garrettson,  an  itinerant  minister  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  commenced  his  itinerant  miniatiy  in  the  year  1775.  In 
this  work  he  continued  until  his  death,  laboringr  with  great  diligence  and  success  in  various 
parts  of  the  United  States  and  of  Nova  Scotia.  He  died  in  peace,  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  September  27th,  1827,  in  the  76th  year  of  his  age,  and  52d  of  his  ministry.—'  Mark 
the  perfect  man,  and  behold  the  upright,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace,'  Psalm  xxxvi. 
37.—'  I  have  fought  the  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith  :— 
Henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the  righteous 
judge  shall  give  me  at  that  day,  and  not  to  me  only,  but  all  them  also  that  love  his  apoeor. 
ing,' llTim.  iv.7,  8." 

Stanford,  taken  from  Washington  in  1788;  from  New  York  110, 
and  from  Albany  78  miles.  Pop.  2,278.  Stanford,  with  Clinton  and 
Washington,  comprised  Charlotte  precinct  before  the  revolution. 
This  jprecinct*  has  been  settled  about  100  years.  Bangall,  20  miles 
NE.  from  Poughkeepsie,  Attlebury,  Old  Attlebury,  Separate,  Hull's 
Mills,  Stewart's  Corners,  and  Bare  Market,  are  small  settlements. 

Union  Vale,  taken  from  Beekman  and  La  Grange  in  1827;  from 
New  York  76,  from  Albany  90,  and  from  Poughkeepsie,  E.,  15  miles. 
Pop.  1,499.     Verbank  and  Clove  are  post-offices. 

Washington,  organized  in  1788 ;  from  Poughkeepsie,  E.,  16  miles. 
Pop.  2,833.  The  principal  portion  of  the  early  settlers  were  Friends 
or  Quakers,  from  Long  Island  and  the  eastern  states.  Mechanics- 
ville,  15  miles  E.  of  Poughkeepsie,  and  Hartsville,  are  small  villages. 
At  the  former  place  is  the  Nine  Partners -Orthodox  Friends  school, 
which  was  established  in  1797,  and  is  now  flourishing. 


ERIE  COUNTY. 

Erie  county  was  taken  from  Niagara  county  in  1821.  Greatest 
length  N.  and  S.  44,  and  greatest  bmadth  E.  and  W.  30  miles. 
Centrally  distant  from  N«!W  York  357,  from  Albany,  W.,  298  mil(>s. 
Lake  Erie  and  the  Niagara  river  form  its  western  boundary,  the 


ERIE   COUNTY. 


143 


Tonawanta  creek  its  northern,  and  the  Cattaraugus'  its  southern. 

The  many  streams  which  empty  into  Lake  Erie  furnish  fine  mill  sites. 

The  Erie  canal  enters  the  Tonawanta  creek  on  the  northern  border : 

rom  which  a  towing  path  has  been  constructed  along  the  bank  of 

he  creek,  which  is  used  as  a  canal  12  miles  to  the  T?nawanda  vil- 

rfrA/i'i  i  f^-f  ^^''''^  '^^  J"«^*^«»  with  Niagara  river,  near 
l^rand  Island.    A  railroad  connects  Buffalo  with  the  village  at  Niag- 

nortLl^'n??  71"^''^  ''^'.^^"^  ^'^^'^  ^'"'y-     The  surface  in  the 
TrZl  F      ^i  *J\^«"^ty »« level  or  gently  undulating ;  the  southern 
is  more  diversified,  but  no  part  is  hilly.    Generally  the  soil  is  good ; 
consisting  m  the  northern  half,  of  warm,  sandy,  and  gravelly  loam 
occasionally  mixed  with  clay,  and  adapted  to  wheat ;  in  the  southern 
clay  prevails,  and  is  productive  of  grass.     Both  portions  yield  excel- 

nroUmir' Tf  ^'T{  "^^^"^  ^""  '^'"^  ^^  ^^^  1^"^  i/  under  im- 
provement.  The  whole  county  was  within  the  Holland  Land  Com- 
pany s  purchase,  excepting  a  strip  a  mile  wide  on  the  Niagara  river. 
The  county  has  21  towns.    Pop.  62,251. 

Pnn''rQ«^*^!'!/''T,«^'T"?f  ^"  ^^23;  from  Albany  272  miles. 
Pop.  1,984.     Alden,  20  miles  E.  of  Buffalo,  is  a  small  village. 

Pnn  q!^^'   wmp  ^^om  Buffalo  in  1818;  from  Albany  283  miles. 
Pop.  2,440.     Wilhamsville,  10  miles  NE.  from  Buffalo,  is  a  thriving 
village  containing  about  50  dwellings. 
Aurora  was  erected  in  1818,  when  the  former  town  of  Willink 

r'no'I  f'wn^*°'^I?^A"'■*^'■^''^^'««'  ^"d  Holland,  abolishing 
the  name  of  Wilhnk,  which  had  been  given  in  honor  of  one  of  thi 
principal  proprietors  of  the  Holland  Land  Company.  It  has  an  un- 
du  atmg  surface,  soil  clay  and  gravelly  loam.  Pop.  2,909.  Aurora 
vilage  IS  15  miles  SE.  from  Buffalo;  it  contains  aLut  700  inhabit- 
tI  'n  l^f  byterian  and  1  Methodist  church,  and  150  dwellings, 
ihe  baptists  are  the  most  numerous  denomination  in  the  village,  and 
occupy  the  Presbyterian  church  one  half  of  the  time.  The  hydraulic 
privileges  within  one  fourth  of  a  mile  from  the  village  are  very  great 

ZiZ'^  ^^  " -f*  %^irf^  ^">:  ^'^*""^-  ^"«''"'«  Mills  is  a  small  set- 
tlement  3  miles  SW.  from  Aurora.  The  Aurora  Seminary  was 
incorporated  in  1833.  ^»uua,i^    wus 

Boston,  taken  from  Eden  in  1817 ;  from  Albany  289,  from  Buffalo, 
^h'  A  T  J  r  ^^^  '""^  ''  elevated,  the  soil  a  moist  or  wet  loam, 
and  adap  ed  for  grass.  Boston,  Boston  Centre,  and  North  Boston,  are 
small  settlements.     Pop.  1,746. 

^    Black  Rock,  recently  organized,  comprises  what  was  formerly  the 
southern  part  of  the  town  of  Buffalo.     The  village  of  Black  Rock  is 
m  two  divisions,  the  upper  and  lower.     The  post-office,  which  is  in   - 
he  south  part,  is  3  mifes  from  Buffalo,  opposite  the  village  of  Water- 
loo on  the  Canada  side. 

The  following  is  a  distant  northern  view  of  part  of  the  village  of  Black 
Kock ;  the  Canada  side,  on  which  is  the  vilfagc  of  Waterkjo,  is  seen 
on  the  right  and  Lake  Erie  in  the  extreme  distance.     A  ferry  boat 
p^ies  between  Waterloo  and  the  south  part  of  Black  Rock  village 
iNiagara  river  at  this  point  is  three  fourths  of  a  mile  wide,  20  leet 


144 


ERIE   COUNTV. 


Distant  view  of  Black  Rock  and  vicinity. 

deep,  and  runs  with  a  current  of  6  miles  an  hour.  The  harbor  of 
Black  Rock  is  4,565  yards  long  from  N.  to  S.,  and  from  88  to  220 
yards  broad,  containing  an  area  of  136  acres.  It  begins  in  the  lake 
opposite  Buffalo,  at  Bird  island,  and  is  continued,  by  a  mole  of  double 
wooden  cribs  filled  in  with  stone  18  feet  wide  and  2,915  yards  long, 
to  Squaw  island,  and  is  raised  from  1  to  4  feet  above  the  surface  of  the 
river,  rising  gradually  towards  the  north.  A  dam  at  the  end  of  Squaw 
island,  connecting  it  with  the  main  land,  raises  the  water  about  4i  feet 
to  the  level  of  the  lake.  The  average  depth  of  the  water  in  this  harbor 
s  15  feet.  By  means  of  the  dam,  great  water-power  is  obtained,  and 
mills  of  various  kinds  are  established  at  the  lower  village.  The  vil- 
lage of  Black  Rock  contains  about  350  dwellings,  and  2,000  inhabit- 
ants. 

Black  Rock,  in  common  with  other  places  on  the  Niagara  fron- 
tier, was  ravaged  and  burnt  by  the  enemy  in  December,  1813.  On 
the  11th  of  July  previous,  the  British  made  an  attack  on  the  place. 
The  following  particulars  of  this  event  are  compiled  from  the  Buffalo 
Gazette. 

"  The  British  troops  which  crossed  over  at  Black  Rock  on  the  10th  inst.  were  commanded 
by  Cols.  Bishop  and  Warren.  They  crossed  the  Niagara  below  Squaw  island,  and  marched 
far  above  the  iinvy  yard  before  any  iilnrm  was  given.  The  detached  militia  being  surprised, 
retreated  up  the  beach,  and  left  the  enemy  in  (piiet  possession  of  the  village,  who  proceeded 
to  burn  the  sailors'  barracks  and  block-houses  at  the  great  battery.  They  then  proceeded 
to  the  batteries,  dismounted  and  spiked  three  12  pounders,  and  took  nway  3  liold.pieces 
and  one  la  po\inder ;  they  took  from  a  storehouse  a  quantity  of  whiskey,  salt,  flour,  pork, 
&e.,  which,  with  four  citizens,  they  took  across  the  river.  At  the  first  moment  of  the  alarm, 
Gen.  Porter  left  Black  Rock  for  Buffalo,  at  which  place  he  assembled  a  body  of  volunteem 
and  a  few  regulars,  which,  with  100  militia  and  35  Indians,  formed  a  junction  obout  a  mile 
from  the  enoiny.  After  being  fonned,  with  the  militia  and  Indians  on  the  flunks  and  tliai 
volunteers  and  the  regulara  in  the  centre,  they  attacked,  and  the  enemy,  after  a  contest  of 
30  minutes,  retreated  io  the  utmost  confusion  to  the  beach,  embarked  in  several  of  our 
boats,  and  pulled  for  the  opposite  shore  ;  all  the  boats  got  off  without  injury,  except  the  last, 
which  suffered  severely  from  our  fire,  and  from  appearance  nearly  all  llie  men  in  her  were 
killed  or  wounded.  The  British  lost  8  killed  on  the  field,  betides  those  killed  and  wounded 
in  the  boats.  We  took  15  prisoners,  who  were  sent  to  Batavia.  Capt.  Saunders,  of  the 
British  49th,  was  wounded  while  stepping  into  his  boat;  he  was  conveyed  to  Gen.  Porter's 
house.  He  states  that  Col.  Bishoo  was  badly  wounded  and  carried  into  the  boat,  and  says 
also,  that  wveral  killed  and  wounded  were  carried  into  the  boats.  On  our  side.  Sergeant 
Hartman,  Jonathan  Thompson,  and  Joseph  Wright  were  killed,  and  5  woimded,2  of  whom 
were  Indians.    The  Indians  behaved  well  and  committed  no  act  of  cruelty.    They  fought 


ERIE   COUNTY. 


145 


becauae  they  were  friendly  to  the  United  States,  and  because  tl.eir  own  poseeaflione.  which 
TfiXV?'"''*''*'  7'™  '"  ''"T'  »'■  ^^'«>°"-  They  are  opposed  to  craZgThe  S 
nrnSl'  .1,    "^^  M  •''J?  '"""  *"  ^"^'^^  "  *«  '^"'«''°'d  i«  d«fen««  «f  the  country  which 

S  be  SneS7"  ^""""^'"^  "«"""•  •"^^  "ri^*"*  &<"»  ^rie  at  Black  Rock,  where  they  aJ^ 

Fort  Erie,  about  a  mile  S.  from  the  ferry  at  Waterloo  on  the  Can- 

ada  side,  was  a  post  of  much  importance  during  the  last  war.    After 

the  battle  at  Niagara,  the  Americans  fell  back  to  Fort  Erie,  of  which 

they  had  previously  taken  possession.     This  fortress  is  situated  on 

the  margin  of  the  lake,  at  its  outlet  into  the  Niagara  river;  being 

nearly  a  horizontal  plain  15  feet  above  the  level  of  the  water,  it  pos- 

sesses  no  natural  advantages.   On  the  13th  of  Aug.,  1814,  the  British 

troops,  having  invested  the  fort,  opened  a  brisk  cannonade,  which  was 

returned  from  the  American  batteries.    At  sunset  on  the  14th,  one 

ol  their  shells  lodged  in  a  small  magazine,  which  blew  up  without  any 

injurious  effects.     The  following  account  of  the  assault  which  took 

SeW     "     ""  afterward,  is  taken  from  «  Perkins'  History  of  the 

at'i5rD<2?"'Tlf«'''nTJi!J*^Jl.".  T'f'  'V^u  ""r  °^  "»«  "'«•''•  ''^Pt  h"  men  constantly 
mom1L7^^n  -.-t  ?  ^  '^'f'''  "r^  '*•"  ^'"■'y  P""  °^  »'  rainy:  "'  2  o'clock  in  the 
aZ^?!;  r  Bntwh  CO  umns,  enveloped  in  darkness,  were  distinctly  heard  approaching  the 
American  lines.  The  .nfantr>-  under  Maj.  Wood,  and  Captain  Towson's  artHlery.  opLed 
a  bnsk  fire  upon  them.  The  sheet  of  fire  from  this  corps,  enabled  Gen.  Gaines  tTdUcover 
ths  column  of  l^e  Bnt.sh,  1,500  strong,  approaching  the  American  left.  The  infant  wire 
protected  by  a  hne  of  loose  brush  representing  an  abattis  bordering  on  the  riven  Th^ 
Brinsh,  m  attempting  to  pass  round  this,  plunged  into  the  water  breast  high.  The  com 
mandmg  general  was  about  to  order  a  detachment  of  riflemen  to  support  Mai.  Wood  but 
was  assured  by  h,m  that  he  could  maintain  his  position  without  a  reinforeemrnr  The 
Bntiah  columns  were  twice  repulsed,  and  soon  afterward  fled  in  confusion.  On  the  rijrht 
he  lines  were  lighted  by  a  brilliant  discharge  of  musketry  and  cannon,  which  announced 
the  approach  of  the  centre  and  left  columns  of  the  enemy.  The  latter  i^et  the  vetenin  9th 
regmient,  and  Burton's  and  Harding's  companies  of  volunteers,  aided  by  a  6  pound™"  and 
were  repulsed      The  centre  column,  under  Col.  Drummond,  approached  at  the  same  tfme 

wL  H^^lr^''^  ^.l'""  1  *'  '^'^^  "^^  ^■''^  •"="""«  '•''«le«  BBcended  the  parapet,™' 
were  dnven  back  with  great  carnage.     The  assault  was  twice  repeated,  and  as  often  check 

rolL^^mt"'  """"'^^  '^l*"'  '^"^*^"  '^  the  night  and  tL  do Js  of  smoke  wWch 
rolled  from  the  cannon  and  musketry,  then  passed  round  the  ditch,  repeated  their  chawe 

Most  of  the  officets,  and  many  of  the  men,  received  deadly  wounds.  Lieut.  McDonouirh 
being  severely  wounded,  and  in  the  power  of  the  enemy,  surrendered  and  demanded  qu£ 
ter;  Col.  Drummond,  refusing  it,  drew  a  pistol  and  shot  him  dead.    In  a  moment  after 

rfi'e."^  Vh"!  h'T'"*  "'•'  ""^^^  'I  ^''  ""  ^""'^"''  C°>-  J'™"""-'!  wasTh^  through 
\^Va      A  f  fu     "  ^"  """^  '"  **  P«»««»on  of  the  British.     The  battle  raged  with 

mcreased  fury  on  the  nght ;  reinforcements  were  ordered  and  promptly  furnished  from  M^ 

SS  onTh^  "^^  ^"^'-  .K^'P*-  ^'""'"«  ^r  "P  "  "P'"'"''  ""'l  •^«'«""'tive  fire  from  h^s 
arhUery  on  the  enemy  as  they  were  approaching  the  fort.    Majs.  Hindman  and  Trimble 

and  Capt.  Birdsall's  detachment  of  riflemen,  rushed  in  through  the  gateway,  to  the  assisu 
iwi' h'  "^'"'.r' •*•  ""^  Tt  ■/*"?'""',  ''''"8«-  A  detafhment.^nder  ^MaJ  Hair^s 
L^dirr  K  Vr""'  °^'^'  ^'^iT'  ^"^  ""'  P"^"'"  of  charging  the  British,  whi  ISl 
h!  l^Tr  r*    1    •"",  narrowness  of  the  passage,  admitting  only  2  or  3  abreast,  prevented 

^eslThv  1""""  ',  '  •  **  '^7u^'''-  °^'*.*'^  '"  ^^"'«-  ^'  "'i"  """"«■".  «^«ry  operation  was 
wrested  by  the  explosion  of  the  principal  magazine,  containing  a  large  quantity  of  cartridges 

and  powder,  m  the  end  of  a  stone  building  adjoining  the  contested  baition.     WhetheTtWs 

nS!..  f  '"•"^ru'  o  ^^^P'  '^'^  ""'  ''"''^"-  The  explosion  was  tremendous,  and 
its  effects  decisive.  The  Bnt.sh  m  possession  of  the  bastion  were  destroyed  in  a  moment 
As  soon  as  the  tumult  occasioned  by  that  event  had  subsided.  Capt.  Biddle  posted  a  field, 
piece,  so  «i  to  enfilade  the  e»ienor  plain,  and  the  salient  glacis.    Fanning'a  battery  at  Z 


146 


ERIE   COUNTY. 


■ame  time  opened  on  the  British  who  were  now  returning.  In  a  few  minutes  they  were  all 
driven  from  the  works,  leaving  222  killed,  174  wounded  on  the  field,  and  186  prisonei*. 
To  these  losses  are  to  be  added,  those  killed  on  the  left  flank  by  Maj.  Wood's  infantry  and 
Towson's  artillery,  and  floated  down  the  Niagara,  estimated  in  the  official  reports  at  300. 
The  American  loss  during  the  bombardment  of  the  13th  and  14th,  was  9  killed,  and  36 
wounded,  and  in  the  assault  of  the  night  of  the  14th,  17  killed,  56  wounded,  and  11  missing." 

The  British  troops  still  continuing  their  investment  of  Fort  Erie, 
on  the  17th  of  September  a  part  of  the  American  garrison  made  a 
sortie,  and  took  the  British  works  about  500  yards  in  front  of  their 
line.  The  British  had  two  batteries  on  their  left,  which  annoyed  the 
fort,  and  were  about  opening  a  third.  Their  camp  was  about  2  miles 
distant,  sheltered  by  a  wood ;  their  works  were  garrisoned  with  one 
third  of  their  infantry,  from  1,200  to  1,500  men,  and  a  detachment  of 
artillery. 

"Early  on  the  morning  of  the  17th,  General  Porter,  with  a  large  detachment,  was  order, 
ed  to  penetrate  through  the  woods  by  a  circuitous  route,  and  get  between  the  British  main 
body  and  their  batteries ;  while  General  Miller  was  directed  to  take  a  position  in  the  ravine, 
between  the  American  lines  and  the  batteries,  and  attack  them  in  front.  The  advance  of 
Gen.  Porter's  command  consisted  of  two  hundred  riflemen,  under  Colonel  Gibson.  The 
right  column,  of  400  infantry,  commanded  by  Col.  Wood ;  the  left,  under  Gen.  Davis,  of 
500  mihtia,  designed  to  act  as  a  reserve,  and  to  hold  in  check  any  reinforcements  from 
the  Bntisn  main  body.  Gen.  Porter's  corps  carried  the  blockhouse  in  the  rear  of  the  third 
battery  by  storm,  the  magazine  was  blown  up,  and  the  garrison  made  prisoners.  The 
leaders  of  the  3  divisions  under  Gen.  Porter,  all  fell  nearly  at  the  same  time ;  Col.  Gib. 
Bon,  at  the  head  of  the  riflemen,  at  the  second  battery,  and  Gen.  Davis  and  Col.  Wood  in 
an  assault  upon  the  first.  While  these  transactions  were  taking  place  in  the  rear  of  the 
enemy's  works,  General  Miller  in  front  penetrated  between  the  first  and  second  batteries, 
and  aided  by  the  operations  of  Gen.  Porter  in  tlie  rear,  succeeded  in  carrying  them.  With, 
m  30  minutes  from  the  commencement  of  the  action,  2  batteries,  2  blockhouses,  and  the 
whole  line  of  entrenchments  were  in  possession  of  the  Americans ;  and  immediately  after, 
ward,  the  otlier  battery  was  abandoned  by  the  British.  Gen.  Ripley  was  now  ordered  up 
with  the  reserve,  and  at  the  close  of  the  action,  was  dangerously  wounded  in  the  neck. 
Strong  reinforcements  from  the  British  main  body  arrived  while  the  Americans  were  en. 

?;aged  in  destroying  the  works,  and  took  part  in  the  action.  The  object  of  the  sortie  being 
idly  accomplished,  the  American  troops  were  ordered  to  return  to  the  fort.  During  the 
action.  Gen.  Porter,  in  passing  from  the  right  to  the  left  column  of  his  detachment,  accom. 
panied  with  only  2  or  3  officers,  suddenly  found  himself  within  a  few  yards  of  a  body  of 
60  British  soldiers,  who  had  just  emerged  fi-om  a  ravine,  and  were  hesitating  which  way  to 
go.  The  general  immediately  advanced,  and  ordered  them  to  surrender ;  approaching  the 
first  man  on  the  left,  he  took  his  musket,  and  pushed  him  towards  the  American  lines :  in 
this  way  he  proceeded  nearly  through  the  whole  company,  most  of  the  men  voluntarily 
throwing  down  their  arms,  and  retiring  towards  the  fort :  when  on  a  sudden,  a  soldier, 
whose  musket  the  general  was  about  to  seize,  presented  the  bayonet  to  his  breast,  and  de. 
manded  hig  surrender.  Gen.  Porter  seized  the  musket,  and  was  about  wrenching  it  from 
him,  when  he  was  seized  by  a  British  officer,  and  3  or  4  men  who  stood  in  the  ranks,  and 
thrown  on  the  ground.  He  succeeded  in  gaining  his  feet,  when  ho  found  himself  sur. 
rounded  by  15  or  20  men,  with  their  guns  presented  at  him,  demanding  his  surrender.  By 
this  time,  several  American  officers  with  a  number  of  men  weie  advancing  to  the  scene  of 
action.  Gen.  Porter,  now  assuming  an  air  of  composure  and  decision,  told  them  they 
were  now  surrounded  and  prisoners,  and  if  they  fired  a  gun  they  should  all  be  put  to  the 
sword.  By  this  time  a  company  of  Cayuga  riflemen  had  arrived,  and  after  a  momentary 
•cene  of  confusion  and  carnage,  the  whole  British  party  were  killed,  or  made  prisoners." 

The  American  loss  was  79  killed,  432  wounded  and  missing.  The 
British  loss,  as  estimated  by  the  American  commander,  was  500  in 
killed  and  wounded :  385  prisoners  were  taken,  and  their  advance 
works  were  destroyed.  On  the  night  of  the  21st,  Gen.  Drummond, 
after  an  investment  of  56  days,  broke  up  his  camp,  and  retired  to  his 
intrenchments  behind  Chippewa  river. 


ERIE   COUNTY. 


147 


Immediately  after  the  unfortunate  termination  of  the  battle  of 
Queenstown,  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  resigned  the  command  to  Gen 
Smyth,  and  retir.a  from  the  service,     ^pon  taking  the  comrn^d 
Gen.  Smyth  issued  two  proclamations  to  the  citizens  of  New  yS 

to  in'^n^?'"'-  "^^  ^°  ^PP^.^' '"  ^^^^  patriotism,  and  calling  upon  them 
to  join  him  m  an  expedition  to  conquer  Canada  and  secure  peace  to 
he  American  frontier  This  callVas  answered,  and  a  highly  rS 
spectable  force  assembled  for  the  expedition.  Th^  result  of  thb  e^- 
terprise  is  thus  given  in  Perkins'  History  of  the  Late  War 

Smy?h"  SepaS  for^r '!!!''''■^®^^*r*  military  force  collected  at  Black  Rock,  under  Gen. 
Sw  YoTviun, '^  T^r?  *'^„C'"««1«.  amounted  to  4,500  effective  men,  consisting 
L  Brittaore  i^  hn»ul  '■■  ^'"-  ^Tr^  """^  '««"'•*"  and  volunteers  from  Penns^vaLif 
onl  thereVsarJaX^^^  ''''  r'^  fP'J.W^  «f  tranaporS'll 

Sm7h''Ur''aC'i."n„tHi"M''"^',"  "f  «P«'='*'i°".  awaited  their  orders  from  Gen. 

extremity  of  the  Erie  canal;  Lat.  42°  53'  N.,  Ions.  2°  west  from 
Washington.  Distant  from  Albany  by  the  great  western  road  298 
^^:'l  ^l!^^  .^"^  '^"""''  3«^  5  fr^*"  New  Yorl  by  iUbaLv  and  Utka 
73  VrL  Nr"''""f  ^-  ho^r^'''^^'^  Ithaca.'35^7 ;  SSoches^  :^^^ 
Ohio  Tn^  f^n  M«'22;  fromErie,Penn.,90;  from  Cleveland 
Monireaf  L  r4?7  ?''.'f^''V'?'  ^^^^  Toronto.  U.  C,  72;  from 
r  nnrt  nf  •  7  V  ^"u  ^'T  ^ashrngton  City,  376  miles.  Buffalo  is 
oXk  IJV^J'^V^^F'V^  ^'«^"«t,  including  Silver  Creek, 
th^ir^^;  ?A      '*'''"^'  ''".^  'J'  ^''^^^  the  falls.     It  is  an  entrepot  for 

of  tC  P     T"^'"/  u""^'  ^"*^'^^"  N«^  York  and  a  large  portion 
01  Vmer  Canada  and  the  great  west 

nvTt' h^ff  originally  laid  out  in  1801,  by  the  Holland  Land  Compa- 

K:  ?L     f  °''  ^u"""^^  "''"«  ^0  ^««t  ^bove  the  water,  and  partly  on 

Ind  laTe"    Th"''^^  ground  extending  from  the  terrace  to  the  crX 

and  lake.    This  marsh  has  been  drained,  and  a  large  portion  of  the 


1 


:^£: 


148 


KRIB  COUNTY. 


business  part  of  the  city  lies  upon  it.    The  Erie  canal  from  Tone- 
wanda  viUace  is  continued  along  the  margin  of  Niagara  river  and 

.Ltf^  *!*  *^®  ^^^^  ^y  l^^  ""'^y-  ^  "^<*'6  o'"  pier  of  wood,  and  stone, 
1,500  feet  long,  extends  from  the  south  side  of  the  mouth  of  the  creek 
forming  a  partial  breakwater  to  protect  the  shipping  from  the  gales' 
which  are  lelt  here.  For  the  better  accommodation  of  trade,  a  ship 
canal,  80  feet  wide  and  13  deep,  was  completed  in  1883,  across  the 
harbor  near  the  mouth  of  the  creek,  a  distance  of  700  yards.  A  light- 
house built  of  hmestone  stands  on  the  end  of  the  pier,  46  feet  in 
height. 

From  the  time  of  the  foundation  of  this  place  to  1812,  it  increased 
slowly.  In  that  year  it  became  a  military  post,  and  in  December, 
1813,  every  building  in  it  was  burnt  save  two,  by  the  British  and  In- 
dians.  Many  of  the  inhabitants  were  taken  prisoners  to  Montreal. 
The  place  was  soon  rebuilt,  and  by  1817,  it  contained  100  houses, 
some  ot  which  were  large  and  elegant.    It  was  incorporated  as  a 

f  o^n  u  M?^'  *"**i  "?  ^?^^'  ^^^  ***«  courthouse  and  jail,  ^d  upwards 
of  300  buildings.  It  had  then  felt  in  advance  the  influence  of  the 
J!irie  canal,  and  much  improvement  was  made  in  anticipation  of  the 

fi?'"^ in«  •''u^t^*  S'"^''*  t'^°^''-    ^^  ^^29,  it  had  400  houses  and  more 

than  2,000  inhabitants.    It  was  incorporated  as  a  city  in  1832,  and 

contains  at  this  time  about  2,000  houses,  and  18,041  inhabitants. 

Ihere  are  13  churches,  viz:  1  Presbyterian,  1  Episcopal,  1  Free 

Congregational,  1  German  Lutheran,  1  Unitarian,  1  Methodist  Epis- 

copal,  1  Methodist  Reformed,  1  Baptist,  1  Universalist,  2  Catholic.  1 

l^erman  Evangelical,  and  1  Bethel,  a  literary  and  scientific  academv. 

incorporated  in  1827,  3  banks,  5  weekly  and  2  daily  newspapers 

and  many  hotels  and  taverns  required  for  the  great  concourse  of 

strangers  here.   The  buildmgs,  public  and  private,  are  generally  good. 

many  of  them  four  stories  higli,  among  which  are  fine  specimens 

architecture.    An  enterprising  citizen,  Mr.  Rathbun,  during  the 

llZf^'r'.T^^^.l^  buildings,   at  an  aggregate  cost  oftbout 

£i^c°  '       "^^^^  ^**''"®^      *^^  ^^'*  '''^'^'  ^^  ^we"''^Ks,  a 

.u'^T^j-^*'"^^''"^  ^?  *  western  view  of  the  Seneca  Mission  church,  on 
the  Indian  reservation,  four  miles  from  the  main  street  in  Buffalo.  The 
church  is  somewhat  on  the  congregational  plan.  This  buildinc  was 
erected  in  1829,  almost  wholly  at  the  expense  of  the  Indians.  The 
Kev.  Asher  Wright  is  their  minister,  and  resides  a  short  distance  from 
the  church.    In  order  to  render  himself  more  useful  to  them,  he  has 

fh^w!f  1 -^^''mf  ^"^®'  ^'  V'^y  ^""^  ''"*  P^'^t'^^^y  acquainted  with 
the  t^nghsh.  They  seem  to  be  much  attached  to  him.  The  Indian 
burying  ground  is  about  25  rods  north  of  the  church.  This  spot  is 
the  site  ot  an  Indian  fort,  on  which  some  vestiges  of  the  wall  are  still 
remaining.  The  Senecas  have  a  tradition  that  there  was  a  great  battle 
fought  here  against  a  hostile  tribe  ;  that  the  bodies  of  the  slain  were 
collected,  and  burnt-sacrifices  were  offered,  &c.     This  is  strongly 

fnTwT*.  ^.!^^-^'^\.^^  '^r'^"  ^^"^^'  th'^^^  of  animals,  and  c?rn 
m  a  burnt  state,  having  been  dug  up  on  this  spot.    Four  or  five  graves 


ii  ■ 


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l::,!;.,i;;i:iii!iii!i;fa,iii,i.!:.  yBliiii,: 


ERIE   COUNTy. 


149 


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&neca  Mission  House,  Buffalo  Reservation.       ^., 

twlfo^fXrT!??'  i'^^"  following  inscriptions  were  copied  from 
iwo  01  them.  Ked  Jacket's  monument  was  erected  by  some  persons 
connected  with  the  theatre  in  Buffalo :  ^  ^ 

thr^t^^'l^rr"*;  K'^P"  Awake,  i?erf  /acie*;  chief  of  the  Wolf  Tribe  of  the  Senecas 
the  friend  and  protector  of  his  people.    Died  Jan.  20,  1832,  aged  78  years.   Erected  bj-^' 

and  JanTS  blZ'L' .r*"'''  ^r""'  '1'^''  J^'"'"'"'  ''«'"e'""  "^  Thomas  Jemiaon 
ken  cwtive  a  M«Z  r  u'  p*""  ''*'T,?.  ^'"'''"'*  ""'^  Philadelphia  in  1742,  or  '43,  ta- 
dfan  fam  Lin  17^5^  '*'''':.  ^*"^'"  *"5'  •="'^«*'  ''"^n  'he  Ohio,  adopted  into  an  In- 
Place  rS'jT  ir.A''^"'*"'  *"  9"""^.*  "^•"'  ^"  naturalized  in  1817,  Removed  to  thi, 

hope^oithrA..  K  t'^^u'^"'  ^'u'""^'  *'•*"'«  •»  ^"^  weeka  before  expressed  a 
nope  01  pardon  through  Jesua  Chnst.    The  council  of  the  Lord  shall  stand."         »"   ™""' 

There  are  about  nine  hundred  Indians  on  the  Buffalo  creek  reser- 
vation;  ot  this  number  about  six  hundretl  and  seventy-five  are  Sen- 
fnnr '  «  '"•^s*  ^^no^dagas  Oneidas,  Tuscaroras,  a  few  Mohawks,  and 
wnr  l^r  Stockbndge  Indians.  They  have  eight  peace  and  two 
N«finn,  Vl!^''  ^""^^  u"*'^*  '"  ^^«  *^^""«''  «<■  ^hc  confederated  Six 
innlT/i  •  T.  '''■*'  "^"""^  "'"*^^y  *^'"^^''  •"  the  Seneca  nation,  per- 
o Tnn  r"'"**  ^?  T"  ^'■^*^'^''  *^'^-  These  chiefs  preside  over  about 
*,40(ni,dians,  who  hve  on  the  Buffalo  creek,  Tonewanda,  Allegany, 

Tr.!^  TT'  '•«««'^^«t'on«-  Many  attempts  have  been  made,  by 
tiSv"^!- p  ^T"^"*!'  ^""P^  possession  of  the  Indian  lands  in  thi 
vicmity  of  Buffalo.     It  ,s  believed  that  the  full  extent  of  the  bribery. 

.IrA.:!  r"?."^  "^^'""^  *"*'  ^^*'"  practised  upon  the  Indians,  in 
order  to  make  fhcm  sign  treaties  for  their  lands,  will  never  be  fully 
known  At  present,  only  about  one  fi)urte.,-nth  part  of  the  Indians 
are  willing  to  remove.  Whether  the  recent  attempts  of  th(;  land 
speculators  to  get  the  Indian  territory  into  their  possession  will  prove 
successful,  remains  to  be  seen. 

The  follt.wing  is  an  eastern  view  of  the  house  of  William  Jones,  and 
the  cabin  of  Red  Jacket,  both  situated  about  80  rods  from  the  Mis- 
«ion  church.  The  house  of  Jones,  which  is  seen  on  the  right,  ii  a 
fair  specimen  of  the  k'tter  sort  of  Indian  houses.  \i  is  said  tfct 
Jones  was  ofllTed  ten  thousand  dollars  bv  the  land  speculators,  if  he 


150 


BBIE   COUNTY. 


li 

i 


House  of  Red  Jacket,  on  the  Buffalo  Reservation. 

Ahhll,  J"  *"''  "^""^  to  the  treaty,  conveying  away  the  Indian  lands. 
Although  as  anxious  and  diligent  as  most  white  men  in  the  pursuit  of 
wealth,  yet  considering  It  would  be  injurious  to  his  Indian  brethren, 
he  refused  the  bribe.  The  cabin  seen  on  the  left,  is  constructed  of 
hewed  logs,  and  was  the  residence  of  the  celebrated  chief  Red 
Jacket,  during  the  latter  period  of  his  life.  It  stands  back  a  few  rods 
^°m.   ^  ^      '         '^  ^"'^^  humble  in  its  appearance. 

rhe  following  biographical  sketch  of  Red  Jacket  is  taken  princi- 
pally  from  the  14th  vol.  of  the  New  York  Mirror,  and  partly  from 
persons  on  the  reservation,  who  W'-re  acquainted  with  the  subject  of  it. 

Red  Jack-'t  WM  bom  in  1756.  His  birthk:'«ce  is  sLnpoeed  to  have  been  at  n  place  for 
merly  caUed  "Old  Caste,"  about  3  miles  west  of  Geneva,  in  the  presLu,^"ite  of  £  town 
of  Seneca.  H>8  Indmn  name  was  Sa.go.you.v,at.ha,  a  word  Rignifying  one  who  C 
awake  by  niagical  ,nfl,>rnce.     During  the  revolution,  the  Scnecas  fought  under  7heMl2 

Z"'lokcT°tZ'::r''''  '"  ""T  "f  '"'•'"««"'^*'  attracted  the ",,;«!!:,«  otS 
intish  otticcrs.  By  them  he  was  presented  Willi  a  richly  embroidered  scarlet  jacket  This 
he  wore  on  all  occasums,  and  from  this  circumstance  ar.«e  .he  name  by  wWch  he  is  known 
among  he  wh.tes.  Dunng  the  revolution  he  took  httle  or  no  part  Ja  wamor  bmhk 
personal  act,v„y  arjd  transc.,nd.mt  talents  won  the  esteem  of  his  tribe.    A  Sin  Iho 

nn    .nit  M-  ..     A  ?  t^  T"*  "  P'"'*'"'^'  ^"'^"•"  '"  •'^'^'-y  '^'m<^U  in  costume,  in  his 

onumpt  of  the  dress  of  the  wh.te  men,  in  his  hatred  and  opposition  to  the  n.i^i  „ari 
m.l  m  his  attachment  to  and  veneration  for  the  ancient  custot^s  and  tra.litions  of  lis  "iL 
lie  had  a  contempt  for  the  English  language,  and  disdained  to  use  any  oi her  than     «  own" 
llo  wt«  the  hnest  i-pec.men  of  the  Indian  character  that  1  ever  knew,  and  su.  nined  ft  Ji^h 

.m  orntor  he  was  unequalled  by  any  Indian  I  ever  saw.  His  laiigungo  was  benu  i(i  1  and 
fipurat.ve,  as  the  Indian  language  always  w,  and  drliv..r<.d  with  the  greate'"  c  se  and 
Juency.  His  gesticulation  was  .'asy,  graceful,  and  natural.  Hu.  voice '^^^s.iUu' and 
clear  and  he  always  spoke  will,  grent  animation.  His  memory  was  very  strong  I  h«vo 
nried  as  interpreter  to  mo.t  of  hi.  speeches,  to  which  no  translation  could'do  adequate  jus" 

wl*!.*.  nfr""'"*^  interesting  anecdotes  are  illuFtrative  of  his  peculiar  point,  of  character,  as 
« oil  as  of  I,,,  ready  eloquenc. .  At  a  council  held  with  the  Senecas.  a  dispute  arose  between 
Oov.  rompkin,  and  Red  Jacket,  connected  with  a  treaiy  of  some  yea™  s.^Xa  The 
g.m.rnor  ..nted  one  ,hn,g.  .nd  the  Indian  chief  insisfd  ,ha.  the  reverse  was  tn  e  But"  i.la. 
r.«ned.  you  have  forgot,en-we  have  it  written  down  on  paper."  •'The  paper  then 
t.  ».  he,"  was  the  confident  answer ;  "  I  have  it  written  here,"  continued  the  chief  p.cn« 

tem."''ou;  fc-'r'^' "'•''"  ^''''T*-  "^""  Yankees' are  born  VS  at  niCbo' 
«ween  your  fingen.;  but  your  paper  doe.  not  .peak  ilie  truth.    The  Indian  keep,  b^ 


ERIE   COUNTY. 


151 


knowledge  here-this  is  the  book  the  Great  Spirit  gave  us-it  does  not  lie  •"  A  refer^nrfl 
Tnd  nS2,h"^?T  !''  '^^"'^  '"  •'"^'"■''"'  "^->  ^^  ^"  "tonSit  of  t  present 
had  uuetd   ^  '  '"''"''  ""'''"'*"•  '•>«  •*»•="'"«"»  '^""fi™*"!  «very  word  tfiat  he 

fa/et?eTa^1riTn?  t  T'."'*  r"  'il^'u"  ''"'''y  ^"^  ''^''^  ^'"^  ^«  ^"dians  at  which  La. 
TJH  "^"^  P'^«««n.''  ."le  object  of  which  was  to  unite  the  various  tribes  in  amitv  wiA 

ttTt  e«n;ci dlv'hv"^"""'  "^  "*'  ?»''^'"\^«>;«  friendly,  but  there  w«,  muVh  o„Kn  m^de 
wi^'rmeriS\/HhrM"^'^T°'r''e  •''"''''?'*  that  when  an  alliance  wksenteredTto 
7hT  k  I  T  'j-  ^'"*"'**  consider  that  the  sun  of  his  country  had  set  forever.  In  his  travels 
through  the  Indian  country,  when  last  in  America,  it  happened  at  a  large  assembCrof 
"  tt  tSi'^T"'  '"'"■'■"1  'o  the  treaty  in  question,  a'd  tumfng  to  RedTrke.^^aid. 
Pray  tel  me,  if  you  can,  what  has  become  of  that  daring  youth  who  so  decidedly  oDDo^d 
"  hTr'T  ^"'  ^fl'^.^  """"y^"    "I  'ny^elf  am  the  man,"  .^pUedTd  jKI 

relin.H  w^"""!'."^"'"  ^'"«rip=!"'';  »»  '""g  »«  the  hope  of  successfully  opposing  them 
remained,  but  now  their  true  and  faithful  ally  until  death  "  PP"""g  mem 

thro.TVi'tl^f  '^"'  ^^i  i'^'''^"'  ^}'^.  ^^  '"''«  """«'«''  »"  f'e  American  side.    He  fought 
^  hf /vK>  ^^'%'^'"'''"'^/7'*5""'  '•'^  most  undaunted  intrepidity;  while  in  no  inSe 
did  he  exhib.  the  ferocity  of  the  savage,  or  disgrace  himself  by  any  act  of  inhumanity 
vnln  ^"'^f'J'^  'he  foe  of  the  white  man.    His  nation  w  Jhis  god  ;  her  ho^orLser 
valion,  and  liberty,  his  religion.    He  hated  the  missionary  of  the  cross  because  h^  fear/d 

nreVrndltTcTristitt!""^  "'"  P^''^'/'  """  '"^ependencrof  t  Senet  "Se 
never  understood  Christian  t>-.  Its  sublime  disinterestedness  exceeded  his  conceotions 
He  was  a  keen  observer  of  human  nature  ;  and  saw  that  among  white  and  red  men  «  X 

sScr  wLT''"\*'t-^P""f  "'r"''-  /^  '''^-'"°-  nrryoLghs'iSevi^ 
Hs  tfil.  w t  a'^a   T-  ^\'"^".'  °-    '"""^  ''?'«"  °"  "^'^  ''"'«  ""d  deoriy  prized  domaTns^ 

WM  called^e  ChH^  1"  ^  ^"",1! '  °"."  "^  ^^''^'  '"''""  ^''""^  '"  f»^°^  "^  'he  missionaries 
whn^i  u  ..  C:?"f' an.  and  the  other,  from  their  opposition,  the  pagan  party.  His  wife 
who  would  attend  the  religious  meetings  of  the  Christian  part^  received  ZchporBecu*  on 
eZd  ^hi."f^r  '''=°""'-  .»"ri"«.h«  ""'t  «ckne.s  there  seemed  to  be  quite  a  change  in 
wfsiilv  thafhl'rH''''''''''".^A^"''''''"u''^-  u"«  ^''P'"'''"^'y  '«'""''«'»  '"his  wife,  that  he 
Advice  ^LhP,"P  P"""™'*''  her._that  she  was  right  and  he  wrong,  and  a«  his  dying 
aavice,  told  her,  "Perievere  m  your  religion,  it  »  the  right  way  ."•  '    '' 

tendinr«„?t.  r  ^l"  «'«"?«'.]'«  .«/"t  for  Mr.  Harris,  the  missionary;  but  he  was  aU 
rWeflThlhr*'''.^ '""""■'•'"''  did  not  receive  the  message  until  after  the  death  of  the 
Khnt.u  I  >  f  wandenng  moments  it  is  said  that  he  directed  that  a  vial  of  cold  water 
should  be  placed  in  his  coffin  so  that  he  might  have  something  with  which  ?o  fight  direvil 

Sd  h1n,'r;^T'''l  ""'"'""■  "^  P'°P'"  *"'■'""  ^""■'''''  '"'«"<l«d  h«  '■""«^al.  som^e  o  whom 
Hished  him  biined  m  the  ancient  or  pagan  style.  He  was,  however,  interred  n  the  Chris  "nn 
manner,  in  aecoidance  with  the  wishes  of  his  relatives.     He  left  two  Hives  but  none  of 

i^bLB  Hvri^l'l!'"-,  Tk^V' '■'^  rr^r'-P"''"*  '"  havered  ChrisJl  "Rev 
nf  R.H  r  r.  •  ^^^f  '°  'h«  Senecas  before  the  war  of  1812,  states  that  one  of  the  sons 
of  Red  Jacket  was  the  first  convert  to  Christianity  from  this  tribe 

»;or  some  months  previous  to  his  death,  lime  had  made  such  ravages  on  his  constitution 
ZZ  r^V  ^'"  ^""''  '.•"'?"''"  "'■  '"«  approaching  dissolution.  T^that  event  he T»^  oT 
verted,  and  always  in  the  anguage  of  philosophic  calmness.  He  visited  suet"  ssiveW  a  hi 
most  intimate  friends  at  their  cabins,  and  convened  with  them  upoHhe  cond  tion  of  tho 
nation  in  the  most  aflbcting  and  impressive  manner  He  t« M  fh„l  T..  ^ 
away,  and  his  counsels  would  soon  be  heard  no  more  H«  ™n  n^  Ti.  t  .'"'  was  pawimg 
Pie  irom  the  most  remote  period  to  Jliehtrnri'Tdge "itZ  d"  n^  reS'om 

conMh  ."iTha" tto,;  """r°""'  r\  !'",  '""  °^  -•'""'•"■'•  '^•hich  aim':!:"  o?  ZClve" 
consiitutul  that  history.  I  am  about  to  leave  you,"  said  he.  "  and  when  I  am  mini,  .n,! 
my  warning  shall  no  longer  be  heard  or  regarded,  the  emit  and  the  Tvar"  • ,  o?  T  wh.to 

H"and"  1  Zei  IT^'  "'""™  ''/r,"  ^  ^'"'T'^  ">e  stomi,  but  I  am  an  ied  tr'.'  and  can 
Bian.l  no  longer.  My  leaves  are  fallen,  my  branches  are  withered  and  I  am  shnknn  hv 
every  breeze.     .Soon  my  aged  trunk  will  be  prostrate,  and  the  fo    '  of  tir  exult  ng  foe  If 

•h  anTudrifitt"  P  "[^'V"""  '  "'  •"'"'?  ■•  '"'  •  '""vo  none  who  will  be  enabled  ^uZJe 
mi  h  an  indignity.     1  hink  not  I  mourn  for  myself.     I  g„  to  join  the  spirits  of  niv  fathiT 

re'ratJ^edTd'S;'  ?'  "'"  "■="'  ^^"  -"^  '  '^'"^  "^  -^  ^l.^^: ^^l  I^^lTo' 

At  the  time  of  the  burning  oi  Bufinio  in  the  Ja«t  war,  mogt  of  the 
regular  American  troops  were  removed  from  the  Niagara  frontier. 
l»ov.  lompkms,  on  being  informed  of  this,  ordered  out  the  mihtia  for 


:-  f  I. 


i?  RbTn    ?"  ^i^  p^ J ,  ^«r "'^^"'  *«^3,  Gen.  Hall  had  assembled 
at  Black  Rock  and  Buffalo  2,000  men.    On  the  night  of  the  29th 

forcr  TLTnitlrr^''^  approaching  the  Americafshl  ingr' at 
tl^u  J  fl  7''*'^,^w«^e  ordered  to  oppose  their  landing,  but  the 
main  body  fled  on  the  approach  of  the  enSny.    Col.  BlSev's  reo^T 
ment,  with  other  detached  corps,  amounting  in  the  whole  to  a^^; 
600  men,  formed  in  a  line,  and  poured  a  destructive  fire  on  the  ene^v 
as  they  approached  the  shore.     They  were,  however!  over«,3 
by  numbers,  and  forced  to  retire.    Gen.  Hall  retired  wi  h  IKmaTns 
of  the  dispersed  mihtia  to  Eleven  Mile  creek,  where  he  wL^Sp  ?n 
collect  onfy  about  300  men  to  cover  the  flymg Thabitl^ts     The 
frontier  presented  one  scene  of  universal  desolai„«Semisera 
ble  mhabitants  who  escaped  the  Indian  tomahawk;  fled  intoZelnl 
tenor,  without  shelter  or  means  of  support,  in  the  depth  of  wintP^ 
and  subsisted  on  the  charity  of  their  friends."    The  folfoVing  rSve 
^  to  these  events,  is  extracted  from  an  official  letter  to  Gr^mpS' 

we';t?r^rBiro?t'  i^rlJ'Ld^  "''"''"*"  of  that  place,  and  thecounuy 
the  enemy,  fled  L  left  Sieirhres  C  w.r! t*  'T'"'"^  information  of  the  landingTf 
and  found\at  flrrilhlg  vMWe  toi  d^  J  ^"""""^^^  ">  Buffllo, 

a  jail,  which  m  buih  of  sfo^e  Taman  fLi«  hZ  J""  ""'^  ^"'''''"«'  remaining  in  it  are 
cit  ^f  Buffalo  on  the  Bata4  road  folTwn  i^Z  •  ""''  !•"  "'."""l"''  '^''^'    ^"  'h"  ^ouse. 

Williaa,.ville  and  in   tsTci^.^der  it  00™^  nf^^^     h   "C^  "^  ^^'^"''^  •"""*•« 
number  on  the  ridge  road  nel'/t^l^tal.'SMho  coSlrW 
the  intention  of  Gen.  Hall,  who  was  at  R«.„vi.   ,„     '=°'""'"'^  «'  Co'-  Hopkms.     It  was 
BUtiona  to  1.000  men      Therwa^dao  at  Sk^C'^i^An''  *"  ""^^er  at  each  oi  thea, 
of  Major  Riddle,  who  had  rac^rd  H^l  tZZ^tVmZ'^ill^l  ""'"  ""'  ^"'""""^ 

™  """r'fr^^^'y  ^''''1"^'*  ^^^"^  ^^"'ns'  '  situated  in  the  southwestern 
corner  of  the  county,  bounded  partly  on  the  S.  by  CaUarZus  crS 
centrally  distant  from  Buffalo  26  miles.  Pop.  /o^g*"^*^*"*?"'  <^^e«'' ' 
t-HEEKTowAOA  recently  erected  from  the  southcri,  portion  of  Am 
herst ;  from  Buffalo.  W.,  7  miles.  The  line  of  Uie  bXio  and  BatT 
via  railroad  passes  centrally  through  the  town.  Pop  I  137 
'm^'tT'''''  ^^«""'^«<*  •»  1808 ;  bounds  since  altered  ;  from  Albany 
dwelirngt    lSpT27i   ''  ""'''  ^^^   ^^  Buffalo,  has  loitS 

Bfelt-mt'"  fJ^tlV'"'   '''"^  ^'^^"^  ''''  ^-- 
CoLUN«.  taken  from  Concord  in  1821 ;  from  Buffalo.  S..  30  miles 

(See  1  ersia.  Cattaraugus  co.)     A  large  portion  of  this  town  ^s  set 

-iliiflaT^f  •         '•  '•'''•     ^^'""'  '^"^^•'  ""'^  ^•'"^'  ^^-^'  - 


ERIE    COUNTY. 


153 


Concord,  taken  from  Willink  in  1812;  from  Albany  282  mJl^, 

teif  r"fft'J"««rP^rated  in  1834, 28  miles  SE.7S  Buffalo  h^' 

iideC'  110  dlir''^'  '-?^  '   Presbyterian  church,  a  flourirng 

errdTS  the  expSe^o^^^^^^^  '''''%'  'f'^'  ^''"""^  -i'^ 

about  7nn  ,«i!„k-f    !       ?}  *2'',000,  two  woollen  factories,  «fec.,  and 

sta^?agL''tor3,oS^^^^^^^^  "^^"^^^  ^"^  ^^^^^*  ^---  - 

mil!s'\def  an^Vj  ^^v^\  """^''^^^  *^'^'^»*  ^^^^  Buffalo,  S.,  16 
mues.     ±,den  and  Eden  Valley  are  small  villages.     Manv  German 
and  Swiss  emigrants  have  settled  in  this  town.  ^Pop.  S 
SW     fo'  '^w'"  ^T  ^*^f"  ^"  *^21 5  fr^'"  Albany  293,  from  Buffalo 
PoT."l,822  *^''"'''''"  ^""^^^^  ^"'^  Evans^re  ;mall  ;Skgt: 

tant  sTTn  ^^M^"  ^''^^  ^'"'"^  ^"  ^^^^  ;  from  Buffalo  centrally  dis- 
tant, biu.,  10  miles.     Hamburg,  E.  Hamburg.  Water  Vall^v  iVhw 

Buffalo  SF  ^Ji'^'f  ""^  4"r^'"  ^^^^  '  ^"""'^^  ^i'^^e  altered  ;  from 
uuttaio,  SE.,  24  miles.     Holland  is  a  small  village.     Pop   1  242 

Lancaster,  taken  from  Clarence  in  1833  ;  from  Albanv  Qsnli 
Lancaster,  10  miles  E.  of  Buffalo,  is  a  small  vEeffi^^^ 
tlie  Lancaster  and  Alden  line,  is  L  post-office      pfp.  2  08^  '"" 

Nkwstead,  originally  organized  by  the  name  of  Erie  as  Dart  of 
Genesee  county,  and  taken  from  Batavia  in  1804  rfromAlbaEv  260 

sn^^al'viltr"'   M  '"''^^^^•  ^'•«'"  Buffalo,  and  Fish^r'f  FaUs,  are 
small  villages.     Newstead  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  2,653.       "^"''^'^"^ 

Safdiron  ftV^r  ^^^"^^^^  '"  ^«21  ;  fro^m  Albany  273  miles 

Isla^ndTthrsri'  '"'"""^  *"^f "  ^^^"^  Buffalo.  It  comprises  Grand 
land  '  Pon  1  o^n  '^■'"^^'  ""?  ^  ''"^"  ^'''^^t  °^  ^he  adjoining  mTn- 
both  side7;f  Ton;w7^"'""".^^^'^^  ^'^«  ^^  the  miuth  ?nd  on 
of  the tLk  beZTm/'tfi^'.^  'y'"^*^"  the  north  side 

from  Locknort   if  N  ^^^"theld,  Niagara  co.    It  is  16  miles  SW. 

Nia^am  raCad  ami"  ttT^"^^'"'  ■""  V^-^''""^  «^  ^he  Buffalo  and 

irnrn  P-.iio     T*  j  l   ^*^'^"  *^  miles,  and  ends  w  thin  3  of  Nia. 

gara  fails.     Its  breadth  varies  fmm  'i  tr.  n  ^i  " '.  ?    ,,  ^^}^' 

is  and  to  tho  Fna«  p  >„.      n         1        *"^  siaie,  m   l  odd,  sold  Grand 
of  Uie  prlsS  Lw  nifv';;ft'  ^T  ''''''''  "P?"  '''  «"  ^he  site 

Tonew!mdli  crtk  X  vXe  o/m  'V^'  T"V^  "*■  ^'^^ 

Stcnhen  Whifn  JL\  '    •  T    ^      \.,"^'"te  Haven,  (named  after  Mr. 


' 


154 


RSBEX    COUNTY. 


wharf,  several  hundred  feet  lon^,  and  a  spacious  dock  of  piles  for 
storing  and  securing  floating  timber.  The  principal  object  of  the 
company  is  to  prepare  timber  for  vessels  on  the  lakes  and  the  ocean, 
httmg  the  frames  to  the  models  given ;  in  which  they  avail  them- 
selves, not  only  of  their  special  resources  on  the  island,  but  of  all 
which  the  vast  region  around  the  upper  lakes  affords."  The  oper- 
tions  of  this  company  are  at  present  suspended. 

"  In  1816  and  '17  a  number  of  pcnone  from  tho  United  Stated  and  Canada  went  on  this 
island.  Tlwy  marked  out  the  boundaries  of  their  different  possessions;  eleciod  mngigtrates 
and  other  officers  Irom  among  themselves ;  and  gave  out  that  they  were  amenable  to  neither 
government,  but  an  independent  community.  After  tho  question  of  boundary  was  setUod. 
the  slate  of  New  York  passed  a  law  to  drive  them  off;  but  that  was  not  effected  till  the 
severe  measure  was  resorted  to  of  destroying  their  houses,  which  was  done  by  the  sheriff 
and  posse  of  Lrie  county.  'Grand  Island  was  selected  by  Major  Noah,  (now  of  the  city 
of  New  York,)  on  which  to  build  a  city,  and  establish  a  colony  of  Jews,  with  tho  view  of 
making  it  the  Ararat,  or  resting-place  of  that  dispersed  people.  There  it  was  anticipated 
Uiat  their  government  would  be  organized,  and  thence  the  laws  would  emanate  which 
^ain  were  U>  bring  together  tho  children  of  Israel,  and  re-establish  them  as  a  nation  upon 
the  earth.  The  European  Rabbi  did  not  sanction  the  scheme,  and  it  vanished  as  a  day. 
dream  of  the  learned  and  worthy  projector."— Stee/r'«  Book  of  Niagara  Falla. 

The  monument  erected  by  Major  Noah  is  now  standing.  It  is 
about  14  tt;et  in  height.  The  lower  part  is  built  of  brick,— the  upper 
or  pyramidal  portion  is  of  wood,  and  the  whole  pointed  white.  The 
following  is  inscribed  upon  the  tablet,  which  faces  the  east. 


ARARAT, 

A  CITY  or  KEFl'SE  FOR  THK  JEWS, 

Founded  hy  Mordkcai  M.      Noah,  in  the  Month  TiZRi,  5586, 

September,  1825,  and  in  tlie  50th  year  of  American 
Independence. 


Walks,  taken  from  Willink  in  1818  ;  from  Buffalo,  SE.,  20  miles. 
Wales,  S.  Wales,  and  Wales  Centre,  are  villages.     Pop.  2,441. 


ESSEX  COUNTY. 

EesKX  roiiNTV,  formed  from  Clinton  in  1799,  was  originally  settled 
from  New  England,  its  gniatest  length  N.  and  S.  43,  greatest 
breadth  E.  and  W.  41  miles;  centrally  distant  from  New  York  271, 


•  2V«iM.— "  Hear,  O  larwl,  (ha  Lord  our  God  is  one  Lord."— Deut.  vi.  4. 


ESSEX    COUNTY. 


165 


So  [s^tow'lil^'^^TS?  """r  ^'^P;  23'«20.  The  county  is  divided 
on«  in  JS.7  K  .''•  l"'"^^*'^  ^^  ^h'«  ^'^""ty  is  decidedly  mountain- 

In  additTon  ♦  ^P"?  ''  ^"l"  ^  ^^'•'^'"g  ^^^^^'^^t  to  the  St.  LawrenT 
^addition  to  this,  ,t  may  be  remarked,  that  the  hills,  as  well  as  the 

Z  r''  ^'"^  ''""P  *"^.  ^^••"Pt'  ^d  ^^"'osi  uniformly  present  on 
no  Ion?  ir^'T  rf  y  perpendicular.  In  this  county  there  are 
no  long  and  gradual  slopes,  or  gentle  risings  towards  the  monn 

rerc'i'v^^h'^r^'^^^'^f  ^  ^^^  ditfcurAscenr  Asu" 
£rh  nf  ?K      ^  *^V'  ^'^^racterized,  combined  also  with  great  heiX 

t^a  very  ,r?arel J^'  '"^  T^'T^'y  «^  numerous ^pLL.afers 
lo  a  very  great  extent  its  agncultura    character.     Bv  this  cnmhmu 

tmn,  the  mean  temperature  of  the  county  is  reduced  so  low  Zuhe 
cultivationof  someof  the  most  useful  vegetables  is  preventrd  or  thev 
frost'^Tn^r'T'"'  ^"  '^'^'^^""t  «f  '^t«  springs  anTeayautLnna^ 
S  "ment '  "Th"?"'"'  1!  ''^'^  ''"^  ''^^  ^T"^' ^^em  even^rmaUer 

«CnVy^a^7lrrT?  '^  '^^  ''""^^"^  mine'ml  rlt  e 
intgidTo^rrta1:Cttj  vX^otX^rt^  ^""^^ 
numerous  beds  of  magnetic  iron  ot  wouM  s^Lt^c  n^y'a  n" 
various  partTTtr  "^'^T''  1*^"^  "^•"*^^'^'  ^^ich  are  iJimd^^ 

sTaTe"^-'^fra%^^^^  '"^^^  thri^ving  counter  tJ: 

Chesterfield,  taken   from   Willsborouch  in   1802      Pon    Q  fiQ7 

lake  i^S  ^t^r"  "".'^^^  f  ?^««  from' ElLbeth^^wnXn'  the 
m!!'  1       .  '*°PP'»g  place  <or  the  steamboats.     Port  DoJdass  a ko 

lCllani'>'''^'n''^'P^^^^  P'«««  ^'^^  the  CMintonv  lie  ITvvoS 
i^nVS  ^^lllS^thf  Af  S^       •  ""^^T'lf  ■;  ^  ^^^ 

cantile  stores  aardSn^s  th.Pr'''"'""'lr"".  Academy,  10  mer- 
ants.     This  dI-ipp  Un  ^  /i?     ^'"""'  ^.""""^.^  ^''"'*'  ^n^  1 .800  inhabit- 

length  connects  wUh  Port"  Kent  k'^^^^^^  ^  '""'^''""^  ^^,  '"''^'^  '" 
"Anderson's  Falls  ^from  a  Mr  I  K  ^'Tf'  ""^^  or.gmally  named 
about  the  vear  18lq  T,  .1  "^  '^"  ^-  ^"^erson,  who  settled  here 
in  the  placr  Ii  isifi  J'  1  'T  ''^' ''''''  "''"^'''^  the  only  inhabitant 
name  Was  dven  fo^h^  P«f-'>ftce  was  established,  and  the  present 

partner  ^f  Anderson'       S^;  ?  ^""'"  "*"  ^'•-  "'^^'^'-^  Keese.  a 

™o™. ,,,  ,e  p,r  ■"Cr.-tz-  si^nl^i^.;:  Kts/i: 


"i- 


156 


ESSEX    COUNTY. 


the  Au  Sable  river,  which  is  one  of  the  greatest  natural  curiosities  in 
the  state. 

Crown  Point,  organized  in  1780 ;  from  Albany  100  miles ;  cen- 
trally distant  SE.  from  Elizabeth  20  miles.    Pop.  2,2 12.    Cro  wn  Point, 
whence  the  name  of  the  town  and  ancient  fort  are  derived,  is  sit- 
uated at  the  NE.  extremity,  and  is  formed  by  an  extensive  deep  bay 
on  the  west,  skirted  by  a  steep  mountain,  and  on  the  north  and  east 
by  the  body  of  the  lake.    Fort  Frederick,  at  this  place,  was  built  by 
the  French  in  1731.     This  fortress  was  a  star  work,  being  in  the  form 
of  a  pentagon,  with  bastions  at  the  angles,  and  surrounded  by  a  ditch 
walled  m  with  stone.     This  post  secured  the  command  of  Lake 
Champlain,  and  guarded  the  passage  into  Canada.     It  was  through 
this  lake,  by  the  route  of  Crown  Point,  that  the  parties  of  French  and 
Indians  made  their  bloody  incursions  upon  the  frontiers  of  New  Eng- 
land and  New  York.     This  fort  was  subsequently  blown  up ;  and  its 
site  is  now  marked  by  a  heap  of  ruins.     This  place  being  abandoned 
by  the  French,  in  1759,  to  Gen.  Amherst,  fort  Crown  Point  was  after- 
ward erected,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  shore,  and  has  at  a 
distance  something  the  appearance  of  Ticonderoga.     The  walls  were 
of  wood  and  earth,  16  feet  high,  22  thick,  enclosing  an  area  of  1,500 
yards  square,  surrounded  by  a  deep  broad  ditch  cut  into  granite.  There 
were  here  a  double  row  of  stone  barracks,  and  on  the  noith,  a  gate 
with  a  drawbridge  and  covered  way  leading  to  the  lake.     These 
works  and  those  adjoining,  which  were  extensive,  are  now  mostly 
heaps  of  rubbish.     Crown  Point  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans 
at  the  time  of  the  capture  of  Ticonderoga,  in  May,  1775,  but  was 
evacuated  the  next  year.     The  disastrous  expedition  against  Canada 
was  terminated  near  this  place,  by  the  destruction  of  the  lake  fleet 
under  the  command  of  Gen.  Arnold,  Oct.  13th,  1776.     Arnold,  on  his 
retreat  from  Canada,  on  board  his  fleet,  was  pursued  by  the  enemy 
so  closely,  that  he  was  obliged  to  run  his  vessel  on  shore  and  blow 
up  five  gondolas.     The  British  soon  established  themselves,  with  their 
army  and  fleet,  at  Crown  Point,  and  strengthened  the  fortifications ; 
but  ere  long  they  abandoned  the  station  and  retired  to  Canada. 

Elizabethtovvn,  settled  in  1785,  and  organized  in  1798;  from  Al- 
bany 126,  from  Lake  Champlain,  W.,  8  miles.  Pop.  1,061.  Eliza- 
beth, the  county  seat,  is  a  small  village  of  30  or  40  dwellings.  About 
a  mile  SW.  of  the  village  is  a  detached  mountain  called  the  Giant 
of  the  valley,  the  summit  of  which  is  elevated  1,200  feet  above  the 
plain,  and  commands  a  very  extensive  prospect  to  the  eastward. 
It  embraces  a  view  of  the  whole  valley  of  Lake  Champlain,  compris- 
ing Plattsburg,  Burlington,  Vergennes,  Middlebury,  and  many  other 
villages. 

Essex,  taken  from  Willsborough  in  1805;  from  Albany  133  miles. 
Pop.  1,681.  Essex  village,  handsomely  situated  upon  Lake  Cham- 
plain, has  about  40  or  50  dwellings.  About  12  miles  NE.  of  Eliza- 
beth is  the  noted  Split  Rock.  This  curiosity  is  part  of  a  rocky  pro- 
montory projecting  into  thu  lake  about  150  feet,  and  elevated  40 
above  the  water.    The  part  broken  ofi"  contains  half  an  acre  covered 


ESSEX   COUNTY. 


157 


With  trees,  and  is  separated  about  20  feet  from  the  main  rock.  The 
opposing  sides  fit  the  prominences  of  the  one,  corresponding  with  the 
cavities  of  the  other.  Through  this  fissure  a  Hne  has  been  let  down 
to  the  depth  of  500  feet  without  reaching  the  bottom.  There  is  a 
third  post-office  called  Wessex. 

Jay,^  settled  in  1790,  by  emigrants  from  New  England.    "The 

l-orks.    Upper  Village,  and  Jayville,  are  manufacturing  villages  ;  the 

atter  is  20  miles  NW.  of  Elizabeth,  the  county  seat     There  is  a 

large  quantity  of  iron  annually  manufactured  in  this  town.   Pop.  2,260. 

Keene,  taken  from  Elizabeth  and  Jay  in  1808 ;  from  Albany  138, 
from  Ehzabeth,  W.,  12  miles.  The  settlements  at  the  "  Flats"  were 
commenced  m   1797,  and  those  at  the  "Great  Tlains,"  in  1804. 


Adirondack  Mountains, 


.«I^^  Adirondack  mountains,  which  are  partially  in  this  town,  were 
comparatively  but  little  known  umil  explokd  by  the  state  ro^Ss 
in  'h^s"re";  Vi    Th^""  '''  Adirondaci;  Indian^  who  formfrTyXdi 
Hil  sof  New  ir  J    K^''*T.:^'  ^u\^^'^'  •'  '""'■«  '^%  than  the  White 
Wills  ot  New  Hampshire,  though  the  main  summit,  Mount  Washing- 

Te^Ztl^n:  ^^'"\''^  'f  ^''''  ^«™^  M^-y  (named  in  honfr 
01  ex-governor   Marcy)  is  the  most  lofty,   being  5,337  ieet   or  57 

on  thTfn  "  r'^'  r.  *''^'f-  ^Zr  ^«"''«  ^^  ^'^^^  ^--«  been  observed 
heve  h?t  1  f  '  V)u  """^^'^  ^^  J"'y  '  ^"d  there  is  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  ice  IS  formed  there  every  night  in  summer. 

Lewis,  settled  about  1800,  and  taken  from  Willsborough  in  1805. 
Jre  ,  7?'.  P^'/'  '"'^''""  T""^  broken  by  high  mountains.    Iron 

th^^F  "o9  /"^''t5?w^''''^?u"  '"  ^®^^-     ^^"^'•^^  Four  Corners,  in 
t  po^r  vmagf  Po^;  45T  ^''"^'  ''  ^'^-  '""^  ^''-bethtown,'  is 


i,ijiiM.iipMi(A«)i,,ii,j^ilHiluiL  i^tgtHp . 


158 


KSBEX    COUNTY. 


MoRiAH,  on  Lake  Champlain,  taken  from  Crown  Point  and  Eliza- 
bethtownin  1808;  from  Albany  114,  from  Elizabethtown  centrally 
i.'^^^lfrn'/V."'''''*.  ^'""^  ore  of  excellent  quality  abounds  here. 
lop.a,505.  This  place  was  hrst  settled  about  1785,  by  William 
Mackenzie,  Lsq.  Monah,  West  Moriah,  Port  Henry,  and  Mill  brook, 
are  post  villages.     Pondsville  is  a  post-office. 

Nkwcomh,  taken  from  Minerva  and  Moriah  in  1828 ;  N  from  M- 
bany  120,  centrally  distfmt  SW.  from  Elizabethtown  30  mihs     i\w, 
74.     1  he  Adirondack  mountains  are  partially  in  thin  ^.^  vn    H'    -ut 
Mar(7,  the  highest,  being  on  the  dividing  line  between  this  and  Keene 
J\ew(!omb  is  a  small  settlement,  centrally  situated. 

SoiiRooN  taken  from  Crown  Point  in  1804.     Schroon,  30  miles  S. 
Jrom  J'ilizabeth,  Paradox,  and  Hoffman,  are  small  post  villages.    Pop. 


Ruins  of  Fort  Ticonderoga. 

T.coNDKiioGA,*  taken  from  Crov;n  Point  in  1804  ;  from  Albany  190 
S.  fnnn  Lhzabeth  30  miles.  Alexandria  and  Ti<.,onderoga  an"C 
mg  villages  ;  the  tormer  at  the  upper  fall,  near  Lake  George,  and  the 
at  ..r  on  the  lower  tails,  near  Lake  Chmnplain,  about  one  mile  apart! 
1  ou,  ,<i,  Kin.  ' 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  ruins  of  Fort  TiconderoLm, 
tbe  lortress  so  celebrated  in  colonial  and  revolutionary  history 
1  .K'se  rums  are  situated  on  a  peninsula  of  about  500  acre's,  elevated 
upwards  ol  100  leet  above  Lake  Champlain,  at  the  mouth  of  Lake 
t-eorge  s  outlet.  1  his  lortress  was  originally  erected  by  the  French 
in  17r.(,,  and  was  called  by  them  Carillon,  and  was  a  place  of  much 
strength  by  nature  and  art,  surrounded  on  three  sides  by  water,  and 
having  halt  the  fourth  covered  by  a  swamp,  and  the  only  approach- 
able ooint  dotended  by  a  breastwork.  It  was,  however,  coinmanded 
by  Mount  Dehance  on  the  south  side  of  the  creek  or  outlet,  which, 

"•TieondrrogniM,,  corruption  from  tho  Indinn  word  Cl.o-onderotfa.  Bumifvinir  »mu« 
probubly  in  ailuiiiou  to  the  (alls  on  the  outlet  of  Lake  Georgo.  B«niiying  noity, 


W^PSWIPW"^ 


and  Eliza- 
ti  centrally 
unds  here, 
y  William 
Millbrook, 

L  from  Ai- 
ilfts.  Pop. 
vn,  MfAul 
uid  iveene. 

10  miles  S. 
ges.    Pop. 


E38EX    COUNTY. 


159 


)any  196, 
iro  thriv- 
',  and  the 
ile  apart. 

nderoga, 
history, 
elevated 
of  Lake 
'■  French 
M'  much 
Iter,  and 
)proach- 
iinanded  , 
,  which, 

'ing  nOMy, 


towers  750  feet  above  the  lake.  It  was  on  the  summit  of  this  noun- 
tarn  that  Gen  Burgoyne's  troops  showed  themselves  on  the  mornini? 
ot  July  4th  1777  with  a  battery  of  heavy  cannon,  which  they  had 
drawn  up  along  the  ridge  during  the  night.  The  distance  Irom  the 
summit  to  the  iort,  m  a  straight  line,  is  about  a  mile.  The  position  was 
Ttr'^TJ'il^  that  they  could  count  all  the  men  in  tL  fort,  and 
lully  justihed  Gen.  St.  Clair  in  ordering  an  immediate  retreat  of  the 
garrison.  Mount  Independence,  connected  in  history  with  Ticonde- 
roga,  lies  in  Vermont,  one  mile  from  the  fort  on  the  east  side  of  the 

rnu    i^u.^^^  ^^^^  '^'so  remains  of  military  works. 

The  following  account  of  the  defeat  of  Gen.  Abercrombie  before 
Ticonderoga,  July  8,  1758,  is  from  the  3d  volume  of  Macauley's  His- 
tory  of  New  York  :  ' 

in  n.II'nn^'r'"!!'"!,"^'*'"''  Ticondcrogn  and  Crown  Point  was  conducted  by  Abercrombie 
m  p.-™on.  1„  ihe  begnunng  of  July  hv.  embarked  his  forces,  amounting  to  nearly  sTven 
^jn„sand  regular  and  tc,  thousand  provincials,  on  Lake  George,  orboa?d  of  "ine  hundred 
nWon     Seve:::i"'n-""'''*f  ""**  '^"''■^''  "'"''''  •"""«•  ^th  provirions,  arttlle^r"  and  ammu 

C Ztlefof  Syrr^p'^T  ""'''  '"""""''*  ?  ""''-  '"  '""''  'h«  proposed  landing  at 
mo  outlet  ot  the  lake.  Early  the  next  morning  ho  reached  the  landing  dIbcc  which  wiw 
in  a  cove  on  the  west  side  of  the  lake  near  its  issue,  leading  to  tradvLced  ^lard  of  Th^ 

ors^ndXtvi  "?:  '"h1""'  '"  ".''•^«'"',  •='""P-  ««  immedrely  dXrte°d  ht 
ptLt  wh"  h  w««  Ih  /  '^°?"''' '•'«'"  !".t°  ""■««  columns,  marched  to  the  enemy's  advanced 
wTrd^T  ,mderoS  wwri""  •  ^  P'^.'^^""'f  ""•  ««  !=°"«"'"ed  ««  ""^rch  with  the  army  to. 
wood  that  ddnnfn'H-  f  °  '"''""?"  °^  '"^""""^  '' '  ''"*  '*'''  '"""=  '>''"«  through  a  thick 
mt  theTrnnn-  ""V*^  ",7  '^g"'""-  Progiession,  and  the  guides  proving  extremely  ig. 
Lord  liowlK  r  '"""'''^'r'^l  ""J^  '^«  *=''•'"""«  •''°''«"  by  falling  in  one  on  anofher. 
detachnZ  ^S.^frf  "^- "'  i'"'  '*•""'  "^  *■?"  ".«'''  ''"''^  <=«'"""■•  encountered  a  French 
wa™  sSi«h  ..  ^  '''T''"  '"'"  "*  ^"y  '"  ^"^  •■«•"='''  <■'<""  *e  advanced  post,  and  a 
midlbrtvS        ""^r  ""^  *."""y  ^^"f"  '«»'eJ  "-"h  considerable  loss;  and  one  hundred 

Howra^d  te'^Zr  ffi"  "T'?'  '^■'"^^  ''^^»"'"«^''  ^'"'  ""'^'"^'''1 »'  '^  ^""^  rate  Lord 
ver^hiXlerm  f  h«"^"'''  besides  privates,  wer^  killed.  The  former  is  spoken  of  in 
an7dSl3  "  »"«,''!-»very.»  Abercrombie  perceiving  the  troops  were  greatly  fatigued 
I  i,M,,™  ?•  '^?n  ^'',  "  '"^^'''''''''  '"  f""  f'^'ck  'o  'he  landing  place.  Then  he  d.-tafhcd 
iS'T^Sif '"^^  r:^  "  '''=""=\-T''  '»  ^-l^e  P"--ion  of  a  saw  mill  "te 
AWcrombiP  „T„„f'  ^'""^  «he  enemy  had  abandoned.  This  post  being  secured, 
the  enemy  had  asse?„tl.T'"  !°^"'1«  Ticonderoga,  where,  ho  understood  from  thfprisone« 
ing  rra  iL  sTxT„Ti'i?,t''«'''  'Jr^r''™"'  r'^  ";""»y  °f  t;»nadians  and  Indians,  amount. 
exL  dingrurthr^^^^^^^  ""?''""■'  ''°^T''  ^-^  considerably  less,  not 

camped  be  ore  1  e  fort  wer*.,  1*^  .'"'"■^«f'>.  •"'certaiaed.  These,  they  said,  being  en- 
intended  to  raif?,/""'T  '^"''''"ycd  >n  making  a  formidable  intrenchment,  where  they 
the  comn^and  of  M  deLlr  tn'!:,"  V^ '^'"  '^"""""'^  '";^'"'  ^''°  "^"^  been  detached,  under 
intelligence  of  A h.;rrn,„K;'  "'"'.  "  ''""'""'"  ""  "^«  ^'''c  "*'  '^e  Mohawk;  but  upon 
This  iSnalontrnnfi^^^  ^"'  "'c  de^nce  of  Ti^ondoro^. 

iun  tion  c  mirbVefficTed     r  '"  ''''^''  "^  '"^'^^"'  ""'""  '^'"'^'^^  •''°^  before  ^e 

no.tre  the  eZnivVi.  .rllhn  .  '"'f  u  ^"'^^  "f "'  '"""""^  sent  his  engineer  to  recon- 
still  unfinished  '^nJhtTnT"^;  T"^  ^f'  "''"'.'  ^''  ^'""^"'  '"P^^ed  'hat  the  works  being 
nmd  accord'  dlSth^n./T'''":^  T^  ^"'"^  P'""^P«'^'  "''  ""ccess.  A  disposition  waf 
thelandSS^l"  'h  r  ■*  •  """^  "'^^^  Proper  guards  had  been  left  at  the  saw-mill  and 
/owardB  tt  intrih^  I  ''"".^'  T^^P"' '"  """'""•  '^'"'  ''""P"  •«'^«"ced  with  great  alacrity 
bwmZTJT"^  ?  ^t7^'t'  !^^^^^  '■°""**  altogether  impracticable.     The 

Z^     ^  """cJ  e'ght  feet  high,  and  the  ground  before  it  co'      d  with  an  abattis, 

hlmil^^l'.rhrr^TremT.iSU^ira'^^^  ^u"""  "'?  '"".^"'^'"  '"  ^"""^'^  hi  had  i«.»,m,no<l.,ed 

mem  to  follow  thirexainph-  II  ^f,^M,„^.?,  k  i  '■'"?.  .*'","*•  ""  •"""  '''"  '"»'■• »"°"'  »"''  ''"'"'ed  li.e  re(,l- 
and  them  of  ..ycry  aS of  «,  ^rrtl  "  1„^^^^^^  'w'L""«  '^"'  iV"  ""'^"y  "'^  '"■"•"^«'  """I  dlv.«..d  liln^lf 
with  about  100  n.cn,^V«ncod  "fJ,;rof  TK™ ^  "ear  T.condt.r,.Ka,  mmor,  ancrward  Om.  Puumm, 
P«vm.t  Lord  H,,«o  fron,  Su  «nv  L  him  .^T*^  ?L"  ."'"?  ."/.«"'"l"((  {""^y-  """"""n  •'"(i^vored  U^ 
lime  co„«,.i,i,mc«,  butlh  ,  nr^rvSon*ol>m,™  ^L'*'/  i**,^  ^''l'  "^ '  ""  "'""'•  "«-"  I™"  "^  "'y  '"«  »""  "^^  "f 
wa»,  'Puuiim,  your  III.' Is  Mdear  u  Coo  ^lll  '.  "/  '""""■'''  '"'l'""'"'™  ">  l"l»  »r™y'    Th«  only  answer 


ISO 


E8BEX   COUNTY. 


or  felled  trees,  with  their  boughs  pointing  outward,  and  projecting  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
render  the  intrenchment  almost  inaccessible.  Notwithstanding  these  discouraging  difficul. 
ties,  the  troops  marched  up  to  the  assault  with  an  undaunted  resolution,  and  sustained  a 
terrible  fire.  They  endeavored  to  force  their  way  through  these  embarrassments,  and  some 
of  them  even  mounted  the  parapet;  but  the  enemy  were  so  well  covered,  and  defended 
their  works  with  so  much  gallantry,  notwithstanding  their  greatly  inferior  numbers,  that  no 
impression  could  be  made  ;  the  carnage  became  fearfully  great,  and  the  assailants  began  to 
fall  into  great  confusion,  after  several  attacks,  which  lasted  several  hours.  Abercrombie  by 
this  time  saw  plainly  that  no  hope  of  success  remained ;  and  in  order  to  prevent  a  total  de- 
feat,  sounded  a  retreat,  leaving  about  two  thousand  men  on  the  field.  Every  corps  of  the 
army  behaved,  on  this  unfortunate  day,  with  remarkable  intrepidity ;  the  greatest  loss  sus- 
tained  among  the  corps,  was  that  of  the  regiment  of  Lord  Johii  Murray." 

The  seizure  of  the  fortress  of  Ticonderoga,  by  Col.  Ethan  Allen, 
on  the  10th  of  May,  1775,  is  thus  related  by  Ramsay,  in  his  history 
of  the  American  Revolution  : 

"  It  early  occurred  to  many,  that  if  the  sword  decided  the  controversy  between  Great 
Britain  and  her  colonies,  the  possession  of  Ticonderoga  would  be  essential  to  the  security 
ot  the  latter.    Situated  on  a  promontory,  formed  at  the  junction  of  the  waters  of  Lake 
George  and  Lake  Champlain,  it  was  the  key  of  all  communication  between  Now  York  and 
Canada.     Messrs.  Deane,  Wooater,  Parsons,  Stevens,  and  others  of  Connecticut,  planned 
a  scheme  for  obtaining  possession  of  this  valuable  post.    Having  procured  a  loan  of  ]  ,800 
dollars  of  public  money,  and  provided  a  sufficient  quantity  of  powder  and  ball,  they  set  off 
for  Bennington,  to  obtain  the  co-operation  of  Colonel  Allen  of  that  place.    Two  hundred 
and  seventy  men,  mostly  of  that  brave  and  hardy  people  who  are  called  green  mountain 
boys,  were  speedily  collected  at  Castleton,  which  was  fixed  on  as  the  place  of  rendezvous. 
At  this  place  Colonel  Arnold,  who,  though  attended  only  with  a  servant,  was  prosecuting 
the  same  object,  unexpectedly  joined  them.    He  had  been  eariy  chosen  a  captain  of  a  vol. 
unteer  company  by  the  inhabitants  of  New  Haven,  among  whom  he  resided.     As  soon  as 
he  received  news  of  the  Lexington  battle,  he  marched  off  with  his  company  for  the  vi- 
cimty  of  Boston,  and  arrived  there,  though  150  miles  distant,  in  a  few  days.    Immediately 
after  his  arrival  he  waited  on  the  Massachusetts  committee  of  safety,  and  informed  them, 
tliat  there  were  at  Ticonderoga  many  pieces  of  cannon  and  a  great  quantity  of  valuable 
stores,  and  that  the  fort  was  in  a  ruinous  condition,  and  garrisoned  only  by  about  40  men. 
They  appointed  him  a  colonel,  and  commissioned  him  to  raise  400  men,  and  to  take  Ti- 
conderoga.    The  leaders  of  the  party  which  had  previously  rendezvoused  at  Castleton,  ad- 
mitted  Colonel  Arnold  to  join  them,  and  it  was  agreed  that  Colonel  Allen  should  be  tho 
commander  in  chief  of  tho  expedition,  and  that  Colonel  Arnold  should  be  his  assistant. 
They  proceeded  without  delay,  and  arrived  in  the  night  at  Lake  Champlain,  opposite  to  Ti- 
conderoga.    Allen  and  Arnold  crossed  over  with  83  men,  and  landed  near  the  garrison. 
They  contended  who  should  go  in  first,  but  it  was  at  Inst  agreed  that  ihey  sliould'both  go 
m  together.    They  advanced  abreast,  and  entered  the  fort  at  the  dawning  of  day.    A  sentry 
snapped  his  piece  at  one  of  them,  and  then  retreated  through  the  covered  way  to  the  pa. 
rade.    The  Americans  followed,  and  immediately  drew  up.    The  commander,  surprised  in 
his  bed,  was  called  upon  to  surrender  the  fort.    He  asked.  By  what  authority  ?    Colonel 
Allen  replied,  '  /  demand  it  in  the  name  of  the  great  Jehovah,  and  of  the  continental 
congress.'    No  resistance  was  made,  and  the  fort,  with  its  valuable  stores  and  forty-eight 
prisoners,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans.    The  boats  had  been  sent  back  for  the  re. 
mainder  of  the  men,  but  the  business  was  done  before  they  got  over.    Colonel  Seth  War- 
ner  was  sent  off  with  a  party  to  take  possession  of  Crown  Point,  where  a  sergeant  and  12 
men  performed  garrison  duty.    This  was  speedily  effected.    The  next  object,  calling  for 
the  attention  of  the  Americans,  was  to  obtain  the  command  of  Lake  Champlain,  but  to  ac. 
compliah  this,  it  was  necessary  for  them  to  get  possession  of  a  sloop  of  war,  lying  at  St, 
Johns,  at  the  northern  extremity  of  the  lake.     With  the  view  of  capturing  this  sloop  it 
was  agreed  to  man  and  arm  a  schooner  lying  at  South  Bay,  and  that  Arnold  should  com. 
mand  her,  and  that  Allen  should  command  some  batteaux  on  the  same  expedition.    A  fa. 
vorable  wind  carried  tlie  schooner  ahead  of  the  batteaux,  and  Colonel  Arnold  got  immedi. 
ate  possession  of  the  sloop  by  surprise.    The  wind  again  favoring  him,  he  returned  with 
his  prize  to  Ticonderoga,  and  rejoined  Colonel  Allen.    The  latter  soon  went  home,  and  the 
former  with  a  number  of  men  agreed  to  remain  there  in  garrison.    In  this  rapid  manner 
the  possession  of  Ticonderoga  and  the  command  of  Lake  Champlain  were  obtained,  with, 
out  any  loss,  by  a  few  determined  men." 


ESSEX    COUNTY. 


161 


ed,  «  fro™  .head  vol;r„7i„Te^riJrr:? Nettlj""''- 

advanced  on  the  west  side  of  thelkf 'on  th„  t  3'  "/r"*''  "^  ">«  "«»"  *•"«.  wWch 
Md  set  fire  ,0  their  works,  hlock!hou^,  a„d  saw  ^1  "f  "'""'^  '^^  Americans  abandonej 
out  attempting  any  serious  opposition  .!.ffr«/?."f'„.'°.'^"'''^  ^''^^  Geoi^e  j  and  witlu 
Hope.    This  PO«t  co.„m.„de'dr  A^nSlineTr'  ^*""'P!  *"  *»'^«  P™^**""  "f  M^u« 

e^n^..  to  make  an.  e.eeL.  op^^tfoTe  SKirKreiL^.ti^ 

•  of  the\^rChiTrintgTofT4''^^^^^^^^^  T""^"  -h  expedition  in  the  construction 
ment  of  posts  and  communications  £  bv  Z'fiftr''  "'"^  P'-°vi»ions,  and  the  establM." 
require  but  one  or  two  days  more  to  cnm„^  '  >  "  '  ""^  ^^'^  ""  ^"^  advanced  m  to 
Mount  Defiance  had  also  beeTe.amined  '^S'^Z'^f '  ""'  P""*  ""  """h  '^'^'>  "^  'he  mS^ 
•mportant,  that  it  had  been  determined  , J  takf  nnl  •"""*"?  ^^''''  "  P^^'^^'^d  werew 
work,  though  attended  with  extremrdifficultv  f„d  ifhr*  ."1  T"  "  '"'"^^  «^«^«-  TlS 
Ph.%s  wuh  much  expedition  and  s^cess     A  rind  hnH^K  *"""  "r^"^  ""  '»>'  G«nenJ 

S:  rC^potllS  S'jan^r 9~  -'^^^^^^^^^^^^        alVK 

'^'.^Triro^^sfiF--^^^^^^^ 

to  deliberate  on  measures  to  be  takeT  ^Z7J  "'Z  T'*'""-.  "f  '"^^'^  «  '=°"ncil  of  war 
ber  was  not  sufficient  to  man  one  Wf  of  th^w'''^"'  '^.""  ""f  '^'''"  *''°'''  effective  numl 
on  duty,  it  would  be  impossible  for  them  .„  T  '  V*^?'  ?"  *''?  '^'"''^  """'  be  constantTy 
of  time ;  that  General  Schuyler  who  wll  !"^  »*>« Jafgue  for  any  considerable  SI 
reheve  them ;  and  that,  as  ?he  eCmJ-s  b^.tTes'lf^"  ^''T"'^'  ^**  "^'  '~«'"=''"«  '""'•ce"  to 
the  place  would  be  completely  inv^f«^  ^tteries  were  nearly  ready  to  open  upon  them  anrf 
but  an  immediate  evacXon  of  "hTposta  ''''"'''■'^"''  ^'"'"'  """''"^  '^'"'•^  «'ve  Se^o^pJ 

aa  the  -"  LTy'f'th^o'cti'orw^f^Id'adm.n'  TA^'^''  t"^^'^  «">-  «"«»  P-isions 
ment  on  board  of  two  hi.nnTi     .  "'""'  ^^''''''^  be  embarked  with  a  strnntr  h if    u 

complete  mformation  to  the  encmv  TiZT'  '"'"'™.'T  'o  orders,  set  on  fire.    This  affoXd 
every  movement  of  the  AmerllTa^Lat  rheam^tirft '"'""''•  Tt  «"aWed  them  ^ te 

Colonel  Francis  brought  off  the  rear  juarand  ^ondur^H  ,^  '^"''"■-  ^'""»'  <■»"'  "'eloek. 
"" '  and  soon  after,  some  of  the  regiments  thm.^^h*  J  ^^"  '^^"^  '«  «  "'ffi^ar  man 
ered  from  their  confusion.  When  the  troops'  Sd  t^nu^""^'  "^  ""'•'  "'«''««.  «c^- 
nearly  two  hours,  and  the  rear-guard  waTincreredIv  1  ^^''r"'!?5  '^''^  ^"^  ^^'^^f^ 
»,  but  wer*  picked  up  on  the  road,  having  been  ll,^?''.'"''"  ^"^  ""'  »'  fi-^'  belong  to 
The  rear-guard  was  here  put  under  thrcomm^nHnfr,  '"  H^^,  "P  ^*  their  regiments 


^JWIW*iWIWIWI)<!liwiw»in»,i[ 


109 


FRANKLIN   COUNTY. 


telliffCinrtt  ihnt  th<«  rnnr  of  the  American  nntiy  wm  nt  no  Rreat  dtitiinoe,  orderod  hia  men  to 
lie  that  niuht  upon  thwir  nrma.  On  .Inly  a«v«inth,  at  ttvo  in  the  inoniinK,  li«  <'anio  up  with 
Col(in«il  Wanmr,  who  had  about  ono  thoUBHud  mun.  Tlio  Uritiah  iidvancnd  boldly  to  the 
attack,  and  llm  two  boditia  formed  within  aixiy  ynnia  of  each  other.  Thn  conflict  woa 
finrnn  and  bloody.  Oolonrl  Frnnria  M\  nt  ihi>  bond  of  hia.  riiRiniont,  fiRhtinK  with  jjruat 
(jalUntry.  Wanmr  wna  »o  wrll  wipiiortpd  by  hia  olllrnrh  and  nmn,  (hat  ilui  naaailiuKa  broke 
ami  gave  wiiy.  'I'liry  poon,  howovcr,  ruoovi'nnl  Croni  tbrir  diaordor,  f'orinnd  UKuiti,  and 
chargi'd  tbn  Anii>riran«  with  iho  bayonnt,  wbrn  ihny,  In  their  turn,  wcro  put  into  diaordnr; 
thrar,  howi'V(>i,  rallipd  and  mtnrnMl  to  dm  chnrKP,  and  thn  iwuo  of  thii  liattio  bi'caine  du. 
bioiia.  At  llial  nioinmil,  (Jnnoral  RoidflHcl  npp.mrfld  with  tho  advani-n  party  of  hia  (Jer- 
mana.  Thi'ao  hciOK  liul  into  action,  aoon  dt'cidrd  ihu  fortium  of  thi<  day,  and  tlui  Atnor- 
ioana  had  to  rrin'iit.  'I'ho  Iom  it)  this  action  wan  very  conaidtirublo  on  tlm  Anioriian  aidt". 
Ooioucl  Hide,  who  had  not  brcM^ht  hia  ri'iriniiMit,  wbiih  roniiint<'d  of  militia,  into  action, 
althotmb  ordcri'd  ao  to  do,  in  nllomptinjr  to  oncapo  by  lliRht,  fell  in  with  an  incimaidcrablB 
party  of  tho  iMimny,  and  anrriMiilcriid  liimaclf,  and  a  ninnlicr  of  hia  mrn,  priwrnora.  In 
killi'd,  woumlrd,  niul  priNoniMM,  the  Amiricium  lout  in  thiw  ni'tioii  three  hundred  and  twenty, 
four  men,  and  the  Hrilifib  one  hundred  and  einhly-ilireo  in  killed  and  woumlod." 

WKijtTi'oirr,  tiikcn  from  Klizivhtjthftnvn  in  iH15.  Iron  oro  nboimds. 
Pon.  l.DJW.  VVtslport,  .1  ihriviiiK  villain  ut  llitt  luiud  of  NW.  buy  of 
liiikd  ('lii'nv'lain,  H  inilc.'*  (>!isl.  of  I'iliznln^llitowii,  oojttuins  about  sixty 
dw(>llinjn.H.     W!uUuun.s  Mills,  on  ibf  hotinrt,  is  u  smiill  villiigc. 

Wii.i.rtiiouv  nun,  originiilly  orgnni/.od  tis  niirt  of  (Minton  county  in 
17N8;  sinf«<  nio(lifit>(l.  IVtp.  1,(H»7.  Willsbonui-irli.  2inil('s  from  tho 
nioiifb  of  till"  Uotnut  rivrr.  N.  from  Albnny  I.'IH.  lujd  from  I'iliziibcth 
E.   l.'l  mil(-.s.  is  a  nianvdiu'tin-iui^  villt^gts  and  has  about  M)  dwtjilings. 

Wii.MiNtJToN,  taken  from  Jay  m  IH'il  ;  ntuno  and  boundaries  since 
nltorcd  ;  from  Albany  liH,  from  Kliznbctb  NW,  W  miles.  Tho 
White  Face  M>untftin  lure  ctinuiuinds  a  view  of  m<iro  than  100  miles 
in  extent,  iueluding  Montreal,  Ogdcnsburg,  luul  Lake  Ontario.  Pop. 
988. 


FUANKLIN  COUNTY. 

pRANKi.tN  t^oi'NTY,  taken  front  Clinton  in  INOR,  is  centrnlly  distant 
front  New  Yt»rk  2H7,  from  Albany  NW.  ll'J  miles.  tJnuitt<st  length 
00.  greatest  breadth  HO  miles.  Tlie  high  northern  lafilude  suUieiently 
indicates  the  rigors  of  tht>  climate.  The  forests  are  very  dense,  <Min- 
sisting  t>f  trees  of  inmieiisc  size.  In  the  southwestern  part  are  some 
h>fty  ritiges  of  mountains,  but  of  all  iho  rpst  u  large  jMtrtion  is  rather 
level  ihiin  hilly.  Th(>  settltMixMits  are  almost  wholly  in  the  norlhern 
part,  extending  about  \C>  miles  S.  from  the  N.  line,  and  even  hero  are 
sparse;  nuich  the  liuger  portion  of  the  county  being  ns  yet  covered 
with  the  primitive  forests.  The  soil  is  a  sandy  loam,  occasionally 
mixed  with  clay,  stony,  and  the  liclds  commoidy  among  thrifty  farm- 
ers are  feticed  w ith  stones  gathered  from  the  snr*\ce.  Some  wheat 
is  raisctl.  but  it  is  an  imcertnin  crop,  whilst  grass,  oats,  barley,  corn, 
«•'?..  generally  arc  verv  jiroihictive.  No  |)ortio!i  of  thi'  state  is  jwr- 
haps  iK'tter  allaptt>d  to' llio  stigar-boet.  Grazing  and  lumbering  are 
the  oliiof  pursu't  of  tho  inhabitants,  who  lind  their  market  u|)on  tho 


■'■W 


FRANKLIN    COUNTY. 


168 


St.  Lawrence  river.    Pop.  16,450.    The  county  is  divided  into  13 
lO  wns* 

Bangoi,  taken  from  Dicitenaon  in  1812;  distant  NW.  from  Albany 
221  miles.  Pop.  1,218.  Bangor,  6  miles  W.  of  Malone,  and  W.C 
jjor,  ore  post  villages.  The  population  is  principally  distributed  alonir 
two  roads  about  3  tnilcs  asunder,  known  as  the  North  and  South  streets 
P, .  '!;^r''''u"f """  '"""  <-'*^ateaug.m,  in  1833  ;  NW.  from  Albany  185. 
1  op.  470.     Bdmont  is  a  small  village,  12  miles  SE.  of  Malone. 

boMBAv,  taken  roml'ort (Covington  in  1833  ;  NW.  from  Malone  20 

^Z  kT    J'*'*^-    ^  **"  ^"^'.'"  ^^""'^'«  •^'■^*-  ^^Kis  lies  on  the  left  bank 
ot  the  bt.  Regis  river,  upon  the  northern  boundary.     The  reservaticm 
ot  this  tribe  hcs  partly  in  this  town  and  partly  in  Fort  Covington, 
.    '^^^"'^'ngS  hy    1  milos.     Ilogansburg  and  Bombay  Four  Corners 
an,  villages.     The  present  or  lute  chief  of  the  St.  Regis  Indians,  is  or 
was  a  descendant  of  the  daughter  of  the   Rev.  John  Wilhams  the 
mm.s  er  ol  J),-er(ield,  Mass.,  who  was  with  most  of  his  liunilv  and 
neighbors  taken  prisc.nors  to  Canada  in   1704.     xMr.  Williams  was 
cairic.  to  Lake  (  hamplam,  and  from  thence  to  Montreal  and  Quebec, 
in     70(J,  a  1  ag-sliij)  was  despatched  t(»  the  latter  place        d  Mr 
Wi  hams  and  57  other  captives  were  redeemed  and  sent    .  Boston ' 
nl   lus  children  returned  with  the  exception  of  his  daughter  Eunice' 
who,  at  the  age  ot  U)  y.-ars,  was  left  behind.    She  adopted  the  raanners' 
ot  he  liidians,  to  one  of  whom  she;  was  married,  and  became  converted 
to  he  Catholic  lailli.     Some  time  after  the  war,  slu,,  with  her  husband, 
visited  hor  relations  at  D.ierheld,  dressed  in  the  Indian  costume:  and 
uiough  every  per.^uasiv(«  was  in  vain  tried  to  induce  her  to  abandon 
urn  aiKl  remain  amcmg  her  connections,  she  still  persisted  in  wearing 
lier  blanket  and  counting  her  bea.ls,  and  returned  to  Canada,  where 
she  ended  l««;rdays.     Her  descendants  still  continue  to  visit  their 
relatives  in  New  England,  by  whom  tliev  are  hospitably  received 
One  of  them,  bv  the  name  of  ftleazer  Williams,  has  been  educated  b^ 
IS   riends  m  New  England  and  employed  as  a  missionary  to  the 
hid  ans  at  L.rvvu  Ha  v.     Mr.  Williams  some  years  since,  when  on  a 
vrs.  to (,anada,  UmA  th..  Bible  of  h.s  gn-at-grandliither,  the  l.,.v  John 
Williams  with  his  nam,,  in  it.     He  states,  that  when  Deerfield  was 
destroyed,  the  Indians  took  a  small  church  bell,  which  is  n<.w  hanjr- 
ing  in  the  Indian  church  at  St.  Regis,     h  was  conv,.y.,.d  on  a  sledj'e 
as   ar  as  Lake  (nnrnplain  and  buried,  and  was  afterward  taken  ui, 
and  conveyed  to  (Canada.  ' 

The  first  standard  captured  from  the  enemy  in  the  late  war  was 

t  ,«,.  'rf'"';  i,y  '^•''•'-  ^'""'*"""*  '^"'"'"y  ^"""ff.  <m  the  22d  of 
uct..  IHIJ.  I  he  followmg  account  of  this  event  is  extracted  from 
newspapers  published  at  die  time. 

Mil'li^.T'.!.!' mI^Ij"'^  ''"  '^'■"y  ""'*'"•  ''"'""'•"•-''"'  "f  »  Hotnrhmonr  ,f«.ion«d  nt  FrPn.-h 
a   L    ,   le  V  iZ  "'.';  sr'R        "'"  .T'""''  '"'■""■"'""-  """  •  P-"y  "«  'I-  -".-my  Ld 
1  ,^vl    I,       ^"f'T^'h^y  wrr..  r.mf„r,.nd.     For  .hi.  ),urpo,.,  ha  mar. h,.!  „  .l.tHch.neru  «" 
!,  rfV.  T    T;         ""?'"  "^  "'^^'"'  "^  "■-'"*«•'•  "-^«"1  'he  river  ..  (;r.,v.«  Mill,  n  mul  3 
and  15  .„  th.  .Mor.,„u,  arnvcd  wiihin  hnlf  .  mile  of  tho  viiln««  nmxi.evUii  hy   he  enemy 
Here  .h«  nogor  made  ,ur.h  .  judi.-.ou.  a„p„.,uon  of  hm  ...c.^lh..  the'en...  y  wc  e  cuOr"  iy 


I 


164 


FRANKLIN    .'r.VTY. 


S?*TlI^r«!!r„'f'fv ''ff''"*'''.?''™"'''''*'*  themselves  priwnem  with  the  loss  of 
meni  &  JnL  «   7  r      I  T"  '»'««•'?«»•■«  «f  40  prisoner  with  their  arms,  equip. 

iVom  «Ae  Albany  Gazette  of  January,  1813. 
"  On  Thursday,  the  5th  inst.,  at  1  o'clock,  a  detachment  of  the  volunteer  militia  of  Trnv 
entered  this  city,  wuh  the  British  colon,  taken  at  St.  Regis.    The  detachment  wlrSsu^^^ 

BnANKM,  taken  from  Bangor  in  1828  ;  centrally  distant  SW.  from 
Malone  30  miles.    The  settlements  are  in  tlie  north  part  of  the  town. 

1  op.  ooO.  ' 

Chateaugua,  taken  from  Plattsburg  and  Champlain  as  part  of 
Clinton  county.  Chateaugua  Four  Comers,  1 3  miles  E^  from  Malone  on 
the  turnpike  to  Plattsburg,  is  a  small  village.  West  Chateaugua  is  a 
post  office.  Pop.  2  820  There  is  in  this  town  a  cascade^n  th.- 
Chateaugua  river  of  90  feet  perpendicular,  over  granite  rock.  Cha- 
teaugua was  settled  m  April,  1804,  by  Benjamin  Roberts,  from  Man- 
ra^?^K  rr'"''  William  Bailey,  Esq.,  and  Mr.  Nathan  Beman. 
came  about  the  san.e  time.  Mr.  Beman  acted  as  a  guide  i.i  conducting 
Col.  Lthan  Allen  mto  T.conderoga.  At  the  first  settlement  of  thil 
place,  there  were  no  other  settlers  in  the  limits  of  the  county,  except- 
ing  a  few  Canadians  at  French  mills,  now  Fort  Covington. 

tl.o   n  •["]'      ^T^  P''''^''.'"  ^*">  '''^'"'^y  '^"'■'"g  the  late  war,  between 
he  British  and  a  portion  of  the  American  army  under  Genera" 

Tb.  Si'"'        ""^  """'''  •^"^.'^e'^  t  ^^"^  «o-"P^ration  upon  Montreal. 
yhotoHowin^  account  ol  this  affair  is  taken  from  "  Perkins'  History 


will,  l)r,  Hn,n,l7i\rX  ,tr  ,r*^     ,1^  ?l?':^^*i"""'.h'"H  ""'"J.;, '"  ""'  """l'«"»:  »ikI  wl.ilrco„v..r,i,i 

limn  win,  a  che.rf,r«  r,,",r»^t>    ha    ,,f  Im   i  .1^,    m   *"":""!"  ".',  '.'T  ""•'""'  "'«'  •'«''"«•  !»•»•- 
"n'.i'f  T'"'  """'  '^""-^'''"^^^^^^^^^  f.w  A..»,.c.,„  who 

thHr  brav.  Chief.-  '•- h.rt^'.lZ^^J'l^JZJZ  W "^.^Iji::  l/ji^'^r:.'*'™'  "'  """ '""""'"  "' 


FRANKLIN    COUNTY. 


165 


dmber,  and  covered  byXTndfJ  and  Bnlhllh?''"''"  fr°»S»'l°cked  up  with  felled 

of  some  miles  in  extent,  whkh  Sheen XlnT  7'  "'  ""*  ""'^u''^  ^'''^^  commenced  a  wood 
of  wooden  breastworks  The  reamost  of  Xh  '"'°  ""  T'!  "''I"'*'  '^"'^'^  ^"i*  «  succession 
and  light  troops  werr^laced  irfronf  «Th  A"^"  'T^'"^  ^^*  °''^"'^"«'-  ^^e  Indians 
the  25th,  Col.  Purdy  whh "he  Lht  ?rA  n  "7^  '^"u'^  '"  "'"  '"'"''■     «"  *«  «venmg  of 

While  Gen.  Izard  made^  siitaneoul  atr'kTr  ^T^r^,  'Z^T  '^'  '""^^  '^  ">'«  P'^'^"". 
the  attempt  failed,  and  'hndvancedcS  reared  "with  J/"*^/  .7lT'f'*  '"^  ^^  «"'«*« 
missing.  ,0  a  position  3  miles  in  the  rear  %„  tie  28^  P. „  1?  "^  ^^  '""!,*^'  ^°""''«'^'  ""'» 
that  Sir  George  Prevost  might  be  in  th^  wav  nf  h^  f  ',.        i^'""^"'?'  ""'^^^  ""  impression 

bou„7  W'  ltr"ed'""  „"TfSr  -Pa«°f  Clinton  eo^.y  in  .807 ; 

iterr  if r  „'„",£  ;°^f  •  "•  -  «••  -^ « '-<•  Th^et 

loneaVmiS^Tl:""  ^'''r  '»  '^^'i  centrally  distant  S.  of  Ma- 

here  ^  Til^^.l  ^Kf°'' """«"  '^  '"  "'"  N-  parfof  the  t.,wn,  wl™re 

lr°e7n  Ve  Zi^^^^^r^?  "'  ''""  '»''  «-'  ">an„ract„r;i  S 

.he^";i,l^°rwX=:tca«nifSr'S£r1-;  Ts^V'-li"' 
Pop.  2,098  "'^  ^ "'  ^"®  ***•  i^awrence. 

T^l„=  r        "''"^way  ol  70  feot  ubove  the  on«  nal  bed  of  th.<  sfn^im 
I  his  town   was  f  rst  sptiloH  l.,r   iv,  a  ■«""««"<  <i  oi  inc.  siroam. 

large  cottun' factor;  .°t^r2ar,LSr,i^^^^   '  ""  ""^P''  "'; " 

.oot  of  the  hill,  J  .Ho  eo„s.;^\--r  rtht";  U-rSy^rt 


186 


FUl.TON    COUNTY. 


t-*f^  -*-U--«T*  •^j-'\^- 


View  of  Malone. 

church,  a  \a.x^c  and  substantial  stone  structure,  is  not  brought  into 
lliis  view,  being  at  tlie  eastern  end  of  the  vilhige. 

During  the  late  war,  (Feb.,  1814,)  a  detachment  of  Firitish  made  an 
incursion  into  this  place,  and  proceeded  as  far  as  Chateaugua  Four 
Corners.  They  were  commanded  by  Col.  Scott,  of  the  103d  British 
regiment,  and  numbered  about  2,300  men,  including  many  Indians. 
Hearing  of  the  approach  of  the  American  troops,  they  retreated  in 
great  confusion,  though  not  without  destroying  the  bridges  in  their 
rear.  The  whole  pisrty  suffered  severely  in  their  retreat  by  a  tre- 
mendous storm  of  snow  and  hail  which  prevailed  at  the  close  of  the 
dav,  and  lost  upwards  of  200  men  by  desertion. 

MorRA,  taken  from  Dickenson  in  1827;  from  Albany  225,  centrally 
distant  W.  of  Malone  14  miles.     Pop.  004,    Moira  is  a  small  village. 

VVehtvilm:,  taken  from  Constabh;  in  1820  ;  IVom  Albany  2.S3,  from 
Malone  centrally  distant  NW.  9  miles.  Wcstvillo  is  a  sinuU  village. 
Pop.  1,033. 


FULTON  COUNTY. 

Fi'LTON  rouNTV  was  taken  from  the  norlhnrn  part  of  Montgomery 
county  in  18.S8  ;  NW.  from  Albany  40  miles;  l(>ngth  E.  and  W.  Wi 
miles,  breadth  N.  and  S.  17.  The  surface  of  the  northern  part  of 
this  county  is  hilly,  with  some  ranges  of  a  iriountninous  character. 
The  K.iya.lerossi'ras  range  of  mountains  enters  the  county  on  the 
NFi.,  but  sinks  to  the  genoral  level  in  the  town  of  Northampton.  The 
county  is  well  wjitcred  and  contains  several  small  lakes.  It  is  divid- 
ed lulo  0  towna.    Pop.  18,03a. 


i     .1 


FULTON  COUNTY. 


167 


)rought  into 

ish  made  an 
augua  Four 
03d  British 
ny  Indians, 
retreated  in 
gas  in  their 
it  by  a  tre- 
close  of  the 

15,  centrally 
iiall  village, 
y  iJ33,  from 
mil  viUage. 


ontgomery 
and  W.  ;{2 
•rn  jnirt  »»f 
character, 
iity  on  the 
iton.  The 
It  is  divid- 


Blbeker,  taken  from  Johnstown  in  1831 ;  from  Albany  53  miles, 
from  Johstown  N.  13.  There  are  three  inconsiderable  settlements  in 
Po     3^6  ^^  *^"^*^  ^^'^^  ^"^  covered  with  small  evergreens. 


koADALBiN,  taken  from  Caughnawaga  in  1793;  from  Albany  47 

.^  f7%«T  i?^"«townT^^-  ^^'  ^  settlement  wa.  made  in  this  town 
m  1776,  by  Daniel  Mclntyre,  and  a  few  other  emigrants  from  Scot- 
land;  but  It  was  broken  up  during  the  revolutionary  war.  Fonda's 
i«f^  u""  ^\^«on^'"«.  10  miles  from  Johnstown,  incorporated  in 
1815,  has  about  800  inhabitants.  West  Galway  and  Union  Mills 
are  small  post  villages.     Pop.  2,728. 

Epiirata,  taken  from  Palatine  in  1827;  from  Albany  58  miles, 
from  Johnstown  centrally  di.stant  W.  10.  This  town  was  settled  in 
1724,  by  Germans.  Pop.  2,009.  Pleasant  Valley,  ilphrata,  and 
Lasselsville,  are  small  villages.  ^       ^ 


Southern  view  of  Johnstown. 

veir  "mo  Z'  Z'^^'T^/  "^T^^  Caughnawaga,  was  founded  about  the 
for  nprioH  J  1  ^'"''""  "^''''.V'""'  '^'^^  '"'^^''''^'l  h*^'*^  during  the  hit- 
Ir^  ^7  r  '"'.  '*'''  ^«««"t'«"y  in  t»>e  rank,  and  with  much  of  the 
splendor  ol  a  nobleman.     Sir  William  and  his  fan.ily,  by  various 

Thpir/r  ?^^''""'"'"^.'"'"'y  ^^"^^"^«  «"«'  '•^'t'^i''^''-^  "'"I'-r  them. 
l!.finl?v  P"'"^*'*'"""'''  however,  were  confiscated  during  the  revo- 
tCv2  f  i^^l  '"'"'"""^  *''  "  '■'  «'J'i«rence  to  the  British  cause, 
ins  irP  Z'',Vf  •^"''"''^"^"  "'  «t'«"t  4  miles  N.  of  Fonda,  the  seat  of 
n„,  vin„  ^^'""!^'"'"';'-y  ''"""ty,  and  44  from  Albanv.  The  accom- 
FrnnT^'^r'T'"'^''''""^'"'  ^'"^  »I>lH''"-«n«'  of  the  Village  as  viewed 
tro  n  the   irst  elevation  south,  on  the  road  to  Caughnawaga  ^r  Fonda 

£  e  ;  Mayheld  moun(n>„.s  nppear  in  the  extiv-me  distance.     The  vii- 

Fn  In' '''?  n  ^'"u'^'n  "  "•■'^'''^'"^  **  «hurches_l   r-a..bvterinn.  I 
I.pi8Copul,  1    Dutch  Reformed,   and   1    Methodist-and  about  260 


m 


m 


108 


KIJLTON    COUNTV. 


tnfw^t  .'!*  '^•"/"*•^'^^  9^  a  Imndsomo  plain,  skirted  on  the  N. 
and  W.  by  Ouyndutta  creek,  and  on  the  S.  l,y  ,,  hill  of  moderate  ele 
vatK.n.     It  wn«  regularly  laid  out  by  Henry  ^othoi^dtCem  ^Van 
Uensm.hur.  ,u..l  Chr.s  opher  P.  YateH,  state  corn,ni«s oners,  in  1784. 
and  was  nicorpomted  in  1807.     The  village  of  Kincslx  ro  is  4  mTs 
NK.  Irom  Johnstown;  it  has  a  Presbyterian  ehurch    an  iradZv 
a^d  about  -to  or  50  dwellings.     This  viLgo  has  a "  ui/o^  oS^^ 
nty,  as  b.MnK   ho  place  where  great  quantities  of  dressed  ir-skin 
gloves  and  m.nens  have  been  n.nnufacturcd.     The  town  of' Johns" 

;S.Tt"'''*;'"'"r,"''^*""r^  ^y  '^'  "'^'"«  of  Caugimawagafn 
niW ;  ,ts  territonar  hr,uts  have  since  been  much  reStced.  *Pop. 


I     \ 


Joh7ison  Hall,  in  Johnstown. 


The 


Si,  WilM  1  f  """^''.^s/*'"?  view  of  the  mansion-house  built  by 
Nil  \\dlia.n  Johnson.  <-ulled  "Johnson  Ua/r  This  house,  now  «»t- 
;;|.'i;;;Hi  hy  Wr.  Wells.  is  situated  about  three  fourths  of  a  mh^  NW 
>'  •'«;  '■'/'"••house.  ,M,  ground  gently  ehnatod  above  th,.  villnl  e  \Zo 
hall  .sell  Ks  bu.lt  of  wood,  bpt  the  buildings  or  win^rs  on  n  d,  si  le 
are  <,t  stone,  .m-reed  with  loo,,-holes  lor  nu.sketrv.     When  Sir  W  1-' 

.r,  a^f^^olk.     \V  bile  m  possession  o(  the  Johns.):,  liu.ulv,  this  was  a 

.  ee  o    .esort  lor  the  saehen.s  of  the  Six  Nations,  and'  al     h,  Mo- 

hawksjepa.red  th.ther  to  receive  their  presents  from  the  liritish  gov. 

Willinm  Johnson  was  born  in  Ireland  about  the  year  1714.  he 
was  a  n..phew  o  Sir  Peter  Warren,  the  naval  eommauder  who'd  ! 
t.ngu.she.!  hm..v-ll  at  the  siege  of  Louisburg  in  1745.  S  W  hav 
njg  marr  <-d  a  s.st.T  of  Ch.ef-justiee  De  Laneey  of  New  Y<  rk  pur- 
chased  a  a.g.^  tract  of  hnd  on  the  Mohawk,  and  about  the' C 
eJtaf;  V  "Vr''"'"'':.'"^'''""'  *"  America  and  su,H.rintend-thi8 
S«rie'a7.u'''T'"  '^^^^^'^^''^'ished  hiu.self  at  the  momh  of  the 
ftihohar.,«.  art.-rward  erected  a  house  in  the  town  of  Amsterdam 
and  sul«,.Hpa-,,tlv  the  luUi  at  Johnstown.  To  fulfil  the  dut^  of  S 
commission,  he  learned  the  hmguage  of  the  Indiutis,  studied  their 


\A    4 


PliLTON   COUNTY. 


160 


XnvlnJ  O-w''''^''*^  their  acquaintance.  His  situation  between 
AJbany  and  Oswego  presented  a  fine  opportunity  lor  trade  and  h^ 
earned  on  a  large  tra&c  with  them,  suppWihem  with  Sods  a^ 
receiving  m  return  beaver  and  other  skins.^  ify  a  course  olWious 
measures  he  obtamed  an  influence  over  the  Indians  greater  tS  was 
ever  possessed  by  any  other  white  man.  ^  *' 

troo"p  of  Now'Yn7t"'  ''T''l^  "^'i  '^"^  '^"'"'"^^  ^^the  provincial 
„,S^    a\u^  ^^^'  ^^^""^  'i«  'ed  to  Lake  George,  where  was 

mcncmg  at  tliat  period.     For  this  v  ctory.  towards  which  he  did  hut 

ctivcdtrom  the  house  of  commons  £.5,000  sterlinir;  and  from  tho 

.  Ss  \:',VA  "'^""^^'  7^  /'"  ^^'«««  «<■  «"P--intcnden?  ofXd  an 
u  Zr  rn n  .  '  '^'"^'  f  ^"'  ^''^'^^'^  "'^•''''  provincial  troops  emr.Ioyed 
o£.r  w"  •  1^  [hd'Tho''  ^^^'^^'^/'"'•^  Niagara,  he  becanu  whin  that 
omcc.r  was  k  ||,.,|,  the  commander-in-chief:  by  his  activity  and  skill 

m^  fn  17,i' wh"""?^""^"^?'"'^''  possessioLf  the  Ibrt^a^d  gar  ! 
son.     In  17(0,  when  Gen.  Amherst  embarked  at  Oswego  on  his  ex- 

nSis"of  th;"r^''  ^"  V''^  ^'•""S^^  *"  ^'"^  ^t  tha^t  phco  000 
th  hX  vvr  1^''"""  "'  ^"  ^''"'"'''  ^*^'"^'  ^^«  ^h«  '''^••fe'««t  number 
"Sil  Wiir^     1    "  ''''^"  '"  ^'""'  '^^  °"«  *""«  i"  the  cause  of  Englaml. 

S  r  Wilhan  Johnson  possessed  considerable  talents  as  an  orator 
.uul  h.s  mtluonce  ov<.r  the  Indians  was  not  a  little  owing  to  the  m 
press.on  made  upon  them  by  means  of  his  elocution.  .  ^  He  h^d 
wives  and  concubines,  sons  and  daughters,  of  different  cobrs."  By 
J-idv  jlohnson  he  had  .3  children-1  son  and  2  daurrhters  His  smi 
w'u  .;  Id  t''"-"'/'-'^  «'de  with  the  British,  in  ttie  r"  ol ,  i'  ^  J 
W.11,  u„d  became  the  scourge  of  the  Mohawk  valley.  One  of  the 
daughters  married  (Jol.  (Jaus,  and  the  other  Sir  GuWoI  nson  Sir 
W.ll.am  died  suddenly,  at  Johnson  Hall,  July  Hth^Tlrat-d  00 

J'm  &;'^;i;r  lESiK^^^ 

7  aced  do  iZ     ^         ^f '*''?.  ""^f"  '.''^  '•^^^''^^•'^  '^''^'^^  rich  suits 

remn"    "W  Ml    vlT  jl'^^'^' t''^'^'*"^'*  ^='"nt  to  him  and  said,  "I 

urtain.         Well !  what  did  you  dream  ?"    "  I  dream  vou  mvc  mo 

ui      1 V,  J  "'.'"' >""'"t"m  f         i  dreamed  you  cave  me  a  tract 
h.  i;  ^l^:«7'  "ng  it.     Hendriek  at  first  pause/at  t!,e  enormity  o' 

dream  again,  you  dream  too  hard  for  me."     The  tract  of  hind  thus 
o  S h^er^'t'  .^^ '--,'-"  »^  'nil-  «q«-,  in  thrpnlutoimty 

The  power  which  Sir  William  Johnson  acquired  over  the  Indians 

22 


mm 


I 


!ii       llHi 


•ti 

j|(  l! 


no 


FULTON   COUNTY. 


descended  to  his  son  and  to  his  nephew,  Col.  Guy  Johnson,  who  suc- 
ceeded him  in  the  agency  of  Indian  affairs.  As  the  family  had  de- 
rived most  of  their  wealth  and  consideration  from  the  crown,  they 
were,  as  might  be  supposed,  devoted  loyalists.  In  1775,  Gen.  Schuy- 
ler prevailed  upon  the  Indians  to  agree  to  be  neutral  in  the  coming 
conflict.  It  appeared,  however,  that  the  influence  of  the  Johnson 
family  prevailed  with  the  Indians,  and  induced  them  to  join  the 
British  cause.  It  also  appeared  that  Sir  John  was  fortifying  his 
house  and  arming  the  Scotch  Highlanders,  his  tenants  and  adherents. 
Congress  having  heard  of  these  movements,  sent  Gen.  Schuyler  to 
disarm  these  persons,  and  take  other  measures  to  secure  the  tranquillity 
of  Tryon  county.  Schuyler  set  out  on  this  mission  with  700  militia, 
but  before  he  reached  Caughnawaga  his  force  had  increased  to  three 
thousand.  At  Schenectady  a  deputation  of  Mohawks  under  the  in- 
fluence of  the  Johnsons  met  him,  and  with  much  artfulness  endea- 
vored to  dissuade  him  from  advancing.  On  the  16th  of  January, 
1776.  G  •  1.  Schuyler  despatched  a  letter  to  Sir  John,  requesting  him 
to  rite,  iiim  on  the  morrow  ;  they  accordingly  met,  and  after  some 
sub'.o«)i!:  it  delay,  he  and  the  Scotch  gentlemen  agreed  to  make  a 
delivery  of  the  arms  of  the  inhabitants.  Sir  John  likewise  agreed 
thy  hn  would  not  go  westward  of  German  Flats  and  Kinsland  dis- 
trict, iiid  that  six  Scotch  inhabitants  might  be  taken  as  hostages.  On 
the  lJ.h,  Schuyler  marched  into  Johnstown  and  drew  up  his  men  in 
a  line ;  the  Highlanders  were  drawn  up  facing  them,  and  grounded 
their  arms.  The  military  stores  were  surrendered  :  and  this  service 
being  performed,  Schuyler  and  the  militia  returned.  It  was  found 
afterward  that  the  Highlanders  had  not  delivered  up  their  broad- 
swords or  ammunition. 

Gen.  Herkimer  was  left  by  Gen.  Schuyler  to  complete  the  disarm- 
ing of  the  hostile  inhabitants.  Sir  John,  notwithstanding  his  word  of 
honor,  continued  his  hostile  intrigues  with  the  Indians,  and  otherwise 
forfeited  his  promises.  It  was  found  necessary  to  secure  him,  ajid  in 
May,  1776,  Col.  Dayton  was  sent  on  this  duty.  The  tories  in  Al- 
bany gave  notice  to  Sir  John  of  his  approach,  and  the  knight  and  his 
followers  fled  to  the  woods,  and  escaped  to  Canada,  arriving  at  Mon- 
treal after  nineteen  days  of  suftering  and  starvation.  He  left  his  re- 
sidence in  much  haste  :  an  iron  chest  with  the  family  Bible  and  papers 
were  buried  in  the  garden.  On  arriving  in  Canada,  the  baronet  was 
commissioned  a  British  colonel,  and  raised  the  regiment  of  tories  called 
the  Royal  Greens.  By  his  adherence  to  the  British,  his  immense  estate 
was  forfeited,  and  this  appears  to  have  inspired  him  with  implacable 
revenge.  On  Sunday,  the  21st  of  May,  1780,  at  dead  of  night.  Sir 
John  Johnson,  with  a  force  of  about  500  men,  part  of  whom  were 
Indians,  made  an  incursion  into  Johnstown.  He  had  penetrated  the 
country  by  way  of  Lake  Champlain  to  Crown  Point,  and  thence 
through  the  woods  to  the  Sacondaga  river.  The  following  account 
of  this  incursion  is  from  a  newspaper  published  June  15th,  1780. 

"By  the  latest  intelligence  from  Scheiieolady,  wi;  are  informed  that  Sir  John  Johnson, 
(who  styles  himself  Lieut,  colonel  commanding  the  King's  Royal  Yorkers,  in  tlie  parcels 


FULTON  COUNT y. 


171 


On  Monday,  about  daybreak,  they  began  to  bL  aJltT^  ""  '^°"^'  T""*  ^  'he  secret, 
beginmng  at  Aaron  Putnam's,  below  TripeSilfanH  t,''  'fT  '^"'^  "^  '•>«  f^^'X'. 
Noee,  or  Acker's  house,  except  a  few  S  hvL"  -."''""r"^.  •'"''"•"Sr  to  Anthony's 
after  the  enemy  had  set  them  on  fire  ThLl  T'&'Janco  of  the  people  were  put  out 
andamai;  many  cattle  weTe  kmed  in  Ae  fiSino^™^^^^ 
Eleven  persons  were  killed.  Col  Fisher  rvLcWi  Za  v  ."'  1°  'u^'^P  ''"""  *"  "  bam. 
bravery,  when  the  two  brothers  werP  kml^u^fP  ^""^  .'"^  ^"^^  '"■''»'>««  fought  with  great 
defended  himself,  but  being  o™wtredw^  Set  lit  ''•"°»«' -«"*  up  smir«  andS 
plundered  the  house,  set  it  on  fire,  andXn  we^t  off  Thp  .T  "^^  ''^P^'"'  °"  ''^•^^  '^ey 
he  was  left  by  the  enemy  for  dead,  he  pu"le7one  of  HiTh   ^"'""^[^^^"^^ring  « litUe,  though 

h  ^TTl'^u^  °'''^'-  ^"^  consumed  1n'^"Eeho^e     It  ,«,  -^^"J^T^i  "^  "'^  ''""^^  "i^" 
tha  Col.  Fwher  will  recover.    His  mothpr  h„^^  **"'  "'*'  '''^  ^""^^o^  hav«  hopes 

dian  who  had  formerly  been  used  bv  him  witV,  T-  J  P'"  ?*'"^"  ^««  ^^'^ed  by  an  In- 
Old  Mr.  Fonda  was  cut  in  Beveral  p'rts  of  L  he  J^ra't"*^  ^f'f''^  ""-h  gLitule. 
for  the  alertness  of  Mr.  Van  Vrank  Droh«hlv  J!>?  ^'th  a  tomahawk.  Had  it  not  been 
savage  hands,  he  alarmed  the  pcoVralS  Te  wrvt'^r'^''^^  ^*^'"  ^""^''''^''d  by  theTr 
the  river  saved  their  lives.  HaviL  done  nl  fh»  i^io  ^^  f  Caughnawaga,  who  by  crossing 
possibly  could,  they  returned  t3„son  Hall  t  Xlff '"  "''  ^T""'^  inhabifantsTl  "y 
plate  and  about  sundown  marched  "the  Sc"tch  Bush  ruT?,'  "''•?  "^'j!"^''"  "^"^  "P  '"« 
has  15  or  20  of  his  negroes  who  had  been  sold  •  spvprni  fT  "•"  ""^^''  '^''^  ^^ening.  He 
with  him.    He  has  pcmitted  some  of  h^  T.!.  '  °^^'^  **"'*"'^  ^nd  others  have  gone 

when  he  landed  at  C^owli  Poimri  said  to  rabo'u"  sV^n"  onVT'f '  "'^  ^h'"  ^-e 
his  own  regiment,  and  Indians.  Capt.  Pmnam  and  four  m„*f^?"  "^^  "?'■"  ^"''^h,  part  of 
four  days,  on  their  way  to  Lake  ChamDl«  n  H»  ^ur  men  followed  them  in  their  retreat 
Some  think  they  will  fake  thd^ortf  Oswajatc We"  tt  tV  '""''  ^'°'"  ^'^'-^  ^ 
have  not  provisions  sufficient  with  them  HTetellencv  ttr''™' ''"P^'''''''''^' ««  *ey 
body  of  mihria  to  intercept  their  way  to  Lake  rh«m.^f  ^  ^  governor  has  collected  a 
from  Ae  New  Hampshire  grants  foTtL  san  e  p™'   C  Jl  V„"t7  ^T  "'««  ""^^-^h^d 

r^=dttirr;:-,°^^S^^^^^^^ 

co^eupwithandgiveagLdaiuro^riSia^^^^^^ 

stanch'whrgrSn'^^^^  -^  his  three  sons/all 

and  their  diellini' td  ^  a  h^ ^The'l^ ff  S '  ''  *'^  ^'^fV 
youngest  son,  a  youth  of  ei^rhtepn  wlL  .  1  Sammons  and  his 
Jacob  and  Frederick,  the  oKson^  were  ?!'"''?  r^  ^'T  J'^^"'  ^"t 
hned  in  the  fortress  of  Chmrblce     Km  t.       ",  '^  ^^Z"^^^  ^"'^  ««»- 

"  A  singular  but  wcll-attestcd  occurrence  "  savs  Pnl  «, 
«ona  narrative.     The  family  of  the  dd  "r  Sammo.S  h   ,T'     "'"'"^  ""^  interesting  per. 
On  he  morning  after  his  arrival  at  Schenectody  he  detn,  /"^  ^T"  "P  ^^""^^ri^k  as^lost. 
hand  of  an  officer  on  his  way  to  Philaddn,^„wh„i  if  ''''''','' '"""  '»  '"«  f'"hpr,  by  rhe 
^'.":fir  n'i'-s  distant  from%he  Ve  fd^  J^^^^  ""'/''"  house  of  a  Mr.  Levf  De 

which  the  letter  was  thus  left,  Jacob  Ire  medfl?  f  "''"««"•  The  same  night  on 
that  there  was  a  letttr  from  h  m  at  De  Wiu-A  '"'  ''"^  ^'"''■"^  Frederick  was  living,  and 
was  repealed  twice,  and  the  co'Ln^  „f*  j^l  tter "Z!  1'''' T^^"!  'f*^'"^-  ^''^  ^^e^" 
mmd   that  he  repented  what  he  believed  was  the  1,  T  ''""«'•''  impressed  upon  his 

insisting  that  such  a  letter  was  at  he  nla^P  n,ln,-      ^>"gll^*^'  °"  "'e  ensuing  morning-! 
lar,  laughed  at  him  for  his  credul  .r  tZJuoTf-  •  ^^  ("'"">'•  "^'^  '"■"^'-r  in  pa^tfcu. 
communication,  he  repaired  to  thn  ni„„   j    ^'  ""^.o^Pr,  m  the  belief  that  there  was  m.rh  » 
Jook.d  fo,  it,  but  rep  iedthe?ewa^'rn;T''f'''"'^'^'"''''«' 'he  letter     M^^^ 
hphold  dje  letter  wa^  ^.J^MrZ^Zne^'X^^^^^^^^ 

Mr.  Do  W,.t  to  open  the  letter,  and  exambewhirhe  Ipp  ,   i   """•    ^"""^  '^en  requested 
the  dreamer  repeated  it  won!  for  word.-^^  *"'  '^"'^''  "*  '"""e"'«-    Ho  did  so,  and 


« 


ITS 


PULTON    COUNTV, 


In  the  summer  of  1781,  another  expedition  was  sent  against  Johns- 
town.   This  was  conducted  with  so  much  secrecy,  that  on  the  24th 
of  Oct.,  the  enemy,  about  one  thousand  in  number  under  Majors  Ross 
and  Butler,  were  upon  the  settlement  at  Warrensbush  bctore  their 
approach  was  suspected.    Col.  Willet,  who  was  at  Fort  Rensselaer 
about  twenty  miles  distant,  on  hearing  the  news,  immediately  marched 
for  Fort  Hunter,  which  he  reached  early  on  the  following  morning 
with  all  the  forces  he  could  muster,  being  but  416  men  in  all.     When 
he  arrived  here,  he  learned  that  Ross  and  Butler  had  the  preceding 
day  crossed  the  river  some  distance  below  Tripe's  Hill,  and  arrived 
at  Johnstown  about  the  middle  of  the  day,  killing  and  taking  the  peo- 
ple prisoners,  destroying  buildings  and  cattle  on  their  way.     Having 
offcctcd  the  passage  of  the  river,  Col.  Willet  pushed  on  in  pursuit  of 
the  enemy.     Havmg  ascertained  their  position,  he  detached  Major 
Rowley,  of  Massachusetts,  with  part  of  his  force,  by  a  circuitous 
march,  to  fall  upon  the  rear  of  the  enemy  while  he  attacked  them  in 
front,  a  short  distance  above  the  Hall.     The  battle  became  spirited 
and  general,  but  the  militia  under  Col.  Willet  gave  way,  and  ran  in 
the  utmost  confusion  to  the  stone  church  in  tne  village.    Here  the 
colonel  succeeded  in  bringing  them  to  a  halt.     But  the  defeat  would 
have  been  complete,  had  not  Major  Rowley,  at  this  period  of  the  ac- 
tion,  emerged  from  the  woods  and  fell  upon  the  enemy's  rear  in  the 
very  moment  of  their  exultation  at  their  easy  victory.     The  fight 
was  now  maintained  on  both  sides  with  obstinacy  till  near  sunset, 
when  Willet  was  enabled  to  collect  a  respectable  force,  with  which 
he  returned  to  the  field,  and  again  mingled  in  the  fight.     The  battle 
was  kept  up  till  dark,  when  the  enemy,  pressed  on  all  sides,  fled  in 
disorder  to  the  woods — nor  stopped  short  of  a  mountain  six  miles 
distant.     The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  conflict  was  about  forty. 
The  enemy  lost  about  the  same  number  killed,  and  about  fifty  pri- 
soners. 

"  Mnjor  Ross  retrpnted  up  tlie  north  side  of  the  Mohawk,  marching  all  night,  after  the 
battle.  In  the  niorning  he  was  pursued  by  Col.  Willet,  but  was  not  overlakon.  The  re- 
gion  of  country  over  which  Ross  retreated,  after  he  had  passed  the  scttienients,  lies  twenty 
or  thirty  niiloa  north  of  Fort  Schuyler,  and  ct  that  time  was  unouliiviiled  and  desolate.  His 
unny  suflcred  nuieh  from  hunger.— It  was  on  this  retreat  that  Walter  Butler  was  killed  : 
he  was  pursued  by  a  small  party  of  Oneida  Indians;  when  ho  arrived  at  West  Canada 
creek,  about  1.5  miles  above  Herkimer,  he  swam  his  horse  across  the  stream,  and  then  turn- 
ing  round,  defied  his  pursuers,  who  were  on  the  opposite  side.  An  Oneida  iimnediiitely 
discharged  his  rifle  and  wounded  him ;  he  fell.  Throwing  down  his  rifle  and  his  blanket, 
the  Indian  plunged  into  the  creek  and  swam  across ;  as  soon  as  he  had  gained  the  opposito 
bank,  he  raised  his  tomahawk,  and  with  a  yell,  sprang  like  a  tiger  upon  his  fallen  foe. 
Butler  supplicated,  though  in  vain,  for  mercy;  the  Oneida  with  his  uplifted  axe,  shouted  in 
his  broken  English,— '  A'Afrry  Valley  !  remember  Sherry  Valley  r  and  then  buried  it  in  his 
brains :  he  tore  the  scalp  from  the  head  of  his  victim  still  quivering  in  die  agonies  of  death, 
and  ere  the  remainder  of  the  Oneidas  had  joined  him,  the  spirit  of  Waller  Buller  had  gone' 

to  give  up  its  account.     The  place  where  he  crossed  is  called  Builer'a  Ford  to  this  day." 

Campbell't  AnnaU  of  TYyon  County. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  kind  of  diploma,  in  possession  of  the 
New  York  Historical  Society,  which  it  would  seem  the  Johnson 
family  were  in  the  habit  of  giving  to  those  Indians  in  whom  they 
confided.     In  the  vignette,  a  British  oflicer  is  seen  presenting  a  medal, 


FULTON   COUNTY. 


173 


sVe^ecfu'ndfS  ''''"  f  '"dian  dressed  in  the  aboriginal 
arfall  re,Xnted.      ' ''''  P'pe  of  peace,  the  chain  of  friendship,  W. 


^-^^5^-- 


U,ni?nt  ?;  SrAffa.'™  f^'lheVt''"  V''''-'^"^^^''^-'>''»  «<"«  Agent  and  Superin 
Six  United  NationstS  AlL^anKSd^nltr  &o"' ^°"''  ^•"•'"'"'  CoIoncTthe" 

BritanL  Majesty-a  Inlrerand'zt?  C Wr^tc':^  "'  ^°"'  »«^'='""^"'  •"  his 

By  Command  of  Sir  W :  jio,t.  "^""^  "  ^''''"''''"  """  "»«        ''ay  of       17 

yar^dt^^Sjr^fllrw^^^  '^^'"  '"^"--^-"  ^'^^g-e. 

oh:rSirwT;'hrdifd'Saf  ,^91^3  tr'-i;^  ""rr  ^^^'^  p-^^-^- 

in  Ro8sh,re  in  ,ho  north  of  Scotland  t  IttSh  A  I)  T^J'^'^i'^  ^''  "S^'  ««  ^-^  born 
cation  in  the  Univereity  of  Aberdeen  and  comn^l^H'  l-^\  He  received  a  finished  edu- 
nary  connected  with  that  inmi.ution  'Asa, nantw  ^'"  !"«"'"«'<-•'''  ««""e  in  the  nemi. 
nan  his  convei«ation  was  in  Heaven  anrt  wU?'  *«lJ"diciou8  and  prudent-ai,  a  Chris, 
lovely,  and  of  good  report,  these  weT^hilliTmiZ  ""r.^"«  "■"--'.  honest,  just,  pure^ 
m  his  sentiments,  circ.imipect  in  1,  s  wV  and  w„f  lir"!  ")•'  F'^"^'  ^'^  '"^  evangclica 
people,  of  which  he  had  the  ovetJZt  for  th«  .,1^  /"'  °^  ''>«/P'"tual  welfare  of  his 
which.  thoi«h  deeply  and  aensibir^t  L  1  e  a  ;,^.„t  ?  "''.^"'1.*' ''  ^^  ^^  y^"'^-  «'«  death, 
appreciated  his  sterling  worth,  was  to  h.m  groatTafn."'"*  ^'  ""  ^'"'  *'^"  ''"^'^  «"«»  "«''"y 
"  This  stone  was  erected  hv  >4»n»  M- 1'      •    • 

a.e  husband    Dugald  McKenzi;;  wL  dep7»ed  'tSis^rf'^"'  T''^'^"'^^  "^  ''^  •^-'i""- 
87  years  and  7  months.  Uep«rted  this  life  on  the  7th  of  Sept.,  1809.  aged 

No  private  interest  did  his  soul  invade, 
No  foe  he  injured,  no  kind  friond  betrayed ; 
He  followed  virtue  as  his  surest  guide, 
^^  Lived  like  a  Christian,  like  a  Christia;,  died." 

•que  r"  gTnrt7in"'htl"r^r  ?h!s"^^^^^^^  f  "f"^''  '■"^'"^^'^  "  -P""'"  '"  ">«  r,r=-t,-n. 
yean,  past  a  citizen  of  -he  United  StTtoswh??"  ^Ti'  ^Tl  l''"  ^^J-  ""'^  ^o'  'hirty 
71st  year  of  his  age."  "'  *''*'  •'^Pw'ed  tlut  life  5th  January,  1811,  i,,  the 


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Hiotographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WfBSTIRNY    MSIO 

(716)  873-4503 


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174 


GENESEE   COliNrV. 


Ma YPiELD,  taken  from  Caughnawaga  in  1793;  from  Albany  40 
and  from  Johnstown,  NE.,  8  miles.  Cranberry  Creek,  Mayfield,  and 
Ricefield,  are  post-offices.     Pop.  2,615. 

Northampton,  taken  from  Broadalbin  in  1801.  At  the  confluence 
of  the  Scandaga  river  and  the  Mayfield  creek,  lies  the  small  village 
of  "  Fish  House,  where  Sir  William  Johnson  had  his  sporting  lodge 
or  summer  retreat  Northampton,  or  Fish  House  village,  17  miles 
NE.  from  Johnstown,  is  a  small  village.  There  is  here  a  splendid 
bridge  across  the  river,  costing  about  $60,000.  Northville  and  Os- 
bom's  Bridge  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  1,526. 

Oppenheim,  taken  from  Palatine  in  1808 ;  from  Albany  63,  from 
Johnstown,  W.,  18  miles.  This  town  was  settled  m  1724,  by  Ger- 
mans. Its  present  inhabitants  are  characterized  by  the  hardy  in- 
dustry and  frugality  of  that  nation.  Oppenheim  and  Bracket's  Bridge 
are  post-offices.     Pop.  2,169.  ^ 

Perth,  recently  taken  from  Amsterdam,  of  Montgomery  county ; 
It  IS  10  miles  E.  of  Johnstown,  and  is  the  smallest  town  in  the  count v' 
Pop.  737.  ^ 

Stratford,  taken  from  Palatine  in  1805;  from  Albany  63  miles. 
JNicholsville  IS  a  small  settlement,  23  miles  NW.  from  Johnstown,  on 
the  west  line  of  the  county.    Pop.  500. 


GENESEE  COUNTY. 

Gewebee  county  was  taken  from  Ontario  in  1802,  and  has  since 
been  much  reduced  by  the  formation  of  several  counties  from  it  • 
centrally  distant  from  New  York  321,  from  Albany  258  miles.  This 
county  pertains  to  the  great  plain  of  the  west,  ancl  forms  with  Wyo- 
ming the  highest  portion  of  it.  Upon  the  west,  the  streams  run  to 
l.ake  bric,  and  on  the  east  to  the  Genesee  river :  as  in  limestone 
countries  generally,  the  stream*  are  subject  to  much  fluctuation, 
i  he  soil  IS  generally  highly  fertile,  and  produces  as  fine  crops  of 
wheat  as  any  nart  of  the  state.  By  the  recent  erection  of  Wyoming 
county  from  the  s<»uthem  portion,  this  county  is  reduced  to  twelve 
towns,  and  a  pt)pulution  of  about  30,000. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  articles  and  rates  of  wages,  taken  from 
a  history  of  Genesee  county,  published  in  1804,  by  Robert  Munroe: 

fr<m«.,Oto  §H    ;  „„|,1,  cow.    «lb  to  085;  .pair  oC  K"»'i  workii.B  Ii'th,-.,  $100  to 

^pnng  f H  t„  f  lOj  wh»kry  (,0  to  75  ceni*  a  K«llon  ;  .nit,  $1  «  bushrl.  w.iKhing  56  lb«. ; 

pearl  a.h....  M  ha«  ho.-n  h.,M  at  tnarkH  a.  |lli>r.  t..$1.50  ;  an.,  h.,,,,..  prn.,,,,.  t.v  ■Tnvi.J 
Uieir  Mhea,  or  by  n.anufttciuring  ih«n>,  lmv«  nwly  dtmd  ih*  cu«t  of  iinprovii^f  land^ 


1  Albany  40, 
Bayfield,  and 

le  confluence 
small  village 
orting  lodge, 
ige,  17  miles 
re  a  splendid 
ville  and  Os- 

iny  63,  from 
724,  by  Ger- 
le  hardy  in- 
:ket's  Bridge 

ery  county ; 
1  the  county. 

ny  63  miles, 
hnstown,  on 


OENESEE   COUNTY. 


i7a 


id  has  since 
ies  from  it ; 
niles.  This 
with  Wyo- 
3ams  run  to 
II  limestone 
fluctuation. 
10  crops  of 
r  Wyoming 
i  to  twelve 

taken  from 
I't  Munroe : 

I  bi-'hf  I ;  hay, 
yoke  tif  oxen, 
>rNcs,  $  too  to 
•  II). — dalfod  in 
«hing  56  ib«. ; 
I  ton  (if  (Hit  ur 
iioniihy  dnviiig 
nproving  land. 


857  mflpf'  Th  ""  '"""  Pembroke  and  Shelby  in  1826  j  from  Albany 
Atader  cla.«al  school,  in  On,  .own,  was  totofpo^atedtn  Ju. 


Weslem  vU<o  of  the  antral  part  of  Balavia. 


.eclfmmrwd„r„v  MheTl  "'°  '"'"f  P""  "f  B".»vi»,  „. 
from  the  courthouTsS  in  11, Jr.?.  T'"  "'^^■. ">>"'"  •«»  ™d-  NW. 
village  c„„,i.,.  of  "aS  300  °lwd  .W.'"'"  "'  "'?  'TV"'«-    '''''« 


w^ 


176 


GENESEE    COUNTY. 


1  bank,  and  8  printing  offices,  and  the  office  of  the  Holland  Land  Com- 

gai^.  Dr.  Dwight,  who  on  his  visit  to  Niagara  Falls  passed  through 
latavia  in  Oct.,  1804,  states  that  at  that  time  it  contained  "  from  20 
to  30  houses ;  a  considerable  number  of  them  built  of  logs  ;  the  rest 
small,  and  chiefly  of  one  story.  The  courthouse,  a  well-looking 
structure,  has  three  stories,  the  second  of  which  is  the  county  jail. 
He  also  says,  "  in  the  season  when  we  were  on  the  ground,  so  many 
persons  were  ill  of  the  diseases  common  to  this  region,  that  those  who 
remained  well,  were  scarcely  able  to  nurse  the  sick." 


Office  of  the  Holland  Land  Company. 

The  above  is  an  eastern  view  of  the  office  of  the  Holland  Land 
Company  in  Batavia,  about  80  rods  northward  from  the  courthouse. 
The  state  of  New  York,  in  1786,  granted  the  state  of  Massachusetts 
more  than  six  million  acres  of  her  western  territory,  [see  page  40,] 
which  that  state  sold  to  Oliver  Phelps  and  Nathaniel  Gorham,  for  one 
million  of  dollars.  These  gentlemen  soon  after  extinguished  the  In- 
dian title  to  a  part  of  this  territory ;  they  surveyed  it  into  tracts, 
denominated  ranges  and  townships,  and  sold  large  parcels  to  specu- 
lators and  actual  settlers.  In  1790,  they  sold  nearly  the  whole  of 
the  residue  of  the  survey,  1,204,000  acres,  to  Robert  Morris,  of  Phila- 
delphia, for  eight  pence  the  acre,  who  resold  it  to  Sir  William  Pult- 
ney.  Phelps  and  Gorham  being  unable  to  fulfil  their  contract  in  full 
with  Massachusetts,  compromised  and  surrendered  that  part  of  the 
land  to  which  the  Indian  title  was  unextinguished ;  in  consideration 
of  which,  the  state  relinquished  two  thirds  of  the  contract  price.  In 
1796,  Robert  Morris  purchased  from  the  state  this  portion  also — ex- 
tinguished the  Indian  title — sold  off'  several  large  tracts  upon  the  east 
side,  and  along  the  Genesee,  and  mortgaged  the  residue  to  Wilhem 
Willink,  of  Amsterdam,  and  1 1  associates,  called  the  "  Holland  Land 
Company."  This  company,  by  the  foreclosure  of  the  mortgage,  ac- 
quired full  title  to  the  land,  surveyed  it,  and  opened  their  first  land- 
office  in  Batavia  in  1801.  "Having  sold  a  large  proportion  of  the 
countrv,  they,  in  1805,  conveyed  the  residue  of  the  wild  lands  to 
several  companies,  whaJiave  undertaken  to  retail  them." 


6E1TESEE   COITNTT. 


177 


lesuLT£rZ'"''  '^S^'°S  "^'■'^  *°  ^^"^^  Ontario,  on  the 
Strthe  ieaJr^!^7'  ^^^T  ««"°ty~two  fifths  of  Allegany 

From  various  mSAi^:„.:'/T  "^'""^^  h'=  '•«">»™<1  to  Rochester 
S  thffarfhlonJj  F"'  '*  IPP?''^'  ^^«  ^  ''«y^I  ^reh  mason  ;  and 
ba  1  •  hp  w        1^  "^^^  "'^'^^^  '^^  ^  *='^''  «"it  at  fiatavia,  and  gave 

down  Millers  prmt.ng  office,  where  "Morgan's  Book"  was  prin™ 

a  r^gi^tme'^of  C?n  Jd?'  'PPf"'"*'""  ^«^  "^'^^  *^  ^'  ^hipman,  Esq.. 
stS^r  !k-    ^^"«ndaigua,  for  a  warrant  to  apprehend  Morgan  for 

carria;?e  wa/sSr^.  V^^  ^^l  'f'''''  of  Morgan  just  as  the 
urgedTo  drive  fost^;iS"L^\'""f/^^^^^  "^'i«' "^^^  ^^e  Jriver  was 
arrived  in  (W^nl  iSr  '''""''^  «^*  ""*  «^  ^^e  county.    Having 

maltrate  ih^Thn  P""'  ^"T"  '"  '''''  ^^^"'"«  was  taken  before  thf 
Td^S  areed  (W^'f'!'^'  ""'"''r''  ''^"'^  ^««  ^X  ^im  examined 
same  mSrl  fl^o  ^''^^  party  then  immediately  applied  to  the 
^2  Xr   e  lui^hadT''^'  "^'^'"l  ^"••^'^  for;  d'ek  of  about 


■M 


178 


GENEStlE    COUNTT. 


offered  It  to  the  constable  to  levy  upon  for  the  debt  The  constable 
declmed  receiving  it,  and  Morgan  was  committed  to  the  Canandaigua 
j^^l  the  same  evening,  where  he  remained  till  the  evening  of  the  next 

On  the  12th  of  Sept.,  about  9  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  wife  of  the 
miler,  at  the  request  of  the  plaintiff  in  the  executionf  consented  to  let 
Morgan  out  of  the  prison.    As  he  was  leaving  the  jail  steps,  he  was 
violently  seized  by  two  persons;  he  strugglef  and  cried  « murder," 
a  number  of  times.     Two  other  persons  now  came  up,  one  of  whom 
stopped  Morgan's  outcry  by  thrusting  a  handkerchief,  or  something 
similar,  mto  his  mouth.     At  a  signal  given  by  one  of  the  party,  a  two- 
horse  carriage  now  drove  up  ;  two  of  the  party  thrust  korgan  into 
the  ca/riage,  and  then  got  in  themselves.     This  carriage  arrived  in 
Kochester  about  day-dawn   the  next  moruing.     Another  carriage 
was  procured,  and  relays  of  horses  were  obtained.     When  the  party 
arrived  at  New  Fane,  about  3  miles  from  Lockport,  they  sent  to  the 
sheriff  of  Niagara  county,  to  assist  them  in  getting  Slorgan  into 
Canada.     The  sheriff  accordingly  left  Lockport,  attended  the  party! 
and  assisted  them  in  procuring  horses,  &c.    They  arrived  at  Lewi's- 
ton  about  midnight ;  here  another  carriage  was  procured,  and  the 
party  was  driven  to  the  burying  ground  near  Fort  Niagara.     Here 
they  left  the  carriage  and  proceeded  with  Morgan  m  their  custody  to 
the  terry,  and  crossed  over  to  the  Canada  side.   After  conferring  with 
a  number  of  persons  in  Niagara  village,  Morgan  was  brought  back, 
as  arrangements  had  not  been  completed  for  his  reception.     This 
event  it  appears  had  been  anticipated.    Morgan  was  taken  to  the 
magazine  of  Fort  Niagara,  and  locked  in  before  day-dawn,  on  the 
morning  of  the  14th  of  September. 

On  the  day  that  Morgan  was  put  into  the  magazine,  a  royal  arch 
chapter  was  installed  at  Lewiston,  which  event  called  together  a 
considerable  assemblage  of  masons  from  the  vicinity.  «  In  the  even- 
ing, 20  or  30  persons  came  to  the  fort  from  Lewiston.  About  mid- 
night, 7  persons,  stated  to  be  royal  arch  masons,  held  a  consultation 
^K  M  i!  :?•  "^^'^  the  graveyard,  as  to  the  manner  in  which  Morgan 
should  be  disposed  of.  The  prevailing  opinion  among  them  appeared 
to  be.  that  Morgan  had  forfeited  his  life  for  a  breach%f  his  masonic 
obligations,  and  that  they  ought  to  see  the  penalty  executed  by 
drowning  him  m  the  river ;  some  of  the  company  discovcrinir  a  re- 
Uactance  to  go  to  such  lengtlis,  the  project  was  al)andoned  at  that  time. 
Unthe  night  of  the  16th,  a  similar  consultation  was  held  between 
tour  persons,  but  nothing  was  decided  on.  "  As  to  the  disposition  of 
Morgan,  after  the  evening  of  the  14th  of  September,  nothing  has  yet 
been  known  judicially,  but  circumstances  are  strong,  to  induce  the 

fflon  i!    u  ^^  "^^^  P"*  ^?  '^''^^^  «"  t*'^  »'«ht  of  the  19th  of  Sept., 
I»^0,  by  being  cast  into  the  depths  of  Niagara  river."* 

Bergen,  taken  from  Murray  in  1818 ;  bounds  since  altered.    Ber- 


hei7«:E,ij:L%';rn.h:^^^^^^^^^    '"^ ''"'"' ''""'"  -""■"""""'''  ^•''"^•""■""• 


-% 


The  constable 
!  Canandaigua 
ig  of  the  next 

he  wife  of  the 
msented  to  let 
steps,  he  was 
ed  "  murder," 
one  of  whom 
or  something 
party,  a  two- 
Morgan  into 
ge  arrived  in 
ther  carriage 
hen  the  party 
3y  sent  to  the 
Morgan  into 
ed  the  party, 
'^ed  at  Lewis- 
Jred,  and  the 
igara.    Here 
iir  custody  to 
nferring  with 
)rought  back, 
jption.     This 
taken  to  the 
dawn,  on  the 

a  royal  arch 
1  together  a 
In  the  even- 
About  mid- 
consultation 
lich  Morgan 
em  appeared 
his  masonic 
axccuted  by 
vering  a  re- 
nt that  time, 
eld  between 
isposition  of 
ling  has  yet 
•  induce  the 
th  of  Sept., 

ered.    Ber- 


nio  convention, 


GENESEE  COUNTT. 


179 


Be?h™v''I'S,"«p'",'?°?'™  '»  "*'«'  «•<>"■  Albany 241  mile, 

Hm '■rJl'*™J'r  %"'»  '"  'S'"  ■•  from  Albany  260  miles     Rne 
"CrV's^e"  ^''™''  '^«»''''  '»''  C^ysvill"  a^  aS 


.■-^■1-:S^ 


Eastern  view  of  Le  Roy  Village. 

byterian  church  and  nbmftSrt'  '  ?'"'"' '  M''""'"'"'.  ™''  I  Pr*,. 
and  of  very  Mai  aplar^L^^r  ."""'"«'• 'r™"*""  •■?  "■"I'l"  I"" 

i3  .«  lee.  wiihraT„,i.^-'3-ian^';;:'ta  ^^/.hf  j'IIe  'i 


:'4 


• 


180 


OKNRIIIRH  OOtTNTY. 


third  of  80  fnct    South  Le  Roy  is  a  small  sottlemont,  12  miles  from 
Bnfjiviii.     Pop.  4,885. 

Pavilion,  organized  in  1841.  This  township  comprises  the  north- 
ern part  ol  the  oriamal  town  of  Covington,  now  in  Wyominij  county. 
Pavilion  is  n  small  village,  II  miles  SE.  from  Batavia. 

Prmiirokk,  taken  from  Batavia  in  1812;  bounds  since  altered; 
from  Albany  257  miles.  Richville,  14  miles  W.  from  Batavia,  and 
Corfu,  are  small  villages.    East  Pembroke  is  a  post-office.     Pop 

Dr.  Dwight,  who  travelled  through  this  town  in  Oct.,  1804,  notices 
the  circumstance  of  his  passing,  when  in  this  part  of  the  state,  through 
ottk  plains  or  «;jfntrt^.<».  These  grounds  are  described  as  having  a 
varied  surface,  and  in  a  gn^at  dej5r(;e  destitute  of  forests,  but  (;over«?d 
With  grass,  weeds,  and  shrubs  of  various  kinds:  ho  supi^scs  thcso 
openings  to  have  been  caused  by  the  Indians  burning  them  over,  to 
produce  pasture  for  doer.  The  following  is  extracted  from  the  4th 
vol.  ot  his  Travels. 

"  WhiMi  oiip  of  thoKP  plninR  in  ncfin  nt  n  litUe  dinlnncc,  n  trnvcllcr  emerging  from  tho  foront 
nmiirnly  com'liidr»,  ihnt  it  ia  iho  comnu'iicKiiiPnt  of  n  sottlod  country,  ami  iw  ho  ndvoiicfii 
townnlR  It,  iH  iiwtmoiivi'ly  IimI  io  <;iwt  hJM  oyo  forward  to  find  tlui  villuK"  of  which  it  in  Uio 
oiUKkirl.     I-roiu  thw  iniprriwioii  his  iiiiiid  will  bo  uniihlr  to  fr.'«  itwlf :  for  tho  thoutfhi. 
though  Kivon  lip,  will  r.>r(ir  nunin  nnd  aR«in,  in  spito  of  hin  iibHoliiln  conviction  that  he  ia 
in  the  hcnrt  ol  an  inini«nM<  wildortuw.     At  tho  aanin  time  •  Hcnun  of  atillncw  and  Nolilndo. 
«  IPclmK  ol  nlwolutc  ri-tircnicnt  from  tho  world,  deeper  and  more  aflbotiiig  than  any  which 
lie  ha«  even  »ii»pected  l.elor.«,  will  he  forced  npon  lum  while  he  in  roving  over  one  of  thcao 
•eijueRi.'riHl  regions.     No  pitaaago  out  of  them  ia  prcHented  to  hia  t-ye.     Yet  though  Uie 
tract  around  him  i»  acemingjy  bounded  everywhere,  tho  boundary  ia  everywhere  olwriire; 
being  formed  by  trees  thinly  diaperned,  nnd  retired  beyond  each  other,  at  auch  diataiicex,  aa 
that  while  in  many  placea  they  actually  limit  tho  view,  they  appear  rather  to  boKJer  dim. 
indialmct  op..ninga  into  other  ira.la  of  country.     Thua  he  alwaya  fcela  the  limit  to  be  un! 
certain  i  and  until  he  la  aciuolly  leaving  one  of  these  plniiia,  will  continually  expect  to  find 
a  part  of  the  expanmon  atill  spreading  beyond  the  reach  of  his  eve.     At  every  litUe  distance 
especially  on  the  higher  grounds,  tho  view  ia  widely,  though  indefinitely  extended  along  tho 
mirlttce ;  and  a  htU.«  above  where  he  looks  through  the  stems  of  Uie  trees,  ia  bounded  onlv 
liy  Uie  horiion.     On  every  side  n  multitude  of  chasms  conduct  hia  eye  beyond  tho  labyrinth 
by  wlueh  he  IS  surrounded ;  and  |m-seni  an  imaginary  passage  back  into  the  world,  from 
which  ho  IS  withdrawn ;  bewildering  him  with  cxiwctntion,  continually  awakened  to  be 
continually  disappomie*!.    Thus  in  a  kind  of  wild,  romantic  rapture,  he  wanders  over  these 
plaln^  with  emotions  aimilar  to  tiio«i  with  which,  when  a  child,  he  roamed  through  tho 
wilderiie*.  created  in  Arabian  tales  or  the  imaginary  regions  spread  before  him  in  a  dream. 
He  M  iiot  only  separated  iroin  a  1  human  beings,  but  is  every  moment  conscious  of  this 
■eparadon.     Whenever  ho  ascends  one  of  the  superior  elevaUons,  he  seems  to  stand  above 
Uie  rest  of  the  globe.    On  ever>- aide  he  looka  downward;  and  beholds  a  prospect  with 
nany  vistas.  o|H-mng  indeed  around  him,  but  conducting  his  eye  to  iio  definite  object  and 
osing  It  m  contusion  .ind  olwcuriiy.     His  view  is  confined  by  iM>iiher  forests  nor  nmun- 
sins  :  Willie  yet  in>es  in  a  thin  dis|M>rsion  partly  interrupt  it ;  but  at  the  some  time  discover. 
llirouglKliuir  various  openings,  that  it  has  no  oilier  limiiHtion  than  the  skirts  of  the  heav- 
ens -While  he  wanders  on  through  Uiis  bewildering  scenery,  he  cannot  fail  to  remember, 
thai  on  ihese  plame  Indians  have  lived,  and  rt»ved,  ami  hunted,  and  fought,  ever  since  their 
Hist  arrival  Irom  the  shores  of  Asia.     Here,  iiiiiese  they  molested  each  other,  there  waa 
nothing  to  molest  them.    They  wer..  the  sole  lords.  Uie  undisturbed  possessors  of  Uie 
couiiuy.     Mere,  Uienfore,  he  will  chII  up  brfon<  his  iiimginaiion  the  secret  windings  of  the 
acout;  Uie  burst  of  the  v-ar-h.Hip;  the  fury  of  an  Indian  onset;  the  triumphant  display  of 
Mftljie ;  aiul  tlie  horrora  of  the  war.dance  In-fore  die  tortured  and  expiring  captive.     Whether 
these  thoughw  will  be  excited  in  Uie  mind  of  any  future  traveller,  I  know  not:  in  my  own 
they  sprang  up  insimciively."  ' 

Stafford,  takt-n  from  Batavia  and  Le  Jloy  in  1820 ;  from  Albany 
238  miles.  StalKinl  l\Mitn%  6  miles  E.  from  Batavia,  Morgansvillo 
7,  aiid  Koauoke  9  miles,  arc  small  villages.    Pop.  2,500. 


\k 


QRBGNB  COUNTY. 


,  12  miles  from 


181 


GREENE  COUNTY. 

from  SL3  AlbTnJtS^^^^^^^^  "rr."-^^  --  ^^'^- 

greatest  breadth  orthe  Sdlon  Q«     ^i'  «''*"^te8t  length  42  miles; 

the  adjacxm  countiv  whi  n  Z^""  ''ra'"  ^'^^^^  *«  ^,500  feet  above 
3,000  to  3,Soo S/bove  he  ^TJ  f.u'''J''f^'  ^''  '^'^^^^^'^  fr"'" 
an  elevation  J^ZX^  ^feinf^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

The  noVLastern  and  eastern IS,  ^T^''  ""''^  '"'"^  '^"^'^  '«"''• 
have  many  vnTeyr  rich  an^  lluL     ^'»*^^«"nty  are  less  hilly,  and 

agriculturLnSVltthTrls^C^^^^  '« P-^^o 

countv  in  tho  aintn     Tk,.  ^     """"""iHciurea  m  this  than  m  any  other 

A  lar^e  propo^^^^^^^^  howeve7"n?  T'  "^'g'"«"y  settled  by  thetutch 
Kngland  desceT^S  arrnn?J.  ?"  P''^'^^"?. '"J^^bitants  are  of  New 
30|40.     The7oU1/cii:idr.^tfele"vr^^^^^^^^  '"'"«^^^-     ^^P' 
^nZTZ:'i:cZ^^^^^^^^  -<^,poxsacJ^;  in  ISI5.    Athene 

Hud?on.  oppo«UeCdVof  Hudson    t^  New  Yolk' n«1 ''' 

of  Hudson.  [LS  TfHuZnl  f^tr^^fr^y  ^'om  the  city 
village  was  laid  out  about  1790  hv^nl  i"?"*'*'""  '*''=^'*'"  ""^  t'^« 
LiviSgston,  Elihu  Chaunrev  rL/  I  "^^''^  ^»vmgston,  Brockholst 
in  IHOl.byWNoXo^^^  a?^  associates;  the  southern 

and  others^    The  vS t  Jow^nn?„   '  ^'«^«»'^«':'  P'^trick  Hamilton, 

po.f .  A  rerVX'-rjyT;^:--^^^^^ 

opposite  bank  of  the  North  river  )wSfi!,mJ  -^u^  Hamilton,  Esq.,  of  Athens,  (on  the 
river,  about  one  hundred  rods  nor'th  Tf^hlT  "  ""'.  '""'''  *'''"''  «""P'i«  "self  into  the 
..onces  attending  the  d^i^  deed  whfchnrXnV.f  *'"''"'  f  l''"'  r""*"-  ^he  ci«um. 
t^ng.  and  such  aS  at  once  exhibit  .  mtt'^^tnh^H  i  r""*  "'^!'  '^'""^'  '^  '»««'  "^oni- 

"^ 'M^rrr  ^^ "«""  able  lo'cor;  rjit'.;  fr;r"  ■"  '^^  ^""^ «'  '«^«''' 

turn  to  her  father'-  hou«,  m  the  u^per     Temenf  Ue  \wS  «,f '"  '""^  '^'^"  *'^"'"*''' '"  '"- 

uj-por  neuiemeni,    the  two  settlements  are  towards  half  a 


'« 


# 


ii'fev 


182 


6REENK    COUNTY. 


mile  apart,)  accompanied  by  several  of  her  acaunininn^..     n  l-       i 

ment.  part  of  her  company  stopped™  a  store  to 310^^;, ,f !?  """^'"f  *"  "PP«""  '^'*'«- 
to  go  in,  she  also  stopped  at  the  door  but  excu^d  L^if '^'"^'"^^i  """l""  ^«'"S  desired 
home  all  day  and  wa^'^anxious  ^7el^.  Xn  sheT^t  Z"^  *^''  "'*''  ^'"^  '?^?  <"""» 
PMt  8  o'clock.  From  here  she  wasTiompanL  hv  tw„  ^i/?'^"^'^'*' P'"/'^''' ''''''^ 
parted  from  them,  was  within  twenh^  rod.  K,  i^^  *^''  ^'^erly  ladies,  and  when  she 
these  ladies  no  p-isitive  accountTf  Sw  cTn  be  ttScId  Sth'  'Tu''  ^^''''  '^^  P''"^**  fr"™ 
walk  to  reach  her  father's  house  is  nearly  wthi^^^i..!^'*  *^  '^^"^  '*^"  "^'^  •""•  '^ 
son ;  and  it  was  not  until  the  next  Xni^n  h»7  k  ^  i""  '^^  P"^  °^  ">«  «"y  "^  Hud. 
sister,  at  whose  house  she  h«l  been  Ae  nrT.H  ^^^  "^'H?  '^'^  discovered,  when  her 
missing  the  favoriteTf  X  famiirmmual?„n^l"f.  f il  ^'«"««*  ^er  father's,  and  both  parties 
quiry  among  the  neighbore  resuLdTn  rhV^-  .        "'^  ""^f  ?**'*  """^«'  *''*'=''.  on  further  in. 

ced^de^.    ThedarwLl^X glvt^^^^^^  V'^'^- 

without  effect  "«u»uy  given,  ana  search  made  for  her  m  every  direction 

fat'e'  wis?t£  Si!ir 8\?d  g'^otll^inth^^^^  *''*  •'"  T u^»^  ^"'^^'^  •»  «'««date  her 
who  was  in  the  b^ck  J  Jt  of  L  htu^e  Tt  tt  ZT"^  '"  *''**=''■«'»«  disappeared,  a  woman 
she  had  to  turn  to  go  fo  her  facer's  ca^^^^J^h"!  *'''"'"'  "*  '>  ""■«"  '»  «'"'' '«  'vhich 
wuh  some  agitatiof  if  they  fi^7^;'=^„«  Crd  I'^stiLr  "^  */  house,  and  inquii^d 
The  reply  being  given  in  4e  nemti™  Z  i„nn^  j  *^  T' J?*^  "  '''""*»  '"  distress, 
is  within  a  stone'f  throw  of  the  watlr'std.  37  """  •^T^u^'v  ™.'  "="""''  ^'^  *«  «»«" 
parted  with  in,  to  go  toher  faS  Lul  r.  '""""8  ^J^'*''  from  the  street  she  was  last 

creek  beyond  the  ^Uage     AbSi,  9  oVl^k    .L     "'''  ^vT  '^^  """^  ^''^ '«''  ''"««=' '«  ">e 
distress  were  heard  b^the  plojle  of  a  £e  a^A.,?  so  '!^'\""*''.'^?  •="'«  "^  »  f^™*'"  '» 
heard  twice  or  thrice  verv  Sctlv  ,nH  .T        f  ®V*^  ^*y°"''  "»«  "^e'' !  Aey  were 
must  be  deceiveTa^d  t^at  t  w^  Ae  nois^ofXt  rather  faintly ;  but  imagining  that  they 
of  it  until  the  next  day,  whenTe  I^Te  of  Mi^  H«mi  ^  "'''^''  *'»'  ■'^°^S^' »""  ''*"« 
fowid  upon  the  timbera  of  the  bridirTfh-f  rri^^i.        ''.'°"  u"  '«"=e'*»'ned ;  blood  was 
missing.    The  creek  wm  now  spnfhJS  I  .  Tf  **  "^*'''  '^''«"'«  '*«  "^  '•'^  Plank  were 
incerti^de,  theSh Tas  rn«w^S  nn'  «  ?'i  '°  "?  ^""P^^ '  '"«^'  «  ^"  ""«  of  Painful 
body  was  foundXut  hT  arkuo  Sie  nl.l'^Y*  •'*^*"ir'  t%  °^  ^"  ''^««"«>«.  ^^^n  the 
could  be  pushed.    The  body  Tas  afte?w«rr^L^7-°'^.K**'  .^"''S^.  """ly  as  far  as  a  boat 
the  purpose,  (on  which  w«e  7Z  nhSnl.  f  l\    '"  *^^  "]"?'«"  ?^  » J"^  summoned  for 
after  an  exa^nination  of  XdenTe  aT  A^'Lri  .fn''"'^''''"'' ,"  ^^^r^'^^'^'"  house ;  and 
lady  had  been u,ilfuUymu^TJ^edC^ZZ^^"'''"^^y  °^  "Pj"'""  "»»'  '*>«  y«""« 
several  of  the  jnri^,  we  u^de«toKl^«  f^i^^'"*"!"'!*?'^'''    ^'°'»  Aecoronerand 
upper  part  of  ffcheekTr^lr  tL  i  ff^  """'*'  u"*",'*"  ^y"  '^'^  fractured,  that  the 
l.icmt^ed.  each  ^  near  Z  shoiJder  hire  t'h^e"  l"f'  ^'ft"'  ■"""V*"  ''""''''  *«^«  ""^h 
violence,  and  on  her  breLt  Lre  wera  marks  5f  h^nw^K^'T"?  ^^^^^^ized  there  with 
.here  were  no  sigm,  of  violeSa"^  bTefoff/r 'JTer'"'  ""' '"""  '^"""  "^  »»«'  ^«''' 

the  clmeriStor^sttrTh^  iTdt  tTf^r  "T'^'=^  ^'  *^'  "  'h^  ^""'  of  her  passing 
were  heard,  she  wm  forcibly  ^Ld  bv  ^ffil2  ^"T'  ^''"'"  '}^  ''^'^  «"««  »f  «  Ionian 
place  in  the  vicinity  ofTecrTek  before  Se^So^"^  "T'"'*'*l '"'.'»"''  "'  '"»"''  '«  ^o-"* 
offered  her,  of  submitting  toXLEherbrLn«nf\r''''"  '*'?  ""e^-tive  was  probably 
At  this  time  it  most  unZbteX  was  ,ha?  she  m,l^^^  murderera,  or  of  instant  death, 
heard  at  the  house  north  of  'he  creTk  and  wh.„  ♦„  .  "*k  """^'"^  "''"'''»  *'^«'»  *«f«^ 
probably  conceived,  aU  poMibuftyTdetectTon  .h^K^^  "'"^  '"'•  "i?""'  ''"'^  Prevent,  as  they 
existence.  After  th^uZS  2abT«  Z',  .h  "L'  '^"*  '"?^'='«'* """  ^^nninated  heV 
and  from  thence  plunged  kintrthewaS  ?„d  .t  HHft'^;''"^''  "j"  '""'>' '"  "'«  '"idge. 
lowered  down  from  the  bridge  int^  r^bolt  «n/  "*  IJ^  "^^  "'"'''  *"■  ^^  "»""  *»  «■« 
found;  one  of  the  plank^  of  the^ridi  hL^  f  7"^^'*  "I"'"  "'"  P''''^^  ^^ere  it  was 
former  position,  but  hT^ircumlnA  &  found  near  the  body,  is  in  support  of  the 

the  .ide%rgue;  that  the  latTenSe  U  adZd   '"*  '''''*'  "'  "*'  '=""^"'  ^  ^«  """'^  fr"" 

to  th?Knti  Ta^'^o"*';  ':z:LrJj^::'',T''''Vr'''  --^  p"— <j 

sidirjg  in  this  neighborhood  Tutt  be  mo^^SWoTS  7"  T"  ""  P*"^°"  '«■ 
might  jeopardize  the  prospect  there  ^^^ZJ^^-      .?  *'*  ''''°''  ''  ""*  ?■*»«"«  moment. 

for  wc  are^ot  withounrstrSes"  hone  rf^^^^^ 

Uiat  the  viUians  have  been  detected  "      ^  ^^"^  ""^  '"  announce  lo  Uie  public 


GREENE  COUNTV. 


183 


loJj  •  ®i^:  ^**[^°^  Cavanagh  confessed  himself  the  murderer,  and  re 
ated  m  detail  the  manner  in  which  it  was  committed ;  but  on  Cirial 

LTtPrT'"'**-  '^^'.^^  ^^«  i'^^^"^'  ^d  he  was  accorSnSy 
nEi  nf  ^^'^^  ^'" V^f '  ^^'^*'  ^  ««'<^'«^  ^^  the  U.  S.  army,  S^ 
?&fme  Trf'  ^^T*^'  '^""™.".^^  ^'^^^'«^'  ^«  t,eing  the  au^thoHf 
time  InH  «tnni  ^f  trial  Lent  testified  that  he  was  witS  Sickler  at  the 

Ze  in  Ihe  trll?,- ^  ^^  "^^  ^ '*^"^^^'^.'  ^^^^"g*'  *»«  ^^  not  partici- 
pate  m  the  transaction ;  and  that  previous  to  the  murder,  Sickler 

committed  an  outrage  upon  her  person.    In  the  course  of  the  tri J 

of  ^enrfowf^*  '^^'  '^^  7^^^'  ^°^  ^^«  ^  fabrication  on  th^  S 

was  acquitted,  and  Lent  arrested,  tried,  and  condemned  to  the  state 
pnson  for  perjury,  where  he  died  some  years  since 
IMearly  thirty  years  have  Elapsed  since  the  murder,  and  as  vet  the 

"Does  youth,  does  beauty  lead  this  line  7 
Do  sympathetic  tears  their  breast  alarm  ? 
Speak^  Heavenly  Spirit !  breathe  a  strain  divine,— 
£.e  n  from  the  grave  thou  shalt  have  power  to  charm ; 
1  eU  them  them  that  tho'  it  is  an  awful  thing  to  die  — 
Twas  e'en  m  thee,— yet  the  dread  path  once  (rod,' 
Heaven  lifts  its  everlasting  portals  high, 
And  bids  the  pure  in  heart  behold  their  God." 

Cairo,  originally  named  Canton,  was  taken  from  Catskill   Cnv 
surt?  ^"/,,%hold,  (now  Durham  and  Greenville,Tin  180^'  The' 
surface  of  the  town  is  mountainous  and  hilly.     Pop.  2,862     Cairo 
upon  the  Susquehannah  turnpike,  10  miles  NW.  of  cSl    has  i' 

TootSl's  V'Pfi  \^^eif.'  *"•*  '  Method.^rchurch,'^J 
400  inhabitants.    Acra,  14  miles  UW.  from  Catskill,  is  a  small  s;ttle- 

rr.^ATT''''rZ^^  Organized  in  1788  as  part  of  Albany  county  since 
S'^'Thell*'^.*^"^  "  ^'"'^"  ^""^'^^ti^"  from^  Sanger  ie?n 
Kaat'sb Jr.s  of  aTorv**  '''''  T  ^"^l"  diversified.   On  the  welt  are  the     ' 
rLaatsDergs,  of  a  lofty  mountain  character,  bordered  by  many  hills 

TowTrds  the  HiX^^f '^'\'"?  '^'  ^"^^^^^"'"g  P'^i"  ^hreLnd 
paTt  whilst  t^P  nTth ''  \br«'^«»  S"riace,  especially  in  the  southern 
K'Sni  T'**'^'"  t^'  ^  ^'S^  'eve'  P'ain  of  sand  and  clay. 
Jelin^  L  iTof  '""'  through  the  northern  part  of  the  town,  rl 
Cat3  « J»  2  "^  ^  "r^^f  ""^  ^°«  »"•"  streams,  which,  with  the 
l^eeds  and  Jefferson  are  small  villages.  ^ 

Ihe  village  of  Catskill  was  incorporated  in  1806,  and  is  the  seat 

vICof  he  PJT^\   '^^'  ^"'T  '''  P^'«-P^"y  bulk  in  tie  deep 
feeUn  hliSft      Th'"'  ^""^"^T  ^^h'*^^  "^^  the  Hudson  is  a  bluff  150 
a«  !,  1  >  ^        ^1'''  ^""^'^^^d  engraving  is  a  N W.  view  of  the  village 
as  se^  from  an  elevation  called  Ashley  Hill,  at  its  northern  ex  reml' 
ty.     Iho  drawbridge  over  the  Catskill  is  seen  on  the  right,  and  w  1 


184 


GREENE   COUNTY. 


Northwestern  view  of  Catshill. 

admit  the  passage  of  sloops  some  distance  above  it.  The  mouth  of 
the  creek  makes  a  good  harbor  for  sloops ;  and  a  long  and  broad 
dyke,  walled  with  stone,  connects  the  shore  with  an  island  in  the 
river,  affording  a  place  for  buildings,  and  a  commodious  landing  for 
steamboats.  The  principal  street  in  the  village  is  about  half  a  mile 
m  extent,  having  quite  a  business-like  appearance.  The  steamboat 
landing  is  about  1  mile  distant.  There  are  in  the  village  1  Dutch  Re- 
formed, 1  Episcopal,  1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Methodist 
church.  There  are  2  banks,  2  newspaper  establishments,  and  about 
300  dwellings.  Distant  6  miles  from  Hudson,  111  from  New  York, 
and  33  from  Albany. 

"Although  not  in  the  town,  yet  as  connected  by  name  and  many 
relations  with  Catskill,  we  may  describe  here  the  Pine  Orchard  and 
Mountain  House,  noted  attractions  to  tourists.  They  are  in  Hunter, 
near  its  eastern  boundary,  12  miles  west  from  Catskill  village.  The 
road  from  the  village  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  9  miles,  has  little 
of  interest.  The  ascent  of  the  mountain  is  by  a  good  though  circui- 
tous road  of  3  miles,  but  which,  often  running  upon  the  brink  of  a 
deep  ravine,  or  beneath  frowning  precipices,  excites  an  unwelcome 
degree  of  terror.  The  hotel,  erected  by  '  The  Kaatskill  Mountain 
Association,'  at  the  cost  of  822,000,  is  on  a  circular  platform  of  rock, 
of  uneven  surface,  having  an  area  of  about  6  acres.  The  building  is 
140  feet  by  24,  4  stories  high,  with  piazzas  in  front,  and  a  wing  for 
lodging  rooms,  and  is  duly  fitted  and  furnished  for  the  accommodation 
of  its  numerous  guests. 

"  The  prospect  from  this  rock  is  more  extensive  and  diversified 
than,  perhaps,  from  any  other  point  in  the  United  States.  Petty 
inequalities  disappear,  and  the  whole  surrounding  country  is  spread 
out  as  a  plain.  The  eye  roves,  in  endless  gratification,  over  forms, 
villages,  towns,  and  cities,  stretching  between  the  Green  mountains 
of  Vermont  on  the  north  and  the  Highlands.    The  Hudson  river,  with 


OREENE    COUNTY. 


ISS 


j[^^^*-:^n0 


J 


Catskili  Mountain  House. 

its  green  isles  and  thousand  sheets  of  white  canvass,  becomes  visible 
for  60  miles  in  a  clear  atmosphere.  At  times,  a  thick  curtain  of 
clouds  of  ever-changing  ferm,  veils  the  region  of  lower  earth  from 
sight ;  and  in  their  respective  seasons,  storms  of  rain  and  snow  spend 
their  force  in  mid  air,  beneath  the  rays  of  a  bright  sun  which  gilds 
the  mountain  above  them.  The  scene,  when  gradually  unfolded  with 
the  day,  is  most  enchanting. 

"  A  few  years  since  this  delightful  position  was  almost  unknown 
and  rarely  visited ;  but  the  reports  of  the  extent,  beauty,  and  gran- 
deur of  its  prospects,  and  the  salubrity  of  its  atmosphere,  at  length 
fixed  public  attention.  The  number  of  visiters  at  each  successive 
season  increased,  until  the  temporary  buildings  at  first  erected  gave 
place  to  the  edifice  we  have  described.  The  following  heights  on 
the  mountain  have  been  given  by  Capt.  Partridge:  Mouijtain  house, 
2,212  feet  above  the  Hudson;  1,882  feet  above  Lawrence's  tav- 
ern ;  1,547  feet  above  the  turnpike  gate,  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain, 
and  947  above  Green's  bridge. 

"  Two  miles  from  the  hotel  are  the  Kaaterskill  Falls,  upon  a  stream 
flowing  from  two  lakes,  each  about  a  mile  and  a  half  in  circumfer- 
ence, and  about  a  half  mil^  in  the  rear  of  the  house.  After  a  west 
course  of  a  mile  and  a  half,  the  waters  fall  perpendicularly  175  feet, 
and  pausing,  momentarily,  upon  the  ledge  of  a  rock,  precipitate  them- 
selves 85  teet  more,  making  -the  whole  descent  of  the  cataract  260 
feet.  Below  this  point,  the  current  is  lost  in  the  dark  ravine  or  clove 
through  which  it  seeks  the  valley  of  the  Catskili.  The  water-fall, 
with  all  its  boldness,  forms,  however,  but  one  of  the  interesting  fea- 
tures of  this  scene.    From  the  edge  of  the  first  falls  is  beheld  a  dreary 

24 


■■i  f 


t 


m 


,i  I 


186 


GIREENK   COUNTr. 


■ 
( 


chusm,  whose  steep  sides,  covered  with  dark  ivy  and  thick  summer 
foliage,  seem  like  a  green  bed  prepared  for  the  waters.    Making  a 
circuit  from  this  spot,  and  descending  about  midway  of  the  first  ^11 
the  spectator  enters  an  immense  natural  amphitheatre  behind  the 
cascade,  roofed  by  a  magnificent  ceiling  of  rock,  having  in  front  the 
iallmg  torrent,  and  beyond  it  the  wild  mountain  dell,  over  which  the 
clear  blue  sky  is  visible.    The  falls  on  the  west  branch  of  Kaaterskili 
have  a  perpendicular  descent  of  more  than  120  feet,  and  the  stream 
descends  in  rapids  and  cascades  400  feet  in  100  rods.     The  Kaaters- 
kili has  a  devious  and  very  rapid  course  of  about  8  miles,  to  the  Cats- 
kiiJ,  near  the  village.     The  falls  are  best  seen  from  below ;  and  the 
view  from  the  Pine  Orchard  is  better  between  3  o'clock,  P.  M.  and 
at  sunset,  than  in  the  middle  of  the  day."— Gordon's  Gaz. 

The  following  description  of  this  view  irom  the  Catskill  mountain 
house  IS  given  by  Miss  Martineau : 

"After  tea  I  wnnt  out  upon  the  platfurm  in  front  of  the  house,  having  been  warned  not 
to  go  too  near  the  edge,  so  as  lO  fall  an  unmeasured  depth  into  the  forest  below.  I  sat 
upon  the  edge  as  a  sccuniy  against  stepping  over  unawares.  The  stars  were  bright  over, 
head,  and  had  conquered  half  the  sky,  giving  promise  of  what  we  ardently  desired,  a  fine 
inoiTow.  Over  the  other  half,  the  mass  of  thundrr-clouds  was,  I  supposed,  heaped  together. 
»or  I  could  at  first  discern  nothing  of  the  champaign  which  I  knew  must  be  stretched  )elow. 
Suddenly,  and  from  that  moment  incessantly,  gushes  of  red  lightning  poured  out  from  the 
cloudy  canopy  revealing  not  merely  the  horizon,  but  the  couree  of  the  river,  in  all  its  wind, 
ings  through  the  valley.  This  thread  of  river,  thus  illuminated,  looked  like  a  flash  of  light, 
ning  caught  by  some  strong  hand  and  laid  along  in  the  valley.  All  the  principal  features 
01  the  landscape  might,  no  doubt,  have  been  discerned  by  this  sulphurous  light ;  but  my 
whole  attennon  was  absorbed  by  the  river,  which  seemed  to  come  out  of  the  darkness  like 
an  appariuon  at  the  summons  of  my  impatient  will.  It  could  be  borne  only  for  a  short 
time ;  this  dazzling,  bewildering  alternation  of  glaro  and  blackness,  of  vast  reality  and 
nothingness.  I  was  soon  glad  to  draw  back  from  the  precipice  and  seek  the  candlelight 
within.  '' 

"  The  next  day  was  Sunday.     I  shall  never  forget,  if  I  live  to  a  hundred,  how  the  world 
Jay  at  my  feet  one  Sunday  morning.     I  rose  very  eariy,  and  looked  abroad  from  my  win 
dow,  two  stones  above  the  platform.     A  dense  fog,  exactly  level  with  my  eyes,  as  it  no 
peared,  roofea  in  the  whole  plain  of  the  earth;  a  dusky  firmament  in  which  the  stars  had 
hidden  themselves  for  the  day.     Such  is  the  account  which  an  antediluvian  spectator  would 
probably  have  given  of  it.     This  solid  firmanent  had  spaces  in  it,  however,  through  which 
gushes  of  sunlight  were  poured,  lighting  up  the  spires  of  white  churches,  and  clusters  of 
farm  buildings  too  small  to  be  otherwise  distinguished ;  and  especially  the  river,  with  its 
sloops  floating  like  motes  in  the  sunbeam.    The  firmament  rose  and  melted,  or  parted  ofl" 
into  the  likeness  of  snowy  sky  nouniains,  and  left  the  cool  Sabbath  to  brood  brightly  over 
the  land.     What  human  interest  san.  tifies  a  bird's-eye  view  !     I  suppose  this  its  peculiar 
charm,  lor  its  charm  is  found  to  derpf>n  in  proportion  to  the  growth  of  mind.     To  an  infant 
a  champaign  of  a  hundred  miles  iH  not  so  much  as  a  yard  square  of  gay  carpet.    To  tho 
rustic  It  IS  less  bewitching  than  a  paddock  with  two  cows.     To  the  philosopher,  what  is  it 
not  7     As  lie  casts  his  eye  over  its  gliltcring  towns,  its  scattered  hamleU,  its  secluded  home* 
iw  mountain  ranges,  church  spires,  and  untrodden  forests,  it  is  a  picture  of  life  ;  an  epitome  of 
the  human  imuerso  ;  the  complete  volume  of  mora!  philosophy,  for  which  he  has  sought  in 
vam  in  nil  !il)rc.-es.     On  the  left  horizon  are  the  Green  mountniim  of  Vermont,  and  at  the 
right  extromiiy  sparkles  the  Atlantic.     Beneath  lies  the  forest  whore  the  deer  are  hiding 
and  the  binls  wjoirmg  m  song.     Beyond  the  river  ho  sees  spread  the  rich  plaino  of  Con- 
necticui;  t;,^ii,  where  a  blue  expanse  lies  beyond  the  triple  range  of  hills,  are  the  churches 
of  religious  MaMacliusetta,  sending  up  their  Sabbath  psalms;  praise  which  he  is  too  high  to 
new,  while  Ood  is  not.     The  fields  and  waters  seem  to  him  to-day  no  more  truly  property 
than  the  skies  which  shine  down  upon  them ;  and  to  think  how  some  helow  «r»  busyin* 
their  thoughts  this  Sabbath-day  about  how  they  shall  hedge  in  another  field,  or  multiply 
their  f^wks  on  yonder  meadows,  gives  him  a  taste  of  the  same  pity  which  Jesus  felt  in  his 
aohtude  when  hm  li.llowers  were  ccmtending  about  which  should  lie  greaiPi.t.     It  seems 
•irange  to  him  now  that  man  should  call  any  thing  hi*  but  the  power  which  is  in  him,  and 


GREENE    COUNTY. 


IS-i 


which  can  create  somewhat  more  vast  and  beautiful  than  oil  that  this  horizon  encloses. 
Here  he  gains  the  conviction,  to  be  never  again  shaken,  that  all  that  is  real  is  idea) ;  that 
the  joys  and  sorrov^s  of  men  do  not  spring  up  out  of  the  ground,  or  fly  abroad  on  the  winga 
of  the  wind,  or  come  showered  down  from  the  sky  ;  that  good  cannot  be  hedged  in,  nor 
evil  barred  out ;  even  that  light  does  not  reach  the  spirit  through  the  eye  alone,  nor  wisdom 
through  the  medium  of  sound  or  silence  only.  He  becomes  of  one  mind  with  the  spiritual 
Berkeley,  that  the  face  of  nature  iteelf,  the  very  picture  of  woods,  and  streams,  and  mead. 
OW8,  is  a  hieroglyphic  writing  in  the  spirit  itself,  of  which  the  retina  is  no  interpreter.  The 
proof  is  just  below  him,  (at  least  it  came  under  my  eye,)  in  the  lady,  (not  American,)  who, 
after  glancing  over  the  landscape,  brings  her  chair  into  the  piazza,  and,  turning  her  back  to 
the  champaign,  and  her  face  to  the  wooden  walls  of  the  hotel,  begins  the  study,  this  Sun- 
day  morning,  of  her  lapful  of  newspapers.  What  a  sermon  is  thus  preached  to  him  at  this 
moment  from  a  very  hackneyed  text !  To  him  that  hath  much,  that  hath  the  eye,  and  ear, 
and  wealth  of  the  spirit,  shall  more  be  given,  even  a  replenishing  of  this  spiritual  life  from 
thiit  which  to  others  is  formless  nnd  dumb ;  while  from  him  that  hath  little,  who  trusts  in 
that  which  lies  about  him  mther  than  in  that  which  lives  within  him,  shall  be  taken  away, 
by  nnturul  decline,  the  power  of  perceiving  and  enjoying  what  is  within  his  own  domain. 
To  him  who  is  already  enriched  with  large  divine  and  human  revelations  this  scene  is,  for 
all  its  stillness,  musical  with  divine  and  human  speech ;  while  one  who  has  been  deafened 
by  the  din  of  woridly  affairs  can  hear  nothing  in  this  mountain  solitude." 

The  annexed  anecdotes,  extracted  from  the  New  York  Commer- 
cial Advertiser,  are  from  the  well-known  pen  of  the  editor. 

"  Passing  through  the  little  village  of  Jefferson,  we  arrived  at  the  still  larger  and  more 

bustling  one  of  Madison,  4  miles  from  Cattskill The  principal  house  at  this  place, 

is  an  ancient  stone  edifice,  and  for  a  generation  past  occupied  as  a  store  and  as  a  tavern. 
Its  builder  and  late  proprietor  was  the  late  M — g  S — n,  Esq.,  an  ancient  and  somewhat 
eccentric  Dutch  denizen,  who  stood  six  feet  six  in  his  shoes,  weighed  1.5  stone,  and  was  in 
a  way  somewhat  of  a  wag  wiihal.— The  valley  of  the  Kaatskill  was  chiefly  settled  by  the 
Dutch.;  and  the  house  of  mynheer  was  the  principal  place  of  resort  for  the  Van  Bokkelins, 
Van  Ordens,  and  Van  Der  Speigles  of  the  neighborhood  to  smoke  their  pipes,  and  crack 
their  jokes  of  long  winter  evenings,  before  their  peaceful  country  was  overrun  by  the  Yan. 
kees,  who  have  swarmed  over  this  once  happy  region  like  the  locusts  of  Egypt,  equally 
hungry  and  destructive.  It  was  the  worthy  host  of  huge  dimensions  whom  we  have  de- 
scribed, who  was  so  grievously  taken  in,  once  on  a  time,  in  an  encounter  oftotts  with  one 
of  those  ki^cn-eyed,  cunning  Yankees,  who  prowl  over  the  country,  seated  on  tin  carta, 
with  bags  nf  feathers,  or  some  other  "  notion"  for  their  cushions.  After  some  sporting  and 
bantering  between  mynheer  and  .lonathan,  who  had  shown  off  some  common  slight  of  hand 
tricks,  with  cards,  to  the  great  astonishment  of  the  "  spoons"  who  were  looking  on,  he,  that 
is,  the  said  Jonathan,  declared  that  ho  could  swallow  his  robustuous  host !  Notwithstanding 
that  Jonathan  had  already  played  oif  several  of  his  Yankee  tricks  which  puzzled  the  good 
people  exceedingly,  yet  this  assertion  was  too  great  a  mouthful  for  them  to  swallow,  if  tae 
pedlor  could.  A  bet  sufliuii^nt  to  moisten  the  ihroats  of  the  whole  company  was  the  conae. 
quence  between  the  principal  parties,  though  the  .andlord  in  proposing  it  had  no  idea  that 
his  customer  would  accept,  when,  as  he  supposed  he  nuist  be  certain  of  losing.  Jonathan 
then  directed  that  mynheer  should  l)e  divested  of  his  coi »  and  boots,  and  bo  stretched  longi. 
tudinally  upon  the  old  onken  table  which  had  stood  vi  the  bar.ioom  for  half  a  century. 
These  arrangements  having  been  made,  Jonathan  voraciously  seized  upon  the  honest  land, 
lord's  great  toe,  which  ho  pressed  rather  violently  between  his  teeth,  giving  the  goed  man  a 
twinge  which  caused  a  writhing  movement  and  u  groan.  '  Dunder  and  blixeni,'  exclaimed 
Mynheer :  '  Vut  de  tolnl  do  ye  pite  mo  sho  vor !'  '  Why  you  darned  great  fool,'  said  Jona. 
than,  '  you  didn't  think  1  was  going  to  swallow  you  whulr,  did  you  ?'  A  burst  of  laughter 
proclaimed  Jonathan  viefor,  and  mynheer  had  to  pay  the  tonst  and  toddy. 

"  .  .  .  .  Before  renrhing  Cairo,  an  ancient  and  spacious  stone  house  was  pointed  nut 
to  us  bearing  date  of  1705,  in  larKe  iron  figures.  This  venerable  mansion  stands  in  the 
midst  of  an  extensiye  furni  of  al)out  1,000  acres,  well  cultivated,  and  presenting  a  scene 
which,  for  a  single  (iirni,  is  hardly  any wli-re  l«  be  ei|uaUed  for  the  rich,  picturesque,  and 
beantil'ul.  The  culiivati(m  denotes  the  hand  of  industry  rather  than  taste.  The  practised 
horticulturist  had  not  been  there  ;  but  rank  piisfureH,  heavy  waving  fluids,  and  luxuriant 
meadows,  indicated  rich  returns  to  the  hunhnndman.  The  small  clumps  of  trees  left  here 
and  there  in  the  fields  to  afford  fuel  in  llie  winter,  and  lend  n  grateful  shade  in  summer, 
diversified  the  scene  and  rendered  it  still  more  delighlfiil.  Wo  linger  longer  at  this  spot 
than  our  wonted  manner  it,  in  conscquenco  of  an  interesting  tale  connected  with  it,  which 


188 


GREENE    COUNTY. 


M  no  fiction.    During  a  part  of  the  17th  and  nearly  the  whnl«  «f  .i.-  id.k       . 
longed  to  a  single  owner!    When  youn^  he  wlw  «  m„n^f    •  f  ""*  ^^^  century,  it  be. 
girl  having  onci  run  away,  he  pun,u'eS  afd  oveZk  hTa^d  InZ  """"""•   ^  ^V^' 
to  his  horse's  tail  to  lead  her  home.    Bv  a  friXt  nr  I;^^  '.u   ^  exasperation,  tied  her 
and  the  unfortunate  girl  was  daaheTto  d.W  St/„m       "l''"  S*""*'  '^^  •">"«  ««  "A", 
maater  waa  arrested.^ried.  and  itS  of  mrde"' Z  w^ tfr'' r'""'''   Jh""'«'PPy 
the  times,  and  through  the  combined  means  of  wV.lih  ,L  f    T*"?  "'«  Powerful  family  for 
hands  allowed  to  be  a  hard  cZ?  hfw«  laired  t„h?f/'^''^. '"''"*""'''' «'  ''«*"e  "»  »" 
He  lived  on ;  and  generations  p^^^d  a"  a^!Sye"he  SveS"     n"  "r'^"'"'!'  y'<^'  old. 
aiTow  barbed  for  him.    At  lenirth  the  timT^inrinKf.?     m-  '    ^^"^  '^^"'ed  to  have  no 
yearn  had  roUed  away  since  SrA     Z  n?nety  nfmh  cl"f '''  "'"r^"*^?'  r'''-'^^' 
generations  had  risen  up  and  gone  down  to  th«  tnmK  "       T    "2?'  ""••  y**  •*«  "^ed !    But 
almost  become  a  foi^otten  tifS^rUho^h  manv  vla^  ^^^'T',   ^'y-  '^^  '»'*  ^ad 
atition  had  seen,  and  her  tremulous"o:^:?eLS  mrSleslr-.^r-  ^T  '''"  "^  '^^''^ 
the  appearances  at  the  fatal  spot  ooint^d  o.ir»r.  .h  =  j    '^  tales  of  s.artling  terror  concerning 
life.    The  hopeless  swain/wr  inretumZ  fmi  v'  v''*  '^^"''  **  P'^'g*''  ^'"^  >«'  her 
lucky  as  to  have  been  detiird  in  thl  Z  of  bt  t^trf  i*""  T"'=  '!!^''«'"'  '^'^  "»  "»- 
to  encounter  a  nocturnal  appearance  of  some  s  -?    '^nZ  ,     """  •'"?"'  «<^™'dnight,  was  sure 
heard  in  the  air,  like  the  l^aintivenes^  of  Te  «oft  wh  T  '  ^'^''^""'^  lamentations  were 

which  was  said  to  have  beeTa  foS  whe„  thl  I.      "!  '""'*•,■  ^'  '"''^^>  »  ^'"'«  "^o^, 
among  the  rocks,  while  Jain  ^otht^.lT  "^f  T^**  ]?"«  "I'vc,  would  stand  lowing 

howling  towards*  thrmairn     B^Zy  afe™^^^^^  T'  ".""'""^  ""^ 

perhaps  it  would  be  difficult  to  prove  tha7the  sLcmtZ  «nnr^  approaching  them,  though 
horse  of  gigantic  size,  with  fieiy  evebalb  and  ZTn^r,  "PP'^'.f  ^ed  very  near.  A  white 
past  the  fatal  spot,  with  the  fleemeTof  win^  !i  '^''•^"'Jed  nos  rils,  was  often  seen  to  run 
ment  and  streaming  hair.  scrcamZ  fir  help  A?' o?,:/?'''  ''k*'',"'^'  ""'»  """'^^''  »- 
drag  a  hideous  skeleton,  ciatleriS«  him  llalf  e„vi  ?n.H  '  '*'"  '!.""'  Y""'*^  "PP""^  '« 
and  dismal  bowlings;  while  again  a  Se  t„rl  w  '^^  '""  winding  sheet,  with  cries 
huge  fragment  of  rSck.  with  aSed  caLdle  uZ  I^  1"'  times  appear  sitting  upon  a 
a  piercing  cry.  or  an  hysterical  lam  h  pt"  „  !  ?  u  *'"*^"'  *'"«'"«  ^'''I'y.  <"■  ""ering 
not  die,  while  man?  shook  Sir  £ds  nn.MnH  .'  ^f""  L"  ^""''"'^  "">'  "'«  '""^derer  did 
bound  ,0  earth  till  L  t?me  should  coL  BuJ^'J  l"""  ''".'""''*  "°''-"">'  ^'''  «*'"'  waa 
U.e  revolution  had  in.ervened,-a  newLverllm  ?  ^'"^f'  "^'  ^"T'^  "^"y-  ^^^  ""w 
molested.  For  7.5  years  he  had  TpH  fni  'ororulej  and  the  old  man  was  not 
break  in  upon  his  rep  "e?  He  died  i™„^"",  ""''  '""A^nsive  life,  and  who  would  rudely 
be  eo  his  aihes !  Trartion  has  addedTh'  '^  "',  "'"'"u'"'?  "  ^""'^''"^  ^^-^^  "'d-  Peace 
ually  upon  his  neck  ;  and  a  few  yea™  .^o  There  wl?  t'  '"  v"'  '"  r"'  "  '"''^  '^"""n- 

tz'^izL^r'  ^"^-  atring-ir  ct:;c:  l'z  ^z^A^ir:;^^:;::: 

name  from  an  Indian  wo^rd.  mean<.  "  hoVitinVoVoS"  CoxtXvlf 
connected  with  the  river  *  "'^ ''"™°''  "■"'"•WcJ 

18,  Gayhead  la  ,n,lrs  from  Cattskill,  are  «ma  1  v  I |Z       Poi  ^TJ 
u,  anu  ciiangcd  to  its  present  one  m  I8I4;  Irom  New  York  130, 


HAMILTON    COUNT V. 


189 


I  century,  it  be. 
ns.  A  servant 
^ration,  tied  her 
e  horse  ran  off, 

The  unhappy 
erful  family  for 
it  being  on  all 
nine  year*  old. 
ned  to  have  no 
'e,  ninety.eight 
lie  lived !  But 
y,  the  tale  had 
eyes  of  super, 
ror  concerning 

had  lost  her 
«,  was  so  un. 
light,  was  sure 
entations  were 
,  a  white  cow, 
stand  lowing 
pointing  and 
them,  though 
2«r.    A  white 

seen  to  run 

tattered  gar- 
>uld  appear  to 
!C't,  with  cries 
sitting  upon  a 
ly,  or  uttering 
murderer  did 
t  his  soul  was 
f-  And  now 
nan  was  not 
A'ould  rudely 
I  old.  Peace 
cord  contin- 
etended  that 
i  appearance 

a  part  of 
erives  its 
?ackie  vil- 
York,  20 
■  mile  W. 
g  tlierc  is 
ransacted 

'oxsackio 
inil  Irom 
ailc,  Wi- 

itnizcd  in 
^Jold,  and 
from  AI- 
,  Newry 
p.  2,388. 
frirpon- 
ork  130, 


and  frdm  Albany  68  miles.  Pop.  2,019.  Tannersville  is  a  small 
villaffe  m  the  central  part  of  the  town,  upon  the  main  branch  of 
bchohane  kjII,  22  miles  from  Catskill.  The  surface  of  this  town  is 
mountainous,  having  on  the  north  the  main  ridge  of  the  Kaatsbergs. 
1  he  Mountain  House,  on  the  Catskill  mountains,  so  noted  amt^ntr 
tourists,  IS  within  the  limits  of  this  town.     (See  Catskill.) 

Lexington,  taken  from  Windham  in  1813.  Lexington  Heights, 
30  miles  W.  from  Catskill,  and  Lexington  34,  are  small  settlements. 
iu.  Lexmgton  and  Westville  are  post-offices.     Pop.  2,813. 

New  Baltimore,  organized  in  181 1.  Pop.  2,306.  New  Baltimore, 
upon  the  Hudson,  15  miles  below  Albany,  and  19  N.  of  Catskill,  has 
about  .50  dwellings,  and  is  a  place  of  considerable  trade.  Four  Cor- 
ners, 16  miles  from  Catskill,  and  Stanton  Hill,  are  small  settlements. 

Peattsville,  taken  from  Windham  in  1833;  from  Albany,  SW., 
50  miles,  from  Catskill,  NW.,  36.  Pop.  1,613.  The  town  lies  be- 
tween two  great  ridges  of  the  Kaatsbergs.  Prattsville,  on  the  Scho- 
harie kill,  is  a  small  village. 

Windham,  taken  from  Woodstock  in  1708;  from  Albany  39  miles, 
from  Catskill  centrally  distant  W.  26.  Pop.  2,417.  Windham, 
OsbornevilL',  and  Scienceville,  are  small  villages.  Union  Society 
and  Big  Hollow  are  post-offices. 


HAMILTON  COUNTY. 

Hamilton  county  was  provisionally  erected,  in  1816,  from  the  N. 
end  of  Montgomery  county,  but  not  organized.  It  remained  attached 
to  Montgomery  county  until  1838 ;  when,  by  the  division  of  Mont- 
gomery, it  became  attacht^l  to  Fulton  county.  It  is  not  yet  separately 
organized  ;  though  probably  from  its  flourishing  condition  it  will  soon 
become  detached  from  Fulton.  It  is  62  miles  long  N.  and  S.,  and 
with  an  average  breadth,  E.  and  W.,  of  30  miles ;  centrally  distant 
Irom  New  York  260,  and  from  Albany,  westerly,  105  miles.  This 
county  contains  7  towns.     Pop.  1,907. 

The  following  remarks  respecting  this  county,  which  is  yet  a  wil- 
°^''5,<^ss  and  comparatively  unknown,  are  extracted  from  the  report 
ot  E.  Emmons,  Eso,.  one  of  the  geologists  employed  by  the  state. 
"  Contrary  to  the  published  accounts,  and  to  common  opinions,  which 
are  of  course  form<!d  principally  from  those  accounts,  especially  from 
Burrs  and  Gordon's  statistics  of  this  county,  I  have  the  pleasure  of 
statmg  that  it  is  far  from  being  the  wet,  cold,  swampy,  and  barren  dis- 
trict  which  it  has  been  represented  to  be.  The"  soil  is  geiu  rally 
Btrontr  nnd  productive ;  the  mountains  are  not  so  olevuted  uiul  steep 
but  that  the  soil  is  pros^-rved  of  sufficient  thickness  to  their  to[)s  to 
secure  their  cultivation,  and  most  of  the  mnrshy  lands  may  be  re- 
claimed by  ditching ;  by  this  means  they  will  become  more  valuable 


%\ 


im) 


HAMILTON   OOirWTV. 


I 


thnn  I hn  uphnds  f.>r  pnxiuanft  hay.  In  lino,  it  will  bo  fo.uul  ftti  ox- 
oollont  mimtry  l.»r  KmraiiK.  raimutf  utoirk.  «n,l  producing  huttm-  und 
oluum  JIu.  Htinueth  ol  thn  «.,il  Ih  huIIu  .outly  t.,HU..l  hy  tl.o  lu,ttvy 
«rowth  ol  tun  .or.  winch  ih  princupally  of  hard  wood,  nx  bmeli,  niaplo, 
yolluw  b,roh,  buttornut.  and  «hn.  Tl.o  «v«rKroon»  or  pinoa,  aVo  oun- 
Uimi  n.o«tly  .>  tho  lower  ran^o.  of  iiiountainB.  Som«  of  thum  aro 
!  .*'»"  '"W'";  .«";wt'» "«  «ny  »»  the  «tnte,  and  aro  .uitablo  for  tl.o 
nmni  »ha(t«  ol  tho  l«r,^o«t  ol  tho  c.tton  tnill».  hi  tho  uiain.  thfl  oounty 
re.H,<n.bleH  tho  nu>untaiuon«  diNtriotfl  of  Now  Ku«lnnd,  and  liko  th.mo 
produi^l*  tho  «uno  uiUTnnxturo  of  foroHt  troo«.  and  Iw.n  about  tho 
Hmno  adaptations  (..r  tho  pn.duotion  of  tho  dilloront  kind»  of  irrain.aa 
xvhoaf.  ryo.  oMh,  ihu.n.  barloy.  to^othor  with  lino  crops  ofp^tatoos. 

J  ho  laoo  ol  tlio  country  varicH  from  hilly  to  mountainous.  A 
low  ranp  (.1  moimiauw  cross  tho  county  botwoon  tlu-  town  of  Wolls 
||nd  Lako  I  l.^isant ;  tho  wimlo  width  is  not  far  from  six  milos. 
1  m«  ran^o.  m  its  pro^ivss  northeastwardly,  incnmsos  in  olovation 
until  It  constitut.'s  tho  hi«host  mountain  ^roup  in  tho  stato,  in  tho 
towns  ol  Mt>riah  and  Kocnc  in  Kssox  county. 

"Tho  most  intorostiutf  physi(<al  features  in  this  rounty  arise  fr<an 
tho  number  and  iMMu.ty  .»f  tho  lak.^s  which  aro  sprinkled  liben.llv  and 
p.ctures,|uely  over  its  surface.     M,u«h  has  l«.en  said  <»f  the  clearness 
ol  the  waters  ol   hak..  IJeor^'e,  and  not  without  reason;  if,  however, 
the  traveller  w.  I  extend  his  wanderings  to  Lake  Pleasant,  Uouii.l, 
I  iseeo  and  Racket  lakes,  ho  will  tind  them  its  eipials.  if  n..t  its  rivals 
J  He  cleariu>ss  ol  th.«  waters  in  all  these  lakes  is  (.win«  fo  the  primi- 
tivo  character  .»!   the  re^rion   in  which  th(>v  o(-cur.     Th.^  lakes  of 
llamilton  lorm  a  beautifid  addition  to  tho  icenerv  of  our  eoimfry 
Allhou^'h  the  mounlaiiis  aro  not  s.»  hi^h  as  those  (if  Scor'  ,,1,1.  wtill  it 
wil   be  a  matt«u;  which  will  occasion  no  surprise,  (when  Amoricans 
sliali  have  a.quM-ed  sullici.a.t  imle|H<iulen.«.!  to  admire  a  tliinir  that  in 
American.)  it  lhos,>  lakes  dc»  not  become  objects  ,.f  admirali,,n.  and 
shall  lH>  c».nsulered  as  vieiiii,'  with  those  of  Scotlaml.     Settlements 
aiv  now  lornnnu  on  the  margin  of  those  beaiUilul  sheets  of  water 
juul  weiv  buddm^rs  ere.>t,.d  suitable  for  tho  accommodation  of  travel-* 
lers.m  some  central  i.lace  amon^r  Hu-se  lakes,  (which  we  doubt  „ot 
will  bo  tho  case  m  a  short  time.)  our  pleasure-seekinif  eommunitv.  of 
whatever  cast,  cmid  sjkmuI  ..  few  days  or  weeks  with  as  mneh'/.st 
as  IS  allorded  by  anv  ol   tlu    plae.«s  of  public   resort  which   are  so 
hron^Mil  .hinuK  the  heat  ot  summer.     As  I  have  already  intimated, 
the  ax,,  has  luvn  laid  at   th..  ro,.t  of  th.'  tive.  and  eir  baiLr  where 
n,»u^d,t  n..w  .rrtvts  the  eye  but  a  dense,  and  t<.  all  ap|H.aran,v  imims. 

?"  ^'T^-'"'^  '"'rV"  «•»••  .V«'''>'''>  K"Hin  waving  with  the  ucntio 
nnr/e.  th,.  s|,.,.k  ,.attle  browsii.ir  on  th,.  rit'b  pastur,«s.  an,!  the  tanner 
with  w,.||.stoml  uranaru.s  ,-njoyin^'  th,.  domestic  hearth."  While 
thousamlsjm.  annually  enuirratinv  to  the  uns,-ltl,.d  re^'ions  of  the 
lar  wvst.  It  slu.nM  be  reinemlH.rod  that  hero  is  a  tract  which  iK-r- 
haps  ,.rters  as  sfn.ntj  inducements  as  tl.o  f.irn.er.  with  the  addita'nal 
aj  vamairt^s  ,.|  a  ur-M-  mark.t.  and  ,.f  becoming  crc  hmg  possessed  of 
•II  tho  bleawugs  ol  an  old  coimUy.  *  ' 


HRIlKrMBn   COUNTy. 


101 


Ahirtta  wm  orocted  in  1886,  from  Lake  Ploa«ant.  It  in  about  66 
milt.H  loiitf,  with  an  avorago  breadth  of  6J.  Pop.  200.  The  Hit« 
doHignatrd  for  tho  county  seat  is  at  Pi-oco,  in  this  town,  a  flourisli- 
ing  vilJH^,,  on  tho  Piseco  luico. 

(iiLMAiv  was  erected  in  1830,  from  Wells.  It  is  about  37  miles 
lone,  N.  and  S.,  and  6  broad,  K.  and  W.     Pop.  08. 

HopK,  the  JSIO.  corner  town,  wan  taken  from  Wells  in  1818.  It  is 
about  10  miloH  lonif,  K  and  W.,  and  7J  broad,  N.  and  8.  Hope, 
lJ()pe  (.cntn;,  and* Benson,  are  poMt-olfices.     Pop.  711. 

Imkk  Pmcahant,  taken  from  .Johnstown  in  1812;  centrally  distant 
from  New  York  265,  from  Albany  120,  and  from  JohnstWn  48 
milMH  t  IS  ab.»ut  60  mdes  long,  N.  and  S.,  and  7  broad,  E,  and  W. 
1  op.  JOO.  Lake  Plcas(mt  is  a  Hn)ali  village,  about  10  miles  N.  of 
i'ulton  county  hue. 

hum  Imkk  is  E.  and  W.  28  miles  lon^,  by  about  12  broad,  and 
Ofunipies  the  whole  breadth  of  the  north(!i  a  portion  of  the  countv  It 
waN  orecued  m  1838,  from  Wells,  Lake  Pleasant,  Arietta,  ,uui  More- 
iiouNo.     I'op.  60. 

MoRKuonHK,  tho  westernmost  town  of  the  county,  was  taken  from 
l.ake  J'hniHant  in  183.').  It  is  about  40  miles  lon«,  N.  and  S..  bv 
Hl)out  Oi  broad,  K.  an«{  W.  Pop.  KJO.  MorehouHevillo  is  a  snmll 
vilhufn,  m  the  southern  part. 

Wkum,  the  easternmoHt  town  of  thocounty,  is  about  40  miles  lone. 

S;  M      '^V  ^y^^^'  "".  "^'"""^o  ^'••''"dth,  E.  and  W.,  of  about  5  miles. 
Wells  jKjst-olhoe  is  in  tho  S.  part.    Pop.  306. 


HERKIMER  COUNTY. 

i„„"r  M*""*  T^^"^^  ^"'  originally  constituted  in  1701.    Greatest 
engh  N.  and  S.  »«.  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W.  28  miles,    (^cn- 
1  rally  distant  fn.m  Ncvy  York  200,  from  Albany  116  miles.     This 
<o.inty  has  a  broken  and  diversifir.l  aspect.     South  of  the  Mohawk, 
TZ  m'i  """"T/'  '"  * '"  «»•«"»  dividing  ridge  separating  the  waters 
ol  the  Mohawk  Iro.n  those  of  the  Sus.,uehannahr    A  high  range  of 
hills  .«xtcnd  across  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk  at  the  Little  FallsV  and 
he  ^'hylo  county  north  of  the  Mohawk  is  of  a  mountainous  charac 
ler.     Most  of  the  county  south  of  tho  Mohawk,  and  for  many  miles 
iKMtli  of  It,  IS  under  cultivation,  which  the  greater  portion  of  the  hilli 
will  admit  ol  to  their  summits.     Then?  is  a  variety  of  soil,  but  tho 
greater  part  of  the  county  is  better  adapted  for  grass  than  grain. 
J  he  extensive  alluvial  valley  of  the  Mohawk,  and  those  of  some  of 
Uio  smaller  streams,  are  among  tho  finest  grain  lands  in  the  state. 
1  ho  northern  part  of  the  county  is  elevated,  and  covered  with  exten- 
sive  '"Hists  of  evergnHHis  and  marshes,  and  is  of  a  eoM  and  sterile 
soil.      I  he  Mohawk  river  runs  across  its  whole  width.     The  East 


Mi 

M 


".  'W 


193 


HGRKIMKR   C017NTT. 


and  West  Canada  creeks,  (larce  branches  of  the  Mohawk,)  form  the 
former  part  of  the  eastern,  aiid  the  latter  part  of  the  western  bounda- 
ry of  the  county.    Black  river  of  Lake  Ontario,  has  its  sources  in  the 
northern  part,  and  also  some  of  the  branches  of  the  Oswei?atchie 
river.    Several  small  streams  running  into  the  Mohawk,  and  some  of 
the  sources  of  the  Susquehannah,  have  their  rise  in  the  southern  part. 
1  he  Erie  canal  and  Utica  railroad  cross  the  county  in  the  Mohawk 
valley.     The  long  level  of  the  canal,  69i  miles,  extends  from  Syra- 
cuse,  Onondaga  county,  to  Frankfort,  near  the  wdstern  boundary  of 
this  county.    From  thence  across  the  county  the  cinal  has  a  descent 
of  »7  feet  by  la  locks ;  5  of  which  arc  at  the  Little  Falls,  at  which 
p  ace  there  is  an  aqueduct  over  the  Mohawk,  built  of  3  arches,  one 
ol  700,  two  of  50  feet  each.     The  lands  of  this  county  were  originally 
granted  in  large  tracts ;  such  were  the  "  Royal  Grant,"  to  Sir  Wil- 
ham  Johnson,  embracing  the  country  between  the  East  and  West 
Canada  creeks ;  the  "  Jerserfield  patent,"  covering  a  larger  portion 
of  the  northern  part  of  the  county,  made  in  1770;  the  "German 
Hats  patent,   granted  in  1725,  and  others.    The  county  has  19  towns. 
Pop.  37,378.  '' 

Columbia,  taken  from  Warren  in  1812  ;  from  Albany  75,  from 
Herkimer  S.  10  miles.  Pop.  2,130.  This  town  was  settled  previous 
to  the  revolution,  by  some  Germans.  Columbia  and  South  Columbia 
are  post-omces. 

Danube  was  taken  from  Minden  in  1817;  from  Albany  76,  from 
Herkimer  SE.  10  miles.  Pop.  1,907.  Near  the  mouth  of  the  Nowa- 
daga,  a  small  stream  in  this  town,  formerly  stood  a  Mohawk  castle 
with  a  church  and  bell. 


General  Herkimer  house,  Danube. 

The  above  is  an  eastern  view  of  the  Gen.  Herkimer  house,  in  Dan- 
ube,  now  owned  by  Mr.  Connor.  This  house  is  built  of  brick,  and  is 
upwards  ol  2  milos  eastward  of  the  village  of  Little  Falls,  just  below 
the  rocky  pass  of  the  Mohawk.  It  is  situated  but  a  few  rods  south 
trom  the  Lno  .'luml.  fronting  the  beautiful  interval  of  the  Mohawk, 
at  this  place.     This  house  was  built  by  the  general,  who,  after  being 


^ 


HERKIMER   COUNTY. 


103 


wounded  at  the  battle  of  Oriskany,  was  brought  here,  where  he  died 
lie  was  buried  on  a  little  knoll,  a  few  rods  in  a  southerly  direction 
rorn  his  house,  in  the  flunily  burying  ground,  without  a  monument  to 
tell  where  he  lies. 

The  battle  of  Oriskany  was  fought  on  the  0th  of  Aug.,  1777;  and 
Ccn.  Herkimer  did  not  long  survive  his  wound.  The  following  ac- 
count of  his  last  moments,  and  his  character,  is  taken  from  Col. 
htone  s  interesting  account  in  his  Life  of  Brant,  vol.  I. 

I  i!!i"°i;'T  """"""^ly  '?  •>»  "wn  house  near  tho  Mohawk  river,  a  few  miles  below  tho 
„,  ,  .Vi  '■  ,1  •?"  '**^.'  *''''^'' '""'  ''«''»  shattered  5  or  6  inches  below  the  knee,  was 
nn,p„taicd  about  10  days  alter  the  battle,  by  a  young  French  surgeon  in  the  army  of  G.-n. 
AnuM  and  contrary  to  the  advice  of  the  general's  own  medical  adviser,  the  late  Dr.  Pe- 
ric.  «,u  the  operation  was  unskilfully  performed,  and  it  was  found  impossible  by  his 
irtondmils  to  stanch  the  blood.     Col.  Willot  called  to  see  the  general  soon  after  the  opera. 

In  .  •  T*^  ^i?"f  "P  ',"  •"'  ^*"^'  '^'"'  "  P'P«  '•»  ''"  mouth,  smoking,  and  talking  in  ex. 
cnllentsiunts.  He  died  the  night  following  that  visit.  His  friend,  Col.  John  Rolf,  was 
present  at  the  amputation,  and  affirmed  that  he  bore  the  operation  with  uncommon  fortitude, 
lie  was  likewise  with  him  at  the  time  of  his  death.  The  blood  continuing  to  flow— there 
heing  no  physician  in  immediate  attendance— and  being  himself  satisfied  that  the  lime  of 
Ills  dqiarture  was  mgh,  tho  veteran  directed  the  Holy  Bible  to  he  brought  to  him.  He  then 
openeii  ,t  and  read,  m  the  presence  of  those  who  surrounded  his  bed,  with  all  tho  composure 
which  It  was  possible  fur  any  man  to  exhibit,  the  38th  psalm-applying  it  to  his  own  situa. 
tion.  He  soon  afterward  expired;  and  it  may  well  be  questioned  whether  the  annals  of 
man  tiirnish  a  more  striking  example  of  Christian  heroism— calm,  deliberate,  and  finn  in 
iric  nmir  ot  death— than  is  presented  in  this  remarkable  instance.     Of  the  early  history  of 

.l,'„"«,  ,"f  T';.*""  ''"'*  '?  ''"°"'"-  ^'  *'"«  •"=«"  "''■^'"^y  »""'-'d  "!«'  his  family  was  one  of 
I  le  tirst  of  the  (.crmans  who  planted  themselves  in  the  Mohawk  valley.  And  the  massive 
stone  mansion,  yet  standing  at  German  Flatts,  bespeaks  its  early  opulence.  He  was  an 
uneducuted  man— with,  if  possible,  less  skill  in  letters,  even  than  Gen.  Putnam,  which  is 
8U)  ng  much.  But  he  was,  nevertheless,  a  man  of  strong  and  vigorous  understanding- 
acstituto  ot  some  of  the  essential  requisites  of  generalship,  but  of  the  most  cool  and  dauntless 
rournge.  1  hose  traits  were  all  strikingly  disclosed  in  the  brief  and  bloody  expedition  to 
tLv-  iT'^'  nI  """w  'T"  '""^"  ^''"  acquainted  with  that  most  important  of  all  books— 
■!,  in  ..flu  J'"  ""To  '.'"'  "'"'*'  ''-■'"■'""'  *>''•''''''•  "•^holar,  lay  or  clerical,  have  selected  a 
iCf,       "  .1  *;    ^"'P',".''''*  more  exactly  appropriate  to  tho  situation  of  the  dying  sol- 

nhJ;  „n'i  D  ""''">'''  '"'  '"'""""^  spontaneously  turned.  If  Socrates  died  like  a  philoso- 
pher,  and  Rousseau  like  an  unbelieving  sentimentalist,  Gen.  Herkimer  died  like  a  Ciibls- 
iiAN  iihRo.  Congress  passed  a  resolution  requesting  the  governor  and  couniil  of  New 
br^w,  ^".„""f ..,"  nioHument,  at  the  expense  of  the  United  States,  to  the  memory  of  thia 
bTii\  n  man,  of  tho  value  of  five  hundred  dollars. 

nnd  ^hfril'i"?  ^'*''''  t'"L"  '■""r''  ""^"y- '"'''  'hp  journal  of  Congress  is  the  only  monument, 
br  t„  r,,Z  'm  '  ''"^'^.'';  ""'y  "'""iP""".  which  as  yet  testify  the  gratitude  of  the  repub- 
lic to  (tENERAL  Nicholas  Herkijikr."  '  /        e  «■ 

Fairfield,  taken  from  Norway  in  1790;  from  Albany  70,  from 
Ht^rkimer  NE.  10  miles.  Pop.  1,830.  The  village  of  Fairfield  is 
centrally  situated,  and  contains  1  Methodist,  1  Episcopal,  and  1  Pres- 
byterian church,  anti  about  50  dwellings. 

The  college  of  physicians  and  surgeons  of  the  western  district  is 
located  in  this  village,  and  numbers  0  professors  and  105  students; 
also,  a  nourishing  academy,  under  the  charge  of  the  Rev.  Henry 
Jiannistor,  and  numbering,  l.-io  pupils,  including  males  and  females. 
Jn  1 10  ollowing  view,  the  two  buildings  shown  on  the  right  arc  the 
meilicul  colleges,  the  structure  with  a  steeple  is  the  academy  chapel, 
and  ihtj  building  partially  seen  on  the  left  is  the  one  appropriated  for 
[he  inalt!  (lepartinent  of  the  academy.  These  buil.lings  are  favorably 
located  on  a  fine  green.     The  building  for  the  females  is  not  shown 


104 


HERKIMGR   COUNTY. 


I  &.■ 


Medical  College,  and  Academy,  at  Fairfield. 


iVthe  twn   ^^j'^'^'^'^i"^^"  West  Canada  creek,  on  the  west  line 
dwellings  ^'^   ^  '"  Newport,  has  1  church  and  about  50 

8fi  mMo^'^V  "^Lr  *''^''"  ^'"""^^  ^•^''^''"  ^'^^^  '»  1^96;  from  Albany 
mV  ofHnrU^      ^^  '?^""'''^^'.'''"f  ^'""g«  »P«"  the  canal  4  miles 

risSrfrom^rM'^"'  organized  in  1788.     Its  surface  is  undulating, 
ising  Irom  the  Mohawk  river  on  the  northern  boundary.     The  ex- 

Sed'af aTe'  V'  '".^li^^'^T'  ''  "^"  ^'  '»>-«  '"  Simer,  were 
known  as  ^Lr^  P"'"^^  by  German  families,  and  have  no^  been 
knoun  as  the  German  Flats  tor  more  than  a  century.  The  soil  of 
haul  wh  "F  "  ""^•''^T^b;  S?od,  particularly  the  flats  on  the  Mo- 
hawk,  wh  c    arc  nrovorbuilly  fertile.     Centrally  distant  from  Herki- 

Z\ ''"'  *•■"'"  ^"^'"^"y  ^5  miles.     Pop.  3.245. 

Mohawk,  a  small  post  village  on  the  Mohawk  river  and  Erie  canal 
irtn'":'.?  '^^""^  Herkimer,  the  county  seat;  conJSns an  anSt 
stone^church,  the  westernmost  of  the  line  of  those  structures  buSt  un 

cl  oh  sZre  1^"  ^'"r"  *^^-''"r-  ^  ^^-^  distance  E  of  S^ 
f  ilv  w  ,  .^  .  ''""'P  ?''  '"'issive-built  mansion  of  the  Herkimer 
Sa  c^lkd  f;;.  '»  'i'^  "'^"••'^'\  •^'^«"'  ^^^«  "««d  as  a  fort.  Hence  a 
'Mhnt  SV  •."^''"'"7- .  ^'*  ^^«  '^t  this  place,"  says  Col.  Stone, 
177^  Wr  ''r'y^P"t'"/i^  valley  wasVeared  in  the  spring  of 
the  fl.t,  S  ';  '''^  f''T^  ?^  ^  •■>'""  «"""ty  at  that  time,  camcf  up 

Who,T  tl^^  M  r^T  ''If  '*  "^•''^^'^  ^''"^  Johnstown,  and  cm  it  down^^ 
»non  the  Mohawk  valley  was  ravaged  in  1778  by  the  tories  smH 

Srir  ""^  ''  ^'^^'""^^  on^he  south  sid;\>l-the%ToLwk 

on"he  nS  irK',,''''^^"''^'  '"  ^l^«-  '''he  surface  of  the  township 
wh  eh  form,  1  'i  '"  'u'  '?'*''  '^'''"^  ^^e  banks  of  the  Mohawk, 
tT.e  r  Vr  nuv  '^%^,?"th7n  boundary,  are  i\,e  German  flats,  so  noted  for 

X  ca'lod  iiurn  '/'r  'u  T  '""^""  '.'"'•'y  ^^'""»"  settlement, "origin- 
CVcrutedhvr^^^^  that  the  patented 

oeen  granted  bj  Gov.  Burnet.     This  patent  extended  over  the  richest 


HERKIMER   C017NTV. 


195 


and  most  beautiful  section  of  the  Mohawk  valley,  comprehending  the 
broad  alluvial  lands  directlv  beyond  the  junction  of  the  West  Canada 


View  of  Herkimer,  from  the  Erie  canal. 


The  above  shows  the  appearance  of  the  village  as  seen  from  nn 
elevation  r.s.ng  from  the  soLth  bank  of  the  Mohfwk  and  the  Erie 

mf'ndt  bun;''  '"''^"'  ^•^  r^^'^'  "^«  incorporated  L  1807- 
^hntn^:  T  ^/'•'^velly  plain  elevated  some  10  or  15  feet 

Dayt'on      Th'e"  vm"^  ^'*''  ^^^"^f  "^  ^^^  '^'  «*'  *»'«  ancient  For 
^Tfli    M-         '"?v^®  ^°"'''^«  «^  upwards  of  100  dwellings   the 

"roLe"  &c%h^"^^'^  ^^l^"-"^^^  ^"^  1  Methodist  churcira^;'rint! 
a  mirfn  oJ^^;t  .^  ^'T^""}  '^'^^^ '"""'  ^-  «"^  ^'^-  ^"^  is  about  half 
ern  extiemky  '"^    "^      P"'"''  '^'""^'^  '^"  ^'""^^^ '''  ''''  ««"th. 

J{:Sr?.?^-^^t^:^^ss^^p'-bytheto^^^^ 

for  the  number  of  housed  wa/nlero  a  Thn  U  ^'  ""^^f ^"'"  •""'»•  The  papulation 
had  that  year  brought  fortirbt  handf,Z"  ■„  .1  l^^^'u"^  ^^  "*""'*•  '^^  ^*'"  cultivated, 
products.  ^  ^  handfuls ;  so  that  the  barns  were  amply  stored  with  their 

was  iL^'^L^lVlKitnTundeTttt  ^  Tp""  "^  Sep.omher.  that  ,hi«  fine  district 
t».r  invasion  wasVtt'nK  wfth  "itli  f^uT  °^^"'"'•  ^°"  Providentially,  however, 
and  another,  named  Mcclriln»irH.^^^^^  '"""  ^^'"^  killed  outright, 

tion  were  tl  ese^Emertai^Z;  S,,^  -  '"  ""  ""T^n""  ^'"^  Particulars  of  this  hostile  irAip. 
four  men  had  been  de  na?  Ked'^into Thrr"'""""  f  ^^""''  ^'•"  ^'"'  "'  Unadilla,  .  «:out  of 
killed  at  the  Edmeston'^Hettleme^  tL  f  "".';  '^t  "^''^T"'  '^''"''«  "^  '»"=««' "'«"  ^"'' 
escape,  and  returned  to  ,  E'ot  hllf  an  hot*.  ?'"'  ""'"'"'  '"'"^•""""^  '"  "'"''"^  '"" 
that  Brant,  with  a  larce  b.ilvnf  l.wi  "  ^"'^■'"'  «'>n-aown,  just  m  nmo  to  announce 

then,.     Al   wa"  ">f  course  Lfl""!  "^"^  T'"""?'"^'  ""''  ^""'J-  *"  «  ^"^  h,.ur«,  be  upon 
men,  won,e,r„;.d  el  ir;-rre""l,f "".  "^"""f  "'•'"«'""'"'""'  ""''  ""'  in'-o^itautL 
In  flying  to  tho«,  defrnces  7>nv      .T     T''  "l!"  '""•"  ''"y"'"  "'"'  ""'^mer  for  nrrnrity. 
/    K      uiosc  ueltnccs,  thry  gathered  up  the  most  valuable  oi  their  stud',  und  by  meuiit 


196 


HERKIMER    COtlNTY. 


of  boats  and  canoes  upon  the  river,  succeeded,  in  the  course  of  the  evening,  in  collecting  a 
large  portion  of  their  best  articles  of  furniture.  But  they  had  no  time  to  look  after  their 
nocks  and  herds. 

"Early  in  the  evening  Brant  arrived  at  the  edge  of  the  settlement,  but  as  the  night  came 
on  excessively  dark  and  rainy,  he  halted  with  his  forces  in  a  ravine,  near  the  house  of  his 
tory  fnend  Shoemaker,  where  the  younger  Butler  and  his  party  were  captured  the  preceding 
year.  Here  the  chieftain  lay  with  his  warriors  until  the  storm  broke  away  towards  morning 
-unconscious  that  his  approach  had  been  notified  to  the  people  by  the  scout  in  season  to 
enable  them  to  escape  the  blow  of  his  uplifted  arm.  Before  the  dawn  he  was  on  foot,  and 
his  wamors  were  sweeping  through  the  settlement;  so  that  the  torch  might  be  almost  sim- 
ultaneously  applied  o  eveiy  building  it  contained.  Just  as  the  day  was  breaking  in  the 
east,  the  fires  were  kindled  and  tJie  whole  section  of  the  valley  was  speedily  illuminated  by 
the  flames  of  houses  and  bnms,  and  all  things  else  combustible.  The  spectacle,  to  the 
pcoplem  the  forts  was  one  of  melancholy  grandeur.  Every  family  saw  the  flames  and 
smoke  of  Its  own  domicil  ascending  to  the  skies,  and  every  farmer  the  whole  product  of  his 
labor  tor  the  season  dissolving  into  ashes. 

"Haying  no  fire-arms  larger  than  their  rifles,  the  Indians  avoided  even  a  demonstration 
against  the  forts,  notwithstanding  their  chagrin  that  neither  scalps  nor  prisoners  were  to  grace 
their  tnumph.  But  as  the  light  of  day  advanced,  their  warriors  were  seen  singly,  or  in  small 
groups,  scouring  the  fields,  and  driving  away  all  the  horses,  sheep,  and  black  cattle  that 
could  be  found.  Nothing  upon  which  they  could  lay  their  hands  was  left ;  and  the  settle- 
ment, which,  but  the  day  before,  for  ten  miles  had  smiled  in  plenty  and  in  beauty,  was  now 
houseless  and  destitute.  Happily,  however,  of  human  life  there  was  no  greater  sacrifice 
than  hM  akeady  been  mentioned.  After  the  Indians  had  decamped  with  their  booty,  a 
*orce  of  betvyeen  300  and  400  militia-men  collected,  and  went  in  puwuit-following  as  far 
as  Edmeston's  plantation  on  the  UnadiUa  river,  where  the  bodies  of  the  three  scouto  were 
lound  and  buned.    But  no  other  results  attended  this  expedition." 

Litchfield  was  taken  from  German  Flats  in  1796;  from  Albany 
88,  centrally  distant  from  Herkimer  and  Utica  11  miles.  Cedarville, 
partly  in  the  towns  of  Winfield  and  Columbia,  has  about  40  dwellings. 
Litchfield  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  1,672. 

Little  Falls  was  taken  from  Herkimer,  Fairfield,  and  German 
l-lats,  in  1829.  It  has  a  hilly  and  broken  surface,  lying  on  both  sides 
of  the  Mohawk.  Pop.  3,881.  The  first  settlement  in  the  town  ap- 
pears to  have  been  made  at  the  falls  of  the  Mohawk,  by  or  under  the 
direction  of  Alexander  Ellis.  This  gentleman  was  a  Scotch  mer- 
chant, who,  under  the  favor  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  had  obtained  a 
patent  of  the  wild  mountain  gorge,  through  which  the  Mohawk  leaps 
irom  the  upper  into  the  lower  section  of  the  valley. 

The  engraving  shows  a  southern  view  of  part  of  the  village  as 
seen  from  a  point  about  20  rods  below  the  aqueduct  over  the  Mo- 
hawk.  The  village  consists  of  upwar4s  of  300  dwellings,  5  churches— 
VIZ,  1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist,  1  Episcopal,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Cath- 
ohc— a  bank,  an  academy,  2  newspaper  printing  offices,  and  various 
manufacturing  establishments.  The  village  is  supplied  with  water 
brought  from  a  spring  in  the  granite  mountain,  300  feet  above  the 
tops  of  the  houses.  The  singular  building  with  a  spire,  seen  in  the 
engraving  on  the  left,  on  elevated  ground,  is  the  oldest  church  in  the 
village,  formerly  used  by  the  Scotch  Presbyterians,  but  now  occupied 
by  the  Catholics. 

"  Thi  i  spot  is  remarkable  for  the  passage  of  the  Mohawk  river 
throijgh  the  mountain  barrier;  for  its  wild  and  picturesque  sccnerv; 
anti  foi  the  difficulties  which  have  been  overcome  in  constructing  tlie 
hue  cmal  through  the  pass.     It  receives  the  name  of  the  Little  Fails 
m  contradistinction  to  the  Great  Falls  at  Cahoes.     The  falls  extend 


HERKIMER    COUNTY. 


197 


Southern  view  of  part  of  the  Village  of  Little  Falls. 

upon  the  river  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile,  descending  in  that  dis- 
tajice  42  feet,  and  consist  of  two  long  rapids,  separated  by  a  stretch 
of  deep  water,  occupying  each  about  the  fourth  of  a  mile.  The  up- 
per rapids  are  most  considerable.  Above  them,  a  dam  across  the 
stream  renders  it  placid,  over  which  the  waters,  separated  by  a  small 
island,  form  beautiful  low  cascades,  falling  into  a  deep  pool  beneath, 
whence  the  current  rushes,  murmuring  and  foaming,  over  ridges  and 
ainorphous  masses  of  granite  and  gneiss  rock,  flowing  with  compar- 
ative gentleness  beneath  the  overarching  bridge  and  aqueduct,  and 
thence  hurrying,  with  new  impetuosity,  over  the  stony  bed  below. 

"This  waterfall  would  be  beautiful  anywhere;  but  it  acquires 
grandeur  here,  from  the  high  hills  which  confine  it,  and  which  the 
slightest  observation  teaches  us  have  been  cut  down  by  its  ever  en- 
during and  irresistible  force.  The  defile  is  two  miles  long,  with  a 
medial  breadth  of  one  hundred  rods.  On  either  bank,  the  hill,  on 
vyhich  deciduous  and  evergreen  trees  are  pleasingly  intermingled, 
rises  from  360  to  400  feet,  and  the  fall,  over  which  may  have  once 
poured  the  waters  of  Lake  Ontario,  may  have  had  a  very  little  infe- 
rior altitude.  A  mound,  raised  here  to  the  height  of  70  feet,  would 
now  cause  the  waters  to  overflow  the  Rome  summit,  and  send  them 
again  by  Wood  creek  and  the  Oneida  lake  to  Ontario. 

"  That  the  hill  has  been  so  abraded  is  incontestibly  demonstrated  by 
the  many  cavities,  basins,  and  channels,  worn  in  the  rock,  at  the  bot- 
tom and  sides  of  the  defile,  visible  throughout  its  extent,  and  at  an 
elevation  of  60  feet.  Below  the  Gulf  Bridge,  on  the  north  side  of  the 
road,  is  an  insulated  rock,  having  a  remarkable  water- worn  cavity  or 
funnel ;  its  top  is  between  30  and  40  feet  above  the  low-water  mark 
of  the  river,  and  the  rock  in  which  it  is  formed  is  16  feet  high.  The 
funnel,  2i  feet  diameter,  descends  perpendicularly  fromt  he  top  be- 
low the  exposed  part  of  the  base.  Near  the  base  it  is  broken  so 
that  the  sky  may  be  seen  as  through  a  chimney.     This  funnel  has  ' 


108 


iir.iiKiMnt  roirNTv. 


«l"iil)llcNS  horn  worn  I»y  tli 


wifhin  ifN  nivil 
(iiu) 


10  violcnl,  m-lion  of  wal(«r  upon  Ioohc  sfonr 
.Snnilur  iri(liniti„riM  ol  lik  «'  .-""m 


Noino  lmv(^  Uilv.ly  hwu  iliscUmul  l)y 


poitioiiH  i)!"  rock 

"Aflho  lout,  of  tl,o  falls  tl ..,,,,,,, 

u  lumdiod  (ov.t  (loop,  into  which  fho  hiirl 


"  «<;ti(>n  iiro  (lonunoti  ln>n 
n-inovul  of  tho  soil  from  othci 


H>_  i-ivrr  cxpi.mlH  info  a  hnsin  inoro  thn. 


ilooil 


IVa 


an<l  from  whoso  depths  rocky  si 
luml,  with  r»  locks,  was  oonNtnioh 


>  outaract  onco  jjounid  its 


.HI08  riso  ahovo  the  surface. 
nstructo.1  luMo  by  tho  Wosforn  Inland 


^f.uw.fion  C;on,p«ny.  in  1H0«,  which  no;  i^Z  "  So hv.  ^l^nh 
.'owcr,  and  s,;rvos  as  a  Iccdt-r  for  the  l.'-i..  ."  " /"'" '^""  y'<rn»lio 
••'""!«'-•«'•'«  I>y  a  nohlo  ncpa.l  c  „  ,  ,a  bic  .  1  2"  '  ^"^  wh'ch  it  is 
.'onfinod  by  walls  li  dt  hi^h  n.,     i  r,' 7      '«f  long,  10  foot  wide. 

ono  n^k  alH^tM- :':^.!l";r''^^  ''^'  '  '•"'^^'  ■'"  '''^^ '"  »'««  «'i«tanco  of 
t.)  vi,C  cis  »•  Iv  '""'"'''"  ''^''■'"""  ''»'  "•'»^''*"'''-  i"  I'oats 

I  lus  place  has  nuich  attraction  f  .r  the  sfnd,Mit  of  n',..,.- .  7 

uS;,,,,.  ,1,'";  u:.;i!:;r,t"'S":',':k '"""•;'■'; f'""'-- ^^"^^ 

-.-•^-.»"i'-™«!:;!;;i;-iris,j?!i&:;^ 

;'"«.•..  .,„.„      Only  „  f„w  Hlu.,;  w  .„'  '  v..  n  Z  1  ';"'  ♦>'"^"'""'"''  ''.v  ""t  nu.r.  ,hnn  n 

;-"MY""u.  lonpiMK  fronnho  w  „r  ;;l;  'Xr-Vi'""'^^^    '"  •""•"""  "«  '■'""  -"'i 

"»«l"  iMuul  ,o  hMMd.  n„d  1,..,:,    woun.lH     V    i    M  ;  Vim  Tt      '!'■'■    '""'.'."  I'»-vi"'"'ly  nmde 
""'I  <'n.l..Hv..,r,l  t,.  .-o.i.Tnl  lh.<ins,.|v  ,  I  v  L       ■        '    ''  ".""  ''"'  "■"•'"'-""y  .il.ov..  l),,.  mill 


"i.ui  Miiag...    illimluim  Cailrc  IS  ii  ,R,si.„iii,,o,     Tliis 


IIRRKtMKR    COUNTY. 


100 


town  was  scUlod  by  Gorrnans  in  1770.    During  tl.o  revolution  the 
inhabitants  wctc  dnvon  from  th(;ir  nosses.sion.s.    Top  2  01)5 

Newpokt,  tak(;n  from  Norway,  FairfioM,  and  Sd.uyler'in  180«  • 
Irom  Allany  »r,,  from  ik-rkirnor  N.  contrail;  distant  l/n.ilos?    Z.' 

f  „  |■v•l^''^'""'^'"'"«'.'  '"''  "^"^"^  100  dwellings.     Middlcnort  is  a 
small  vdlago,  partly  in  the  town  of  Fairfield. 

IIcTkiZrW^'''''''/'"n"  "^"•'^i'"'^r  in  1702;  from  Albany  00,  from 
a  ^MilTvilla^;.""''"''^  ''^'"'^  ''  '"''^•^-     **"P-  ^'"4«-    ''^-^'^y  - 

f.ir!;f"l{!\>r'''*i'*  ^'Z  ^'''^  «'-"»-7'iek  ;  from  Ilorkimor  centrally  dls- 
tan   N.  22  nnles.     iV,p.  („,y      West  Brunswick  is  the  post-office. 

frr,m  A  r'  •"■'«'l"'"y  "'""''^  y"'^^"*  »nd  taken  from  Norway  in  1800; 
Pon    o  mI;;'^  *^?'  '•-!•»»'•••' 'y,/<«t";>t  NN^\r-  in.m  I-Icrkimer  20  miles. 

i»otivdC;,st'orr"'  ^ "'""'  "'^  ""^"  ^  '"^^«^^ '  ^"'^  ^-"'^  -''^ 

If  bn,'''„"""''''  !'■'•'''"  '■••"•", ''"''-^t"'"  '■'^  1H17;  from  Albany  70  miles. 
NasburvTl'Nr'^'.'r '"'■?.  ^''''  ^^"''1  "'^"'''y«  "»  the  northeast, 
village"      l'o,f  l,H5u!     """^       "'''  ^^  '""'''  ""'^  ^'"'""'  '^^^  «'"'^" 

frnnvTi'*'";  l^^'^^'J'T  "«'''*''^«'-  in  1702;  from  Albany  80,  cen- 
ler  and  West  Schuyler  are  post-offices.     Pop,  1,708 
''O  iiom '  Un.  r  '■'■•''"  ii«""b«  if)  »«2« ;  from  Albany  centrally  distant 
sma    vi  I„i     T«;^^-  ■  ."  '"■'"'•     **"P-  ^''^««-     Vanhornsvillc  is  a 
tl  s  own T '  '^"'^  Starkville  a  post-office.     "  The  Otsquake  creek  in 

numbeTand  o^'/^'M-''^T  '"  '"^  ^^'^'''^^'^  ^•^^^'•'  '■"  remirkable  for  the 
aSf,r  b  "/."^f  the  calcareous  incrustations  and  petrifactions 
;t^fd  of  t'S-  '"^  ^' ^^^'•"=«  "«^r  \t«  ««"rce.  A  fine  example  is  pre- 
scnted  of  the  former  about  half  a  mile  above  the  first  mill,  where  a  tu- 

iSth  cTno''''?''?  ^'rV^''  '^'^^  ^^^"^  ««  '^  ^0  yards,  wUh  a 
wood     Th   n  ""^  '^^•'S'^^  ".  .2  T'^-ds,  enclosing  masses  of  petrified 

sTendin.  fi  h   '    P^jf'^^*  p''"''^''^'""' '"  ''  '"^^'"^^  »<'  ^  «'"a"  stream  de- 

;^  wh  cf  ho     ?'"''';  •' '' •"  'f""''  ^!  ^  ^''^'"'"^'^  t'-^^'  2  '■««*  in  diameter. 

"eirved     T^'""^''"  Tl^""'  ""*'  '^^'"''  ^'^  *'>«  ^^'^'^'^^0  admirably 

Z'sGatteIr      '''"■"'"'  I^^^oratory  of  stone  is  still  in  action."-Gor. 

Warren,  taken  from  German  Flats  in  1700;  from  Albany  68  from 
Krere  In' l'""^  '^f''''  ^^  i'  '"''««•  ^^^t^rranean  sTe^ms  bur^ 
Sers  1h  r  ''"  r '"'""'  '"'^"'^"^  ^•^•-  '>y'^'''^"'i«  Purposes.  Pages 
vffiage     "or^003     "'"■'  "■'  P"^^-"^^'^^^'  «"J  ^-iile  Lakes  a  small 

andThiS'  '"'V  u'^r  ^'''''^''''  ^"^  Plainfield  of  Otsego  county, 
ihrk^  :  'i;''\r^'^'-,""^  ;'^;"n!y.  i"  1«16;  from  Albany  75,  from 
vffiJps:"  Po^'li^a!  ^'""'''*  '"'^  ^''^^  Winfield^re  small 

the^nnu!""  f'T^'^f'  ^''«  w''«I«  northern  and  unsettled  section  of 
the  countj  .  ,n  length  about  50,  and  in  breadth  about  10  miles.  Pop.  60. 


4^ 


800 


JKKKl'.UaON    COUNTV. 


JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 


Jkkkkrhon  roiiNTV,  taken  iVoiii  Oiifidii  in  INOr),  is  situated  at  tlu; 
K.  i'ikI  oI'  l.akt!  Oiitan(»,  tiiul  on  tlui  St.  LiiwrnuM!  river,  coiiipriMiii^ 
Chauinont  hay,  and  nsost  of  tlm  islets  oalle*!  the  "  Tlunisand  isles," 
iiiid  is  a  territory  having  as  many  natural  advantages  as  any  portion 
of  the  interior  of  the  state,  it  is  ctMitrally  distant  l\VV.  iVoin  New 
York  .'<(>;■>,  and  from  Alhanv  1(50  miles.  I.enifth  N.  and  S.  IN  miles; 
l,frealest  hruadth  I),  and  VV.  IM.  'I'his  county  in  its  surlaee  is  either 
t|uite  level  or  aLjreealtly  diversified,  waving  in  gi'iitle  undulations, 
(•enerally,  the  soil  is  of  a  sandy  loam  of  a  superior  *|iiality,  with  some 
^ravt>l  and  elay,  and  yields  ahnndant  erops.  'iMie  natural  growth  ol 
tind)er  IS  luxuriant.  (  hi^nnally  it  was  covered  witii  trees  of  an  enor- 
mous heii^dit.  'I'tiemanv  aial  very  rapid  streams  of  this  county  lurnish 
an  ahundance  of  hydraulic  power.  'i'h<!  cattle  sent  to  market  ironi  this 
county  (exceed  I.CKUJ  head  per  annum,  its  horses  are  ctpial  to  any 
in  the  state,  and  their  sale  is  u  source  (»f  nuudi  revenue.  Tht!  raisin;^ 
ol  sheep  is  a  i,'ro\vin;i|;  husiness.  'I'lur  roads  in  the  <"ounty  are  nunur- 
ous  ami  jj[ood ;  amon^' which  may  bo  noticed  a  turnpike  from  |{rown- 
villc  to  ('ape  N'incent, 'Jl  miles,  the  St.  lja\vr«Mic(!  and  ( >if(lensliiu7,r 
turnpikes,  and  tlie  ^reat  military  road  hotween  Sacketts  llarhor  and 
I'lattshnr'',  on  l^ake  ('hamj)hiin.  Al)()ut  one  lialf  of  tiie  exports  de- 
scend to  Montreal.     It  is  divided  into  ll>  towns.     I'op.  (H,()iiH. 


Southern  view  of  Adamx,  Jefferson  Countij. 

An  VMS.  taken  from  INIexico,  1st  April.  IHO'i  ;  NW.  from  Alhany  \\\) 
miles.  It  was  oriL!inally  the  property  of  Mr.  INicliolas  liow,  of  New 
\  ork,  and  was  settled  in  IN(M,  hy  N«'W  l''.n<''and  ennirranfs.  Amon;' 
the  early  settlers  Wen-  l)avid  Sunlh.  I'.hliu  iMorlon.  :t  Mi.  Mrowii, 
and  tlie  Salisburv  tamilv.     Here  lui\e  heen  i'onnd  inanv  of  those  jm. 


JBFFKRDON   COUNTY. 


801 


cient  works  so  common  in  the  wostorn  country.  Pieces  of  coarse 
earthenware  and  pipes  have  freauently  been  met  witii,  and  old  8t«mo 
hearths,  many  teet  under  ground.  There  have  also  been  discovered 
seven  ol  the  tumulur  remams,  of  moderate  height,  with  the  ditch  en- 
circhng  them,  tlie  area  from  a  half  to  two  acres  each.  A(hmiH  vil- 
lap,  14  miles  south  of  Watortown,  has  1  Presbyterian  and  1  Meth- 
odist  church,  a  select  school,  a  seminary  for  younir  ladies,  and  120 
dwelhngs.  "         j       a 

The  preceding  view  of  the  central  part  of  the  village  was  taken  a  few 

rods  south  of  the  bridge,  in  the  principal  street.     The  acaiUmy  stee- 

^       pie  and  the  Presbyterian  church  are  seen  on  the  right,  and  the  bridge 

IP        m  the  centre  of  the  engraving.     Adams  Centre  contains  a  church 

belonging  to  the  society  of  the  Seven-day  Baptists.     Appling  and 

fctmithvillc  are  post  villages.     Pop  of  the  town,  2,041. 

Af.KXANDHiA,  SLttl(;d  by  New  Englanders  in  INlV;  taken  from 
Urowiivillo  and  Lc  Ituy  in  1821,  including  the  islands  in  the  St.  Law- 
rence river  irontuig  flu;  town.  Pop.  3,472.  The  river,  from  two  to 
live  miles  in  width,  is  8p(;ckled  by  the  "  Thousand  isles."  Indian 
river  Mows  across  the  east  itart  of  the  town,  having  falls  of  80  feet 
near  rlieresa.  There  are  here  many  useful  mill-streams,  and  12 
small  lakes  well  stocked  with  fish.  Alexandria  village,  (m  the  St.  J^aw- 
rence,  30  miles  above;  Ogdensburg,  has  about  30  iiwullings.     Theresa, 

25  miles  from  Ogdensburg,  has  about  25  dwellings.  Plcssis,  Milita- 
ry Road,  and  lledwood,  are  post-othces. 

Antwerp,  taken  from  Le  Ray  in  1810.  Antwerp,  upon  Indian 
river,  104  miNis  from  Albany,  and  20  NE.  of  Watortown,  has  about 
40  or  60  dwellings.     ( )xbow,  on  the  Oxbow  of  the  Oswegatchie  river, 

26  miles  NE.  Irom  Watertown,  has  about  30  dwellings.  One  milo 
west  of  the  village  is  a  rock  called  "  pulnit  rock,"  in  the  form  of  a 
pulpit,  where  public  worship  has  occasionally  Ixu-ii  performed.  Pop. 
0,108. 

Brown viM.K,  taken  from  Levden  in  1802;  surface  lev('I ;  soil  mar- 
ley  loam  on  limestone,  of  excellent  cpiulity,  and  highly  improved,  and 
producing  much  wheat.  The  town  has  its  name  from  Mr.  John 
Brown,  an  early  settler,  and  fatb(-r  of  the  late  Gen.  Brown.  Brown- 
ville,  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Black  river,  8  miles  from  its  mouth, 
and  at  thtJ  head  of  navigation,  4  miles  below  Wrtertown,  is  a  largo 
manufacturing  village,  containing  about  100  dwellings,  and  1  Presby- 
terian, 1  Episcopal,  and  1  Metiiodist  church.  The  fidl  of  the  river 
here  is  24  feet.  Dexter  is  a  small  but  flourishing  village,  at  the  head 
of  navigation,  on  Black  river,  a  few  miles  below  Brownville.  Li- 
merick and  Perch  River  are  post-ofRce^s.     Pop.  8,072. 

Chamhiojw,  settled  principally  by  emigrants  from  (Connecticut;  taken 
from  Mexico  in  1800  ;  from  Albany  148  miles,  from  Watertown  E. 
centrally  distant  12  mihis,  and  drained  by  the  Black  river.  Cham- 
pion and  Gpjat  Bend  are  small  post  villages.     Pop.  2,200. 

Clayton,  taken  from  Orleans  and  Lyme  In  18.12;  from  Albany 
180  miles,  from  Watertown  centrally  distant  N.  14  miles.  Depau- 
viUe  luid  French  Creek  are  small  villages.     Pop.  4,042. 

26 


'il"l»'l-"»' 


809 


JEFFEBSON    COUNTY. 


K 


Ellisbijho  settled  in  1793,  by  Mr.  Lyman  Ellis,  and  taken  from 
Mexico  m  1803;  Irom  Watertown  centrally  distant  SW  17  from 
Albany  169  miles.  Pop.  5,366.  Bellville,  Woodville,  Ellisburk  and 
Mannsville,  are  small  post  villages.  There  are  in  the  north  part  of 
the  town  some  remaans  of  ancient  fortifications,  consisting  of  seven 
mounds,  surrounded  by  ditches,  varying  from  a  half  to  two  acres  in 
area,  fetone  instruments,  as  axes,  wedges,  knives,  &c.,  are  ploughed 
up  from  tmie  to  time  in  the  adjacent  fields. 

Henderson,  taken  from  Ellisburgin  1806;  from  Albany  173  miles. 
Pop.  2,478.  Henderson  is  a  post  village  and  port,  at  the  head  of 
Hungry  bay,  where  vessels  of  100  tons  may  find  safe  harborage. 
At  the  dock  there  are  about  15  or  20  dwellings.  At  the  village,  on 
btony  creek,  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  dock,  there  are  about 
70  dwellings.  Sm.thville,  12  miles  SW.  from  Watertown,  au  J  5 
Irom  backetts  Harboi ,  has  about  65  dwellings. 

The  following  account  of  an  action  which'  took  place  in  this  town 
during  the  late  war  with  Great  Britain,  is  from  a  newspaper  published 
at  that  time,  entitled  "  The  War."  Hui^iisneu 

"On  the  30th  ult.,  (May,  1814,)  a  number  of  boats  con.ing  from  Obwc^o,  with  cannon 
and  nggtr-r  for  the  new  vessels,  put  into  Sandy  Creek,  about  16  niiles  frotu  ho  har~ 
being  well  manned  with  satlors.  rtfle.nen.  and  Indians,  under  the  con.mand  of  CaprWool 
sey  of  the  navy;  who,  on  en.ermg  the  creek,  despatched  an  express  for  rei.SnYeS' 
wluch  were  nnmedmtoy  ordered  on,  hut  thev  did  not  arriveun.il  the  Ims^TZoTr: 
The  eaptam  apprehendmg  an  attack,  placed  the  riflemen  and  Indians  in  the  woods  on  each 
mdc  of  the  creek,  and  sent  a  few  raw  mihtia.  with  the  show  of  opposing  dte  enemy"s  land 
ng.  The  pin  ,  succeeded.  The  m.htia  retreated  on  the  fi«t  fire,  pursued  by  the  enemy 
but  as  soon  as  they  had  passed  the  Indians  and  riflemen,  who  w^re  in  «n.bush,  tluseZt' 
a  tacked  them  m  the  rear,  wh,  e  a  battery  of  four  field-pieces  opened  upon  then    n  front 

nnnn"  1'"  """^  TT'  "'u'f  "  ''"""  "*'"""  "'^"  •"'""'««•  "'  which  they  had  SW  k  Ned 
and  40  or  50  wounded,  the  whole  (orce  of  the  enemy,  137  in  number,  surrendered  S 
^e.r  gun.bout*.  five  ...  ..un.ber.-One  of  these  boats  carried  a  fiSlb.  carronade  j  one/a  E 
32;  o.,e.  a  long  24;  one.  two  long  128.;  and  one.  two  brass  pieces;  o..e  of  which  hey 
threw  overboard.  Not  a  ,na,.  escaped.  There  were  among  the  enemy-,  killed.^ne  L Lut 
of  mannes,  «,,d  one  n.uWnpn.an.  A.nong  the  prisoner  are  two  Post  Cpuans?  one  the* 
commander  of  the  Wolf  4  Ijeutenants,  and  4  n.idship.nen.  The  British  force  consisted  „? 
sailors  a..d  mannes  Our  loss  is  one  L.dian  killed  and  three  wounded/  TrSon"« 
were  cond..o.ed  to  Sacketts  Harbor  by  the  .nili.ia.-Another  gun-boat  from  the  Br."Lh 
H\2."  """' """"'  "•*       ""     * ''''"'"'  '^'^  '"'"'  attacked  and  capture^  after  afew 

HouNSFiELD,  taJten  from  Watertown  in   1806;  drained  west  bv 
Black  river  and  some  small  creeks.     This  town  was  settled  in  1801 
by  Augustus  Sackett,  agent  for  the  owners.     Pop.  4.143.  ' 

Sacketts  Harbor,  incorporated  in  1821,  on  the  SW  side  of  Black 
nver  bay,  on  Lake  Ontario.  The  settlement  of  this  town  was  com- 
iiienced  m  1802,  by  Augustus  Sackett,  Esq.,  ag.^nt  for  the  owners, 
who  (Nime  Irom  New  Vnrk  and  settled  at  the  harbor  which  derives 
Its  name  Irom  him.  The  first  house  built  here,  erected  bv  Judge 
Saekelt,  is  now  standing  ii>  Baird-street,  and  is  occupied  "by  Mrs. 
McUwiun.  Iho  progress  t.f  the  settlcm<>nt  was  slt.w  until  1812 
Alter  th<>  .i.'clarat.on  of  war  this  spot  became  an  important  mili^ 
tary  an.  ntivi.!  p.xsition.  The  lmrb..r  is  the  best  on  the  lake  for 
shipbuilding  and  iis  a  naval  depot.  The  following  view  was  taken 
Irom  the  military  hospital.    Tho  small  building  on  Uio  point  of  the 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


203 


Northern  view  of  Sackelts  Harbor,  N.  Y. 

harbor,  on  the  right  of  the  engraving,  is  the  old  blockhouse  which 
stands  near,  or  on  the  site  of  old  Fort  Tompkins.  The  large  build- 
ing on  a  rocky  island  a  few  rods  from  the  shore,  is  a  ship-house, 
which  covers  the  frame  of  the  "New  Orleans,"  a  110  gun  ship  com- 
menced during  the  late  war.  The  steeple  on  the  left  is  that  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.  There  is  also  an  Episcopal  and  a  Methodist 
church  in  the  place,  and  about  1,800  inhabitants.  A  considerable 
trade  is  carried  on  here  by  the  lake  and  St.  Lawrence  river,  and  by 
the  Oswego,  Erie,  and  Welland  canals.  After  the  late  war,  business 
very  much  decreased,  but  it  has  since  grown  with  the  general  im- 
provement of  the  country. 

The  troops  destined  for  the  attack  upon  York,  (U.  C.)  embarked 
from  this  place.  The  .following  account  of  the  expedition  is  from 
Thompson's  History  of  the  late  war : 

"  On  the  22(1  and  23d  of  April,  1813,  agreeably  to  previoiin  arrangement  with  Commo- 
dore CliBuncey,  who  hud  the   eomniaiid  of  the  fleet  on  Lake  Ontario,  General  Dearborn 
and  his  suite,  with  a  force  of  seventeen  hundred  men,  embarked  on  this  expedition,  but  the 
prevalence  of  a  violent  Blorm  prevented  the  sailing  of  the  squadron,  until  the  25lh.     On 
that  day  it  moved  into  Lake  Ontario,  and  having  a  favorable   wind,  arrived  safely  at  7 
o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  27th,  about  one  mile  to  tlie  westward  of  the  ruins  of  Fort 
Toronto,  and  two  and  a  half  from  the  town  of  York.     The  execution  of  that  part  of  the 
plan  which  applied  immediately  to  the  attack  upon  York,  was  confided  to  Colonel  Pike,  of 
the  15th  regiment,  who  had  then  been  promoted  to  the  rank  of  a  brigadier-general,  and  the 
poMition  which  had  been   fixed  upon  for  binding  the  troops,  was  the  site  of  the  old  fort. 
The  approach  of  the  fleet  being  discovered  from  the  enemy's  garrison,  (Jenernl  Bhesfle,  the 
BriliHJi  cominandunt,  hamily  collcclcd   his   whole  force,   consisting  of  upwards  of  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  regulars  ami  iiiilitia,  and  one  hundred  Iiuliiuis,  and  disposed  them  in  th^^ 
best  manlier  to  resist  tlie  landing  of  the  American  force.     A  body  of  Hritish  grenadiem 
were  paraded  on  the  shore,  and  the  (Jlengary  fcncibles,  a  cor|>s  which  had  been  disciphned 
with  uiicoMiinon  pains  since  the  commencement  of  the  war,  were  stationed  at  another 
point.     Bodies  of  Indians  were  observed  in  groups  in  ditVereiit  dirri'lions,  in  and  about  the 
woods  below   the  site  of  the  fort,  and  numbers  of  horsemen   were  stationed  in  the  clear 
ground  surrounding  it.    These  were  seen  moving  into  the  town,  where  strong  field  work« 
liad  been  thrown  up  to  oppose   Ibe   assailants.     'I'lie   Iiulions  were  taking  post  at  stations, 
which  were  pointed  out  to  them   by  the   British  officers  with  ifreat  skill,  from  which  they 
could  annoy  tlu'  Aniericniis  nt  the  point  where  the  water  and  Ibe  weather  would  compel 
them  to  land.     Thus  posted,  tlicy  wer.i  to  act  as  tirraillfum.     The  regulars  were  discov. 
ered  to  be  moving  out  of  their  works  in  open  columns  of  platouna,  and  marvliing  along  iht 
bank  III  lliat  order  into  the  wogdS: 


PPr" 


S04 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


At  8  o'clock  the  debarkation  commenced ;  at  ten  it  was  completed.    Major  Foreythe 
and  his  riflemen  in  several  large  batteaiu,  were  in  the  advance.     They  pulled  vigorously 
for  tlie  designated  ground  at  the  site,  but  were  forced  by  a  strong  easterly  wind  a  consid 
erable  distance  above.     The  enemy  being  within  a  few  feet  of  the  water,  and  completely 
masked  by  the  thickness  of  a  copse,  commenced  a  galling  fire  of  musketry  and  rifle.    To 
have  fallen  further  from  the  clear  ground  at  which  he  was  first  ordered  to  land   would  have 
subjected,  not  only  his  own  corps,  but  the  whole  body  of  the  troops,  to  great  disadvantages  • 
and  by  landing  at  a  greater  distance  from  the  town,  the  object  of  the  expedition  mi^t  be 
frustrated.    Major  Forsythe  therefore  determined  upon  making  that  part  of  the  shore  on 
which  the  enemy's  principal  strength  was  stationed,  and  desired  his  men  to  rest  a  moment 
on  their  oars,  until  his  riflemen  should  return  the  shot.    General  Pike  was  at  this  moment 
hastening  the  debarkation  of  the  infantry,  when,  as  he  was  standing  on  the  ship's  deck,  he 
observed  the  pause  of  the  boats  in  advance,  and  springing  into  that  which  had  been  reserved 
tar  himself  and  his  staff,  he  called  to  them  to  jump  into  the  boat  with  him,  ordered  Major 
King  of  the  15th  (the  same  who  had  distinguished  himself  in  carrying  the  enemy's  batteries 
opposite  Black  Rock,)  to  follow  him  instantly  with  three  companies  of  that  regiment,  and 
pushed  for  die  Canadian  shore.    Before  he  reached  it,  Forsythe  had  landed  and  was  already 
engaged  with  the  principal  part  of  the  British  and  Indian  force,  under  the  immediate  com- 
mand  of  General  Sheafle.    He  contended  with  them  neariy  half  an  hour.    The  infantry 
under  Major  King,  the  light  artillery  under  Major  Eustis,  the  volunteer  corps  commanded 
by  Colonel  M'Clure,  and  about  thirty  men,  who  had  been  selected  from  the  15th  at  Platts. 
burg,  trained  to  the  rifle,  and  designed  to  act  as  a  small  corps  of  observation,  under  Lieu, 
tenant  Riddio,  then  landed  in  rapid  succession,  and  formed  in  platoons.    General  Pike  took 
command  of  the  first,  and  ordering  the  whole  body  to  prepare  for  a  charge,  led  them  on  to 
the  summit  of  the  bank,  from  which  the  British  grenadiers  were  pouring  down  a  volley  of 
musketry  and  rifle  shot.    The  advance  of  the  American  infantry  was  not  to  be  withstood 
and  the  grenadier*  yielded  their  position  and  retired  in  diaonWr.    The  signal  of  victory  was 
at  the  same  instant  heard  from  Forsythe's  bugles,  and  the  sound  had  no  sooner  penetrated 
the  ears  of  the  Indians,  ihan  they  gave  a  customary  yell  and  fled  in  every  direction.    The 
Glengary  corps  then  skirmished  with  Forsythc's,  whilst  a  fresh  body  of  Grenadiers,  sup. 
posed  to  have  been  the  8th  or  King's  regiment,  made  a  formidable  charge  upon  the  Amer. 
lean  column,  and  partially  compelled  it  to  retire.    But  the  officers  instantly  rallied  the 
troops,  who  returned  to  the  ground,  and  impetuously  charged  upon,  and  routed  the  grena. 
dicrs.     A  reinforcement  of  the  remainder  of  the   I5th  then  arrived,  with  Captain  Steel's 
platoon  and  the  standards  of  the  regiment,  and  the  Americans  remained  undisputed  mas. 
tcrs  of  the  ground.     A  fresh  front,  however,  was  presented  by  the  British  at  a  distance, 
which  gave  way  and  retired  to  the  garrison,  as  soon  ns  the  American  troops  were  again 
formed  by  Major  King,  for  the  charge.     The  whole  body  of  the  troops  being  now  landed 
orders  were  given  by  General  Pike  to  form  in  platoons,  and  to  mtrch  in  that  ortftr  to  the 
enemy's  works.     The  first  line  was  composed  of  Forsythe's  riflemen,  with  front  and  flank 
guards ;  the  regiments  of  the  first  brigade,  with  their  pieces ;  and  three  platoons  of  reserve 
under  the  orders  of  Major  Swan ;  Major  Eustis  and  his  train  of  artillery  wore  formed  in 
the  rear  of  this  reserve,  to  act  whore  circumsiances  might  require.     The  second  line  was 
composed  of  the  aist  regiment,  in  six  platoons,  flanked  by  Col.  M'Clure's  volunteers,  di. 
yided  equally  as  light  troops,  and  all  under  command  of  Colonel  Ripley.     Thus  formed,  an 
injunction  was  given  to  each  officer,  to  suffer  no  man  to  load  ;  when  within  a  short  distance 
of  the  enemy,  an  e  itire  reliance  would  be  placed  upontlie  bayonet;  and  the  column  moved 
on,  with  us  much  velocity  as  the  streams  and  ravines  which  intersected  the  road  along  tha 
lake  would  (M^nnit.      One  field.piece,  and  a  howitzer,  were  with  difficulty  passed  over  one 
of  those,  the  bridges  of  which  had  been  destroyed,  and  placed  at  the  head  of  the  column, 
in  charge  of  Lieutenant  Fanning,  of  the  3d  artillery.     As  the  column  emerged  from  the' 
woods,  and  came  immediately  in  front  of  the  enemy's  first  battery,  two  or  three  24  pound, 
era  were  ()|icnod  upon  it,  but  wiilioiit  any  kind  of  effect.      The  column  moved  on,  and  the 
eiieniy  rt  treated  to  his  second  battery.     The  guns  of  the  first  were  immediately  taken,  and 
Lieuiennni  Riddle,  having  at  this  moment  lomn  up  with  his  corps  to  deliver  the  prisoners 
whirh  he  hiul  made  in  the  woods,  woh  ordered  to  proceed  to  take  possession  of  the  second 
battery,  about  diio  hundred  yards  aheiui,  l)n!  guns  of  which,  Lieutenant  Fraser,  aid-de.canip 
to  the  general,  reported  to  have  been  spiked  by  the  enemy,  whom  he  discovered  retreating 
to  the  garrison.     General  Pike  then  led   the  column  up  to  the  second  battery,  where  ha 
halted  to  receive  the  captured  uinmuiiilion,  and  to  learn  the  strengili  u(  the  garrison.     But 
as  every  appearance  indicated  the  evacuation  of  the  barracks,  he  suspected  the  enemy  of 
an  intention  to  dmw  liini  within  range  of  the  shot,  and  then  Huddenly  to  show  himself  in 
great  force.     Lieutrnani  Riddle  was  sent  forward  with  his  corijs  of  observation,  to  discover 
it  there  were  any,  and  what  number  of  troops,  within  the  ({arrwon.    The  banacks  were 


'm 


JEFFERSON   COCNTT. 


205 


three  hundred  y aids  distant  from  the  second  battery,  and  whilst  this  corps  was  engoged  in 
reconnoitenng,  General  Pike,  after  removing  a  wounded  prisoner  from  a  dangerous  situa- 
Btion,  had  seated  himself  upon  a  stump,  and  commenced  an  examination  of  a  British  ser. 
gean^  who  had  been  taken  in  the  woods.    Riddle  having  discovered  that  the  enemy  had 
abandoned  the  garrison,  was  about  to  return  with  this  information,  when  the  magazine, 
which  was  situated  outside  the  barrack  yard,  blew  up,  with  a  tremendous  and  awful  explo- 
sion,  passed  over  Riddle  and  his  party,  without  injuring  one  of  his  men,  and  kUled  and 
wounded  General  Pike,  and  two  hundred  and  sixty  of  the  column.    The  severity  of  Gen- 
eral  Pike's  wounds  disabled  him  from  further  service,  and  the  command  of  the  troops  de. 
volved  upon  Colonel  Pearce  of  the  16th  regiment,  who  sent  a  demand  to  the  town  of  York 
for  an  immediate  surrender.    The  plan  of  the  contemplated  operations  was  known  only  lo 
General  Pike,  and,  as  General  Dearborn  had  not  yet  landed,  the  future  movements  of  the 
troops  would  depend  upon  the  will  of  their  new  commander.    He  ordered  them  immedi- 
ately  to  form  the  column,  and  to  march  forward  and  occupy  the  barracks,  which  Major 
'"■^y'he,  who  had  been  scouring  the  adjoining  wood,  had  already  entered.     Meanwhile 
the  British  regulars  were  retreating  across  the  Don,  and  destroying  the  bridges  in  their  rear. 
After  the  explosion,  which  killed  about  fifty  of  the  enemy  who  had  not  retired  in  time  from 
the  garrison.  Lieutenant  Riddle  with  his  party,  then  reinforced  by  thirty  regulars  under 
Lieutenant  Horrel  of  the  16th,  pursued  the  enemy's  route,  and  annoyed  his  retreating  guard 
from  the  wood.     This  was  the  only  pursuit  which  was  made.    Had  a  more  vigorous  push 
followed  the  abandonment  of  the  enemy's  garrison,  his  whole  regular  force  must  have  been 
captured,  nnd  the  accession  of  military  stores  would  have  been  extensively  great.    The 
majority  of  the  officers  were  well  aware  of  this,  and  as  it  was  known  that  the  stores  were 
deposited  at  York,  they  urged  the  necessity  of  the  immediate  approach  of  the  whole  column, 
to  prevent  their  removal.    Colonel  Pearce  then  marched  towards  the  town,  which  was  dis! 
tant  three-quarters  of  a  mile.    About  half  way  between  York  and  the  garrison,  the  column 
was  intercepted  by  several  officers  of  the  Canadian  militia,  who  had  come  out  with  terms  of 
capitulation.     Whilst  these  were  discussing,  the  enemy  was  engaged  in  destroying  the  mil. 
itary  storehouse,  and  a  large  vessel  of  war  then  on  the  stocks,  which  in  three  days  might 
have  been  launched,  and  added  to  the  American  squadron  on  Ontario.    Forsythe,  who  was 
on  the  left  in  advance,  being  aware  of  this,  despatched  Lieutenant  Riddle  to  inform  Col. 
onel  Pearce.    Colonel  Ripley  was  at  the  same  time  urging  a  rapid  march,  and  the  troops 
again  proceeded.    Colonel  Pearce  enjoined  the  observance  of  General  Pike's  orders,  that 
the  property  of  the  inhabitants  of  York  should  be  held  sacred,  and  that  any  soldier  who 
should  so  far  neglect  the  honor  of  his  profession,  as  to  be  guilty  of  plundering,  should,  on 
conviction,  be  punished  with  death.     At  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  Americans  were  in 
possession  of  the  town,  and  terms  of  cnpitulation  were  agreed  upon,  by  which,  notwith. 
standing  the  severe  loss  which  the  army  and  the  nation  had  sustained  by  the  death  of  the 
general ;  the  unwarrantable  manner  in  which  that  loss  was  occasioned ;  and  the  subtlety 
•  with  which  the  militia  colonels  offered  to  copitulate  at  a  distance  from  the  town,  so  that  the 
column  might  be  detained  until  General  Shcaffe  should  escape,  and  the  destruction  of  the 
public  property  be  complelod,  although  one  of  its  articles  stipulated  for  its  delivery  into  the 
hands  of  tlie  Americans ;  the  militia  and  inhabitants  were  freed  from  all  hardship,  and  not 
only  their  persons  and  property,  but  their  legislative  hall  and  other  public  buildings  were 
protected.     The  terms  of  the  copitulation  were,  •  that  the  iroo|)s,  regular  and  militia,  and 
the  naval  officers  and  soar  in,  should  bo  surrendered  prisoners  of  war.     That  all  public 
ttorti,  naval  and  military,  thnuld  he  immrdiately  given  up  to  the  commanding  officers  of 
the  anny  and  navy  of  the  United  States,  and  that  all  privat«  property  should  be  guaranteed 
to  the  oitizens  of  the  town  of  York.     That  all  papera  btlonging  to  the  civil  officers  should 
be  retaiiicd  by  them,  and  that  such  surgeons  as  might  be  procured  to  attend  the  wounded 
o|  the  British  regulars  and  Canadian  militia,  should  not  be  considered  prisoners  of  war.* 
Under  this  capitulation,  one  lieutcnanUcolonel,  one  major,  thirteen  captains,  nine  lieuten- 
unlfl,  eleven  ensigns,  one  deputy  adyutanUgeiieral,  and  four  naval  officers,  and  two  hundred 
and  fitiy.ono  non-coniinissioned  officers  and  privates,  wore  surrendered.     The  American 
infantry  were  then  ordered  to  return  to,  and  quarter  in   the  barracks,  while  the  riflemen 
were  siatiimed  in  the  town. 

"  When  General  Pike's  wound  was  discovered  to  be  mortal,  he  was 
removed  from  the  field,  nnd  carried  to  the  shipping  with  his  woundtid 
aids.  As  tliey  convtjyed  him  to  tlu;  water's  edj^e,  a  sudden  exclama- 
tion was  heard  from  tiio  irof»ps,  which  iidormed  him  of  the  American 
having  supplanted  the  British  standard  in  the  garrison.  He  expressed 
his  satisfaction  by  a  feeble  sigh,  and  after  being  transferred  from  the 


t 


:** 


206 


JKFPEK80N  COUNTY. 


fl«i  IhTK'i''.?^  commodore's  ship,  he  made  a  sign  for  the  British 
flag,  which  had  then  been  brought  to  him.  to  be  placed  under  his 
head,  and  expired  without  a  groan.  Thus  perishej^  in  the  arms  of 
victory,  by  the  ungenerous  stratagem  of  a  vanquished  foe,  a  soldier 
^iSi^^Sl^Lr^  courage.>ageneralof  illustrious  virtues 
"When  the  British  general  saw  the  American  column  advancinff 
from  the  woods,  he  hastily  drew  up  the  articles  of  capitulatiZS 
directed  them  to  be  delivered  to  a  colonel  of  the  York  miUtia.  This 
colonel  was  instructed  to  negotiate  the  terms,  after  ^heLuIars 

Sl^rK'''''""*'^:  ^"^"l"'  ^'^^'^ff^'  therefore,  considered  the 
garrison  to  be  as  much  surrendered,  as  if  the  articles  had  been  act- 
ual^ agreed  upon  and  signed.  Yet  he  treacherously  ordered  a  train 
1^}^  u'^u'''^  "^^^  '°  calculated,  that  the  explosion  of  the  maga" 
zme  should  be  caused  at  the  time  when  the  Americans  would  arrfve 
at  the  barracks.  Had  not  General  Pike  halted  the  troops  at  the  en- 
emy s  second  battery,  the  British  plan  would  have  attaLd  ircon- 
summation,  and  the  destruction  of  the  whole  column  would  have  been 
romWK  ^''"'^'^"^"f :  The  train  had  been  skilfully  laid,  and  the 
S^o.  p  '  u^TC'^u'"  ^  '"^""^•'  *«  P'^oduce  the  most  dreadful 
effect.  Five  hundred  barrels  of  powder,  several  cart  loads  of  stone 
and  an  immense  quantity  of  iron,  shells,  and  shot,  were  contained  in 
the  magazine.     The  calamity  which  followed  the  explosion,  caused 

hkrh  rnT  onT  r"*"^  ^^^  ^^P''  ^  ""'"*'«''  «^  ^heir  officers  of 
high  rank,  and  of  equal  worth,  were  either  killed  or  wounded,  and 
they  became  actuated  by  a  desire  to  revenge  their  fall.  '  Push  on, 
my  brave  fellows,  and  avenge  your  general,'  were  the  last  words  of 
their  expiring  commander.  They  instantly  gave  three  cheers,  formed 
Uie  column,  and  marched  on  rapidly.  Had  thev  been  led  di;ectly  to 
York,  the  issue  of  the  expedition  would  have  been  fruitful  with  ad- 
vantages.     As  it  was,  however,  the  enemy's  means  were  crippled,  his 

multiplied.  Most  of  the  guns,  munitions  of  war,  and  provisions  ne- 
cessary to  carry  on  the  campaign  by  the  enemy  had  feen  deposited 
at  York,  and  notwithstanding  tlio  liring  of  the  principal  storehouse 
an  immense  quantity  fell  into  the  haJds  of  the  Americans!  The 
baggage  and  private  papers  of  General  Sheaffe  were  left  at  York  in 
he  precipitation  of  his  ffight,  and  proved  to  be  a  valuable  acquiHit  on 
to  the  American  commander.     These  and  the  public  stores  were   he 

sTrLrthof  rr^"  The  conduct  of  the' troops  neededTo  re^ 
HIT  /  ^''"K''  7^'^'.  indignation  was  highly  excited,  by  the  circum- 
stance of  a  scalp  having  been  found  suspended  near  the  speakers 

h^r'tr/*'^J'^"'"''r;  '^'''^^''  "^'t*'^^  thV  ornaments  of  the  lam 
aun'n  i.'     f  fl  '"^'  f  "'^*  "'^1  •^'^^P"'^''^  ^^'^'y^  ^^  -""J^^ted.     A  large 
r?n£l'-     ?"•■•  '^'^P'^T^  '"  l^"  P"^"«  ^t^'-^^'  ^^'  distributed  among 

sumption ,  and  those  whose  circumstances  were  impoverished  were 
supphed  w.th  many  other  articles  of  the  captured  ^ovisfu  s    \ll 

siZAr^'f^'^'r  ^'''''^  th«  fleet,  with  the  naval  stores  or  d^ 
stroyed  upon  the  shore. 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY. 


907 


•  # 


nf»ff'Z''^f/  '?''  *u  ^  "*■  ^^"""^  P*«'  *«  commander-in-chief  landed  with  hi. 
m«L  t„  ^in^   i'^''"^  *'  '^''P?  ""?'  ^''y  *««'  «'"««"J  York.    He  there  made  arr««e" 

etilmit  ^n;ri«m '^"a  "^  **  "'^"1'''°?  :?"^  **^.**  «'"•'«"  importance  in  the  attack  upon  the 
r«Z/,hf  T  A"  'T  *"  *^  debarkation  was  completed,  Commodore  Chauncey  dU 
^d  na?v^^^h^f"'  *"  K^u  P*""'?"  "'"  *«  '■°««-  '"  »'<'«'  '»>»'  the  attack  of  the  ^^J 
^.1  in  Zn  *    •      "Tu'^'  be  simultaneous.     The  larger  vewela  could  not  be  broughVup. 

wZn  S;«i7.  f  ^•'^•'  ""'^u'"  ".^^y  ''^''^  '^'■^  fr"™  *«  ^ne-ny'"  batteries,  and  having 
^Z^Z  '""  ""i*"" .««  hundred  yards  of  the  principal  fort,  opened  a  gaU  ng  fire,  and 
contributed  very  much  to  its  destruction.    The  loss  on  board  the  squadron,  was  three  kiUed 

l.tfero7whr"inl /•'"'"«  *^  ""'^'^7*'^^  midshipmen  Thompson  'and  Hatfield  S 
Eduly  to  hTiy  '^'"^  """"'""'  "•"'  ""  "'^^  """  *""  •"  '"'"^  "f  he  had  performed 
"In  the  action  the  loss  of  the  American  army  was  trifling;  but  in  consenuence  of  thn 
explosion,  ,t  was  much  greater  than  the  enemy's  loss  in  kiL  and  wo3d  Fourteen 
we  c  killed  and  th.rty.two  wounded  in  batde,  and  thirty-eight  were  killed  and  two  hi^dred 
and  twenty.two  wounded  by  the  explosion,  so  that  the  total  American  1^  amouS  to 
fallT-    \T  *"'"  ^''"/f  ^y  '^'  ''*P*««'°">  h««des  General  Pike,  werHeven  ca^ 

eTvL  oL?n'u>ff"'',°"""^t-'^'""P'  T  ""''''^  aid,  and  one  volunteer  aid.  The  eT 
emy  s  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  amoimfed  to  two  hundred,  and  in  prisoneni  to  five  hun 

Shr'^h'^^'J-  r  «'\^'""\d^d  were  left  in  the  houses  on  the  road  kadi^  "  ^!  in  the* 
nmghborhoodof  York  and  were  attended  to  by  the  American  army  and  navy  surgeonL 
Jaimre."""""  "^^"^      P""^"*'  '"'*  '''^  '''"''"  ^'^hdrawn  from  York  immediatelJXrTu; 

The  folIo^yinff  is  an  account  of  the  attack  on  SackettV  Harbor 
by  the  British,  May,  1813: 

GeorTo'^Sl  BriiTX^  T'*  F"'^t'^'^  '"  ^""^."'^  f^-  ^"'^^  ^"^  '^e  expedition  against  Fort 
Harbor'  ^.hPuu  ■  ''"'8«i°"'  having  gamed  mtelligence  of  their  absence  from  Sackett'. 
ne/«  „f '.h!  f  u^uuV^"'  P'r;  ^^•"«  been  principally  dismantled,  and  of  the  small- 

Ta  k  l  T"  ^hich  had  been  left  for  its  protection,  hastily  collected  ?11  their  disposables 
and  embarked  on  board  their  fleet,  under  the  command  of  Sir  George  Prevos?  tTS 
was  conimanded  by  Sir  James  Yeo.     On  the  night  of  the  27th  day  of  May,  liv;  hou«  after 

American  force  consisted  of  two  hundred  invalids,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty  dragoons 
lien  newly  arrived  from  a  long  and  fatiguing  march.    Two  small  vessels,  under  Snanl 

of  r  Rri'nT™  "T""^  p'  "*  '"•'""'•  ""'*  «"*•'  '"•'""'  ««"»'"  »f  «>»n^.  «t  the  approach 
at  hi,  -^  /      squadron      Expresses  were  immediately  forwarded  to  General  Brown,  then 

commZ.' "*"""      '  '""■^•''*  '^'^  '"'  immediately  repaired  thither,  to  take  the 

i,.!i'  r**^  '°"''  °^  ^j'J'  "C,'**"  '"''■''"  "f  his  brigade  had  expired  many  weeks  before  but  he 
whn„r  '""""".  ''y  ««"''™'  P^-'bom  to  take  the  command  of  the  harbor,  at^'n^me 
when  the  enemy  should  approach  it,  and  to  provide  for  its  defence.  Immediately  on  Z 
arnvnl,  dispositions  were  made  to  that  effect.  The  movements  of  the  enemy  indicated  h^ 
mtenimn  to  land  on  the  pemiisula,  called  Hotue  Island.    General  Brown   therefore  dete^ 

MlZTT'rr  •"  ""ii^r''"  ''''''  "'"»  ""'  Albany  volZe'nJuSr  Colonel 
Ml  Is,  and  such  niilitia  as  could  be  instantly  collected.    Alarm  guns  were  therefore  fired 

of  Unit'ed'^rr"!  ""'  ^•"'  "'".!  P^'P"^"    Lieutenanr,colonel  Bact"   "f "he  fi"  t  rrgiS 
offiSorl  whnh  r'"^""?'':^  "^^Z  commanded  at  Sacketf.  Harbor  in  the  absence  of  the 
Th.Zri»?»r,  nP    r"^"*^  '"  *""  H'""^''  ^"^  '°  ^""^  "  ""^""d  line  with  tho  regulars 
The  regular  artillerists  were  stationed  in  Fort  Tompkins,  and  the  defence  of  Navy  Poin 
wos  committed  to  Lieutenant  Chauncey. 

"On  the  28ih,  the  Wolfe,  tho  Royal  George,  the  Prince  Regent,  the  Earl  of  Moira.  and 
one  bng,  two  sohooners.  and  two  gun.boats,  with  thir.y-thfee  flat-bottomed  boa™' «S 

tanT'ThT'"^  •".'•"  r^^'r  •'■""'*'■*"*  '^'^P''  "PP<"'"'d  in  the  offing,  at  five  miles  dS^ 
tance.  They  were  standing  their  course  for  ihe  harbor,  when,  having  dScovered  a  fleet  of 
h^lZTr  hafees.  coming  round  Stony  Point  with  troops  from  Oswego,  tlio  whole  of  their 
boats  were  mmedmiely  despatched  to  cut  then,  off-.  They  succeeded  in  taking  twelve  of 
them,  after  they  had  been  run  on  shore  and  abandoned  by  their  crews,  who  arrived  at  the 
ha  borin  the  night.  The  remainder,  seven  in  number,  escaped  from' their  J^ers.  and 
«ot  safely  m.     The  British  cominwidcrs,  bemg  then  under  an  impression  that  oSer  bir^M 


208 


JEFFEBSON   COUNTY. 


would  be  sailing  from  Oswegro,  stood  into  South  bay,  and  despatched  their  armed  boats  to 
waylay  them.    In  this  they  were  disappointed ;  and  during  the  delay  which  was  caused  by 
this  interruption  of  their  intended  operations,  the  militia  from  the  neighboring  counties  col. 
lected  at  the  harbor,  and  betrayed  great  eagerness  to  engage  in  the  contest  with  the  in. 
vading  enemy.    They  were  ordered  to  be  stationed  on  the  water  side,  near  the  island  on 
which  Colonel  Mills  was  posted  with  his  volunteers.    The  strength  at  that  point  was  near- 
ly  five  hundred  men.    But  the  whole  force,  including  the  regulars,  effectives  and  invalids, 
did  not  eiceed  one  thousand.     The  plan  of  defence  had  been  conceived  with  great  skill, 
and  if  the  conduct  of  the  militia  had  proved  to  be  consistent  with  their  promises,  it  would 
have  been  executed  with  equal  ability.     Disposed  of  as  the  forces  were,  in  the  event  of 
General  Brown's  being  driven  from  his  position  at  Horse  Island,  Colonel  Backus  was  to  ad. 
vance  with  his  reserve  of  regulars,  and  meet  the  head  of  the  enemy's  column,  whilst  the 
general  would  rally  his  corps,  and  fall  upon  the  British  flanks.     If  resistance  to  the  at. 
tack  of  the  enemy  should  still  fail.  Lieutenant  Chauncey  was  to  destroy  the  stores  at  Navy 
Point,  and  to  retire  with  his  two  schooners,  and  the  prize  schooner,  the  Duke  of  Gloucester, 
which  had  been  a  few  weeks  before  captured  from  the  enemy,  to  the  south  shore  of  the 
bay,  and  east  of  Fort  Volunteer.     In  this  fort  the  regulare  and  militia  were  to  shut  them- 
selves  up,  and  make  a  vigorous  stand,  as  their  only  remaining  resort.    Every  tiling  being 
thus  ordered,  General  Brown  directed  his  defensive  army  to  lay  upon  their  arms,  whilst  he 
continued  personally  to  reconnoitre  the  shores  of  the  harbor,  during  the  whole  night  of  the 
28th.     At  the  only  favorable  point  of  landing,  he  had  caused  a  breast-work  to  be  thrown 
up,  and  a  battery  en  barbette  to  be  erected.    Behind  this  most  of  the  militia  were  stationed. 
"  At  the  dawn  of  the  29th,  the  enemy  was  discovered  with  his  vessels  drawn  up  in  line, 
between  Horse  Island  and  Stony  Point ;  and  in  a  few  minutes,  all  his  boats  and  barges 
approached  the  shore,  under  cover  of  his  gun.boats,  those  being  the  heaviest  of  his  vessels 
which,  in  consequence  of  the  lightness  of  the  winds,  could  be  brought  up.     The  troops 
with  which  the  boats  were  filled,  were  commanded  by  Sir  George  Prevost,  in  person. 
Commodore  Yeo  directed  the  movements  of  the  barges.    General  Brown  instantly  issued 
his  orders,  that  the  troops  should  lay  close,  and  reserve  their  fire  until  the  enemy  should 
have  approached  so  near,  that  every  shot  might  take  effect.    This  order  was  executed,  and 
the  fire  was  so  destructive,  that  the  enemy's  advance  boats  were  obliged  to  make  a  tempo- 
rary  pause,  and  numbers  of  their  officers  and  men  were  seen  to  fall.    Encouraged  by  the 
desired  effect  of  the  first  fire,  the  militia  loaded  their  pieces  with  the  utmost  quickness,  and 
the  artillery  was  ordered  to  be  opened  at  the  moment  of  their  second.    But,  before  the 
second  round  had  been  completely  discharged,  the  whole  body  of  the  militia,  none  of  whom 
had  ever  seen  an  enemy  until  now,  and  who  were  entirely  unaccustomed  to  subordination, 
though  they  were  well  protected   by  the  breastwork,  rose  from  behind  it,  and  abandoning 
those  honorable  promises  of  noble  daring  which  they  had  made  but  a  little  while  before, 
they  fled  with  equal  precipitation  and  disorder.    A  strange  and  unaccountable  panic  seized 
the  whole  line  ;  and  with  the  exception  of  a  very  few,  terror  and  dismay  were  depicted  in 
every  countenance.     Colonel  Mills,  vainly  endeavoring  to  rally  his  men,  was  killed  as  he 
was  reminding  them  of  the  solemn  pledges  which  they  had  given  ;  but  the  fall  of  this  brave 
officer  served  rather  to  increase  their  confusion,  than  to  actuate  them  to  revenge  it. 

"  General  Brown  seeing  that  his  plan  was  already  frustrated,  and 
fearing  his  inability  to  execute  any  other  without  the  vigorous  co-op- 
eration of  the  militia,  hastened  to  intercept  their  retreat ;  and,  finding 
one  company,  of  about  one  hundred  men,  who  had  been  rallied  by 
the  active  and  zealous  conduct  of  Capt.  M'Nitt,  of  that  corps,  he 
brought  them  up,  and  ordered  them  to  form  in  line  with  the  regulars 
and  volunteers,  who  had  continued  to  keep  their  ground. 

"  In  the  interval  which  had  thus  elapsed,  the  enemy  had  effected 
his  debarkation,  with  little  opposition;  and  drawing  up  his  whole 
force  on  Horse  Island,  he  commenced  his  march  for  the  village ;  on 
the  road  to  which,  he  was  met  by  a  small  party  of  infantry,  under 
Major  Aspinwall,  and  a  few  dismounted  dragoons  under  Major  Laval, 
who  opposed  him  with  much  gallantry.  Two  of  the  gun-boats 
ranged  up  the  shore,  and  covered  the  field  with  grape.  This  handful 
of  troops  then  gradually  retired  in  good  order,  from  an  immense  su- 
periority of  numbers,  and  occupied  the  intervals  between  the  barracks. 


m 


JEFFERSON   COUNTY. 


209 


A|||g| 


"  Lieutenant-colonel  Backus,  with  his  reserve  of  regulars,  first  en- 
gaged  the  enemy,  when  the  militia  company  of  Captain  M'Nitt  was 
formed  on  his  flank  ;  and  in  the  vigorous  fight  which  then  followed, 
this  company  behaved  with  as  much  gallantry  as  the  bravest  of  the 
regulars.    The  whole  force  was  compelled  to  fall  back,  however,  by 
the  superior  strength  of  the  enemy's  column,  and  resorting  to  the 
barracks  for  what  shelter  they  could  afford,  they  posted  themselves 
in  the  unprotected  log  houses,  and  kept  up  an  incessant  and  eflTective 
nre.    trom  these,  the  most  violent  assaults,  and  the  repeated  and 
varying  efforts  of  the  British,  were  incompetent  to  dislodge  them. 
Colonel  Gray,  the  quartermaster-general  of  the  enemy's  forces,  ad- 
vanced to  the  weakest  part  of  the  barracks,  at  the  head  of  a  column 
of  regulars,  and  after  exchanging  shots  with  an  inferior  party  of  mili- 
tia and  regulars,  led  his  men  on  to  the  assault.    A  small  boy,  who 
was  a  drummer  in  Major  Aspinwall's  corps,  seized  a  musket,  and  lev- 
elling it  at  the  colonel,  immediately  brought  him  to  the  ground.    At 
that  moment  Lieutenant  Fanning,  of  the  artillery,  who  had  been  so 
severely  wounded  by  the  explosion  at  Little  York,  and  was  yet  con- 
sidered to  be  unable  to  do  any  kind  of  duty,  leaned  upon  his  piece 
whilst  It  was  drawn  up,  and  having  given  it  the  proper  elevation,  dis- 
charged three  rounds  of  grape  into  the  faces  of  the  enemy,  who  im- 
mediately fell  back  in  disorder.    At  this  instant,  Lieutenant-colonel 
Backus  fell,  severely  wounded. 

"  Whilst  the  battle  was  raging  with  its  greatest  violence,  informa- 
tion was  brought  to  Lieutenant  Chauncey,  of  the  intention  of  the 
American  forces  to  surrender.  He  therefore,  in  conformity  to  his 
previous  orders,  relating  to  such  an  event,  fired  the  navy  barracks, 
and  destroyed  all  the  property  and  public  stores,  which  had  pre- 
viously belonffed  to  the  harbor,  as  well  as  the  provisions  and  equip- 
ments which  had  been  brought  from  York.  The  destruction  of  these 
buildings,  and  the  conflagration  which  was  thence  produced,  was 
thought  to  have  been  caused  by  the  troops  of  the  enemy,  and  although 
the  undisciplined  militia  and  volunteers,  and  the  invalid  regulars,  were 
suspicious  of  being  placed  between  the  fire  of  two  divisions  of  the 
enemy,  they  continued  to  fight  on,  regardless  of  their  inferiority,  or 
the  consequences  of  their  capture. 

"  Genera!  Brown  was  all  this  time  actively  superintending  the  operations  of  his  little 
army.  He  now  determined  on  making  a  divoreion  in  its  favor,  which,  if  it  should  be  sue 
cesstui,  would  be  the  only  means  of  saving  the  place,  or  of  relieving  hia  exhausted  troops. 
Having  learned  that  the  militia,  who  had  fled  from  their  stations  in  the  early  part  of  the  en- 
^ement,  had  not  yet  entirely  dispersed,  and  that  they  were  still  within  a  short  distance 
ot  the  scene  of  action,  he  hastened  to  exhort  them  to  imitate  the  conduct  of  their  brave 
brethren  m  arms.  He  reproached  them  with  shameful  timidity,  and  ordered  them  instantly 
to  form  and  follow  him,  and  threatened  with  instant  death  the  first  man  who  should  refuse. 
His  order  was  obeyed  with  alacrity.  He  then  attempted  a  stratagem,  by  which  to  deceive 
the  enemy,  with  regard  to  the  forces  against  which  he  was  contending.  Silently  paaaing 
throi^h  a  distant  wood,  which  led  towards  the  place  at  which  the  enemy  had  landed,  Gen. 
era!  Brown  persuaded  the  British  general  of  his  intention  to  gain  the  rear  of  his  forces,  to  " 
take  possession  of  the  boats,  and  effectually  to  cut  off  their  retreat. 
•  "  '^^'*  ^'"'  "lone  with  such  effect,  at  the  moment  when  the  fire  of  Lieutenant  Fanning's 
piece  had  caused  the  destruction  in  the  British  line,  that  General  Sir  George  Prevost  was 
well  convinced  of  the  vast  superiority  of  the  American  force  to  his  own.  He  gave  up  all 
thoughts  of  the  capture  of  the  place,  and  hurrying  to  his  boats,  put  off  immediately  to  the 

^7 


». 
'/ 


210 


JEFFERSON   COtTNTY. 


Bnush  «(niadron.  He  was  not  pursued,  because,  if  the  real  number  of  the  American 
troops  had  been  exposed  to  hia  view,  he  would  have  returned  to  the  contest,  might  easily 
have  outflanked,  and  m  all  human  probability,  would  still  have  captured  the  army  and  the 

"But  the  precipitation  of  his  flight  was  such,  that  he  left  not  only  the  wounded  bodiea  of 

his  ordinary  men  upon  the  field,  but  those  of  the  dead  and  wounded  of  the  most  distin. 

gauhed  of  his  officers.    Among  these  were  Quartermaster-general  Gray,  Majors  Moodie 

and  Evans,  and  three  captains.    The  return  of  his  loss,  as  accurately  as  it  has  been  ascer- 

tamed,  amounted  to  three  field  officers,  one  captain,  and  twenty.five  rank  and  file,  found 

dead  on  the  field;  two  capUins  and  twenty  rank  and  file  found  wounded;  and  two  cap. 

tains,  one  ensipi,  and  thirty-two  rank  and  file  made  prisoners.    In  addition  to  which,  many 

werekilied  in  the  boats,  and  numbers  had  been  carried  away  previously  to  the  retreat. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  greater  in  proportion,  as  the  number  of  their  men  engaged 

were  le«.    One  colonel  of  vo  unteers  twenty  regulars,  privates,  and  one  volunteer  private, 

were  killed ;  one  lieutenant-colonel,  three  heutenants,  and  one  ensign  of  the  regulws.  and 

seventy.nme  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  were  wounded;  and  twenty-six  non. 

commissioned  officers  and  privates  were  missing.    Their  aggregate  loss  was  one  hundred 

and  ten  regnlare,  twenty-one  volunteers,  and  twenty.five  mUitia;  making  a  total  of  one 

hundred  and  fifty^x.    It  was  severe,  because  of  the  worth,  more  than  of  the  number  of 

those  who  fell.    The  injury  in  public  stores,  sustained  at  Sackett's  Harbor,  though  not  by 

any  act  of  the  invading  enemy,  was  extensive;  but  the  gallantry  of  several  individuals 

prevented  it«  being  more  so.    Lieutenant  Chauncey  was  no  sooner  apprized  of  the  error  of 

the  report  which  had  been  brought  to  him,  than  he  made  every  exertion  to  save  as  much  of 

the  public  property  as  it  was  possible  to  rescue  from  the  increasing  conflagration,  and  to 

that  effect,  ho  ran  the  Fair  American  and  the  Pert  up  the  river.    The  new  fiigate,  the  Gen. 

eralfike,  which  was  then  on  the  stocks,  was  saved;  and  Lieutenant  Talman.of  the  army, 

at  the  imminent  nsk  of  his  life,  boarded  the  prize  schooner  the  Duke  of  Gloucester,  which 

was  then  on  fire,  with  a  considerable  quantity  of  powder  in  her  hold,  extinguished  the  fire. 

and  brought  her  from  under  the  flames  of  the  storehouses. 

"Notwithstanding  this  signal  repulse,  the  British  commanding  officere  attempted  to  play 
OH  the  stratagem  which  Sir  James  Yeo  afterward  adopted  at  the  Forty  Mile  Creek.  They 
sent  in  a  flag  with  a  peremptory  demand  for  the  formal  surrender  of  the  post,  which  was  as 
peremptorily  refused." 

The  British  colonel,  Gray,  fell  near  the  present  residence  of  Mr. 
John  Hall,  in  Hill-street,  and  the  stump  against  which  he  reposed  his 
head,  is  still  to  be  seen  by  the  sidewalk.    He  was  a  noble-looking 
nian,  about  six  feet  m  height,  and  about  forty  years  of  age.    Beside 
him  was  a  Glengarian  officer,  mortally  wounded.    A  private  named 
David  Johnson,  from  Berkshire  county,  Mass.,  lay  near,  wounded  in 
a  most  horrible  manner.     This  young  man  was  a  widow's  only  son. 
At  the  time  of  his  enlistment  at  Greenbush,  his  mother  requested  the 
sergeant  to  take  good  care  of  him.     His  face  was  carried  away  by  a 
side  shot  from  below  his  forehead,  downward,  including  his  eyes, 
nose,  upper  jaw,  tongue,  and  some  of  the  teeth  of  the  lower  jaw.    He 
notwithstanding  had  his  reason.    Being  requested  by  the  bystanders, 
if  he  wanted  water  to  lift  up  his  right  hand,  he  did  so.    A  soldier 
who  was  shot  by  a  musket  ball  through  the  abdomen,  informed  his 
captain,  who  gave  him  permission  to  leave  the  ground,  with  the  ex- 
pectation that  he  would  fall  before  he  had  got  many  rods  distant.    An 
hour  or  two  after  the  battle,  the  officer  was  astonished  to  meet  the 
man  quietly  walking  in  the  streets  of  the  village.     He  asked  him 
where  he  had  been  ?     "  To  get  some  milk,"  was  the  reply.     It  appears 
that  he  had  not  eaten  any  thing  for  thirty  hours  previous  to  the  ac- 
tion, and  the  ball  was  thus  enabled  to  pass  through  the  intestines 
without  mortal  injury. 
The  following  is  a  view  of  the  barracks  from  the  military  hospital. 


JEFFERSON   COUNTY. 


211 


^^^^^ .     ^B       '-^Pl^^ 


Northern  view  of  Jefferson  Barracks,  Sacketts  Harbor. 

The  two  long  ranges  of  buildings  in  the  distance,  facing  the  spectator, 
are  the  offi^rs'  quarters.  TheT)uildings  at  each  end  are  the  soldiers' 
barracks.  These  structures  are  of  limestone,  about  250  feet  in  length, 
two  stones  in  height,  with  neat  piazzas  in  front,  forming  three  sides  of  a 
square,  on  which  is  the  parade  ground.  The  large  building  on  the 
right  is  the  commissary's  department.  The  barracks  were  common- 
ced  m  1816,  and  finished  in  1819.  The  grounds  attached  include 
about  torty  acres,  and  the  whole  is  surrounded  on  three  sides  by  a 
log  picket  fence,  pamted  white,  and  about  9  feet  in  height.  The 
lourth  side  is  open  to  the  water. 

Cfe  a  monument  in  the  military  burial  place,  which  is  mcluded  in 
the  barrack  grounds,  are  the  following  mscriptions  : 

Sovth  «<fc.-"  In  memory  of  Gen.  Z.  M.  Pike,  kiUed  at  York,  U.  C,  27  April,  1813,— 
Oapt.  Joseph  Nicholson,  14  infantry,  aid-de-camp  to  Gen.  Pike,  do."  East  «(fc.— "  In  mem. 
ory  of  Lieut.  CoL  John  Mills,  volunteer;  killed  at  Sacketts  Harbor,  29  May,  1813.— Capt 
ioiZ.f"''Sr'  *^  infantry,  aid.de.camp  to  Maj.  Gen.  Brown,  killed  at  Lundy's  Lane,  25  July. 
1814."  North  «^— "In  memory  of  Col.  Tuttle,  Lieut.  Col.  Dix.  Maj.  Johnson,  Lieut 
M^n  r  •  1,  M^Mflfo-'V?*  "^^T"^  ''*■  ^"«-  <^«»-  L-  Covington,  killed  at  ChS"'. 
Mayt^is^S/'"  '"  ^'  ^'^^'^'  ^" dragoons,  kiUed at  S.  Harbo^SS 

Ja  nrwlw  Vn,t'"*''":?'?,°^  Ttti^nck  Augustus  Leonard,  son  of  James  and  Mercy  Leon- 
ard,  of  New  York,  aged  23  years,  2  months  and  12  days;  a  sailing-master  in  the  Amen- 
T  '"t^l'^^^t^^''  "^^  ^^'^  ''^^"y-  1S^3,  by  a  violent  illness  brought  on  by  fatigue  in 
the  attack  of  the  American  forces  on  York,  in  Upper  Canada,  April  27th,  1813^Thi» 
monument  is  erected  by  his  brother,  Capt.  James  T.  Leonard  of  the  navy." 

Le  Ray,  settled  in  1803  and  organized  in  1806 ;  from  Albany  156 
mi  es.  Evans  Mills,  10  miles  NE.  from  Watertown,  and  Le  Rays- 
ville,  are  small  but  flourishing  villages.  Sandfords  Corners  and  West 
Le  Kay  are  post-offices.     Pop.  3,722. 

Lorraine,  originally  named  Malta,  and  taken  from  Mexico  in  1804 ; 
Irom  Albany  145,  and  from  Watertown  8.16  miles.  Lorraine  is  a 
post-office.     Pop.  1,721. 

Lyme,  taken  from  Brownville  m  1817;  from  Albany  185  miles, 
l^op.  5,467.    It  includes  several  islands  in  Lake  Ontario  and  one  in 


ais 


JEFFERSON   COUNTY. 


the  St  Lawrence  river.  Cape  Vincent,  port  of  entry  of  Cape  Vin- 
cent district,  at  the  fork  of  Lake  Ontario  and  at  the  head  of  the 
St.  Lawrence,  25  miles  from  Watertown,  has  about  70  dwellings. 
Chaumont,  at  the  head  of  Chaumont  bay,  14  miles  from  Watertown, 
has  about  30  dwellings.  At  Tibbets  point  there  is  a  lighthouse. 
Three  Mile  Bay,  Mileno  Bay,  and  Peninsula,  are  post-offices. 

Orleans,  taken  from  Brownville  in  1821 ;  from  Albany  184  miles. 
Le  Fargeville,  named  from  John  Le  Farge,  the  original  proprietor 
of  the  town,  16  miles  N.  from  Watertown,  and  Stone  Mill,  in  the  SW. 
angle  of  the  town,  are  small  settlements  with  post-offices.  Pop.  3,000. 
Pamelia,  taken  from  Brownville  in  1819 ;  from  Albany  166  miles. 
Williamstown  has  about  40  dwellings,  and  is  on  the  bank  of  the  river 
and  connected  with  Watertown  by  a  bridge.  Pamelia  and  Pamelia 
Four  Comers  are  post-offices.    Pop.  2,119. 

Philadelphia,  settled  principally  by  Friends,  and  taken  from  Le 
Ray  m  1821 ;  from  Watertown  centrally  distant  NE.  16  miles.  Pop. 
1,888.    The  Friends  settlement  has  about  60  dwellings. 

Rodman,  originally  named  Harrison,  taken  from  Adams  in  1804, 
and  settled  in  1801,  by  New  England  emigrants;  from  Albany  154, 
centrally  distant  from  Watertown  S.  10  miles.  Pop.  1,703.  Rod- 
man has  about  40  dwellings.  Whitesville  is  a  small  post  village. 
Several  Indian  mounds  are  in  this  town,  with  ancient  fortifications. 
Pop.  1,700. 

Rutland,  formed  in  1802 ;  from  Albany  154,  from  Watertown  cen- 
g|ally  distant  E.  6  miles.  There  are  here  remains  of  ancient  works. 
There  is  an  old  camp  or  fort  near  the  Watertown  and  Rutland  line,  sit- 
uated on  a  hill  surrounded  by  a  hollow  that  seems  to  have  been  a  ditch 
enclosing  about  four  acres  of  ground.  Its  form  is  an  irregular  oval. 
On  one  side  is  a  triangular  projection  of  50  paces,  terminating  in  an 
acute  angle,  surrounded,  like  the  camp,  bv  an  intrenchment.  On  dig- 
ging into  this,  many  remains  of  human  bones  were  found,  and  a  part 
u^  i!^"*"^  ®^""  imbedded  in  two  or  three  quarts  of  Indian  com, 
which  seems  to  have  been  pai-ched  to  a  dark  chocolate-brown  color, 
but  was  sound  and  well  preserved.  The  place  was  lately  covered 
with  lofty  trees,  like  the  surrounding  ground,  which  must  have  been 
some  centuries  in  growing.  South  Rutland,  Tylersville,  Felts  Mill, 
and  Lockport,  are  small  post  villages.    Rutland  Centre  is  a  post- 

Watertown  was  organized  as  part  of  Oneida  county  in  1800. 
Pop.  5,025.  Watertovim,  incorporated  village  and  seat  of  justice  for 
the  county,  is  from  New  York  NW.  325  miles,  from  Albany  176, 
from  Utica  NNW.  81,  from  Sacketts  Harbor  E.  10  miles.  It  con- 
tains 2  Presbyterian,  1  Episcopal,  1  Methodist  Episcopal,  1  Univer- 
sahst,  and  1  Catholic  church,  an  incorporated  academy,  the  Jefferson 
Company  and  Watertown  banks,  an  insurance  company,  county 
buildings,  and  about  550  dwellings. 

In  March,  1800,  t!',is  town  was  first  settled  by  Henry  Coffin,  who 
originally  came  from  New  Hampshire,  and  built  his  log  cabin  on 
the  brow  of  the  hill  about  3  rods  easterly  from  the  front  door  of 


IP- 


'  VT^jrw  ir^y^Tf 


'•"*"*?»'■ 


JBFFSRSON   COVttrt. 


818 


Uie  American  Hotel.  Soon  after  he  was  joined  by  Zechariah  Butter- 
held,  who  built  his  cabin  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by  Davenport's 
tavern.  Both  of  these  individuals  brought  with  them  their  families, 
ine  unevenness  and  apparent  unproductiveness  of  the  soil  were  more 
than  counterbalanced,  in  the  discerning  muids  of  these  pioneers,  by  the 
immense  hydraulic  power  appropriable,  from  the  numerous  falls  and 
rapids  ot  Black  river  at  this  point,  which  in  the  space  of  about  a 
mile  amount  to  nearly  100  feet  descent.  In  this,  as  well  as  the  rich- 
ness  and  fertihty  of  the  adjacent  country,  they  wisely  believed  that 
they  discovered  the  elements  of  future  prosperity  and  greatness. 

Hart  and  Isaiah  Massay,  who  came  from  Windsor,  Vermont, 
joined  them  in  the  succeeding  year.  In  1802,  the  first  tavern  was 
opened  by  Isaiah  Massay,  and  the  first  saw-mill  erected  on  the  pres- 
ent site  of  W.  Pattridge's  woollen  factory.  The  high  reputation  of 
the  Black  river  country  now  began  to  be  sounded  abroad,  and  the 
number  of  setUers  rapidly  augmented.  Among  the  other  earliest 
emigrants  were  Aaron  Bacon,  Jonathan  Cowan,  two  brothers  by  the 
name  of  Thornton,  Jesse  DoolitUe,  M.  Canfield,  Aaron  Keyes,  D. 
Huntmgton,  William  Smith,  John  Paddock,  Chauncey  Calhoun,  Philo 
Johnson,  and  John  Hathway. 

"An  inventory  of  the  entire  eflfects  of  each  settler,  as  he  arrived 
upon  the  ground,  would  have  been  a  short  and  easy  matter.    Those 
wiUi  tamihes  had  possessed  but  small  estates  in  the  places  from  which 
they  emigrated,  and  generally  found  their  means  exhausted  when 
they  had  procured  an  outfit  for  their  westward  journey.     The  whole 
possession  of  many  a  young  man  who  planted  the  germ  of  his  for- 
tune here,  was  comprised  in  the  axe  that  he  brought  upon  his  shoul- 
der,  and  m  the  nerves  of  the  vigorous  arm  which  wielded  it.    Very 
htUe  money  was  brought  into  Watertown  by  its  first  inhabitants. 
1  hey  were  all  thrown  upon  their  immediate  exertions  for  subsistence. 
In  these  circumstances,  want,  with  its  horrors,  might  have  visited 
them,  had  it  not  been  the  case  that  quick  returns  of  fruitful  harvests 
were  made  to  their  industry.    It  is  a  well-known  fact,  that  through- 
out the  whole  of  Western  New  York,  the  first  harvest  reaped  from 
the  soil  IS  often  more  abundant  than  any  succeeding  one.     The  for- 
ests here  are  found  to  be  unencumbered  with  the  mass  of  dead  leaves, 
and  undecomposed  vegetable  matter,  which,  in  many  parts  of  our 
country  the  farmer  finds  so  prejudicial  to  the  cultivation  and  produc- 
tion ot  his  new  land.    There  is  tiiat,  either  in  the  climate  or  the  soil 
itselt,  which  seems  to  effect  the  decomposition  of  vegetables  very 
soon  after  they  are  deprived  of  life.    From  this  circumstance,  the 
deposition  upon  the  ground  of  a  great  body  of  forest  leaves,  every 
season,  instead  ot  opposing  an  obstacle  to  immediate  production, 
lacilitates  it,  and  contributes  to  the  richness  and  fertility  of  the  soil. 
"Ihe  enterprising  mechanics  and  agriculturists  in  Watertown 
?   ,o«o  t"^    i^^  *^^^^  hydraulic  privileges  to  remain  unimproved, 
in  1803,  Jonathan  Cowan  built  the  first  grist-mill.    This  was  an  in- 
valuable acquisition  to  the  place,  as  it  relieved  the  inhabitants  from 


214 


JRFFERBOV   COCJNTV. 


the  necessity  of  travelling  to  a  great  distance  for  the  flouring  of  all 
their  grain. 

.«!''"/ •?'•  ""'  ^r'  n"^''  ■?."**  1'"?''  ".""•  "  Watortown,  won  built  at  the  lito  of  the 
lower  bridgo,  on  Uie  Drownville  road,  by  Henry  Coffeen  and  Andrew  Edmond..  The 
buunen  of  U.o  httio  community  incroasfld  oa  their  number  was  augmented,  and  aoon  de- 
mandod  some  medium  of  disposing  of  the  producti.  of  their  industry.  Accordimrlv  in  1806 
a  store  was  opened  by  J  Paddock  nnd  William  Smith.  The  year  1807  brought  with  it  the 
acceasion  of  a  paper-mill,  built  by  liurden  Caswell,  and  a  brewery,  by  Oursham  Tultle. 

At  this  iieriod,  and  for  a  considerable  time  after,  the  manufacture  of  potash  was  an 
object  of  much  attention  with  those  who  had  land  in  their  possession.  The  high  price 
which  this  nrucln  then  comtminded,  and  tho  fine  adaptation  of  the  timber  and  the  s.^1  to 
the  producuon  and  the  preservation  of  ashes,  rendered  it  one  of  tho  most  lucrative  branches 
of  busuifss  to  which  the  Rottloni  could  devote  themselves.  As  every  barrel  of  potash  yield, 
ed  U.e  manufacturer  825.  the  purchasers  of  lots,  by  their  charactcrisUc  enterprise  and  pru- 
dence,  wore  enabled  to  realwe  a  sun.  fully  equal  to  the  firat  cost  of  Uicir  lands  from  this 
article  alone. 

"  The  principal  commercial  operations  in  tho  years  1806-7-8,  consisted  in  tho  exchange 
01  goods  for  potash,  which  took  place  botwron  tho  ngricultural  portion  of  the  community 
and  the  merchants  before  mentioned.  Tho  aiiioi'iit  of  exohnngos  thus  effrctrd  durinff  this 
period  was  not  inconsiderable,  when  we  consider  tho  limited  number  of  ponons  enffSited 

'i«nH  •'."^""T;,.*™"'^'.''  "*""  ""'  '•'*  """» 1^3,500;  in  1807,  about  #6,000  j  aiuJ  in 
1808,  It  exceeded  89,000.  A  comparative  view  of  the  liusiness  of  the  place  may  be  had 
by  stating  in  this  connection,  that  the  goods  sold  in  Wutertov/n  during  the  year  1839.  in- 
eluding  those  manufactured  in  it,  amounted  to  about  $500,000. 

'.V^  w^^7^'""'""J"'""^*'  *'""''  '■"""■''''  '•* ''"""  '"  ''"••  ^''H'c  is  still  standing,  and  known 

M  Uie    Old  Cotton  bactory'— now  under  tho  proprietorship  of  tlio  Watortown  Cotton  Mills 

l/ompany.     It  was  erected  by  a  company,  and  wont  into  operation  in  1814.    Tho  machin- 

ery  was  manufactured  by  James  Wild,  of  Hudson,  much  of  which  is  still  in  use ;  and  aJ- 

though  cotton  machinery  has  been  much  improved  by  25  years'  experience,  few  cotton 

lactones  do  more  or  better  work.     This  establishment  was  succeeded  in  1827  by  a  similar 

one,  erected  by  Levi  IJobeo,  upon  tho  island  which  bears  his  name.     It  was,  however,  on 

K  much  more  extensive  plan ;  being  a  building  950  feet  in  length,  50  in  breadth,  and  4 

•tones  high,  built  of  limestone,  of  the  most  substantial  character.    This  building  was  de. 

Ugiied  to  rocoivo  10,000  spindles ;  and  half  that  number,  with  128  power  looms,  had  been 

put  into  It,  when  it  was  desu-oycd  by  fire  in  1832.     It  was  erected.  an<l  thus  far  completed,  at 

•n  expense  of  f  120,0(M),  employed  a  great  number  of  hands,  directly  and  indirectly,  and  its 

dpstnirtion  gave  a  shock  to  Uie  villago  of  Watertown  from  which  it  has  yet  hardly  recov 

ered.    1  ho  rums  still  stand,  frowning  upon  a  majestic  and  beautiful  cascade,  whose  water* 

leap  past  Uiem.  as  if  in  terror,  lest  the  columns  of  ragged  stone  should  precipitate  ihemselve* 

up«)ii  their  bosom  ;  or,  as  i»  in  haato  to  escape  from  the  gloom  nnd  sadness  of  their  pit*. 

ence.    They  also  remain  a  monument  of  tlie  enterprise  and  public  spirit  of  tlieir  late  oiti 

pnetor.  "^ 

"In  the  early  sotUeinont  of  tho  county,  stromioua  efforts  were  made  to  fix  tho  county  seat 
at  Un)wnville.  t.en.  Jacob  Brown  was  appointed  one  of  the  cominissioneia  bv  Uie  state,  to 
lay  out  and  open  two  roads ;  ono  from  Utica,  through  Roonville,  to  some  point  on  Klaok 
nv»r  i  and  ono  from  Rome,  through  Redfield,  to  the  some  iwint.  Drownville  was  fixed 
upon  as  this  poitii.  Every  exertion  was  then  put  forUi  by  Uuwe  interested,  and  every  argu. 
niont  pressed,  which  tho  circumstances  of  Uic  case,  policy,  and  ingenuity  could  supply,  to 
ettert  the  locaium  of  the  county  seal  at  that  place.  The  commiseionem,  who  were  to  demg 
nate  the  siki  of  the  <  ourthouse,  decided  however  upon  placing  it  at  Waieriown.  But  by 
way  ol  omipromiso  tluy  selected  its  present  site,  iJien  qiiito  remote  from  the  village. 

"  I  he  first  courlhoiise  wiis  l.uilt  in  1807,  by  Williom  Rise  nnd  Joel  Mix  ;  its  erection  was 
superintended  by  >Villinin  Siiiilh.  It  being  thim  placed  nf  a  disinnco  from  the  centre  of  the 
village,  Imd  a  leii.l.'ncy  to  draw  attention,  and  induce  settlement  in  that  direction.  Anoth. 
er  cinuinstance  had  a  considerable  inlhi«>iice  in  fixiiin  the  locution  of  mills  and  manuracio. 
nt'S  remote  from  the  common  centre.  Mr.  Jonathan  Cownn  was  the  owner  of  all  the  hy. 
drauhc  privileges  hi-re,  nt  the  point  wherji  his  mills  wen'  siliinted.  From  a  mistaken  belief 
as  to  the  best  method  of  stimulating  industry  and  enierjmsp,  ho  refused,  on  all  occasions 
to  sell,  wiih.nii  Imutmg  the  purchaser  to  ono  kind  of  buaiiirss.  The  spirited  settlers  wo.ild 
not  brook  Uiis  letter  up.m  their  enterprise,  nnd  detennined  not  to  submit  to  the  rcMlriclion. 
so  long  as  the  wntors  of  Ulnefc  river  were  free.  This  policy  occasioned  tho  erection  of  a 
dam  further  down  tho  river  in  1807,  and  another  ubova  in  1814.    Although,  for  a  time, 


l! 


JKFPERSON   COUNTY. 


815 


their  remotoncM  from  in8timt3drZrnl-  „   f   ."'''"'  "'^"  *''^"  """di^i"".  "  well  a. 

establishment  of  an  aSv     A   L^  'f^  *"  !>'''  y""".  *^"'  '^"'">  ^«'«  ""''de  for  the 

yoar,  and  completod  in  the  fXmLrmT.t  u  ''^"''^.  ""^  commenced  the  Mme 

la«t  hoBtilitioa  botwro^hrUM  rTsfL  „  ;  ?^'""'"',"''""''  '^"^'  "•"  ""wmencement  of  the 
monod  the  stationrni"  f  „  ga     ^^  TSuJTwT?-    ^he  declaration  of  war  occa. 

building  conveniently  Bit" fted  for  barrati  Took  I!l"  '^"  V '"'"'  ^."^'"^  ■*'"'  '"='^«'"y 
purpose.  Barracks,  took  possession  of  it  and  occupied  it  for  that 

«i«o  s  «'';s'r  LTrrerd"co"nSi?z'f  '■:?'"!'*'' ""''."'« -"s  °^  •---' "««'-.  - 

ti..n  and  an  intense  oxc^[emerorthn  rhi  "^  T"*' ,*'T"/  ""'  """'"'=•'  "  «""«"«"'  "Wt*- 
of  any  thing  butiho  '  war^  The  n  n,^  V  I!!'"'''  ""''"^  *"''""'''  '^"  inhabitant,  thinking 
After  the  evacuat  on  or?he  buildmrbv  ?L  .  """tT  ^"f  "!  «'"««'n"ence  abandoned, 
down,  and  the  nmt  r  als  of  whirh  Ir  11  ''"•  ^'"'•'  '^^  P'"*^"  '"  ^^l^,  it  waa  taken 

Clinton^treot,  and  erSed  inTo  atl  n„7h  '^"""i;^?'?''  transforred  to  what  ie  now  known  .. 
the  purposes  .  esfgnor  Thetnd  tht  left  vZ'n,  ^^''''  T'"  '■'"^•'""'''  ""^  '"«'"  «'"P'°y«d  <"«" 

learning  it  is  now  gummlXthn  W  Til         ,  ""^  sequestered  location,  as  an  abode  of 

most  deservedly  p'St  o'name  .  to    hrolier"^,""'*  '!'"**""''  '"•'i'""'-^  "chool 
patrons.  '       '       "^anient  to  the  place,  and  an  honor  to  its  conduciora  and 

we^i^crSy"  li2Tl^i:V/i  inhabitants  „f  Water.own,  for  the  fi™t  few  yea,., 
to  assemble  a.  tl  XeLg  ^f    oL'  ^o  o/  th":,"!!  ll  """'•"'''  """^  ""V"  -«='^"''t"'ned  often 

:r^;n/:;;:f?rrSHi«"^ 

•nd  self-denial  as  is  now  reou  rr,  n  h!t^^  ^.  "7'''^  "'^  "'  """ch  benevolence 
west  of  the  Rocky  mom, ininr  Thi«  ^'"l,^""'''  •^•"'7  ""e  Bible  into  the  savage  regions 
hearted  herald  on.r^wiiio^n' hi  w?v, '"''''''','''  ''^  "'««"""'*  "^  "  henevoTen' 
he  was  bound  and  wha  wiisThn  ,.hl  n  '^  '"  """'''"•«'"  ^ere  ;  being  asked  whither 
th<^  hfathrn.'     In  181  3  a  ehurrh  wl-  "*  "Jr'"",''  'iS  '"P'""^'  '  ^  <""  ^'"V  I"  preach  to 

in  its  confession  of  f„irh^'„dSZ«^naH:;^  il'f"'"  '^r'"  *'*"'""'"  Lazel-lPrcS^yterian 
clergymen  loeated  her.,  mre  sucTewivr  .  1  H  f"f"i,<'f  K"vernment.  The  Presbyteriw 
•nd,  inm.ediateiy  after    h^wir    Mrn*.      A     .T"  ^''"^",-  ^"•^""^""h.  Porter.  Cook, 

bringinK,oge,her.,,f,eLry^;en^^„sotriol\l' ■''"'''''''''''"  "^  '^^  P''"^''  '""""•'J 
«eren.  pemuasion.  were  0S7  ^7/  m  ,;„?«.''*''"''",'?'''"''"'"•  '=''"""''«•  "^'he  dif! 
churches  of  the  PresbyS    em  mmn^^  T^^  ""'  '"'"K"  "»*  embrace,  two 

M'th.Hiis.,  1  of  .1  r  Kan  cirr  1 7  d  1  r- "  ""i  "'^^'l•^  i  "^  ">•'  ""p""-  ^  "^  «»«• 

cupying  attractive  andr/mSiol'^.u^llsl^wilS^    ""'*  ^  "^  "«>  ""*-'"^«"  «"  - 

union"and\"t,r;:"  -Lthatrts''  l^r:'?'"''  •■"'  ""•^■'"^'  ^"''•P"'  --  'f""  'h- 
cou,niunity,,f  iiuereslsan.  V^nlnl  .„.      ,  ''«"«'•"<.  pnvations.  and  labon,,  begat  » 

benefits.  The  ~rij^  ,S  T;  a^'':e  l'l"'',h:  "  '""f'*'  ^f  P'"?"""  "f  «..tince*.,id 
ihared  by  «|1.     |)r„  h  nev,  r  i.  v^l'T.!  .      *"'"''?  "'"^  '""fort.mes  of  one,   were 

whole  coLnuni.y^^dtuL~vhZtw!;rr'  ffl"'""'  '^ro-vin^  „  gloo.n  ov'er  the 
•Unce.  at.e„,Iin;  he  tir«t  Ltanrr,?r..?.'i^''i '',"'''"""•  ^'"'  "'"lanoholv  cir..um- 
these  sympathclro  fceliljl.         ""  "'^  '""""'"'''  "'^""''"^  K™»'  "'•^'•i""  '""f  "'e  e«rc,w  of 

"  Late  at  the  close  of  n  stil!.  sultry  day  in  summer,  Mrs.  Thornton, 


216 


JEFFERSON   COUNTY. 


the  Wife  of  one  of  the  young  settlers,  gave  the  alarm  that  her  husband 
had  not  returned  from  the  forest,  whither  he  had  gone  in  the  afternoon 
to  procure  a  piece  of  timber  for  a  particular  purpose.    Immediately 
every  man  in  the  settlement  answered  to  the  call,  and  hastened  to 
the  place  designated  for  meeting  to  concert  a  plan  for  searc^',    Here 
all  armed  themselves  with  torches  of  lighted  pine  knots  or  birch  bark, 
and  calhng  every  gun  in  the  place  into  use  for  firing  alarms  and  sig- 
nals, started  out,  in  small  companies,  into  the  forest  in  all  directions. 
After  a  search  of  several  hours,  the  preconcerted  signal-gun  announ- 
ced that '  the  lost  was  found.'    All  hurried  to  the  spot ;  and  upon  the 
ground  where  now  stands  the  Black  River  Institute,  crushed  beneath 
a  tree  which  he  had  felled,  lay  the  lifeless  body  of  their  companion. 
He  was  laid  upon  a  bier,  hastily  prepared  for  the  occasion,  and  con- 
veyed  through  the  gloom  of  midnight,  by  the  light  of  their  torches, 
back  to  his  house.    What  must  have  been  the  emotions  of  the  be- 
reaved young  widow,  when  the  mangled  corpse  of  her  husband,  so 
suddenly  fallen  a  victim  to  death,  was  brought  in  and  laid  before  her  I 
bhe  did  not,  however,  mourn  alone.    As  the  remains  were  bor^e  to 
their  resting-place,— the  first  grave  that  was  opened  in  Trinity  church- 
yard,—it  needed  no  sable  emblems  of  mourning  to  tell  of  the  griet 
which  hung  dark  around  every  heart.     Each  one  of  the  little  com- 
pany, as  he  returned  from  performing  the  last  duties  to  his  departed 
companion, /eft  as  if  from  his  own  family  one  had  been  taken. 

.  "^  "™!'*'  incident  occurred,  a  short  time  after,  in  the  death  of  a  child,  which  waa  killed 
by  the  falling  of  a  tree,  on  the  present  site  of  the  courthouse  ;  thus  designating  with  blood 
u  one  can  imagine,  the  location  of  the  halls  of  justice  and  science  in  our  village  and  con' 
•ecrating  the  ground  of  each  by  a  human  sacrifice. 

"Notwitlistanding  the  general  union  and  harmony  which  prevailed,  clashing  intereata 
Md  mdividual  enmities  would  sometimes  show,  that  even  the  common  dangere  and  hard- 
■lupa  of  the  wilderness  have  not  power  to  ch^mge  the  character  of  human  passion,  or  to 
■olten  its  malignity,  when  occasion  arouses  it.    One  incident  will  illustrate  this. 

"  By  some  unfortunate  circumstance,  a  feud  was  enkindled  between 
one  of  the  settlers  in  Watertown  and  his  neighbor,  15  or  20  miles 
distant ;  for,  be  it  known,  distance  was  then  no  barrier  to  neighbor- 
ohip.  Not  long  after  the  commencement  of  hostilities  between  the 
parties,  it  came  to  the  ears  of  the  one  in  Watertown,  that  his  enemy 
had  offered  a  reward  of  $5  for  his  head.  Feeling  rather  uneasy 
under  this  summary  outlawry— as  it  necessarily,  he  thought,  rendered 
insecure  the  tenure  by  which  he  held  his  life,— and  being  unwilling 
to  dispose  of  It  except  upon  more  reasonable  terms,  he  determined  to 
go  and  negotiate  the  matter,  propHa  persona,  with  this  dealer  in  per- 
'Hi.  ^^^^^^'  '^"•^'  '^  possible,  induce  him  to  withdraw  the  reward. 
As  there  was  no  road  practicable  for  travelling  by  horse,  he  was 
obliged  to  accomplish  the  whole  distance  on  foot.  This  he  did  ;  and 
having  arrived  at  the  residence  of  his  enemy,  he  found  him  in  com- 
pany with  two  or  three  of  his  nearer  neighbors.  Wishing  to  avoid 
publicity  in  the  affair  as  much  as  possible,  he  requested  a  private 
interview.  But  ho  was  tartly  replied  to,  that  there  was  nothing  be- 
tween them  that  re(iuired  secrecy,  and  if  he  had  any  thing  to  say,  he 
must 'apeak  out.'    Being  obliged  thus  to  make  known  his  errand 


JEFFERSON   COUNTY. 


217 


Sto^*  S        '^'sturbed  his  equanimity;  but  his  situation  was  des- 
perate.     Here  was  his  last  hope  of  effecting  a  reconciliation ;  and  he 
therefore  commenced  by  saying,  he  had  learned,  with  much  regret, 
nf  li  f  "■  i^.*^^'fl»c"Ities  had  drawn  from  him  the  offer  of  a  reward 
ot  95  lor  his  life;  he  hoped  it  was  not  the  case.     But  he  had  come 
to  earn  the  truth  from  his  own  lips;  and  if  it  were  really  so,  if  pos- 
sible,  to  compromise  the  affair,  and  adjust  their  differences.     His 
enemy  quickly  retorted,  that  it  was  a  'most  rascally  untruth— as 
great  a  he  as  ever  was  told.'    'I  never,'  said  he,  'have  offered  $5 
or  your  head;  never-not  I.     I  may  have  said  that  I  would  give 
twenty  shillings ;  but  I  never  went  over  that.'     With  this  very  satis- 
factory  information,  he  was  obliged  to  return  and  await  patiently  the 
issue  ot  the  struggle  which  was  to  determine  whether  he  could  be 
allowed  to  retain  his  head,  between  the  consciences  of  his  fellow 
sett  ers,  and  their  cupidity,  so  strongly  appealed  to  by  the  twenty- 
shilhng  reward.  ' 

J^  f^f  circumstances  were  then,  however,  of  rare  occurrence.     Unanimity  of  sentiment 
and  fechng  was  the  general  aw ;  these  were  but  the  exceptions.    No  doubt  that  a„Td" 
f       .d^e^t^-,''^ .""gged  toil  and  the  coarse  fare  of  this  new  settlement.  happinerC 

n  cnt  of  the  town  or  c,ty.  Ask  those  venerable  pioneers  of  the  wilderness  who  still  rcn  mn 
ni  our  midst,  and  they  will  tell  you,  that  they  look  with  less  complaisance  and  pleZ  « 
Tl^:^  •'^'  ^'^  ^"'"'  "^  '^''"  ""^'''  *''""  "P™  "">"«  i"  ^'hi-^h  the  for  sts  were  faH  ng  be! 
ed  .h«  nhi'  '"'•'"  rV"  *""  ♦r-'''°ck»-theinsig..ia  of  their  priestly  ..f.ce-they  perform 
ed  the  obseqmcs  of  the  monarcha  of  the  wood,  at  their  funeral  piles.  They  are  now  made 
w  witness  scenes  of  mote  wealth  and  action,  but  not  of  more  tranquillity  and  purity.  The 
at  LT.1  n?  ^'T  :"^'  u""^  confidence  mutual.  At  their  convivial  'assemblies,  which! 
r,M„  f  •  "'"'  ""'•  "'*y  •""•c'in'cs  found  time  to  convene,  the  Pi.npUrity  of  thei^ 

position  Iv  substantial  wooden  pegs,  was  more  than  compensated  by  the  full  flow  of  spirits, 
and  the  absence  of  rivalry  and  envy.  The  heart  had  not  then  lost  its  radiating  power  by 
hP  Sf  wcossive  rehnement,  and  the  freedom  of  communication  was  unfettered  by 
me  stifl  tormality  of  modern  etiquette,  ' 

K.1'' '"  ''JT  '^''^^  "'■  remark,  that  almost  every  cent  of  the  wealth  in  this  village  has 

ofTHt^S;.  r  '*""  "'"r'^u  ""'  P'"^""*'  of  speculation,  but  in  obedience  to  the  demands 
of  established  business.  It  has  never  stood  in  need  of  foreign  assistance.  Its  resources 
ever  f.7  t?'  "t  "I '""  "'«hu..H.il.|e.  The  secret  of  itn  commanding  influcnce^how! 
ever,  is  to  be  found  in  the  immense  hydraulic  force  of  Black  river  at  this  point.  By  a  pretiv 
accurate  computation,  it  has  been  ascertained  that  the  quantity  of  water,  at  low.wa  er 
mark,  is  seldom  less  than  f.O.OOO  cubic  feet  per  minute.  This,  with  econ, ,  y^.,^rT?ee 
head  and  fall,  would  be  sufficient  to  turn  150  runs  of  stone.    Now.  by  consi.h^rg  that  the 

ftlls  88  feet,  over  7  artificial  dams  and  .I  naf.rnl  cascades,  and  at  each  of  these  dams  die 

is  of  .ie     7T  T  ,'"  r'l'-^"  ''"r  1  '■""■"  '"'"•■'•'"•  "» '"">  "'"'«  'hati  a  thoi^J^id 

"  w-  u  L  •  "PP'^  '"  ''"'  •^'■'*'"«  "f '"''cr  machinery. 

«nH  Zn  ^'""  P""""  '"'^"'''  "''.""•'  "■««'•"'"»  'hilt  Watertown  is  surrounded  by  a  rich 
nei  Zn.,?,'  J^TP"""T""«.  I!  "T"''^  ^•»"»»'li-h-<l  ""d  well-balanced  businesJ-a  bus" 
ness  that  has  never  been  aflecled  by  the  insane  spirit  <.f  sprrulntion  which  has  often  raired 

h  a".;:!!  m::r""^~"  '"  ""i  '''"";■"  •"  "'''"'"'  '■"'■  *-  «^-»' P^-P-rity,  «nd  ^  anticpaS 
It  a  still  more  vigorous  end  ropid  progrees."-jtfM/.  Sketch  of  IVatertuiPn,  hy  J.  P.  Fiieh. 

The  following  view  was  taken  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  a  few 
rods  below  the  bridge.  The  ruins  seen  in  front  ore  those  of  the 
bebee  manufactory,  noticed  in  ihc  foregoing  sketch.  Just  bcvond 
tlie  bridge,  the  river  descends  in  a  perpendiculnr  fall  of  18  feet.  "The 
■teeple  on  the  lell,  is  that  of  the  ad  Presbyterian  church,  the  one 

S8 


.^i| 


218 


JEFFERSON    COUNTT. 


i_iLiM 


lAl  ■     ■    -^mS-r^        ''-^^•iH^rn..^ ; .  _         ,     , : ' , :,:    \  J      't' '  •        (il """'"^ 


FicM,  171  IFater/oujn,  Je/er^on  county,  New  York. 


Zutt  tnf^'  '^r^l  "^^  '''*'  ^"^^^'^^^'  «"d  that  on  the  extreme 
iut'reminH  ho  '•  ♦?''  f  ^  "^''^  ^"^  picturesque  spot,  and  the 
a^e  On^lh  T^f'^u  ^^ '•"""  time-decaycd  structure'of  a  former 
age.     Un  the  bank  of  the  nver,  seen  beyond  the  opening  between 

mers'lon''  Y£TJ^  "^T  t  "^^  ""^  ^^P^'^^  '«  admLster^ed  b^  m" 
mersion.  A  traveller  who  here  recently  witnessed  a  scene  ot'  this 
kmd,  describes  .t  as  "unusually  solemn  and  impressive."  Inid  the 
ronhe'ir^?rr"'^1  '^'  prayer  of  the  dayman,  and  tmu! 
waterfln!  '"''"'"^^'^^  ^vorsh.ppers  was  softened  by  the  sound  of  the 

Well  would  the  language  of  the  poet  have  applied : 

"Ye  headlong  torrrnis,  rnpid  and  profound, 
Ye  softer  flofKls,  that  tread  the  humid  maze, 

Hound  his  stupendous  praise 

And  OS  each  minglinif  (lame  increases  each. 
In  one  united  ardor  rise  to  hcave.-i." 

In  the  limestone  rocks  wnich  bound  the  Black  river  at  this  point 
are  numerous  caves,  two  of  which  arc  very  extensive  and  K 
c«T"  .tS.:;^PM  ''  '""f  termination,  li  first^l  the  "  o/S 
the  town  of  Pamelia,  and  running  up  in  an  easterly  direction  is  sun- 
fs  atn  nTr'f  h^  "'  '■"'!"  ,  '^]^-'ther.entitle.l  ihl^ nJ^ori:::^' 
and  was  l.^v  i'^V'"  ^'''^^''  ""  '^'  ^»«t''"'  ^'"""^  '''"♦ho  stream. 
abourSath?  S  '^?"1  t^^'.y':"'-"  «i"'-«-  It  has  been  explored 
S  form  '  Ur  '<'«tance  M,  ,t  there  i,  an  extensive  excavation. 
In^i  .u  ',^'^'1:  *■""'"  "'  ''•^'•"t  '^^  »<''*t  squnre,  and  as  re.r„lnr!v 
.haped  as  though  eHectcd  by  human  agency,    'columns  of  ice  ?ormed 


KIKG3    COUNTY. 


219 


by  the  infiltration  of  water  from  the  ceiHng  to  the  floor,  resembling 
marble  pillars  neatly  polished,  are  to  be  seen  in  this  apartment  even 
in  the  warmest  of  weather.  Both  of  these  caves  have  many  branches, 
and  are  beautified  with  varied  petrifactions,  stalactites  of  all  shapes, 

Eetrified  bats,  &c.,  &c.  About  50  rods  in  a  NE.  direction  from  the 
!ebee  ruins,  back  of  the  knoll,  is  a  singular  oval-shaped  basin  in  the 
sand,  of  about  7  rods  in  its  greatest  diameter.  It  is  about  100  feet 
in  depth,  and  water  never  remains  in  it  even  during  the  most  rainy 
weather. 

WiLVA,  taken  from  Le  Ray  in  this,  and  Leyden  in  Lewis  county, 
in  1818;  from  Albany,  NW.,  151,  from  Watertown  distant  E.  17 
miles.  The  place  was  settled  by  Irish  and  New  England  emigrants. 
The  Count  Survilliers,  (Joseph  Bonaparte,)  brother  of  the  Emperor 
Napoleon,  purchased  here  80,000  acres  of  land  and  erected  a  large 
mansion.  Carthage,  at  the  head  of  Long  Falls,  on  the  Black  river, 
has  about  75  dwellinfjs.  A  large  quantity  of  iron  is  manufactured 
here.  The  Natural  Bridge,  where  there  is  a  small  settlement,  is  a 
curiosity.  It  is  about  12  feet  wide,  and  6  above  the  water.  Wilna 
and  North  Wilna  are  post-offices.    Pop.  2,583. 


KINGS  COUNTY. 

Kings  county  was  organized  in  1683,  by  an  act  of  the  colonial 
assembly  dividing  the  province,  and  abolishing  the  ridings  which 
previously  existed.  Its  greatest  length  is  12,  and  greatest  breadth  7 
miles.  1  he  county  includes  Coney  and  Barren  islands,  and  all  other 
islands  south  of  the  town  of  Gravesend.  The  surface  on  the  NE. 
for  three  or  four  miles  back  from  the  river  is  hill)'  and  ridgy.  Upon 
the  SE.  a  plain  of  sandy  loam  and  sand  extends  to  the  ocean.  The 
soil  for  the  most  part  is  light,  warm,  and  when  properly  manured, 
fertile.  It  is  g(!nerally  well  im[)roved,  and  supplies  a  large  portion  of 
th(;  vegetables  sold  in  New  York.  The  first  settlement  in  the  county 
Was  made  at  Brooklyn  in  1625.  In  1641,  the  Dutch  government 
j)ormitte(l  some  English  settlers  to  locate  themselves  at  Gravesend. 
All  the  other  towns  of  the  county  appear  to  have  been  settled  by  the 
Dutch.  The  county  courts  were  originally  held  at  the  village  of 
Gravesend ;  they  wen;  removed  in  16H(J  to  Flatbush,  where  they 
Were  held  till  1832.  when  they  were  removed  to  Brooklyn.  The 
county  contains  six  towns.     Pop.  47,613. 

Brooklyn.  This  town,  the  whole  of  which  is  now  included  within 
the  corporation  of  the  city  of  Brooklyn,  lies  upon  the  extreme  western 
part  of  Long  Island,  opposite  the  southern  portion  of  the  city  of  New 
York,  and  .separated  tlierelVom  by  tlie  East  river,  which  is  here  about 
three  (piarters  of  a  niih;  in  width.  Its  length  from  NE.  to  SW,  is 
six,  and  its  greatest  breadth  four  miles ;  giving  an  area  of  9,200 


MO 


KiNan  rnifNTV. 


I  » 


aci'PB,  moHt  of  wliioli  has  boon  nppoitionod  into  city  lots.  "  The  nur- 
tH(!o  id  high,  brokon,  and  stony ;  and  the  moro  olovatud  points  afl'ord 
bemitifiil  and  ronmntic  ■itcB,  rnanv  of  whioh  liavo  been  built  upon, 
and  aro  not  «!xcollod  in  ologanco  by  any  others  in  the  country.  Tho 
soil,  in  common  with  tho  whole  county,  was  originally  claimed  by  tlio 
Canarwu!  Indians,  a  nunierous  tribe  inhabiting  the  more  southern 
parts  of  tho  «M)untv,  «ujd  from  whom  tho  title  to  tho  lands  was  pro- 
cured by  the  Dutch  government. 

"  Thn  nuriir  onnfcrr«(l  «|Hm  thiit  town  by  iho  Diitoh  wwi  Draucklon,  (or  broknn  land ;) 
■nd  in  ihn  net  tor  iliviilititf  thu  pruvitiun  into cuuntiitK  nnil  lowiia,  \mmvd  Novcmbur  I,  IHHA, 
it  in  iiailnd  JhrHclitffn ;  iiur  iIihh)  tlm  prcmmt  appitllntiim  nppitnr  to  h^vo  brnn  ironurally 
Nilitpivil  until  nflor  ilui  n>voliitiun.  M niiy  ch«nt{ON  bavo  diiiibilam  mltcn  plnco  upon  tho 
iihuro,  and  it  iit  bollovod  tlint  (iovdrnor'ii  Inland  waa  i'unnnrl^  nmnoclKd  with  Urd  Hook  piinl. 
It  la  Willi  known  Ibnt  n  abort  ptiriod  ptPvioua  to  tlm  wnroJ  indcpi<nd«nc(),  i^attln  wnro  driven 
aoroaa  what  ia  oalti^d  Hnttnrmilk  ('biiniiol,  now  auiilcivnily  dnop  to  afTurd  paaaage  to  vvaaola 
of  tli«  lar)r<Hit  olaaa.  The  alivraiion  ia  no  doubt  in  gruat  inueaurts  attributable  to  tba  vaat 
wxtnniion  of  tiio  wliarvoa  on  bulb  aidi>a  of  ihn  rivnr,  tliuroby  diverting  tlio  cuurac,  and  in> 
•••I'aainji  tlm  forra  of  tlio  currxnta,  Thn  firat  Kuropaaii  aottlor  in  thia  town  ia  auppoa«d  to 
havo  Iwrn  <}t<or)i«i  Jana^n  da  Ka|M>Ui>,  at  th«  Waalbugbt,  «)r  Waaloona  Bay,  during  tbo  Di. 
iii'iornhip  of  I'liior  Minuit,  undor  th»)  rbartor  of  lh«  Weat  India  ('unipuny.  In  a  fiimily 
roi'oni  in  ibi>  pdMiwion  of  Jcnuniali  Jobnaon,  Kaq.,  it  it  atatod  that  tho  firat  child  of  Rapoljo 
wim  Hi>rnl\,  born  in  KW.'i,  unipioationably  ibt<  flrat  wbim  child  born  upon  Long  iNland. 
Waiw.n  HiiyN  mIii'  wiih  born  on  iln<  Itib  of  Junii,  and  honori'd  tun  tlui  ftrnt.born  child  of  lii« 
l>m«li  m>iilor«j  idmi  timi,  in  ronaidcrnlion  of  aui'h  dialinolion,  and  of  licr  widowhood,  alio 
wan  atixrwnnl  imminti'il  with  a  tract  of  land  at  ilni  Wallubont.  She  waa  twice  niarricii ; 
lirrn  III  Hhuk  Hmim'.Urrjji'n,  by  whom  nbc  \\n<\  »ix  children,  namely,  Michael  lianmi,  Joria 
Manac,  Jun  llnniM,  Jhcob  llannc,  Urcckjc  lliinxc,  and  Maryljo  llHnso.  llor  accond  biia. 
band  wna  'IVuniii  (i<iii,|i)<rlN«>  Hoguri,  by  whom  a\»o  alic  bad  aix  children,  namely,  Aurlic, 
Ange,  Neelje,  Aiilgt\  i'nialynije,  and  Ouyabcrl.  The  uccunnt  of  thia  rcmarkalilo  woman 
in  the  anbivex  of  ilie  Now  York  Ui»ti>ncal  Society  containa  tlio  namca  of  tho  puraona  to 
whom  eleven  of  her  cbildren  were  nuirriud,  and  the  plucea  wbur«<  they  ««'itled.  Tho 
twelnh,  Hn-ckje  lianae.  weni  to  Holland.  In  (he  jonrnal  of  tho  Dutch  Council  in  1050,  it 
ia  rtilaied  that  "  ihn  wiiiow  HnuM  Hanaon,  thu  iirHt.born  Cbriwiian  daughter  in  New  Noilier. 
land*,  Imrdenvd  with  »,yt»n  children,  poiiiiona  for  a  grunt  of  a  piece  of  meadow,  in  addi. 
tjon  to  the  iwenly  morgan  jjrantrd  to  her  at  tbe  Waale.Uoght.'  There  ia  a  tradition  in 
tlio  laniily,  that  tlio  Indian*,  induced  by  tbe  circumaianco  of  her  being  the  firat  while  child 
l»orn  h,>re.  gavo  to  her  father  nnd  bia  brolbron,  tho  oilior  l-Vtnich  who  fidlowed  ihoin,  tho 
laiulii  aitiMconl  to  ihu  buy;  hence  called  (Kuya  Judge  Heliaon)  Iht.n'aalr  Hofiht,  corruplod 
to  II  alhthuit  Kay.  A  lew  ot  the  other  aHaocialcH  of  D-  Rnpe\je  were  l,e  l-^cuyer,  Duryre, 
l.a  Sillier,  Cewhow,  CoiiHcillner,  Muanerol;  tlicBO,  with  minio  cbangea  in  the  mode  <(f  apcll. 
ing,  an.  atill  lound  among  ua.  It  npy^nn  |,y  Uie  Dutch  nM<ord»,  that  in  lb34  a  imrt  of  dm 
land  at  Red  Hrntk  waa  the  property  of  Woulcr  Van  Twiller,  being  one  of  tho  oldcat  titlca 
m  Uie  town.  Tbe  earlioat  deed  for  land  waa  from  (Jovernor  Kiel>  to  Abraham  Rycken,  in 
11.38.  Tbe  ol.lem  grant  r«>oonled  ia  to  Thomaa  Weaker  in  1639.  This  muat  b«  conaidnrod 
B»  Iho  eomniencement  ol  permaneni  Daich  aottlementa  on  Long  lalatid,  and  th«r<.  in  no 
evidence  of  any  direct  and  ayaleniatic  elfortt  being  made  for  tlie  purpoeo  till  thia  period."— 
V'AiHNfNWN'a  Hi»l,  «/'  J.ong  Mand. 

It  stMMns  to  havt>  iKH^n  enjoined  ujhjm  the  overseers  and  constables 
to  admonish  the  inhabitants  to  instruct  their  t-hiUlren  and  servantn  in 
multns  of  ivligii»n,  and  in  tbe  laws  of  tho  country.  Tbe  inhubitiints 
at  fust  iittendetl  tlivine  Wt)rsbip  at  New  Amstertlam,  (New  York,) 
and  at  Flatlnish.  In  lflf>9,  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  applied  to 
Uov.  Stuyvosnnt  for  prmission  to  cull  a  minister  for  their  congrega- 
tion. This  ixHiutvxt  was  granted,  and  the  Rev.  Henry  Soliuus,  btiing 
approved  by  th«»  dassis  of  Amstenlam,  was  sent  ovt-r  fmiu  Holland, 
and  installed  tluir  pastttr  in  l(HU).  The  fir.vt  Hutch  church  was  built 
in  lOOtl,  and  sIoimI  alwut  lorly  years;  when  aiiotiicr  was  erected  ou 


riie  Hur- 
tH  aflurd 
It  upon, 
y.    Tho 

I  by  tlio 
louthcrn 
vus  pru- 

(«n  land;) 

ar  1,  ima, 

gnnurally 

upon  tho 

look  point. 

to  VUMICIS 

lo  ih«  vbrI 
M),  and  in< 
ip|ioii«d  ta 
<xif  thu  Di> 
n  n  fiimily 

Iff  iNlniul. 
lild  ot°  thn 
'hood,  iihe 
nmrrjod ; 
innv,  Joris 
coiid  hill, 
y,  Aiirtio, 
lo  Wdiiinii 
|it'r*oim  to 
<ul.  'I'ho 
n  IU5(i,  it 
y  Nolhor. 
,  in  nddi. 
idition  in 
him  child 
ihun),  tho 
corriiplcd 
,  Diiryro, 

II  oImiu'II. 
«rt  oi'  tho 
ilom  titli'a 
yokon,  in 
onwidnrpd 
WTv  \»  no 
eriod." — 


istnblos 
uniH  in 
ibitantti 
York,) 
lied  to 

,  being 
Holland, 
IK  built 
:tcd  on 


J  i 


H 


1 


y' 

U4 


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is 
H 


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ri 

II. 

Q 
I 

k 


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11 

?! 

P 


f 
^ 


KINOn    COIINTV. 


2'.'! 


i-^ 


4 

i 

,♦( 

o 

H 

.^  ,*! 
8  a* 

a  '"■• 


tli«  Niuijo  H|»()i,  whir-li  wjiM  tiikwn  «l<)wn  in  IN  10,  and  u  n«w  nnd  Hiii)- 
Ntiiiitiul  oiHi  hiiilt  ill  Jijritloiiioii  Hlmit ;  tliiH  liiHt  Suh  «iv«!u  jiluco  to  a 
jiKU't!  N|il(!ii<li(J  odilico  <iu  jioiuiy  thuHiitiui  nito.  lit  lOpiHcomd  Hocinty 
vx\hUmI  III  lliiH  1.»wii  UN  (sarly  uh  17(W.  In  HUfl,  Nt.  Anii'w  church  wuh 
u(u:ii|.ird  lur  thi!  hiNt  tiiiu).  Thn  TirHt  MoUiodint  church  wuh  incor- 
jK.iui.id  III  171M;  tho  lirHt  PrcMhytcrian  in  1H22;  the  hint  llupllNl  in 
llio  liiNt  (Jiithohc  ill  IH^a  ;  mid  the  (irHt  coii|^'i(!«iili(>nal  in  IHyu. 
liiNt  printiiiL'  picsH  «iHliihliHhed  in  thin  t.»wn,  was  liy  ThomuH 
Kirk,  III  I7UI>,  who  issued  u  nowHpapcr,  cntithid  the  *' Courier,  and 
I\t'iv  1  ork  Olid  htiiff  htniid  Adiurlistir,"  which  continuod  four  yrnirs. 
i  ht(  (irHt  iiiiniher  o|"  the  •'  l.oii^  iHhuid  Star"  wiw  uIho  iHHUod  by  Mr. 
Kiik,  in  1N0)». 

The  nil ».st  compact  part  (if  IJnioklyn  wuh  incorporatcid  into  a  village 
in  INHI,  vvhicli,  althouuh  much  opposed  hy  a  portion  of  the  popula- 
tion, L'ave  a  now  impulse!  to  tlie  spirit  of  improv(!meiit,  which  has  re- 
sulted in  raising  it  to  ho  the  secoiiv!  city  in  point  of  population  in  the 
Nlufe  of  New  York.  In  April,  IHJM,  tins  whole  t«iiritory  of  the  town 
was  incorporated  under  the  i^|^>  of  the  "('ity  of  Brooklyn,"  It  is 
divided  into  I)  wanls ;  the  |><4Hp  <>f  tl"'  c«irporati(jii  are  vested  in  a 
mayor,  and  a  hoani  of  aldermT^composcid  of  two  elected  from  eacdi 
ward.  Brooklyn  contains  liH  chur<rh(!s,  viz :  ((  lOniscopalian,  2  ihiU-.h 
Kelormed,  7  I'reshyterian,  2  Baptist,  4  Kpis(;opal  Methodist,  1  Cen- 
tenary Hpiscopiil  Methodist,  1  JVimitivo  Methodist,  1  Wesluyun 
Methodist,  y  Roman  Catholic,  I  Unitarian  Congregational  (Jhundi, 
ami  I  l-'ricnds  Mecfting-housc.  Population  in  1H20,  7,17.5;  in  ISaS, 
10,71)0;  in  1830,  16,304;  in  1836,  a6,3l!i;  in  1840,  30.233. 


II 


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^1 


a 

a 
P 

.1) 


(5 


Northern  view  of  the  Navy-yard  at  Brooklyn. 

The  ahovo  shows  the  appearance  of  the  buildings,  shipping,  &c., 
at  the  navv-yard,  at  Brooklyn,  as  scon  from  Corlear's  Hook.  The 
I'liitcd  States  possess  about  torty  acres  at  this  spot,  including  the  old 
mill-pond.  Here  have  been  crect(>d  a  spacious  navy-yard,  public 
stores,  machine  shojis,  and  two  immense  e(li(ic<!S,  in  which  the  largest 
ships  are  proteetc<l  from  the  weather,  while  building.  On  the  east 
side  of  the  Walhihout  bay,  opposite  th('  navy-ynrd,  stands  the  L'.  S. 
Naval  Hospital,  a  maginhccnt  structure.      The  Wallabout  is  rcn- 


i  I 


S22 


KINGS   COUNTY. 


dered  memorable  in  the  revolutionary  period,  from  having  been  the 
scene  of  the  hea,rt.rendmg  sufferings  of  many  thousand  American 
prisoners  confined  m  the  prison  ships  stationed  in  the  bay  The  fol- 
owmg^  re  atmg  to  these  vessels,  communicated  to  the  editor  of 
the  "Naval  Magazine,"  m  1836,  was  written  by  Jeremiah  Johnson, 
±.sq.,  of  Brooklyn,  a  gentleman  who  has  filled  many  public  offices  in 
inis  place.  ' 

1.k"^'!i^  '"''•'Tu  **'"*^,  "^""^  Prisonere,  and  of  the  British  prison  ships  stationed  at  the  Wal 
laboutdunng  the  revolution,  is  one  which  cannot  be  passed  by  in  silence  From  printed 
journals  published  m  New  York  at  ,he  close  of  the  war,  it  a JpTar^  Zt  ;ievenThou8and 
five  hundred  Amencan  pnsoners  had  died  on  board  the  prison  ^ips.  Although  Se  num 
bar  IS  very  great.  suU  if  the  number  who  perished  had  been  less,  the  coVnmiseanr  of  n«™l 
pnsoners  Dav.d  Sprout.  Esq    and  his  deputy,  had  it  in  theirTowS,  by  anTS  retZ 

in  the  United  States.    This  man  returned  to  America  alter  the  war  and  resided  in  Pliil« 

on't'ZiZ^"  '' f  •  ,"^^°"'''  ""V'"'^?  '"''="  '«"-«"«  "f  the^t^ement  Sliced  tie' 
on  this  interestmg  subject.    We  may  therefore  infer,  that  about  that  number  perished  ,n 

in  Uie  Waj'Sm  ^^u'"  '"'"'P""'  T""'^  '.''^  ^^'"'^^  ^"^  '»»«  «"'  P^son  shfp  anchored 
177«     V  ^i'^  ^'^,  """"^'^  "•="  'Remsen's  Mill,'  about  the  20th  of  October 

vpl!i!'"h  ""^  crowded  with  pnsoners.    Manxlandsmen  were  prisoners  on  board  this 
vessel;  she  was  said    o  bo  the  most  sickly  o|tt|he  prison  ships.    Bad  provisions  bad 
water,  and  scanted  rations  were  dealt  to  the  pHT.    No  medical  men  at.e'^dld  the  sick 
D^ease  reigned  unrelieved,  and  hundreds  diedliE^  pestilence,  or  were  starved,  on  bomi 
J.8  floating  prison     I  saw  the  sand-beach  between  a  ravine  in'  the  hill  and  Mr.  Remse^s 
dock  become  filled  with  graves  in  the  coui^e  of  two  months;  and  before  the  1st  of  May! 
1777,  the  ravine  alluded  to  was  itself  occupied  in  the  same  way.     In  the  month  of  May  of 
that  year  two  large  ships  were  anchored  in  the  Wnllabout,  when  the  prisoners  were  trans, 
feired  from  the  Whitby  to  them.    These  vessels  were  al^o  very  srckirfrom  The  causM 
betore  stated.    Although  many  prisoners  were  sent  on  board  of  them,  and  were  exchanged 
death  made  room  for  all.    On  a  Sunday  afternoon,  about  the  middle  of  October.  1777  one 
of  the  prison  ships  was  burnt ;  the  prisoners,  except  a  few.  who.  it  was  said,  were  burnt  in 
the  ve^el   were  reinoved  to  the  remaining  ship.    It  was  reported  at  the  time  that  the  pri 
soners  had  fired  their  prison ;  whi^h,  if  true,  proves  that  they  preferred  death,  even  by  fire 
to  the  lingering  sufferings  of  pesalence  and  starvation.     In  the  month  of  February  1778* 
the  remaining  prison  ship  was  burnt  at  night;  when  the  prisoners  were  removed  from  her 
to  the  ships  then  wintcnng  in  the  Wallabout.     In  the  month  of  April.  1778,  the  Old  Jersey 
was  moored  in  the  Wallabout.  and  all  the  prisoners  (except  the  sick)  were  t^nsTe^eT  to 
her.    The  sick  were  carried  to  two  hospital  ships,  named  the  Hope  and  Falmoutli,  anchor, 
^n  r^w^n  V*"'  about  two  hundred  yards  ea«t  from  the  Jeraey.     These  ships  remair^ed 
.n  the  Wallabout  untU  New  York  was  evacuated  by  the  British.    The  Jersey  wMTCre. 
ceiving-ship-the  others,  truly,  the  sMp»  of  Death  !     It  has  been  generally  thought  that  M 
the  prisone,^  died  on  board  of  the  Je^ey.    This  is  not  true ;  many  may  have  died  on  board 
of  her  who  were  not  reported  as  sick  :  but  all  the  men  who  were  placed  on  the  sick  list 

rnU;rSir"4it!'''''  -""''^  '^""'  -'"'''  *''^  ^^^  "«"«"^  '«''-•  --^  -p  ^  - 

"After  the  hospital  ships  were  brought  into  the  Wallabout,  it  was  reported  that  the  sick 
were  attended  by  physicians ;  few.  very  few.  however,  recovered.  It  was  no  unconiiuon 
thing  to  see  five  or  SIX  dead  bodies  brought  on  shore  in  a  single  morning;  when  a  small 
excavation  would  be  made  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  the  bodies  be  cast  in.  and  a  man  wTa 
shovel  would  cover  them  by  shovelling  sand  down  the  hill  upon  them.  Many  were  buried 
in  a  ravine  on  the  hill ;  some  on  the  farm.  The  whole  shore  from  Rennic's  Point  to  Mr 
Itemsen's  dock.yard  was  a  place  of  graves;  aa  were  also  the  slope  of  the  hill  near  the 
House,  the  sh.ire  from  Mr.  Remsen's  barn  along  the  mill.pond  to  Rapolje's  farm  and  the 
Bandy  island,  between  the  flood-gates  and  the  mill-dam;  while  a  few  were  buried  on  the 
shore,  the  euBt  side  of  (he  Wallabout.  Thus  did  Death  reiifn  here,  from  1776  unn"  the 
peace.  I  he  wlioe  Wallabout  was  a  sickly  place  during  the  war.  The  atmosphere  seemed 
to  bo  charged  with  foul  air  from  the  prison  ships,  and  with  the  effluvia  of  the  dead  bodies 
washed  out  of  tJiwr  graves  by  the  tides.  We  have  ourselves  examined  many  of  tlie  akulla 
ying  on  the  shore ;  from  the  teeth,  they  appear  to  be  the  remains  of  men  in  the  prime  of 
Me.  A  singularly  during  and  Nureessliil  escape  was  effected  from  the  Jersey  about  4  o'clock 
one  alternoon.  m  December,  1780.    The  best  boat  of  the  ship  had  returned  from  New 


KINGS   COUNTY. 


223 


Zti'ZZ  ^fJ'^^JH^^  "*  the  gangway,  with  the  oara  on  board.    It  was  atormy ;  the  wind 

The  following  additional  account  of  the  sufferings  of  these  unfortu- 
nate men  was  obtained  from  the  prisoners,  ani  puWished  in  Yhe 
Connecticut  Journal  of  Jan.  30.  uk    It  is  painfu^minute  in t 

"  As  soon  as  they  were  taken  they  were  robbed  of  all  their  bae- 
S.?1H  K  'f^^^'^f  '"""^y  they  had,  though  it  were  of  paper  and 
kn^l  h?\f  "^/^^^"?g«  to  the  enemy,  of  their  silver  shoe-buckles, 
knee-buckles,  &c  and  many  were  stripped  almost  naked  of  thef; 
clothes.  Especially  those  who  had  good  clothes,  were  strinDed  at 
once,  being  told  that  such  clothes  were  too  good  for  7Zh  iZs  de 
tCfinl'S  «l«*hes  and  baggage,  they  wor/  unable  to  shift  even 
their  hnen,  and  were  obliged  ti^ear  the  same  shirts  for  even  three 
or  four  months  together,  whelly  they  became  extremely  nasty  and 

"After  they  were  taken,  they  were  in  the  first  place  put  on  board 
the  ships  and  thrust  down  into  the  hold  where  not  a  breath  of  fresh 
air  could  be  obtained,  and  they  were  nearly  suffocated  for  wanTof 
air.  I'articularly  some  who  were  taken  at  Fort  Washington,  were 
first  in  this  manner  thrust  down  into  the  holds  of  vessels  in?uch  ^um! 
bers  that  even  m  the  cold  season  of  November,  they  could  scarceTy 
bear  any  clothes  on  them,  being  kept  in  a  constant  sweat.  Yet  S 
same  persons,  after  lying  m  this  situation  awhile,  till  the  pores  of  their 
bodies  were  as  perfectly  opened  as  possible,  were  of  a  sudden  taken 
put  and  put  into  some  of  the  churches  in  New  York,  without  cover" 

iKidrS"^''':-^*^'^'^  '^'^  '"^'"'^  ««  muchly  ?hecdd  as 
nn/thl   ^     ^  ''^''^^'"^  Stagnation  of  the  air  in  the  other  situation ; 
and  the  consequence  was,  that  they  took  such  colds  as  brought  on  the 
most  fatal  diseases  and  swept  them  off  almost  beyond  conception 
"Besides  these  things,  they  suffered  extremely  for  wan"  of"  pro;is. 

and  four  our.r'?''^P'''''"t'*  ^"u'^"^^  ^^^^  ^  P«»nd  ofVeTd 
much  cut  sl?nrt  ^^Fu'^  P"'  ^-^y'  ^!!'  ^^  '^^'  Pitt'^nce  they  were 
enough  for  one  day ;  and  in  some  instances,  they  went  for  three  days 
without  a  single  mouthful  of  food  of  any  s^rt.  They  were  pTnS 
to  tha   degree  that  some  on  board  the  ships  would  picTup  and  eal 

Z  brm  wS  t^^'^fu'''  ^'  ''■''''''^  '^«»-«'  othe^is  gathered  up 
Ind  filth  Z^  '  fe'^*^"""  r'.''''"^'  ""'^  ^t«  that,  mixed  with  dirt 
S?ev  J  d  lluLft     ^^'  "^"^  ''"',  ^"'  ^""'^  *he  bread  and  pork  which 

w'Jmade  om  nfZ  ""l"  """"''Ti^  ^''^^  ^^^^  ^^e  bread,  some  of  it, 
was  made  out  of  the  bran  which  they  brought  over  to  feed  their 
hghthorsc,  and  the  rest  of  it  was  so  muddy  Ind  the  pork  so  damni- 
fied, being  so  soaked  in  bilge  water  in  the  transportation  from  Euro^ 


8S4 


KtNGS   COUNTY. 


that  they  were  not  fit  to  be  eaten  by  human  creatures;  and  when 
they  were  eaten,  were  very  unwholesome.  Such  bread  and  pork  as 
they  would  not  pretend  to  give  to  their  own  countrymen,  theV  gave 
to  our  poor,  sick,  dymg  prisoners.  ^ 

"Nor  were  they  in  this  doleful  situation  allowed  a  sufficiency  of 
wa  er.  One  would  have  thought  that  water  was  so  cheap  and  plen- 
tiful  an  element,  that  they  would  not  have  grudged  them  that  But 
there  are  It  seems  no  bounds  to  their  cruelty.  T'he  water  allowed 
them,  was  so  brackish  and  withal  nasty,  that  they  could  not  drink  it, 
till  reduced  to  extremity.  Nor  did  they  let  them  have  a  sufficiency 
even  of  such  water  as  this.  ' 

"  y^^/^  winter  came  on,  our  poor  people  suffered  extremely  for 
want  of  fire  and  clothes  to  keep  them  warm.  They  were  confined 
m  churches  where  there  were  no  fireplaces,  that  they  could  make 
hres  even  if  they  had  wood.  But  wood  was  only  allowed  them  lor 
cooking  their  pittance  of  victuals ;  and  for  that  purpose  very  spar- 
mgly  They  had  none  to  keep  them  warm  even  in  the  cxtremest  of 
weather,  although  they  were  almost^ked,  and  the  few  clothes  that 
were  left  them  were  their  summer  Wthes.  Nor  had  they  a  single 
blanket  or  any  bedding,  not  even  straw  allowed  them  till  a  little  be- 
fore Christmas. 

"At  the  time  that  those  were  taken  on  Long  Island,  a  considerable 
part  of  them  were  sick  of  the  dysentery,  and,  with  this  distemper  on 
them,  were  first  crowded  on  board  of  ships,  afterward  in  the  church- 
es m  New  York,  three,  four,  or  five  hundred  together,  without  any 
blankets,  or  any  thing  for  even  the  sick  to  lie  upon,  but  the  bare  floors 
or  pavements.    In  this  situation  that  contagious  distemper  soon  com- 
municated from  the  sick  to  the  well,  and  who  would  probably  have 
remained  so,  had  they  not  in  this  manner  been  thrust  in  together 
without  regard  to  sick  or  well,  or  to  the  sultry,  unwholesome  season. 
It  bemg  then  the  heat  of  summer.     Of  this  distemper  numbers  died 
daily,  and  many  others,  by  their  confinement  and  the  sultry  season 
contracted  fevers  and  died  of  them.    During  their  sickness,  with  these 
and  other  diseases,  they  had  no  medicines,  nothing  soothing  or  com- 
lortable  for  sick  people,  and  were  not  so  much  as  visited  by  the  nhv- 
sician  by  the  month  together.  ^  ^ 

"  Nor  ought  we  to  omit  the  insults  which  the  humane  Britons 
ottered  to  our  people,  nor  the  artifices  which  they  used  to  enlist  them 
m  their  service  and  fight  against  their  country.  It  seems  that  one 
end  ol  their  starving  our  people  was  to  bring  them,  by  dint  of  necessi- 
ty, to  turn  rebels  to  their  own  country,  their  own  consciences,  and 
their  GroD.  For  while  thus  famishing,  they  would  come  and  say  to 
them,  'This  is  the  just  punishment  of  your  rebellion.  Nay,  you  are 
^  treated  too  well  for  rebels ;  you  have  not  yet  received  half  you  de- 
serve or  halt  you  shall  receive.  But  if  you  will  enlist  into  His 
Majesty  s  service,  you  shall  have  victuals  and  clothes  enough.' 

"  As  to  insults,  the  British  officers,  besides  continually  cursing  and 
swearing  at  them  as  rebels,  often  threatened  to  hang  them  all?  and 
at  a  particular  time,  ordered  a  number,  each  man  to  choose  his  halter 


KINGS   COUNTY. 


385 


out  of  a  parcel  offered,  wherewith  to  be  hanged ;  and  even  went  so 
far  as  to  cause  a  gallows  to  be  erected  before  the  prison,  as  if  they 
were  immediately  to  be  executed.  They  further  threatened  to  send 
them  all  into  the  East  Indies,  and  sell  them  there  for  slaves.  In  these, 
and  numberless  other  ways,  did  the  British  officers  seem  to  rack  their 
inventions,  to  insult,  terrify,  and  vex  the  poor  prisoners.  The  mean- 
est upstart  officers  among  them  would  insult  and  abuse  our  colonels 
and  chief  officers. 

"  In  this  situation,  without  clothes,  without  victuals  or  drink,  and 
even  water,  or  with  those  which  were  base  and  unwholesome,  with- 
out fire,  a  number  of  them  sick,  first  with  a  contagious  and  nauseous 
distemper ;  these  with  others  crowded  by  hundreds  into  close  con- 
finement, at  the  most  unwholesome  season  of  the  year,  and  continued 
there  for  four  months  without  blankets,  bedding  or  straw ;  without 
linen  to  shift  or  clothes  to  cover  their  bodies  ; — no  wonder  they  all 
became  sickly,  and  having  at  the  same  time  no  medicine,  no  help  of 
physicians,  nothing  to  refresh  or  support  nature,  died  by  scores  in  a 
night ;  and  those  who  were  sq^r  gone  as  to  be  unable  to  help  them- 
selves, the  workings  of  their  distemper  passing  through  them  as  they 
lay,  could  not  be  cleansed  for  want  of  change  of  clothes.  So  that 
many  lay  for  six,  seven,  or  eight  days,  in  all  the  filth  of  nature  and  of 
dysentery,  till  Death,  more  kind  than  Britons,  put  an  end  to  their 
misery. 

"  By  these  means  and  in  this  way,  above  1,500  brave  Americans, 
who  had  nobly  gone  forth  in  defence  of  their  injured,  oppressed  coun- 
try, but  whom  the  chance  of  war  had  cast  into  the  hands  of  our  ene- 
mies, died  in  New  York ;  many  of  whom  were  very  amiable,  prom- 
ising youths  of  good  families,  the  very  flower  of  our  land.  And  of 
those  who  lived  to  come  out  of  prison,  the  greater  part,  as  far  as  I 
can  learn,  are  dead  and  dying.  Their  constitutions  are  broken,  the 
stamina  of  nature  worn  out,  they  cannot  recover,  they  die.  Even 
the  few  that  might  have  survived,  are  dying  of  the  small-pox .  For 
it  seems  that  our  enemies  determined  that  even  these,  whom  a  good 
constitution  and  a  kind  Providence  had  carried  through  unexampled 
sufferings,  should  not  at  last  escape  death,  just  before  their  release 
from  imprisonment  infected  them  with  that  fatal  distemper. 

"To  these  circumstances,  I  shall  subjoin  the  manner  in  which  they 
buried  those  of  our  people  who  died.  They  dragged  them  out  of 
their  prisons  by  one  leg  or  one  arm,  piled  them  up  without  doors, 
there  let  them  lie  till  a  sufficient  number  were  dead  to  make  a  cart 
load ;  then  loaded  them  up  in  a  cart,  drove  the  cart  thus  loaded  out 
to  the  ditches  made  by  our  people,  when  fortifying  New  York ;  tnera 
they  would  tip  the  cart,  tumble  the  corpses  together  into  the  ditch ; 
and  afterward  slightly  cover  them  with  earth. 

" While  our  poor  prisoners  have  been  thus  treated  by 

our  foes,  the  prisoners  we  nave  taken  have  enjoyed  the  liberty  of 
walking  and  riding  about  within  large  limits,  at  their  pleasure  :  have 
been  fully  supplied  with  every  necessary,  and  have  even  lived  on  the 
fat  of  the  land ;  so  none  have  been  so  well  fed,  so  healthy,  so  plump, 

29 


% 


236 


KINGS    COUNTy. 


and  SO  merry  as  thcv.    And  this  generous  treatment  it  is  said  they 
could  not  but  remember.     For  when  they  were  returned,  in  the  ex- 
change of  prisoners,  and  saw  the  miserable,  famished,  dying  state  of  ' 
our  prisoners,  conscious  of  the  treatment  they  liad  received    they 
could  not  refrain  from  tears."  ' 

In  1808,  a  tomb  was  erected  to  the  memory  of  these  martyrs  to 
liberty,  on  the  corner  of  Jackson-street,  nearly  opposite  the  end  of 
I'  ront-stroet,  m  the  vicinity  of  the  navy-yard.  Thirteen  colHns  were 
tilled  with  their  bleached  bones,  and  interred  in  it  with  great  venera- 
tion and  respect.  There  was  a  grand  civic  and  military  procession 
on  the  occasion,  at  which  fifteen  thousand  persons  arc  said  to  have 
been  present.  "The  tomb  is  a  small  square  frame  building,  sur- 
mounted by  an  eagle  on  the  point  of  the  roof;  the  interior  is  an  ante- 
chamber to  the  vault  Ixiueath,  in  which  the  c(j|fins  are  deposited ; 
there  is  a  row  of  posts  and  rails  in  front  of  the  tomb,  on  which  the 
names  of  the  13  original  states  of  the  Union  are  inscribed;  the  area 
around  the  tomb  is  enclosed  by  a  rail  fence,  over  the  entrance  of 
which  IS  the  following  inscription:  'J*ortnl  to  the  Tomb  of  U,500 
I'atriot  Prisoners,  who  died  in  dun^ons  and  prison  ships,  in  and 
about  the  city  of  New  York  durinfr  the  revolution:  " 

The  following  account  of  the  blowing  up  of  the  steam-frigate  Ful- 
ton at  the  navy-yard  in  this  place,  June  4th,  1829,  was  written  on 
the  morning  aftor  the  explosion : 

«,i'.Z'TZ"i!?^*"'^  ""*.'  "'"^ '''«  ^i^  '"^•'n  occupied  08  n  rocniving  ship,  and  wan  moorrd 

r„i^i?n„7-.  r  ^"'c^''^  '^"^  ''^""^-  '^•"'  '""8"i"°  ^"«  i"  'ho  bow  „f  thr  .hip.  and 
(ontained  at  t h„  ,m«  of  the  explosion  but  ihrfc  barrrla  of  da.imKcd  powd.r.    The  explo. 

r«.n  Th  ""■  "'"■"  """  P""''"^"''  ^y  •''«  'Ji»«l'«'K"  of  a  mnglo  cannon;  and  many 
pcwona  in  the  navy-yard  Hupp,«,i.d  the  report  to  have  proceeded  from  BU.h  n  sonrre.  until 
they  Raw  the  imnienHe  column  of  smoke  arining  fron.  the  vckhcI.  Other,  about  the  van! 
fiuL  with  f!L  ""'T  '?'."'"  "''  ''"'■"'''  "'"  ""P''**"".  «'>d  inmtodintely  afur.  the  air  w.. 
wi  .Ttt^.      .  .."    "'"m*^"'-   ,''''"""  "  ""'«  '<^"n»rkoble,  that  a  midHhipman  who 

^T  i77    ^  ^  ^    occurrence,  u„,il  ho  was  told  of  it  after  he  awoke. 

wbnh^If  ^     '"  "  "  '"""'''"?  ""T^  '•  '*'"  '"'^  •"•'"«  d"«<r->y«-'l  nearly  to  the  water,  and  the 
whole  of  tl,.  numenae  ve«H.|   whoHe  „id.«  were  more  that,  four  feet  thick,  and  all  other 
ZT,  "f  ;^"'-f'^''l»""l";«."»"K"->H  now  lyin,  an  entire  heap  of  ruins.  bur«l  nHundcr  in  al 
par^  and  aground  at  the  Hpot  whore  ,he  w»,  moored.     Although  .he  waa  but  200  yaHa 
^^.m  the  mivy-yard   and  many  venae  «  near  her.  ,„,t  .me  of  them  received  the  lea«t  dam. 

Ultel  upon  the  bridge  rece.ve.l  no  wound  whatever,  and  continued  to  perform  Iuh  duty  after 
Ihin  Z  uJ:  T  :""••;■"'""';'•  *"•  <t'o;"Bl..n..ll.i..«  Imd  h„ppened.  The  Henlitu-I  on  boar.!  the 
Hhpwa.les.jorlunate.and  e.caped  w.lh  merely  (a  light  accident  on  such  .K-ca.ion.)  « 

ot^  he  t,m,.  .,(  the  explo..on,  there  were  .upp,M.ed  t..  have  been  on  b..urd  the  vchhcI  about 
Bixty  person.. 

"It  hMp|H.Me,l  f„rti;nntely  that  sixty.two  mm,  formerly  attached  to  the  frigate,  were  drafted 
r„^,  ,  J^""'  ""  '""'  ••^'l^T'*"*'  "'  Norfolk  to  f„nn  ,mri  of  the  crew  of  the  frigate  C.onatcl. 
la tion,  then  ,.„  ,1,..  ,.ve  ol  departure  (or  a  foreign  Htui.on.    The  band,  17  in  number,  were 

^n  „~  .  1  ."  i"'  T'"''""'  *■""  '"•'•'"•'Vr'*  ^y  ■'"'  K"nn^f»  go'ng  into  the  magazine 
T,LZT^^  '  ."  ^''  ""'  r""""^  «"'"•     ""  *""  ••'"•^K"'*  W  one  of  the  office!;  pre. 

Z^l  T}rA""'«  '"•'"*'  '",''«•  •■•"'•"'.•  «"«'  ■»<"'  •Iter,  the  expl.-ion  took  place.  We  un. 
«tT.ri  .  .?  »~^"  •",""",  «"*•'«■»  hlty  and  *.xty  yen.  of  age.  and  hadju.t  been  ap. 
S  K    1  """"',;  ''',''  ""''  r"""  ''•^"'«  '"•'"  ''i"'-l"'W'l  'he  dhy  before.     He  was  dc. 

^on  .«LI:'ki  """'  iT>'"""''«''  '^  i*  '"'"''°"*'  ""'h  "'«'  ''^ht.  and  to  place  ,i  in  the  loca. 
uon  m/Mi.bly  provided  for  it,  on  luch  oceaiiom.  vii.  behind  •  rerieetmg  glaae  in  the  parti- 


m 


KINGS    COUNTY. 


227 


•ft* 


^hl'n«  W  . '  •'*  u^'^  "'  "«■"  "'^  ^l""^"-  I'  «  '•"PPO«'«J  he  had  been  carelea.  in 
A.8  particular,  and  tlmt  having  carried  the  candle  into  tI.eTmgazinc.  some  onriXk^ 
were  communicated  to  the  powder:  but  as  he  ia  among  the  dead,  no  hTngcertain  on  thS 
point  can  ever  be  known.  Lieutenant  Mull  .tate«,  that  the  neceaaL^precauaonTKad  been■ 
S  ^hS  ^T/T  "■"  "^r"'"";  ""^  "  •"""""'  P'"*^''*'  »'  'he  hatch  beLe  he  left  die  deck 

"  A  hf  H  .„""AL"  '"'  r"^  ™r  ^r"  '^""'y  •"'""'«"  'he  exploaion  took  place. 
Lirntnln,  Hr  I,  •  ?  ^^P'":;"'"'  ""'  "'5'=^"'  ^"^  '''"'"g  '"  'h«  ward  room.  The  lady  of 
Lieutenant  Brcckenndgc,  and  the  son  of  Lieutenant  Plntt,  a  lad  about  nine  years  old  were 
guc-Htj,  and  one  account  says  both  were  slightly  wounded.'  Another  account^ay^ltrt^n! 
crLth:,M  r  r  *"T«,  '""i  V"  "^^  *""  "^  Lieutenant  Piatt,  with  great  prese/ce  of  m^S. 
caught  hold  of  him  and  placed  hmi  in  one  of  the  port-holes,  by  which  meanH  he  estZed 

St'leavr'lltnSr  ^^'^'■"•"^'l  ""'y  T """"y  '""'^i  *»^"^  "ee"  absent  Sne 
nn      ft  ^  ■    *f'"'"".'l"fe  Chauncey.  with  the  commander  of  the  frigate.  Captain  New. 

1  liJ'of  fn'sjSon       '"'""'"  ''''°"  '^'  «xplo«on-.he  former  having  been  on  boardTn 

Coln^nHnrrrh  "'^  '^^''^«'''''"""'  ^ckford  Seems  to  have  been  almost  miraculous.  When 
Commodore  Chauncey  (who  wa«  one  o«  the  fitat  to  reach  the  vessel)  got  on  board,  the  fiist 
object  he  «awwa«  young  Eckford  hanging  by  one  of  his  legs  between  the  gun-deck  whither 

If  wihZri^  ^'^  ""  "?'"'"."!'•  ^  J'"^''-''"^^  w"»  immediately  procured,  by  means 
of  which  the  deck  wna  raised  and  he  was  extricated  from  his  perilous  situation. 

I  lie  room  in  which  the  officers  were  dining  was  situated  about  midships.     The  whole 

aa  to  break  their  limbs,  and  otherwise  cut  and  bruise  them  in  a  shocking  manner. 

n.c  magazine  was  situated  in  the  bows  of  the  vessel.     This  part  of  the  shin  as  mav 
well  be  ,magined,  is  completely  demolished.     Indeed  the  ship  remains  aL  compete  "o  3 

as  i"weL  tyXir  "verboard.  and  some  of  them  (of  large  dimenaions)  hung 

woiilIl''oeSt'''  T.."'f  '^""^  "f  T''"^'"^  "^"^  ''';°"«'"  ""  "*"'«' ««  """n  «-  circumstances 
car  id  to  r  ■  1.  TT'  "^"''  ''•'"?  '«'»Kni8ed,  were  put  into  coffins.    The  latter  were 

earned   ,.  the  h,  h,„  ul  o    the  navy  .yard  and  every  attention  paid  to  them.     The  bodies  of 

l?;id1S^rXte";S.!'''  '''"  ^""'"'^"  ''-''"''''  '">'^— hblacken^JlZf 
th„"iinr"""'°"'  ^haiincey  and  tlie  officers  of  the  station  were  on  board  the  wreck,  after 
tl^ke  1  "r*  tf^'/'K-hrections  to  remove  the  scattered  timber,  in  order  that  a  search  migh 
ake  place  for  such  bodu-s  as  might  be  buried  in  the  ruins.    The  tide  being  at  the  ebb   Sn 
...nse  quantities  of  the  fragmetits  of  the  ship  floated  down  in  front  of  the  ci^  and  hun 
dreds,^  small  boats  were  seen  busily  engaged  in  securing  thcni.  ^'  "" 

thn  w!  'fl'"  "  ""''  "■""''!'f''l''  circumstance,  although  several  of  the  persons  at  dinner  in 
tihl«     U  ""''''"■;    u"'  """■  '"''"•  "'"'  "«"'«  "f  'hem  uninjured,  not  a  vestige  of  th" 

table,  chairs,  or  any  of  the  furniture  in  the  room  remains.   Every'  ihin^  was  blown'lo  atom." 

"The  Fulton  was  built  with  two  kcols,  or  rather  was  in  fact  two 
boats,  joint'd  together  by  the  upper  works.  The  sides  were  of  im- 
mense thickness,  and  the  whole  frame  was,  when  built,  probably  the 
strongest  of  the  kmd  ('ver  constructed.  But  the  timbers  had  now  be- 
conie  very  rotten,  and  the  whole  hulk  was,  ns  it  were,  kept  together 
by  Its  own  weight.  It  is  suppost^d  that  the  rotten  state  oAhe  vessel, 
making  her  timbers  give  way  easily,  rendered  the  destru(;tion  greater 
than  It  she  had  been  new  and  sound. 

"Midshipman  Kckford  was  standing  in  the  starboard  gangway, and 
was  .strangely  tumbled  to  the  inside,  instead  of  being  blown  out  upon 
the  platform.  He  was  then  caught  under  one  of  tlie  beams,  where 
he  hung  last  by  one  leg. 

"  While  he  hung  in  this  painful  condition,  not  a  groan,  nor  a  com- 
P  amt,  nor  a  word  ol  sup|)lieation  esca|>e.l  him.  His  ehtH'k  was  un- 
blaiH-h,.d,  nn.l  bis  features  composed,  while  he  held  on  to  the  beam 
with  his  arms  to  keep  his  head  up. 

"  Attemiits  were  made  to  raise  the  beam,  but  there  was  such  a  mass 


,.  ■ 1,1,     IX  Illll,  will  llicil 

o!  materials  above,  that  no  muscular  force  coul.i 


rtljki.'rk    i# 


^^ 


228 


KINGS    COUNTY. 


emergency,  Commodore  Chauncey,  wifn  great  oromptness,  ordered 
the  jack-screw  to  be  brought  from  the  shore.  'This  took  time,  and  it 
was  not  then  the  work  of  a  moment  to  apply  it,  and  bring  it  inio  ac- 
tion. An  hour  went  by,  ere  the  youth  was  extricated  ;  and  yet  not  a 
single  murmur  of  impatience  was  heard  from  his  lips.  His  only 
words  were  in  direction  or  encouragement  to  those  who  were  aiding 
him — exclaiming  from  time  to  time,  '  Hurra  my  hearties !'  ♦  There  it 
moves  /'  His  only  reproof  was  to  the  sailor,  who,  when  the  beam 
was  raised,  attemptecl,  rather  rudely,  to  withdraw  the  fractured  limb. 
The  sailor  supported  him  whilst  he  performed  the  office  himself. 

"  The  whole  number  of  killed  was  thirty-three,  including  Lieuten- 
ant Brcckenridge  and  the  three  women.  Twenty-nine  were  reported 
as  wounded,  but  there  were  many  more  who  were  slightly  injured. 
Nearly  every  person  on  board  received  at  least  a  scratch. 

"  The  greatest  part  of  the  mischief  was  done  by  the  force  of  the 
fragments  and  splinters.  These  were  driven  into  every  part  of  the 
ship.  Captain  Newton,  who  commanded  the  ship,  employed  all  the 
force  he  could  spare,  to  clear  the  wreck,  and  find  the  bodies  of  the 
unfortunate  sufierers.  Twenty-four  were  taken  out  of  the  ruins  at 
the  time,  but  some  of  the  others  were  not  found  till  a  considerable 
time  after.  One  was  found  horribly  mutilated,  and  drifted  ashore  on 
Staten  Island.  Another  got  fastened  to  a  beam,  and  was  picked  up. 
Two  were  picked  out  of  the  water  near  the  wreck." 

Brooklyn  is  distinguished  as  being  the  scene  of  important  military 
operations,  and  was  for  a  long  time  in  possession  of  the  enemy  during 
the  revolutionary  war  The  most  sanguinary  part  of  the  battle  of 
Long  Island,  August  27th,  1776,  took  place  in  this  town.  The  fol- 
lowing account  is  from  Thompson's  History  of  Long  Island. 

"After  the  commencement  of  hostilities  in  1770,  New  York  being 
situated  near  the  centre  of  the  colonial  sea-board,  and  readily  acxes- 
sible  from  the  sea,  was  selected  by  the  enemy  as  u  principal  point  li>r 
their  future  operations.  With  this  view,  a  first  division  (»f  their  army 
arrived  at  Staten  Island  in  the  latter  jiart  of  June  of  that  year,  lol- 
lowed,  about  the  mi«ldle  of  July,  by  the  grand  annarnent  under  Lord 
Howe,  cimsisting  of  six  ships  of  the  line,  thirty  frigates,  with  smaller 
armed  vessels,  and  a  great  number  of  transports,  victuallers,  and 
ships  with  ordinance. 

"The  Ajnericans  anticipating  the  invasion  of  Long  Island,  had 
fortitied  Brooklyn  before  the  arrival  of  the  British  at  Staten  Island. 
A  line  of  intrenehment  was  formed  from  a  ditch  near  th(>  late  Toll- 
House  of  the  Bridg(!  Company  at  th(!  navy-yard  to  Fort  Creen,  tli(>n 
called  Vutt  Putnam,  and  from  theiiee  to  Freek's  mill-pond.  A  strong 
work  was  erected  on  the  lands  of  Johannis  Di'bevoice  and  <»r  Van 
Brunt ;  a  redoiil)t  was  thrown  uu  on  B.emus'  Hill  op|)osite  Brown's 
mill,  and  another  on  the  land  ot  John  Johnson,  west  of  Fort  Green. 
Ponkiesburg.  now  Fort  Swift,  was  fortified,  and  a  fort  built  on  the 
land  of  Mr.  Hieks  on  Brooklyn  heights.  Such  were  the  defences  of 
Brooklyn  in  1770,  while  a  chevaux  de  /rise  waa  suitk  m  the  main 


,^-. 


KINGS   COUNTY. 


239 


channel  of  the  river  below  New  York.  The  troops  of  both  divisions 
of  the  British  army  were  landed  on  Staten  Island  after  their  arrival 
in  the  bay,  to  recruit  their  strength  and  prepare  for  the  coming  con- 
flict. It  was  not  till  the  middle  of  August,  that  a  first  landing  on 
Long  Island  was  made  by  them  at  New  Utrecht.  Here  they  were 
joined  by  many  royalists  from  the  neighborhood,  who  probably  acted 
the  infamous  part  of  informers  and  guides  to  the  enemy.  General 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  arrived  about  the  same  time,  with  the  troops  re- 
conducted from  the  expedition  to  Charleston. 

"  Commodore  Hotham  already  appeared  there  with  the  reinforce- 
ments under  his  escort ;  sc  that  in  a  short  time  the  hostile  army 
amounted  to  about  twenty-four  thousand  men, — English,  Hessians, 
and  Waldeckers.  Several  regiments  of  Hessian  infantry  were  ex- 
pected to  arrive  shortly,  when  the  army  would  be  swelled  to  the 
number  of  thirty-five  thousand  combatants,  of  the  best  troops  of  Eu- 
rope, all  abundantly  supplied  with  arms  and  ammunition,  and  mani- 
festing an  extreme  ardor  for  the  service  of  their  king.  The  plan 
was,  hrst  to  get  possession  of  New  York,  which  was  deemed  of  most 
essential  importance. 

"  To  resist  this  impending  storm,  Congress  hnd  ordained  the  construction  of  rafts,  g\m. 
boats,  galleys,  and  floating  liatteries,  for  the  del'enco  of  the  port  of  Now  York  and  the 
mouth  of  the  Hudson.  They  hnd  ulao  decreed  that  thirteen  thousand  of  the  provincial 
militia  should  join  the  army  of  Washington,  who,  being  seusonably  apprized  of  the  danger 
of  New  York,  had  made  a  movement  into  that  quarter;  they  also  directed  the  organiza. 
tion  of  o  corps  of  ten  thousand  men,  destined  to  serve  as  u  reserve  in  the  province  of  the 
centre.  All  the  weakest  posts  had  been  carefully  intrenched,  and  furnished  with  artillery. 
A  strong  detachment  occupied  Long  Island,  to  prevent  the  English  from  lamiing  there,  or 
to  repulse  them  if  they  should  effect  a  debarkation.  But  the  army  of  Congress  was  very 
far  from  having  all  the  necessary  means  to  support  the  burden  of  so  terrible  a  war.  It 
wanted  arms,  and  it  was  wasted  by  diseases.  The  j  I'iteraled  iuHtances  of  the  commander- 
in-chief  had  drawn  into  his  camp  the  militia  of  the  neighboring  provinces,  and  some  regular 
regiments  from  Maryland,  from  Pennsylvania,  and  from  New  England,  which  had  swelled 
iiis  army  to  the  number  of  twenty-scven  thousand  men ;  but  a  fourth  of  these  troops  were 
composed  of  invalids,  and  scarcely  was  another  fourth  furnished  with  arms. 

"  The  Aincr'  :an  army,  such  as  it  was,  occupied  the  positions  most  suitable  to  cover  the 
menaced  points.  The  corps  which  had  been  stationed  on  Long  Island,  was  commanded 
by  Major-general  Greene,  who,  on  account  of  sicknttss,  was  afterward  succeeded  by  Gene, 
ral  Sullivan.  The  main  body  of  the  army  encamped  on  the  island  of  New  York,  wluch,  it 
upppured,  was  destined  to  receive  the  first  blows  of  the  English. 

"  Two  fcelile  detachments  guarded  Governor's  Islond  and  the  point  of  PauUis*  Hook. 
The  militia  of  the  province,  commanded  by  the  Amoricun  (Ji^neral  Clinton,  were  posted 
upon  the  banks  of  the  Hound,  where  they  occupied  the  two  Chestein,  East  and  WcKf,  and 
New  ilochelle.  For  it  was  to  bo  feared  that  the  enemy,  landing  in  force  upon  the  north 
whore  of  ihe  Sound,  might  penetrate  to  Kingsbridgc,  and  thus  entirely  lock  up  all  the  Amer- 
ican  troops  on  the  island  of  New  York.  Lord  Howe  nuide  some  overtures  of  peace  upon 
terms  of  submission  to  the  royal  clemency,  which,  resulting  in  nothing,  decided  the  British 
general  to  attack  F^ong  Island.  '  Accu  "'igly,'  says  Botta,  '  on  tlie  twenty-second  rfAu- 
gust,  the  fleet  approached  the  Narrowt;  all  the  troops  foiuid  an  easy  un<l  secure  landing, 
place  between  the  villages  of  Gravcsend  and  New  Utrecht,  where  they  debarked  without 
meeting  any  resistance  on  (he  purl  of  the  Americana.  A  great  purl  of  llu'  Amencan  army, 
imder  tjje  command  of  General  I'ulnain,  eiicnmpi'd  at  Uroolilyn  in  a  purt  of  the  island  which 
forms  a  sort  of  peninsula.  He  hi.d  strongly  foriiiii'(l  the  ciurnnce  of  it  with  moats  and  in. 
trenchnienis ;  his  left  wing  rested  upon  ilie  Wallnlmut  bay,  mid  his  right  was  covered  by  • 
ninrsli  .nniiiiUDUH  |o  Oowaiinn'  Core,  Beliinil  him  he  hiid  Giiveriior'.H  Island,  and  the  arm 
of  the  sea  which  separates  Long  l>iland  frcun  the  Island  of  New  York,  and  which  gave  luin 
n  direct  communication  with  the  eily,  where  the  other  part  i/f  the  army  was  staticmed  under 
Wflihington  himself.  The  commander-in-chief,  perceiving  the  battle  was  oppronehing, 
continually  exhorted  his  men  to  keep  ilicir  ranks,  and  lummon  all  their  courage :  ho  re. 


fm 


KINGS    COUNTY. 


I 


minded  them  that  in  their  valor  reated  the  only  hooe  that  ramainAri  i^  a  .„».■       lu    .       i 
upon  their  resistance  depended  the  PreaervSTthTpiraTofldr  X"^^^^^^^^^^ 

chan-piona,  ^  expected  fro™  their  su^^^J^^  S^^  ^IT^LI'^:^^ ^^o'^^^L^Zn^ 

J^r^^^Thf!'^'  '''''''"^  ''^^''^^^  ^^^'''  '^^'"g'  "^^--^hed  rapidly  for- 
ward. The  two  armies  were  separated  by  a  chain  of  hills!  covered 
with  woods,  called  the  heights,  and  which,  running  from  we  t  to  east 
div.de  the  island  into  two  parts.  They  are  only  practicable  uS 
three  pomts  :  one  of  which  is  near  the  Narrows ;  L^  roa^feadingT 
^IrU^^rT^i^^'V^^  village  of  F/«^6«,A;  and  the  third  is^ap! 
preached  far  to  the  right,  by  the  route  of  another  village  called  Flat- 
hnds.     Upon  the  summit  of  the  hills  is  found  a  road.ihiXfollows 

ntersected  by  the  two  roads  last  described:  these  ways  are  all  in- 
defiles.         ^  P^'^^'P'^^^'  ^d   by  excessively  difficult  and  narrow 

he.>hN%^7/'*'TiPf ''•V'^^^i"^  *^  ^'"^'^  ^^^  ^"^•"y  "P«n  these 
h3  u'  ^^i  carefully  furnished  them  with  troops ;  so  that,  if  all  had 
done  their  duty,  the  English  would  not  have  been  able  t^  force  the 
passages  without  extrenrie  difficulty  and  danger.     The  posts  were  so 

.rir   "r°  '^'  '^r*^  J^*"  ^^^*'*^^^  *«  J^'"^'^^'  that  it  was  easy  to 
transmit,  from  one  of  these  points  to  the  other,  the  most  prompt  in- 

hil  f  T?-     "^^^^  P^''^*^  VP^"  the  three  routes.    Colonel  kiles;  with 
tinn^Nv  iTh'  r"  '°  S"^'^  *^?.  '^^^  ^^  ^''''^tland.  and  to  scour  it  con- 
tinually with  his  scouts,  as  well  as  that  of  Jamaica,  in  order  to  recon- 
noitre the  movements  of  the  enemy.     Meanwhile  the  British  army 
pre  sed  forward,  its  left  wing  being  to  the  north  and  its  right  to  the 
south ;  the  village  of  Flatbush  was  found  in  its  centre.     Ihe  Hes! 
wans,  commanded  by  General  Heister,  formed  the  main  body;  the 
S!f'u''''r'  ^To^^^n^"*""  Grant,  the  left  ;  and  the  other  corps,  con- 
onT     J  S'"'   u  ^hnton  and  the  two  lords,  Percy  and  Cor^walli". 
composed  the  right.     In  this  wing  the  British  generals  had  placed 
their  principal  hope  of  success ;  they  directed  it  upon  Flatland.    Their 

o  G.n'r';iH'- t   ''\'hr;P^'?^V^^^'  ^'•''"'•'^"^  the  Hessfan 
o  General  Heister,  should  disquiet  the  enemy  upon  the  two  first  do- 

lUes,  the  left  wmg.  taking  a  circuit,  should  march  through  Flatland 
and  endeavor  to  seize  the  noint  of  intersection  of  this  road  with  that 
o  Jamaica ;  and  then  rapiaiy  descending  into  the  plain  which  extends 
utthefootof  the  heights  upon  the  other  side,  should  fall  upon  the 
Americans  in  flank  and  rear.  The  English  hoped,  that  as  tU  post 
waa  the  most  distant  from  the  centre  of  the  army,  the  advanced 
guards  would  be  found  more  feeble  there,  and  perhaps  more  necli- 
gent:  hnally,  they  calculated  that,  in  all  events,  the  Americans  would 
not  be  able  to  defend  it  against  a  force  so  superior.  This  right  wins 
lect  ti-oo  )s     *  "^"^        '"°*^  numerous,  and  entirely  composed  of  stH 

wl!i.I'!f  *"•".'"!"  "^''r  •*';"'»■*««•'"'■  Au,fimt. General  Clinton  commandi-d  the  vaniru.rtl 
UH.  art,li.ry.  and  the  cavalry;  and  CornwaJha,  the  rear^fuard,  lullowcd  by  the  ba«gag" 


KINGS   COUNTY. 


381 


some  regiments  of  mfantry  and  of  heavy  artiUery;  all  this  part  of  the  English  army  put 
Itself  m  motion  with  admirable  order  and  silence,  and  leaving  Flatland,  traversed  the  coun. 
try  called  New  Lots.  Colonel  Miles,  who  this  night  performed  his  service  with  little  ex. 
actness,  did  not  perceive  the  approach  of  the  enemy ;  so  that  two  houre  before  day  the 
fcngliBh  were  already  arrived  within  a  half  mile  of  the  road  to  Jamaica,  upon  the  heights. 
Then  General  Chnton  halted,  and  prepared  himself  for  the  attack.  He  hid  met  one  of  tha 
enemy's  patrols,  and  made  him  prisoner.  General  Sullivan,  who  commanded  all  the  troops 
m  advance  of  the  camp  of  Brooklyn,  had  no  advice  of  what  passed  in  this  quarter.  He 
neglected  to  send  out  fresh  scouts ;  perhaps  he  supposed  the  English  would  direct  their 
principal  efforts  against  his  right  wing,  as  being  nearest  to  them. 

General  Clinton,  learning  from  his  prisoners  that  the  road  to  Jamaica  was  not  guarded, 
hastened  to  avail  himself  of  the  circumstance,  and  occupied  it  by  a  rapid  movement. 
Without  loss  of  time  he  immediately  bore  to  his  left  towards  Bedford,  and  aeiied  an  im. 
portant  defile,  which  the  American  generals  had  left  unguarded.  From  this  moment  the 
success  of  the  day  was  decided  in  favor  of  the  English.  Lord  Percy  came  up  with  his 
corps ;  and  the  entire  column  descended  by  the  village  of  Bedford  from  the  heights  into 
the  plain  which  lay  between  the  hills  and  the  camp  of  the  Americans.  During  this  time 
General  Grant,  in  order  to  amuse  the  enemy,  and  divert  his  attention  from  the  events 
which  took  place  upon  the  route  of  Flatland,  endeavored  to  disquiet  him  upon  his  right : 
accordingly,  as  if  he  intended  to  force  the  defile  which  led  to  it,  he  had  put  himself  in  mo. 
tion  about  midnight,  and  had  attacked  the  militia  of  New  York  and  of  Pennsylvania,  who 
guarded  It.  They  at  first  gave  ground ;  but  General  Parsons  being  arrived,  and  having 
occupied  an  eminence,  he  renewed  the  combat,  and  maintained  his  position  till  Brigadier, 
general  Lord  Stirling  came  to  his  assistance  with  fifteen  hundred  men.  The  action  be. 
came  extremely  animated,  and  fortune  favored  neither  the  one  side  nor  the  other.  The 
Hessians  on  their  pari,  had  attacked  the  centre  at  break  of  day;  and  the  Americans,  com. 
mandcd  by  General  Sullivan  in  person,  valiantly  sustained  their  efforts.  At  the  same  time 
the  English  ships,  after  having  made  several  movements,  opened  a  very  brisk  cannonade 
against  a  battery  established  in  the  little  island  of  Red  Hook,  upon  the  right  flank  of  the 
Americans,  who  combated  against  General  Grant.  This  also  was  a  diversion,  the  object 
ot  which  was  to  prevent  them  from  attending  to  what  passed  in  the  centre  and  on  the  left. 
1  he  Americans  defended  themselves,  however,  with  extreme  gallantry,  ignorant  that  so 
much  valor  was  exerted  in  vain,  since  victory  was  ah-eady  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
(Tcneral  Clinton  being  descended  into  the  plain,  fell  upon  the  left  flank  of  the  centre,  which 
was  engaged  with  the  Hessians.  He  had  previously  detached  a  small  corps,  in  order  to 
intercept  the  Americans. 

"As  soon  as  the  appearance  of  the  English  light  infantry  apprized 
them  of  their  danger,  they  sounded  the  retreat,  and  retired  in  good 
order  towards  their  camp,  bringing  off  their  artillery.  But  they  soon 
tell  in  with  the  party  of  royal  troops  which  had  occupied  the  ground 
on  their  rear,  and  who  now  charged  them  with  fury ;  they  were 
compelled  to  throw  themselves  into  the  neighboring  woods,  where 
they  met  again  with  the  Hessians,  who  repulsed  them  upon  the  Eng- 
iish ;  and  thus  the  Americans  were  driven  several  times  by  the  one 
against  the  other  with  great  loss.  They  continued  for  some  time  in 
this  desperate  situation,  till  at  length  several  regiments,  animated  by 
an  heroic  valor,  opened  their  way  through  the  midst  of  the  enemy, 
and  gained  the  camp  of  General  Putnam ;  others  escaped  through 
the  woods.  The  inequality  of  the  ground,  the  great  numbers  of  }»- 
sitions  which  it  offered,  and  the  disorder  which  prevailed  throughout 
the  line,  were  the  cause  that  for  several  hours  divers  partial  combats 
were  maintained,  in  which  many  of  the  Ai.ioricans  fell. 

"  Their  left  wing  and  centre  being  discomfited,  the  English,  desir- 
oils  of  a  complete  victory,  made  a  rapid  movement  against  the  rear 
of  the  right  wing,  which,  in  ignorance  of  the  misfortune  which  had 
brfsijlen  the  other  corps,  was  i;ngaged  with  Cencral  C^rant.  Finally, 
having  received  the  intelligence,  they  retired.     But,  encountering 


232 


KINGS    COUNTY. 


the  English,  who  cut  off  their  retreat,  a  part  of  the  soldiers  took 
shelter  in  the  woods ;  others  endeavored  to  make  their  way  through 
the  marshes  of  Gowan's  Cove ;  but  here  many  were  drowned  in  the 
waters  or  perished  in  the  mud ;  a  very  small  number  only  escaped 
the  hot  pursuit  of  the  victors,  and  reachfed  the  camp  in  safety.  The 
total  loss  of  the  Americans,  in  this  battle,  was  estimated  at  more  than 
three  thousand  men  in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners.  Among  the 
last  were  found  General  Sullivan,  and  Brigadier-general  Lord  Ster- 
ling. Almost  the  entire  regiment  of  Maryland,  consisting  of  young 
men  of  the  best  families  in  that  province,  was  cut  to  pieces.  Six 
pieces  of  cannon  fell  into  the  power  of  the  victors.  The  loss  of  the 
English  was  very  inconsiderable  ;  in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners, 
it  did  not  amount  to  four  hundred  men. 

"  The  enemy  encamped  in  front  of  the  American  lines  ;  and  on  the 
succeeding  night  broke  ground  within  six  hundred  yards  of  a  redoubt 
on  the  left,  and  threw  up  a  breast-work  on  the  Wallabout  heights, 
upon  the  Debevoice  farm,  commenced  firing  on  Fort  Putnam,  and 
reconnoitred  the  American  forces.  The  Americans  were  here  pre- 
pared to  receive  them  ;  and  orders  issued  to  the  men  to  reserve  their 
fire  till  they  could  see  the  eyes  of  the  enemy.  A  few  of  the  British 
officers  reconnoitred  the  position,  and  one,  on  coming  near,  was  shot 
by  William  Van  Cotts,  of  Bushwick.  The  same  afternoon  Captain 
Rutgers,  brother  of  the  late  Colonel  Rutgers,  also  fell.  Several  other 
British  troops  were  killed,  and  the  column  which  had  incautiously 
advanced,  fell  back  beyond  the  range  of  the  American  fire.  In  this 
critical  state  of  the  American  army  on  Long  Island — in  front  a  nu- 
merous and  victorious  enemy  with  a  formidable  train  of  artillery,  the 


Washington'' s  Quarters  at  Gowanus,  Brooklyn* 


fleet  indicating  an  intention  of  forcing  a  passage  up  the  East  river, 
the  troops  lying  without  shelter  from  heavy  rains,  fatigued  and  dis- 
pirited— General  Washington  determined  to  withdraw  the  army  from 

•  ThiH  dwelling,  ilie  hend.qimriHrs  of  WashitiKion  when  on  Lonft  Islnnd,  is  now  owned 
by  Mr.  Curlelyuu,  and  i.'i  nituRtcd  on  tho  (iuwanua  road  near  tho  aea  nhorp,  a  mile  and  a 
half  diatant  from  the  aouth  forry. 


KINGS  COUNTV. 


233 


the  island;  and  this  difficult  movement  was  effected  with  great  skill 
and  judgment,  and  with  complete  success.  The  retreat  was  to  have 
commenced  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening  of  the  29th,  but  a  stronff 
northeast  wind  and  a  rapid  tide  caused  a  delay  of  several  hours-  a 
southwest  wind  springing  up  at  eleven,  essentially  facilitated  its  pas- 
sage from  the  island  to  the  city  ;  and  a  thick  fog  hanging  over  Long 
island  towards  morning,  concealed  its  movements  from  the  enemy, 
who  were  so  near  that  the  sound  of  their  pick-axes  and  shovels  were 
distinctly  heard  by  the  Americans. 

"  General  Washington,  as  far  as  possible,  inspected  every  thing 
irom  the  commencement  of  the  action  on  the  morning  of  the  27thl 
till  the  troops  were  safely  across  the  river,  he  never  closed  his  eyes, 
and  was  almost  constantly  on  horseback.     After  this  the  British  and 
tlieir  allies,  the  tones  and  refugees,  had  possession  of  Long  Island  ; 
and  many  distressmg  scenes  occurred,  which  were  never  made  pub- 
lic, and  can  therefore  never  be  known.     The  whigs,  who  had  been 
at  all  active  in  behalf  of  independence,  were  exiled  from  their  homes, 
and  their  dwellings  were  objects  of  indiscriminate  plunder.     Such  as 
could  be  taken,  were  incarcerated  in  the  church  of  New  Utrecht 
and  I'latlands ;  while  royalists,  by  wearing  a  red  badge  in  their  hats, 
were  protected  and  encouraged.     It  is  believed  that  had  Lord  Howe 
availed  himself  ot  the  advantages  he  possessed  by  passing  his  ships 
up  the  .river  between  Brooklyn  and  New  York,  the  whole  Americaii 
army  must  have,  been   almost  inevitably  captured  or  annihilated. 
J^eneral   Waslungton  saw  but  too  plainly  the  policy  which  might 
have  been  pursued,  and  wisely  resolved  rather  to  abandon  the  islwid 
than  attempt  to  retain  it  at  the  risk  of  sacrificing  his  army." 

BuauwicK  is  situated  in  the  NE.  extremity  of  Kings  county.     Pop- 
ulation  of  the  town,  including  Williamsburg,  6,389.     The  settlement  of 
the  town  was  commenced  by  the  Dutch,  who  were  joined  many  years 
alter  by  a  number  of  Huguenot  families,  whose  descendants  are  nu- 
merous and  respectable  in  this  and  the  neighboring  towns.    The  name 
is  ot  Dutch  origin,  indicating  that  the  territory  was  remarkable  for 
the  woods  which  covered  its  surface  in  early  times.     From  the  or- 
gamzation  of  the  town  till  1090,  it  was  for  certain  civil  purposes 
associated  with  the  other  towns  in  the  county,  except  Gravesend, 
constituting  a  separate  district  under  the  appellation  of  the  "Five 
Vutch  fowns"  and  for  which  a  secretary  or  register  was  specially 
commissioned  by  the  governor  to  take  proofs  of  wills,  of  marriage 
settlements,  &c.     These  five  towns  formed  but  one  ecclesiastical 
congregation.     The  population  of  Bushwick  was  inconsiderabtat  at 
the  time  of  the  revolutionary  war.     The  vicinity  of  its  forests  tothe 
garrisons  and  barracks  of  New  York  and  Brooklyn,  led  to  the  entire 
waste  of  the  valuable  timber,  which  abounded  at  the  commencement 
ol  the  contest. 

a1  ^J*  '•>.«  l^f"'  of  May,  1664  the  mngiMmtci,  of  thia  town  wnlcnced  one  John  Van  Ly. 
r.Jh.  r^r  I  P»W'»l'«ng  •  I'l'ol.  to  bo  fMlenod  to  .  «.ke,  wi.h  a  bridle  in  hi.  moudi, 
oi«ht  rods  un,l..r  luH  «nn,  and  n  Ib1,..|  on  hi.  brcant  with  the  word.,  '  ,i,r.<«-  of  U,mpoofu,. 

taut  aretuirr.  and  dffnmmrnf  maitimtr„:^t  . :.    ....i  .i_ ._  t     .       ■  .      .  „  ■'  "•."*"»«», 


An  instance  also  occurred,  of  a  cionryman,  who  bad  improp«riy  married  •  couple, 


ny 


234 


KINGS    COUNTY. 


i'A         ! 


being  sentenced  to  'flogging  and  haniahment,'  but  which,  on  account  of  the  advanced  age 
o»  the  delinquent,  was  mitigated  by  the  governor  to  banuhment  only.  Another  person, 
convicted  of  theft,  was  compelled  to  stand  for  the  space  of  three  hours  under  a  gallows, 
with  a  rope  around  his  neck  and  an  empty  scabbard  in  his  hands.  In  1664  permission  was 
given  by  iho  town  to  Abraham  Janson  to  erect  a  mill  on  Maspeth  Kill,  which  was  probably 
the  first  water-mill  built  within  the  town,  and  for  grinding  of  the  town'a  grain  he  was  to 
receive  the  '  euntomary  duties:  November  12, 169.5,  the  court  of  sessions  of  Kings  county 
made  an  order  '  That  Mad  Jamea  should  be  kept  at  the  expense  of  the  county,  and  diat 
the  deacons  of  each  towne  within  the  same  doe  forthwith  meet  together,  and  consider  about 
their  propereona  for  niaintainenoe  of  said  James.' " 


Western  view  of  Williamsburg,  New  York. 

The  above  shows  the  appearance  of  the  central  part  of  the  village 
of  Williamsburg,*  as  seen  from  the  New  York  side  of  the  East 
river.  This  flourishing  village  was  till  within  a  few  years  an  incon- 
siderable place,  although  it  was  commenced  by  a  few  spirited  indi- 
viduals nearly  thirty  years  ago,  by  erecting  a  few  houses  and  estab- 
lishing a  ferry  between  it  and  the  foot  of  Grand-street.  In  1817,  a 
ferry  Doat,  impelled  by  horse  power,  gave  Williamsburg  a  new  im- 
pulse, and  in  1827,  an  act  of  incorporation  was  obtained.  The  vil- 
lage has  a  bold  water  front  upon  the  East  river,  one  mile  and  a  half 
in  extent,  and  a  sufficient  depth  of  water  for  all  commercial  purposes. 
Several  large  and  substantial  wharves  and  docks  have  been  con- 
structed, aflording  safe  and' convenient  moorings  for  vessels  even  of 
the  largest  class.  Its  ferry  is  the  nearest  approximation  to  the  upper 
parts  ot  the  city  of  New  York  from  the  eastern  towns  of  Long  Island, 
by  two  lines  of  steam  ferry  boats.  So  great  has  been  the  progress 
of  improvement  that  the  ancient  village  of  Bushwick  can  scarcly  be 
identified,  having  been  amalgamated  with  Williamsburg.  The  vil- 
]vi^  has  now  upwards  of  70  streets  permanently  laid  out,  about  thirty 
ot  whit^h  have  been  graded  and  regulated,  some  paved,  and  one  mac- 
adamized.   There  are  upwards  of  six  hundred  dwellings,  5  churches 

3  Methodist,  1   Dutch  Reformed,  and   1    Episcopal — a   newspaper 

frinting  oifice,  and   nanufacturing  establishments  of  various  kinds, 
'opulation  of  the  village  5,094. 

•  Williamsburg  has  recently  been  erected  into  a  s^arate  town. 


KINGS    COUNTY. 


236 


Flatbubh,  called  by  the  Dutch  Midwout,  or  Middle  Woods,  was 
first  settled  in  1651  In  Dec,  1654,  Gov.  Stuyvesant,  who  seems  to 
nave  exercised  ecclesiastical  as  well  as  civil  and  military  authoritv. 
gave  orders  that  a  house  of  public  worship  should  be  erected  in  this 
town,  sixty  feet  lone,  thirty-eight  wide,  and  fourteen  feet  in  height 
below  the  beams."  In  1655,  he  issued  his  commands  that  the  people 
01  Brooklyn  and  Amersfort  should  assist  the  people  of  Midwout  in 
getting  timber  for  the  house.  This  building  cost  4,637  guilders.  This, 
It  appears,  was  the  first  church  erected  on  the  island.  The  Rev. 
Jofianms  Folhefnus  was  employed  to  preach  soon  after  its  erection, 
with  a  salary  of  1,040  guilders,  (about  8460,)  raised  by  assessment 
upon  the  towns  in  which  he  officiated.  "  He  was  required  by  the 
governor  m  1656,  to  preach  every  Sunday  morning  at  Midwout; 
and  in  the  afternoon,  alternately  at  Amersfort  and  Brooklyn. 

Ihe  soil  in  this  township  is  generally  of  a  good  quality,  and  by 
careful  cultivation  is  made  highly  productive.  The  village  of  Flat- 
bush  is  about  four  miles  from  the  City  Hall  of  New  Yor^,  and  has 
several  splendid  private  residences  finely  situated.  The  courthouse 
?  J"e  county  was  erected  here  in  1685,  and  the  courts  continued  to 
be  held  therein  till  it  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1832.  Erasmus  Hall,  an 
academical  institution,  was  incorporated  in  1787,  and  has  ever  main- 
tained a  high  reputation.     Pop.  2,099. 

Flatlands  was  originally  called  by  the  Dutch,  New  Amersfort. 
1  he  settlement  was  commenced  in  1636  ;  and  one  of  the  first  grants 
tor  land  was  that  lor  Barren  Island,  which  at  that  time  was  much 
larger  than  at  present,  and  covered  with  cedar  and  other  timber 
which  has  long  since  disappeared.     Ex-governor  Van  Twiller  had 

%  i^f"  i'"  ^^'^  ^"^"  *^  ^^^  ^^"^^  ^^  ^^^  ^"t  settlement.  The  village 
ol  I'latlands,  situated  about  8  miles  from  Brooklyn,  is  a  pleasant 
spot,  m  the  centre  of  which  is  the  Dutch  church,  originally  erected 
in  1661,  and  has  been  since  twice  rebuilt.     Pop.  810. 

"  "^^^  surface  of  the  town  is,  as  its  name  indicates,  a  perfect  level ; 
the  soil,  a  light  sandy  loam,  warm  and  pleasant  to  till ;  and  from  the 
skill  and  industry  of  its  farming  [lopulation,  yields  a  large  amount  over 
and  above  the  wants  of  the  inhabitants.  The  people,  generally,  are 
conspicuous  lor  habits  of  economy ;  and  modern  fashions  have  not 
yet  extinguished  their  love  of  simplicity  and  substantial  comfort" 


Prno^nf  nT  V  r  '"""■^'"T  '"«k  pince  on  the  2d  day  of  April,  1691,  between  the  gov. 

fnZn/  •^u  .^  ""'*  "  r*:'""'.  "^  ^°"«  '"'■"''•  •"•'"''*■''  •'y  hie  two  8on8  «nd  aO  other 
Indians.  I  he  snchem,  on  being  introduced,  congrntulated  Gov.  Slaughter,  in  an  •logiient 
manner,  upon  his  arrival,  and  solicited  his  triondship  and  protection  for  iiimsetflHSB 
people;  observing  that^he  had  in  his  own  mind,  fancied  his  excellency  was  a  rnigWtall 
.hnhZ,k  f  »Ffd*ngyanche»:  and  therefore  he  prayed  leave  to  stoop  undn  the 
ifZZ'^^- .  ?^  "'"^  ^'"[^  'V;^  .he  Indians  were  a  great  and  mighty  people,  but  now 
«i  h  qn  f  ,  f"  "  '""'  ^""'y"^-     ^^^  ^""'^'"ded  his  visit  by  presenting  die  governor 

Mith  30  fathoms  of  M-ampum,  which  he  graciously  accepted,  and  desired  the  sachem  to  visit 

.  kinTTh  n'  "^'TT-  «P"  '•'''*'"^  "'5'^  '«""'='  '^^  5'«""K^«'  "0"  "f'he  "achem  handed 
'ndh?.nar?r„TMW.''V*^"''"  f^i^dan",  saying  at  the  same  time,  '  that  as  Leialer 
nni  f  "^  ['^  '';"  "'"  ''""'''  very  foul,  he  had  brought  the  brooms  with  him  for  the  pur. 
S.T.,™!  '^'i  '""j""^"'"'  J"  ""■  a<''«n"'on  'he  sachem  and  his  party  again  visited 
cue  go»emor,  who  made  a  speech  to  them,  and  on  receiving  a  few  presents  they  departed." 


ftB6 


KIN08    COJINTV. 


i 


f 


Gravebbnd  occupies  the  most  southerly  part  of  Kings  county. 
Much  of  this  town  consists  of  salt  marsh,  not  more  than  one  third 
bcinff  under  cultivation ;  the  surface  is  cenerally  level,  but  near  the 
seashore  there  are  some  ridges  of  sand  liills.  Coney  Island,  which 
covers  the  tovra  on  the  ocean,  is  about  5  miles  long  by  1  in  breadth. 
The  central  part  of  the  town  is  about  10  miles  from  the  city  of  New 
York.  Pop.  799.  This  place  was  settled  by  English  emigrants  from 
Massachusetts  as  early  as  1040,  who  gave  it  the  name  of  Gravesend, 
they  having  sailed  from  a  place  of  that  name  in  England,  on  their 
departure  I'or  America.  They  were  soon  after  joined  by  Lady 
Deborah  Moody,  a  woman  of  rank,  education,  and  wealth,  wno,  with 
her  associates,  were  obliged  to  leave  Lynn,  and  other  places  in  Mas- 
sachusetts, on  account  of  their  religious  sentiments. 

"  CoiiBidering  the  dituatiun  of  this  town  calculated  it  for  the  aite  of  a  commercial  villn^p, 
thry  proceeded  almoNt  immediately  to  lay  out  10  acres  of  ground  near  the  centre,  into  sirceta 
and  squarra,  which  they  enclosed  with  a  palisado  defence.  The  plan  of  the  village  is  atill 
preserved  in  the  clerk's  oflice  of  the  town,  and  is  worthy  admiration  for  its  simplicity  and 
beui.ty.  Ii  scums  the  project  was  soon  after  abandoned  on  discovering  the  insufficient 
depth  of  the  water  for  the  iipproach  of  largo  vessels.  One  of  the  original  squares  of  tho 
contemplated  oily  was  occupied  by  the  courihouse  of  the  county  so  long  as  tho  courts  con. 
tinned  to  be  held  here ;  anotlicr  contained  tho  first  Dutch  church ;  and  a  third  has  long 
been  used  for  u  public  cemetery.  On  tho  same  plot  ore  a  considerable  number  of  graves 
of  the  tirHi  Qimkers,  the  whole  of  which  have  been  levelled  by  tho  plough,  except  thot  of 
Peter  Siilliviin  and  his  wife,  nt  the  head  of  which  is  a  large  granite  slob,  containing  only  tho 
names  of  the  deceased.  As  this  particular  sect  make  no  use  of  such  memorials,  it  was 
probably  placed  here  by  some  friend  or  relative  who  was  not  a  Quaker." 

In  1645,  a  general  patent  for  this  town,  written  in  Dutch  and  Eng- 
lish, was  obtained  from  Gov.  Kieft.  The  patentees  named  therein  are 
Lady  Deborah  Moody,  Sir  Henry  Moody,  Baronet,  Ensign  George 
Baxter,  and  Sergeant  James  Hubbard  with  their  associates.  We 
find  in  Mr.  Lewis's  "  History  of  Lynn,"  that  Lady  Moody  came  to 
that  town  in  1G40  ;  also, 

"  That  in  l(i3.'»,  she  went  from  one  of  the  remote  counties  in  Englond  to  Iiondon,  where 
she  remained  in  opposition  to  a  statute  which  directed  that  no  person  should  reside  beyond 
a  limited  tin>e  from  their  own  homes.  On  tho  S21st  of  April  in  iljat  year,  tlie  court  of  star- 
clianil)er  ordered  thut  '  Dame  Deborah  Mowdie,'  and  others,  should  return  to  their  hereditn. 
nienis  in  40  days,  as  a  good  example  necessary  for  the  poorer  class.  Soon  after  her  arrival 
nt  Lynn,  she  united  with  the  church  of  Salem ;  and  on  tho  13ih  of  May,  the  court  grunted 
her  400  acres  of  land.  In  1641,  she  purchased  the  farm  of  the  deputy-governor,  John 
Humphry,  called  Swamtcut,  for  which  she  paid  £1,100.  Some  time  after  she  became  im- 
bued with  the  erroneous  idea  that  the  baptism  of  infants  was  a  sinful  ordinance,  niid  she 
wns  therefore  excomtnimicated ;  and  in  1643,  she  removed  to  Lung  Island.  Governor 
Winihrop,  iii  his  journal  says,  that  '  in  1643,  Lady  Moody  was  in  the  colony  of  Massnchu. 
setts,  a  wise  and  anciently  religious  woman ;  and  being  taken  with  the  error  of  denying 
bapap  to  infants,  was  dealt  with  accordingly  by  many  of  the  elders  and  others,  and  ad. 
moidKed  by  the  church  of  Salem,  whereof  she  was  a  member ;  but  persisting  still,  and  to 
avoid  fiiither  trouble,  &c.,  she  removed  to  the  Dutch  settlements,  against  the  advice  of  her 
iriends.'  '  After  her  arrival  at  Long  Island,  (says  Mr.  Lewis,)  she  experienced  nmch  trouble 
from  the  ludiiins,  her  house  being  aisaailed  by  Uiem  many  times.  Her  wealth  enabled  her 
to  render  ossistanoo  to  Uov.  Stuyvesant,  in  some  trouble  with  the  neighboring  settlers,  in 
1G54 ;  and  so  grent  was  her  influence  over  him,  that  he  conceded,  in  part,  tlie  nomination 
of  the  ningisirates  to  her.  In  the  quarterly  court  records,  her  son  is  styled  Sir  Henry 
Moody.'  'Al  the  smne  court,  14th  Decuml)er,  1G4'J,  tlie  Lady  Deborah  Moody,  Mrs. 
King,  and  the  wife  of  John  Tilton,  were  presented,  for  holding  tliat  the  baptism  of  infants 
is  no  ordinance  of  God.'  From  these  historical  records  we  learn  the  reason  why  the  Liuly 
Moody,  her  son  Sir  Henry  Moody,  Ensign  Baxter,  Sergeant  Hubbard,  John  Tilton,  luid 


KINOa    COUNTY. 


237 


Othcn  of  her  aRsociatcs  and  friends,  left  New  England,  and  located  themielves  at  Oravee. 
end,  where  they  hoped  to  enjoy  the  must  porf«ct  freedom  of  opinion,  unawod  hy  the  civil 
power  and  1.0  allowed  unmolested  to  propagate  those  religious  opinions  which  to  them 
seemed  moHt  nKreenble  to  their  principles  of  renaon  and  justice. 

"On  iIh)  hrHt  of  January,  1G43.  a  soldier  was  convicted  before  the  court  of  sessions  at 
t^ravescnd  of  having  left  his  station  while  on  guard,  and  was  punished  by  being  compelled 
to  sit  upon  a  wooden  horse  during  the  parade,  with  a  pitcher  in  one  hand,  and  a  drawn 
sword  in  the  other,  to  show  that  he  liked  beer  better  than  his  duty,  and  that  his  courage 
was  always  in  proportion  to  the  quantity  of  beer  ho  consumed.  *  At  a  town  meeting,  held 
September  the  27th,  1644,  it  was  xmted,  that  those  who  have  boweries,  (farms,)  should 
nave  SU  niorgcn  of  upland,  with  meadow  proportionable  to  their  stock ;  and  it  was  further 
ordered  that  if  any  did  not  build  a  habitable  house  upon  it  bef.re  the  last  day  of  May  next, 
should  be  .lefuultcd,  and  forfeit  their  land  to  tho  town.'  The  records  of  this  town,  wJiich 
were  uniformly  kept  in  the  English  language,  are  still  preserved  almost  entire.  They  com. 
menco  with  the  year  1645  and  for  a  series  of  years  are  chiefly  occupied  with  the  records 
oJ  wills,  invcntones,  letters  of  administration,  and  a  variety  of  private  contracts,  barcains. 
sales,  &c.  In  January,  1648,  the  town  elected  Sergeant  James  Hubbard,  a  man  of  respec! 
Mhility  and  influence,  to  execute  the  office  of  sellout,  or  constable,  which  was  considered  as 
one  of  much  importance.  On  the  14th  of  April,  1649,  John  Furman  agreed  with  the  town 
to  keep  their  calves  three  months  for  20  guilders  a  month,  to  be  paid  in  numey,  tobacco,  or 
com,  and  amne  bitters,  if  desired." 

"  Coney  Island,  on  the  seaboard,  is  a  place  of  great  resort  for 
strangers  m  the  summer  season,  is  constantly  fanned  by  cool  breezes, 
and  affords  an  unlimited  view  of  the  ocean. 

"It  is  separated  from  the  main  of  Long  Island  by  a  narrow  creek  or  inlet,  over  which  a 
handsome  bridge  has  been  erected.  There  is  a  fine  spacious  hotel  here,  called  the  Ocean 
House,  which  is  conducted  in  a  superior  manner ;  a  railroad  is  attached  to  the  establishment, 
and  cars  leave  the  hotel  fur  the  beach,  a  distance  of  80  rods,  at  particular  intervals  during 
the  day.  I  ho  bathing  at  this  place  is  not  surpassed  by  any  in  the  United  States.  The 
beach  IS  a  beautiful  white  sand.  The  island  is  about  5  miles  long  and  1  wide,  and  is  en. 
tirely  an  lUluvial  formation.  The  destructive  eftect  of  ocean  storms  has  long  l.con  very  visi- 
ble here,  tor  much  of  what  was  once  Coney  Island  has  now  disapponrod.  It  has  been 
conjectured  by  some  persons  that  Coney  Island  proper.  200  years  ago,  lay  at  the  entrance 
ot  Sandy  Hook,  and  was  separated  from  the  present  Coney  Island  by  a  channel  of  consid. 
erabie  width,  which  is  supposed  to  have  been  entirely  demolished  by  a  storm  about  1715. 
it  IS  well  ascertained  that  in  1643  there  was  a  convenient  harbor  for  vessels  of  a  larire 
size,  which  IS  now  m  a  great  measure  filled  up.  The  exposed  situation  of  this  island  sub. 
jects  It  to  great  encroachments  of  the  sea,  and  to  the  probability  that  at  some  future  (though 
perhaps  distant)  period  it  will  be  entirely  destroyed.  In  a  terrible  gale  which  occurred 
upon  the  coast  on  the  a6th  of  January,  1839,  the  whole  of  Coney  Island,  with  the  excep. 
tion  of  a  few  sand-hills,  was  completely  inundated  by  ihe^ea;  the  basement  of  the  Ocean 
House  was  fi  led  with  watei  j  the  bridge  was  carried  away,  several  small  vessels  were  east 
on  shore,  and  one  was  driven  a  considerable  distance  towards  Flatlands." 

New  Utrkcht  is  at  the  west  end  of  Long  Island,  opposite  the  Nar- 
rows ;  9  miles  S.  irom  Brooklyn.  The  soil  of  the  township  is  mostly 
a  light  loam  or  sand.  Pop.  1,283.  Bath  House  and  village  are  upon 
tht?  margin  ot  the  bay,  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  Narrows,  having  a 
tull  view  of  the  military  works  at  that  place.  It  is  quite  a  favorite 
place  ot  resort  during  the  warm  season.  It  was  near  this  dellitful 
spot  that  the  British  army,  under  the  command  of  Sir  William  Howe, 
effected  a  landing,  August  22,  1776,  a  few  days  previous  to  the  disas- 
trous  battle  ot  Long  Island.  Fort  Hamilton,  at  the  Narrows,  has 
become  an  important  military  station  ;  several  handsome  buildings, 
with  an  hpiscopal  church,  have  been  erected  at  this  place,  and  few 
situations  can  boast  of  a  finer  prospect.  Tho  town  appears  to  have 
been  first  settled  in  1654,  by  about  20  families  from  Holland,  and  a 
lew  1  alatmcs,  who  at  first  erected  a  blockhouse,  as  well  for  security 


m 


238 


LEWIS    COUNTY. 


against  the  natives,  as  from  the  hordes  of  wandering  savaffes,  robbers 
and  pirates,  which  for  some  time  infested  the  country  and  this  part 
of  the  coast.  •'  *^ 

"  Some  years  ago,  on  digging  a  few  feet  below  the  surface  at  the  Narrows  more  than  a 
wagon  load  of  Indian  stone  arrow-heads  were  discovered  lying  tog;therTn7e'rrrcumstan 
ces  calculated  to  mduce  the  belief,  that  a  large  n.anufacto^  of  those  ind^pen^ab  e  aTticlw 
of  Indian  warfare  once  existed  at  this  place;  they  were  of  all  sizes,  from  one  to  sfxYnches 
m  length,  some  perfect,  others  only  parUy  finished.     There  was  also  a  number  oV  Wocks 

.f  *tT.'  '""*'  "'^  *'°"''  r"""f^  *"  *^  """*  '»"«''  •"•'«  '»«  *hen  brought  fr^in  the  quaS' 
they  had  the  appearance  of  ordinary  flint,  and  were  nearly  as  hard ;  not  only  arrowS' 
but  axes,  and  other  arUcles  of  domestic  utility,  were  made  from  th^se  stones.  T  Mi^lDer* 
haps  forever  remain  a  matter  of  surprise  and  conjecture,  how  these  native  artificers  desti" 

i".^*,*"  "^^  ^r*  "^  •'?"  '""''•  *"  *"«"  ■*  knowledge  of  the  use  of  them!  could  f"™  and 
polish,  with  such  exquisite  art,  so  many  various  instruments  from  so  hard  a  material™ 


LEWIS  COUNTY. 

Lewis  county  was  taken  from  Oneida  in  1805,  and  named  in 
honor  of  Gov.  Morgan  Lewis.     Centrally  distant  NW.  from  New 
York  275,  and  from  Albany  130  miles.     Greatest  length  N.  and  S 
54 ;  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W.  35  miles.     The  whole  of  this  county 
was  included  in  the  patent  from  the  state  to  Alexander  Macomb,  and 
was  sold  by  him  to  WiUiam  Constable,  and  by  the  latter  in  parcels  • 
the  portion  west  of  the  Black  river,  to  capitalists  in  New  Yo-k  city 
amonff  whom  Nicholas  Low.  Richard  Harrison,  and  Josiah  Ogden 
Hoffman,  were  principal  purchasers  ;  and  the  portion  on  the  east  of 
the  Black  river,  to  a  French  company  in  Paris.     From  these  sources 
the  present  possessors  derived  their  title.     The  first  settlements  com- 
menced here  in  1795,  by  pioneers  from  Massachusetts  and  Connecti- 
cut, who  with  characteristic  enterprise  and  perseverancp  entered  the 
wilderness  with  a  determination  to  surmount  the  most  formidable 
obstacles.     There  were  at  this  time  small  settlements  at  Utica  and 
tort  btanwix,  (now  Rome,)  whence  the  settlers  made  their  way  into 
this  county,  by  a  line  of  marked  trees,  to  the  High  Falls,  on  Black 
river ;  and  thence  floated  with  the  stream  to  the  town  of  Lowville 
where  they  established  themselves.     Their  families  followed  in  the' 
succeeding  winter,  shod  with  snow  shoes  ;  mothers  making  their  way 
with  their  infants  in  their  arms,  whilst  their  husbands  and  fathers 
trod  paths  through  the  snow  for  their  cattle  and  teams.    It  was  not 
unusual,  some  time  after,  for  farmers  to  go  forty  miles  to  mill,  and  to 
carry  the  grist  upon  their  shoulders. 

The  Black  river  divides  the  county  into  two  not  very  unequal  por- 
tions. Upon  this  river  are  broad  alluvial  flats,  of  easy  cultivation 
and  highly  productive.  Of  the  Black  river  we  may  observe  here, 
that  below  the  High  Falls  at  Leyden,  which  are  63  feet  in  altitude, 
It  has  a  tranquil  course  of  nearly  40  miles  through  the  country ;  in 


LEWIS   COUNTY. 


239 


all  which,  it  is  na  v'igable  for  steamboats.  The  Black  river  canal,  the 
construction  of  which  was  authorized  in  May,  1836,  commences  at 
Kome  m  Oneida  county. 

The  county  is  at  present  thinly  inhabited,  but  it  merits  attention 
from  the  great  forests  of  useful  timber  which  incumber  the  soil,  the 

u  u  .u""*""  ^'■^  "^^'"^^  ^'^  beneath  it,  and  the  vast  water-power 
which  the  streams  supply.  The  staple  products  are  wheat,  rye, 
Indian  corn,  peas,  beans,  oats,  and  barley,  and  the  whole  country  is 
adapted  to  grass.    It  is  divided  into  11  towns.    Pop.  17,849. 

Denmark,  taken  from  Harrisburg  in  1807 ;  NW.  from  Albany  143 
fft  r^* ''  watered  by  the  Deer  river,  which  has  at  one  place  a  fall 
ot  1 75  eet,  nearly  perpendicular.     Denmark,  14  miles  N.,  and  Copen- 
hagen, 12  miles  NW.  of  Martinsburg,  are  small  villages.     Pop.  2,398. 

Diana,  taken  from  the  northern  part  of  Watson  in  1830;  from 
Albany  150,  and  NE.  from  Martinsburg  22  miles.  Louisburj;  is  a 
post-otlice.     Pop.  883.  ^ 

Greig,  taken  from  Watson  in  1828,  by  the  name  of  Brantingham ; 
NW.  from  Albany  150,  SE.  from  Martinsburg  18  miles.  Branting^ 
nam  and  Lyonsdale  are  post-offices.    Pop.  692. 

Harrisburg,  taken  from  Turin  as  part  of  Oneida  county  in  1803, 
and  settled  that  year;  NW.  from  Albany  150,  centrally  distant  NW. 
irom  Martinsburg  11  miles.  Harrisburg  post-office  is  on  the  Low- 
ville  and  Whitesville  road.     Pop.  850. 

,-,nJ^TTir**J^®"  ^^^"^  Steuben  when  part  of  Herkimer  county,  in 
1797 ;  NW  from  Albany  116,  from  Martinsburg,  S.,  centrally  distant 
14  miles.  Leyden  Hill  and  TalcottviUe  are  small  villages.  Pop. 
«,438,  ^ 

LowviLLE,  taken  from  Mexico  when  part  of  Oneida  county,  in 
1800;   and   named  after  Mr.  Nicholas   Low.     Pop    2  047     This 
place  IS  distant  from  Albany  132  miles.     The  first  settler  was  Jona- 
than  Rogers,  who  emigrated  from  Branford,  Ct.,  in  the  spring  of  1795. 
At  this  time  there  were  no  settlements  between  here  and  the  Canada 
line.     Many  others  emigrated  in  the  succeeding  summer  and  fall 
among  whom  were  Moses  Waters,  James  Bailey,  Isaac  Perry,  Wil- 
ham  and  Charles  Davenport,  Judge  Kelly,  Silas  Stow,  Esq.,  Moses 
Coffin,  and  David  Cobb.    Rev.  Isaac  Clinton,  a  Presbyterian,  was  the 
first  settled  clergyman.     During  the  early  settlement,  a  few  hundred 
ot  the  fet.  Regis  Indians  were  accustomed  to  hunt  in  this  vicinity,  and 
were  of  much  assistance  to  the  settlers.     This  is  one  of  the  besf 
rT"  B,    ,   county,  being  bounded  on  the  east  by  the  rich  lowlands 
of  the  Black  river.    Lowville,  on  the  great  road  from  Utica  to  Sack- 
etts  Harbor,  3i  miles  from  Martinsburg,  in  a  pleasant  valley,  hand- 
somely laid  out  m  squares,  is  the  largest  village  in  the  county,  and 
contains  1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist,  1  Methodist  church,  and  1  Or- 
thodox Friends  meeting-house,  a  flourishing  incorporated  Academy, 
a  printing  office,  publishing  a  weekly  paper,  1  large  grist  and  saw- 
mill,  and  60  neat  dwellings.     Stowe's  Square  has  1  Presbyterian 
church,  and  a  few  dwellings.    There  is  a  post-office  called  West 
Leyden. 


S40 


tP.WI8   COUNTY. 


f    I 


\\ 


Southeastern  view  of  Lowville. 

The  above  engraving  is  from  a  drawing  taken  on  the  road  to  Mar- 
tinsburg  in  the  SE.  extremity  of  the  villag(%  Tiie  Presbyterian 
ehurch  is  at  the  head  of  the  street,  and  the  spire  of  the  Baj)tist  at  the 
left.  The  steeples  of  the  Academy  and  Methodist  church  are  seen 
on  the  right. 

MARTiNsnuRo,  taken  from  Lowville,  Champion,  and  Mexico,  as  part 
of  Oneida  county,  22d  of  February,  1803;  NW.  from  Albany  129, 
Jind  N.  from  Utica  48  miles.  The  fir.st  settler  was  Elijah  Baldvv'in, 
who  came  here  with  his  family  in  July,  1801,  from  Washington 
county.  The  first  week  they  encamped  in  the  forest,  and  their  mid- 
night slumbers  were  disturbed  by  the  howling  of  bears  and  other 
wild  animals.  Baldwin  was  in  the  employ  of  Gen.  Walter  Martin, 
who  came  shortly  after  him,  and  whose  wealth  and  enterprise  soon 
placed  th(!  settlement  in  a  prosperous  condition.  Eherd  {Stevens  and 
Nathan  Cheney  came  about  the  same  time  with  CJen.  Martin,  after 
whom  the  place  was  named.  Kev.  James  Murdock,  a  Presbyterian, 
was  the  first  settled  clergyman.  Martinsburg,  post  village  and'county 
town,  is  situated  upon  a  liigh  and  commanding  site,  contains  a  court- 
house and  prison  of  wood,  1  cotton,  and  1  woolh.n  fac-tory,  40 
d  veilings,  the  Lewis  County  Bank,  and  a  printing  otiice.  West 
Martinsburg  has  about  a  dozen  dwellings  and  a  post-nthee.  This 
town  has  5  churches — viz :  2  Baptist,  2  Methodist,  and  1  Presbyterian. 
Pop.  2,488. 

About  two  miles  in  a  southwesterly  direction  from  the  village  of 
Martinsburg  is  a  remarkable  chasm,  near  the  junction  of  two  Ibrks 
of  the  Whetstime  creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Black  river.  This  chasni 
is  about  two  hundred  feet  in  depth,  and  of  a  bowl-like  shajte.  On 
the  north  and  vest  sides  the  rocks  are  nearly  perpendicular,  but  on 
the  south  sloping  and  covered  with  l(»fty  trees.  It  deri^':-  its  name, 
that  of  Chimney  Point,  from  the  resemblance  which  a  prominence  in 
tlie  slate  rock  bears  to  the  termination  of  a  conical  pointed  chimney, 
wliilc  tlie  horizontal  strata  increase  the  I'Kencss  by  their  sinnlarity  tu 


LEWIS    COUNTY, 


241 


Chimney  Point  Gulf,  Martinsburg. 

tiles.  The  above  drawing  was  taken  on  the  south  side,  part  of  the  way 
down  th(^  chasin.  The  point  opposite,  about  six  or  eijfht  rods  distant, 
is  the  one  from  which  its  name  is  derived,  and  the  beautiful  cascade 
of  nearly  one  hundred  feet  fall  is  one  of  the  forks  of  the  creek,  the 
valley  of  the  other  beinj^  seen  in  the  distance.  The  two  unite  a  few 
rods  to  the  east  of  the  Chimney  Point.  The  visiter  usually  approaches 
this  spot  from  the  south.  Tlie  surliiee  of  the  groinid  in  the  vicinity 
is  nearly  1(>V(<1,  and  as  he  comes  upon  its  brink  suddenly,  its  wildncss 
strikes  fiitti  with  awe.     Opposite  and  on  the  left  are  dark,  massy,  per- 

Cendicular  n>ck8  ;  before  him  an;  lufty  pines  and  hemlocks,  and  far,  far 
elow,  as  it  were  in  the  very  bowels  of  the  earth,  through  the  open* 
ings  in  the  folin<;e.  indistinct  glimpses  arc  caught  of  the  tbnnung  rivu- 
let, while  the  roar  of  the  waterfall  and  the  grandeur  of  the  surrounding 
landscape  add  an  interest  to  the  scene  rarely  ex|)erienced.  Although 
unknown  to  the  fashionable  t<»urist,  this  place  is  not  without  incideat. 
About  W  rods  below,  and  on  the  same  side  whoro  the  drawing  was 

ni 


}  ll 

I 


!  I 


842 


LlVmaSTON    COUNTY. 


taken,  is  a  rock  called  Peebles  Slide,  which  derives  its  name  from  the 
following  circumstance.  In  the  spring  of  1834,  as  Mr.  Chillus  L.  D. 
Peebles,  of  Martinsburg,  was  drawing  logs  near  the  precipice,  which 
here  generally  forms  the  boundary  of  the  river,  his  foot  slipped,  and 
he  fell  For  the  first  twenty  or  thirty  feet  he  slid,  then  descended 
from  the  precipice  perpendicularly  for  nearly  one  hundred  feet,  when 
striking  some  loose  rock  and  sand,  he  rolled  the  remainder  of  the  dis- 
tance to  the  bottom  of  the  ravine.  He  was  enabled  to  walk  to  a 
neighboring  house,  and  although  badly  bruised,  he  soon  recovered. 

PiNCKNEV,  taken  from  Harrisburg  and  Harrison  in  1808;  NW. 
from  Albany  153,  and  from  Martinsburg  centrally  distant  NW.  14 
miles.  The  town  was  settled  by  William  Henderson,  Esq.,  the  ori- 
ginal proprietor.     Pop.  907. 

Turin,  organized  as  part  of  Oneida  county  in  1800 ;  NW.  from 
Albany  121,  centrally  distant  SE.  from  Martinsburg  6  miles.  Turin 
Four  Corners  and  Houseville  are  small  villages.     Pop.  1,704. 

Watson,  taken  from  Leyden  in  1821  ;  NW.  from  Albany  136 
miles.  Dayanville  is  a  small  village  founded  by  Charles  Dayan,  Esq., 
on  the  falls  of  the  Crystal  creek,  9  miles  N.  of  Martinsburg.  Bel- 
fort  and  Carter  are  post-offices.     Pop.  1,707. 

West  Turin,  taken  from  Turin  in  1830;  NW.  from  Albany  130, 
centrally  distant  SW.  from  Martinsburg  15  miles.  Constableville 
and  Collinsville  are  small  post  villages.    Pop.  2,042. 


LIVINGSTON  COUNTY. 

Livingston  county  was  taken  from  Ontario  and  Genesee  counties 
in  1821.  Greatest  length  N.  and  S.  30 ;  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W. 
28  miles.  Centrally  distant  NW.  from  New  York  300,  and  from  Al- 
bany W.  224  miles.  The  surface  of  the  country  is  in  some  parts 
hilly,  in  others  quite  level,  or  but  gently  undulated.  Flats  of  rich 
alluvion  border  the  Genesee  river  in  its  course  through  the  county 
from  1  to  2  miles  in  width,  but  a  gravelly  loam  predominates  on  the 
upland.  The  great  staples  are  wheat,  pork,  and  cattle.  Of  the  first, 
it  is  estimated  that  there  is  an  annual  surplus  of  over  a  million  of 
bushels.  Tlie  Genesee  Valley  canal  enters  the  county  at  ('uledonia, 
and  following  the  valley  of  the  Genesee,  crosses  the  same  near  Mount 
Morris,  and  passing  along  the  valley  of  tlu;  Cashqua  creek,  leaves  the 
county  in  the  southern  portion  of  Mount  Morris.  Four  miles  south 
of  Mount  Morris  village,  a  branch  riuis  to  Dunsville.     The  county  is 

fart  of  the  tract  ceded  to  Massachusetts,  and  is  divided  into  12  towns, 
op.  35,710. 

Avon,  originally  nnmed  Hartford,  nnd  organized  by  general  srs- 
^ons  of  Ontario  county  in  1789 ;  from  Albany  220  miles.     This  town 


LIVINGSTON    COUNTY. 


243 


was  settled  in  1790,  by  five  families  from  Farmington  in  Connecticut. 
Avon  IS  a  village  upon  the  upper  bank  of  the  Genesee,  10  miles  NW. 
Irom  Geneseo.  It  was  laid  out  in  1826,  by  Jamos  Wadsworth,  Esq., 
and  contains  an  academy  and  about  70  neat  dwellings.  The  river  is 
navigable  20  miles  for  boats  to  the  Erie  canal,  at  Rochester,  with 
which  It  IS  connected  by  a  feeder,  "  The  situat;  >n  of  the  village  in 
one  of  the  most  fertile  and  beautiful  portions  of  weatem  New  York, 
and  the  valuable  medicinal  qualities  of  its  springs.,  combine  to  render 
this  one  of  the  most  attractive  watering-places  is*  the  state.  Three 
springs  have  already  been  discovered  here,  and  ns  their  chemical 
composition  does  not  differ  materially,  it  is  probable  that  they  exert 
similar  effects  on  the  animal  economy.  The  firBl,  called  the  New 
Avon  Bath  Spring,  was  discovered  in  1835.  Its  depth  is  about  36 
feet,  and  the  formation  through  which  the  water  passes  is  limey  slate. 
Its  water,  when  heated,  assumes  a  beautiful  green  color.  These 
waters  were  known  to  the  Senecas,  who,  until  w:thin  a  few  years, 
inhabited  a  village  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river  called  Canawa- 
gus.  The  Indian  chief.  Red  Jacket,  held  them  \r-  high  estimation. 
These  springs  are  rapidly  rising  in  public  favor,  and  the  place  ere 
long  is  destined  to  become  a  second  Saratoga.  Ui.  >n  the  flats  there 
is  a  singular  pond  about  2  miles  in  diameter,  in  an'irregular  circular 
form  ;  a  neck  of  land  runs  into  and  expands  within  the  circle  occupy, 
ing  the  centre,  on  which  are  remains  of  ancient  Indiasi  works."  East 
Avon,  11  miles  NE.,  andLittel's  Mills,  8  miles  N.  fror,.  Geneseo,  are 
small  villages.     South  Avon  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  2,5^98. 

The  Genesee  in  the  early  French  histories  is  cail^id  the  Seneca 
river,  probably  from  the  circumstance  that  its  rich  valleys  were  stud- 
ded with  the  villages  of  the  Senecas.  This  tribe,  one  of  the  Five 
Nations,  was  on  terms  of  friendship  with  the  English,  while  the  Indi- 
ans of  the  upper  lakes  were  strongly  attached  to  the  French.  The 
subjects  of  these  rival  nations  were  exceedingly  jealous  of  each  other, 
particularly  with  respect  to  the  Indian  trade,  which  both  endeavored 
to  monopolize.  Hence  hostilities  between  these  parties  often  occur- 
red. In  1787,  Monsieur  l)e  la  Barre,  the  governor  of  Canada,  having 
made  an  unsuccessful  attempt  against  the  Five  Nations,  the  Marquis 
I)e  Nonville,  his  successor,  resolved  to  retrieve  the  fallfn  honor  of 
his  (•omitrynien.  For  this  purpose  he  sent  messengers  to  the  tribes 
around  the  northern  lakes,  and  succoedcjd  in  ■•«»llecting  u  (:.'>iisiderable 
body  of  Indians  to  assist  him  in  his  enterprise  against  the  Senecas. 

"  Prepamtory  to  this  pxpoiliiion,  De  Nonville  rollfctnd  largo  «iip|>liP8  at  C»J.!nickui,  (now 
KinRmini.)  in  nniicipiition  of  the  march  of  hiii  troops,  and  the  Indians  from  iho  neinhhor. 
hood  ol  Qufhcr,  to  ihnt  post.  The  ndvunce  of  his  army,  roniii»tin({  of  two  or  ihrop  humlrad 
CnnixliiuiH,  wpw  oointnandtMl  hy  M.  CHnipngnir,  who  Rurprined  two  villiiffffl  of  ihn  Fivo 
Nations,  in  Ihf  neiKhborhood  of  Cndarackui,  and  put  the  inhahitnntM  to  death  with  great 
rriiclty,  to  prevent  them,  n»  it  wan  said,  from  eimveymg  intelligence  of  the  inovotnenta  of 
the  Frtsncli  to  their  own  people,  an  it  was  aiippiMed  thoy  had  done  in  regard  lo  the  laat  ex. 
pedilion  under  M.  De  la  Barre.  These  people,  however,  hitd  nettled  then,  at  she  invitation 
ot  the  French,  and  anticipafing  no  harm,  were  the  more  easily  iurpriwd,  '  They  were 
earned  in  cold  bloml  to  the  fort,'  (saya  Dr.  Colden.)  '  and  tied  to  itoket  to  be  t.>rmented  by 
the  French  Indians,  (Christinna  aa  they  were  called,)  and  during  the  torture  cotuiniied  sing, 
ing  in  llieir  country  manner,  and  upbraiding  the  French  with  ilieir  perfidy  and  inKraiiiud*.' 


244 


LIVWOSTON   COUNTY. 


" Several  attempts  of  the  English  to  sow  dissensions  among  the  upper  lake  Indi- 

ans,  and  divert  them  from  their  purpose,  having  proved  unavailing,  and  De  Nonville's  pre- 
parations  for  ilie  expedition  being  completed,  he  departed  from  Cadarackui  for  the  entrance 
of  the  Genesee  river  on  the  23d  of  June,  1687,  embarking  his  army  in  canoes,  and  sending 
one  half  thereof  along  the  northern  shore  of  the  lake,  while  he,  with  the  other  half,  passed 
coastwise  by  the  southern  shore,  that  no  accidents  by  wind  might  altogether  defeat  the  ex. 
pedition.  So  punctually  were  the  arrangemento  executed,  that  both  divisions  arrived  at 
Irondequoit  on  the  same  day,  where  their  Indian  allies  appear  to  have  been  already  assem- 
bled. Immediately  after  landing,  the  canoes  were  hauled  up,  and  a  military  defence  was 
constructed,  in  which  a  guard  of  four  hundred  men  was  left,  while  the  main  body  of  the 
forces  advanced  upon  the  principal  town  of  the  Senecas— the  site  of  which,  at  that  time, 
was  upon  the  Genesee  river,  within  the  territory  now  forming  the  town  of  Avon.  Before 
departing  from  Irondequoit,  however,  a  young  Canadian  Frenchman  was  shot  for  the  crime 
of  having  conducted  a  party  of  Englishmen  to  the  upper  lakes  The  charge  was  that  of 
being  a  spy,  although  France  and  England  were  then  at  peace. 

"  During  the  march,  the  Indians,  led  by  a  party  of  Indian  traders,  formed  the  van,  whiU 
the  regular  troops  and  Canadian  militia  composed  the  main  body  of  the  forces.  They  ad. 
vanced  four  leagues  on  tlie  first  day,  without  discovering  an  enemy.  On  the  morning  of 
the  second,  scouts  were  despatched  in  advance,  who  approached  the  cornfields  of  the  vil. 
lages  without  making  any  discoveries — a  circumstance  not  very  creditable  to  the  sagacity 
of  De  Nonville's  Indians,  since  they  passed  within  pistol  shot  of  an  ambuscade  of  five  hun- 
dred  Senecas.  Supposing  the  warriors  had  all  fled,  De  Nonville  pushed  rapidly  forward, 
for  the  purpose  at  least  of  coming  up  with  and  capturing  the  women,  children,  and  old  men. 
But  no  sooner  had  the  French  reached  the  foot  of  the  hill,  (a  short  distance  north  of  Com. 
stock's  hotel,  between  the  present  village  of  Avon  and  the  river,)  than  the  war-whoop  of 
the  ambuscade  rang  in  their  ears,  while  a  well-directed  volley  of  musketry  brought  many 
of  them  to  the  ground. 

"  The  surprise  was  complete,  and  the  panic  so  great  that  the  divisions  of  the  French 
separated  in  the  woods,  and  in  their  confusion  fired  upon  each  other.  Availing  themselves 
of  the  advantage,  the  Senecas  rushed  in  upon  their  foes  with  tomahawk  in  hand,  and  the 
battle  was  fierce  and  bloody  until  De  NonvilJt's  regulars  had  time  to  rally  and  move  again 
in  phalanx.  The  brave  Seneciis  were  then  repulsed ;  but  it  was  an  empty  victory  to  Do 
Nonville.  He  was  so  dispirited  by  the  surprise  he  had  mrf,  that  even  his  Indians  could  not 
persuade  him  to  a  pursuit  that  day.  On  the  following  day  ho  inarched  upon  the  villages, 
with  a  view  of  burning  them  ;  but  that  labor  had  been  i)erfonncd  to  his  hunds  by  the  Senel 
cas  th(  niselves.  Two  prisoners  only  were  made  by  the  invaders — old  men,  who  were  dis. 
covered  in  llie  castle— and  who  were  cut  to  pieces  and  boiled  into  soup  for  De  Nonville's 
allies.  The  invadem  remained  five  or  six  days,  travcrfing  the  valley  of  the  river  for  a  few 
miles,  and  destroying  the  growing  corn  in  the  fields.  They  then  returned  to  their  cant)es, 
and  bai  k  to  Canada — stopping  awlule  at  Niagara,  where  a  small  fort  was  erected,  in  which 
a  garrison  was  left  of  one  hundred  men.  The  Indians  from  tlie  upper  lakes  were  gratified 
with  the  erection  of  this  post,  hi  lieving  that  it  would  be  of  essenlinl  service  in  their  opera, 
tions  against  llie  Five  Nnlions,  whom  De  Nonvi'ip  promised  yet  to  nsnist  them  in  subduing. 
But  that  promise  was  never  fulfilled.  On  tiio  i  iijurary,  the  fort  at  Niiigara  was  so  closely 
invested  by  llie  Five  Nations,  that  eighly-iight  of  the  Inuidred  died  of  hunger,  and  but  for 
the  aid  of  a  party  of  French  IiidiiuiH,  the  others  would  have  uliared  the  same  fate.  The 
Five  Nations,  moreover,  afterward  larried  the  war  into  Canada,  even  to  Montreal  and  Que. 
bee  Tli3  loss  of  the  French,  killed  in  the  battle,  was  one  hundred  men  and  ten  liulians. 
The  SeneeuN  had  about  eighty  warriors  slain.  In  the  course  of  the  expedition,  De  Non- 
ville eonirivi  d  to  make  thirteen  captives,  who  were  sent  to  France  as  trophies,  and  thence 
as  slaves  to  the  galleys."* 

Caledonia,  origiiifilly  named  Southampton,  Jiud  organized  a.s  part 
of  Gcncsco  county  in  1H02;  from  Albany  2iiH,  from  CJencseo  cen- 
trally distant  N.  U  miles.  Pop.  1,085.  Caledonia  village  has  about 
60  dvvrllirigH. 

Con  ESI  (4,  originally  named  Freeport,  afterward  changed  to  Bow- 
ersville,  and  finally  to  its  present  name,  was  taken  from  Livonia  and 


•  The  above  neeotrnt,  and  that  relating  to  t  Jeneseo,  are  extracted  from  a  series  of  histori. 
c«J  and  deseniiiiv.  letters,  published  in  tlw  New  York  Commercial  Advertiser  during  the 
■ummer  and  uutumn  of  lt)4U. 


LIVINCarON   COUNTY. 


345 


Groveland  m  1819 ;  from  Albany  221,  centrally  distant  SE.  from 
Geneseo  10  miles.  Conesus  and  West  Conesus  are  post-offices. 
Conesus  Centre  is  a  small  village.     Pop.  1,654. 


Geneseo,  from  the  residence  of  James  Wadsworth,  Esq. 

Geneseo  is  a  large  township,  having  an  area  of  36  square  miles. 
1  op.  2,802.  The  rich  alluvial  bottom-lands  of  the  river  are  spread 
out  m  this  section  to  their  broadest  expansion.  The  village  of  Gen- 
eseo, the  seat  of  justice  of  Livingston  county,  about  one  mile  from 
the  river,  was  incorporated  in  1832.  It  contains  about  120  dwell- 
ings, the  county  buildings,  3  churches,  the  Livingston  county  high 
school,  2  newspaper  printing  offices,  and  a  bank.  Distant  from  Al- 
bany 226,  from  Washington  345,  and  from  Rochester  about  27  miles. 
"  The  Village  is  pleasantly  situated  upon  a  site  sloping  to  the  west, 
and  enjoys  a  delightful  prospect,  stretching  across  the  valley,  and  in- 
cluding the  town  of  Leicester.  The  landscape,  embracing  an  area 
of  perhaps  Sifteen  miles  in  diameter,  agreeably  undulated  with  gentle 
hills  and  valleys— rich  in  the  garniture  of  fields,  agreeably  interrupted 
by  masses  of  woods,  and  enlivened  by  villas,  besi)eaking  the  comfort- 
able  circumstances  of  their  owners— forms  a  prosju-ct  of  matchless 
beauty.  It  is  rendered  still  more  jjicturesque  by  the  river,  which 
flows  lazily  through  the  valley,  but  disclosing  rmly  here  and  there  a 
section  of  the  .-tream,  breaking  through  the  bower  of  trees  and  dus- 
termg  vines  by  which  its  bright  waters  are  overarched. 

•  *!!  ^T''  '''f  ^'"^  '"^^"''''**  *7  William  and  James  Wadsworth 
in  175)0.  Laujis  being  cheap,  and  they  being  gentlemen  of  sagacity, 
wlio  foresaw  the  rapid  growth  of  the  country  in  no  distant  prospect- 
ive, thcv  were  enabled  to  accumulate  splendid  estates.  The  former, 
(u'li.  W  illiam  Wadsworth,  served  with  his  militia  command  upon  the 
Niagara  frontier  during  the  last  war  with  England,  and  acquitted 
himself  with  gallantry.  Mr.  James  Wadsworth  yet  survives  in  a 
green  t.ld  age,  the  patriarch  of  the  (Jenesee  country.  The  whole  valley 
of  the  Genesee  was  studded  with  Indian  towns,  when  the  white  men 


m 


.846 


LIVINGSTON   COUNTr. 


made  their  advances  thither,  and  the  country  was  full  of  Indians 
when  he  planted  himself  down  among  tiiem.  His  mansion,  the  abode 
ot  refinement  and  elegant  hospitality,  is  finely  situated  at  the  south- 
em  extremity  of  the  principal  street  of  the  village,  embosomed  in 
groves  of  ornamental  trees,  thickly  sprinkled,  among  which  are  the 
elm,  locust,  and  willow,  and  looking  out  upon  a  princely  domain  of 

his  own,  including  a  broad  sweep  of  flats Adjacent  to  the 

mansion  is  a  large  garden,  rich  with  every  description  of  fruit  which 
the  climate  will  allow,  and  adorned  with  flowers  of  every  variety  and 
class  of  beauty. 

"  ....  It  was  at  this  point  that  the  memorable  campaign  of  Gen- 
eral Sullivan  in  1770  was  brought  to  a  close.     In  setting  this  expe- 
dition on  foot,  it  was  the  intention  of  Washington  that  the  American 
forces  should  pass  through  to  the  great  Indian  and  loyalist  rendez- 
vous at  Niagara ;  but  having  ravaged  the  most  populous  portions  of 
the  Indian  country,  Sullivan,  for  reasons  never  fully  explained,  pro- 
ceeded no  further  than  Genesee — sending  a  detachment  across  the 
river,  however,  to  Little  Beardstown,  (now  the  town  of  Leicester.) 
The  Indian  town  of  Genesee,  lying  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  river, 
was  the  largest  of  their  populous  places,  coshiining  according  to  Sul- 
livan's official  report,  'one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  houses,  most  of 
them  very  elegant.     It  was  beautifully  situated,  almost  encircled  with 
a  clear  flat,  extending  for  a  number  of  miles ;  •):•>  which  extensive 
fields  of  corn  were  growing,  together  with  ever)  iund  of  vegetable 
that  could  be  conceived.'     This  and  the  neighboring  towns,  togetlu^r 
with  thousands  of  acres  of  corn,  were  destroyed.     The  Indians  were 
disposed  to  make  a  stand   for  the  protection  of  their  towns,  but  the 
numbers  and  discipline  of  Sullivan's  army  were  too  much  for  thetn. 
At  no  great  distance  south  of  the  village  a  consider- 
able stream,  called  Fall  Brook,  crosses  the  road,  and  descends  into 
the   river.     Before  it  reaches  the  flats  it  plunges  abruptly  into   a 
chasm  one  hundred  feet  deep.     It  is  a  tradition  of  the  neighborhood 
that  in  one  of  the  fights  with  Sullivan,  many  of  the  Inclians  were 
driven  to  the  brink  of  this  precipice,  whence  they  leaped  into  the  gulf, 
and  were  killed  by  the  fall.     There  is  no  mention  of  any  such  inci- 
dent in  the  oflicial  account  of  Sullivan,  or  in  the  other  chronicles  of 
the  day."     Sullivan's  army  encam))cd  on  or  near  this  spot,  and  it  is 
said  that  the  initials  of  some  of  his  soldiers  are  now  plainly  to  be  seen 
carved  on  the  tre(>s,  to  the  left  of  the  cataract. 

(!rov  El- A  NO,  taken  from  Sparta  in  1812;  from  Albanv  237,  from 
Geiioaeo  S.  7  miles.  Pop.  1,993.  Groveland  Hill  and' Groveland 
iin^  hamlets. 

Lkicebter,  organized  in  1802  as  part  of  Genesee  county;  since 
changed  ;  from  Albany  232,  from  Geneseo  W.  6  miles.  Moscow  is 
a  village,  Gibsonville  a  post-office.     Pop.  2,119. 

During  Sullivan's  ex|>e<lition,  Lieut.  Boyd  with  a  scouting  party 
had  a  severe  battle  with  a  superior  force  of  Indians  in  this  vicinity. 
Boyd  and  a  man  named  Parker  were  taken  prisoners,  and  the  former 
tortured  in  the  most  horrible  manner.  The  following  account  is 
from  Wiikinsrm's  Annals  o!  BinL'hamtftn  : 


LIVINGSTON   COUNTY. 


247 


From  Canandaigua  the  army  proceeded  to  Honeoye  which  they  destroyed ;  and  pamine 
by  Hemlock  Lake  they  came  to  the  head  of  ConniJius  Lake,  where  the  army^ncS 
for  the  night,  on  the  ground  which  is  now  called  Henderson's  Flats.  ^  encamped 

hoon  atter  the  army  had  encamped,  at  the  dusk  of  eveninir,  a  party  of  twenty  onfimpn 
cil'nl  hTT**  1 1:'^"':.^""'""  »«y'^'  --  '•"'-^hed  from  tCfle  co^s,  wCh  w"^ 
™d  ntr  1  r  ""^'^""^^  ^'"«''?'  """^  '^"^  ""^  '■"^  "•«  P"'P<««  «f  reconn'oiteringThe 
«  nre  «f  Pnn  'r  T"''  "*  *  P'""*  ""^  ''"""^  Williamsburgh,  at  a  distance  from  the 

nco  of  encampment  of  about  seven  miles,  and  under  the  guidance  of  a  faithful  India" 
l^uHnn,.  ,^^  ^  "^"^  then  the  site  ot  an  Indian  village  ;  and  it  was  apprehended  that  the 
Indians  and  rangers,  as  their  allies  were  called,  might  be  there,  or  in  its  vicinity. 
,.nntli;i..fr,  '■'""'"""r''/*  Williamsburgh,  they  found  that  the  Indians  had  very  re. 
when  thoVior  ?  ."^h'  "1  ''  ^J^u  '"  !*""•  *'"•"  ^^  '""  ''""''"«•  ^he  night  was  so  far  spent 
Zhl  n^?,^^  >  f  S  "  "'  '^^"  •'««""«'">".  that  (he  gallant  Boyd,  considering  the  fatigue 
a  ml  ,n  I'n"  .  '"  ''"T  r*'"^'  r^''"'  *■"  ^'^'  "«"'  the  village,  sleeping  upon  their 
A  corhnifv  rii..r?"r^'  f"'^  ""?  V"  •^^'P'*'"''  '^"  "'"^^enge"  with  a  report  to  the  camp. 
1^  omS^lh  ,   ^      '^"'^  'laybreak,  he  sent  two  men  to  the  main  body  of  the  army  with 

mn  fron^  hi  fiU^'.^ '"'?'^  ^"'l  ""•  '''I"  di^^overed,  but  were  supposed  to  be  not  far  dis. 
tarn,  troni   he  fires  they  found  burning  the  evening  before. 

...,       .  *'">;''»f*"'  ^''^"f-  Boyd  nnd  '»s  men  cautiously  crept  from  the  place  of  their  con- 
«^,HLm!!n\"    n"''""/"!""^  "  "'^^  °^  ','"'  ^'""S'^'  <»*««ove"-ed  «wo  Indians  lurking  about  the 
he  name  of  mZI.     ^  7t  'T'''""'''''-  "^"^  -"id  scalped  by  one  of  the  riflemen,  by 
IlllH^  ?.  '^•u  ^'^""-  Boyd-suppoaing  now  that  if  there  were  Indians  near  they 

would  be  aroused  by  the  report  ot  the  rifle,  and  possibly  by  a  perception  of  what  had  just 
wn rhr!r?'  ',i '^  -^"^^  °^  the  Indian-thought  it  most  prudent  to  retire  and  make  his  best 
TakL  'the  fvetrbir"'     ^'"'  """'''"«"'  "'  °"''  ""''  '''"""''  '*'«  '^^P^  *«>'  *">'» 

,.rilH1.v^7  ""n"^  '^'*'"  "''""»""«  tnile  ""d  «  h»Jf  of  «he  main  army,  they  were  sur. 
dTl}l  ^  «"<^den  appearance  of  a  body  of  Indians,  to  the  amount  of  fi;e  hundred,  un- 

RnVor  X"?!"?  ^?"1:  ""''."'''  """*  ""'"*'"  "f '«"««".  commanded  by  the  infamous 

uuiler,  who  had  secreted  themselves  in  a  ravine  of  considerable  extent,  which  lav  across 

;!'h''!'.?,h'"'i  ^''"'-  ""^'^  ^""^  P"""^'*-  These  two  leaden,  of  the  enemy  had  not  1^ 
thZll  Amcncan  army  smcc  their  appalling  defeat  at  the  narrows  above  Newtown. 
neZl  tZ    f  "r'  '''T"?  "'emselves  till  now.    With  what  dismay  they  must  have  wit 

ofZr  amw'  Th'°V^  """■■  1°^"'  '"'*  '*■"  '""•"«  '''"*''''  ««'''''•  that  marked  the  progress 
i^l.  11?  r  Thoy  dare  not,  however,  any  more  come  in  contact  with  the  main  army, 
w  liaiover  should  bo  the  consequence  of  their  forbearance. 

„..il  Jr""  ^7'^  ?"^  ^'^  ''"'"  '"''■°'''  P"'y'  "P»"  Jiscovering  the  enemy,  knowing  that  the 

n  sf  tr  "''\''''r''''  ^^l'''^.^^  ^y  ^^""■^^''S  '^'°"^^  'heir  lin';,  an  entfrpr^^e  of 
los     espc  ate  undertaking,  made  the  bold  attempt.    As  extraordinary  as  it  may  se^m,  the 

rr,i"T„n,  r  r"'"'f''';  ^"^  '"■"**  ^'^'""  "'«  l"""  of  a  man  on  the  part  of  the 
wh  h  i  •  '""i^''  ''"""'  "^  •'"'  ^"•""y  *■"«  '''"«<<•  Two  attempts  more  were  made 
m  eiirollur  V'"'rT'''''.'!"''  i"  \''*'"''  "^•^  "•'"'•'  P""''  '■''"•  «''^«'P'i"*f  Lieu.  Boyd 
rl  f, ,  7;,  ""'"'  "",''  ",«"''"''.''>'  "•"  """'"  "'  ''''^'^''''  ^'"'«  taken  prisoners  on  the 
o  oloZrhf. ,  ^rr''"'"'^^  ""'*  "  """  '■^"  ""  '''"  ^^"""•^  »l>l»'r«ntly  dead,  anj  were 

Zhc  S,o  fell.  "'  '^'"'  '""  """''  ""^"^"^  "'  P"'''^'""S  ">'=  '■"S"'^'^''  to  "otice 

nrrfSl"  >""'"  '^"^''  /"""d  himself  a  prisoner,  he  solicited  an  interview  with  Brant, 
pr.f  mng,  ,t  Heems,  t„  throw  himself  upon  the  clemency  and  fidelity  of  the  savoco  leaded 

me  „;;:;'";:;:..?'"•■: """ '"^^ "^ t^ -^'v''^'"'' -"'"^"-  ti.o chief! who wa« auh  mo! 

tok  1  i;.h  "  l'.  ''^'  P^^7",-'l  h-'s-lf  when  Lieut.  Hoy.l,  by  one  of  those  appeal,  and 
mv  rries  «  ,  "h     "''""''^/■'''t^    '''"'  ''""^'^  ''^'■"  ""''«"•''  and  instructed  in  certain 

D  nl  was  rLoan  A  ^'u ""'''  '''"'•''''.. '""P""  ''"""  ""^■'  P»"i«hment  or  death.  The  ap. 
tlt^rU^Sdl/cSr.?"'  """""'••'"y-  -'«'  in  the  strongest  language,  a^urcd  hifn 

thr'lmnl'vill,!"'  ''''''"711"""""  "-"e  conduri.d  immediately  by  a  pony  of  the  Indians  to 
li,.,  .!,!'■  ""'  Heanls.own,  atter  a  distinguished  chief  of  that  name,  on  .he  west 
Hetd  tol^,  HZ'''h''''''  "n^'"  ^■'""  *'  ""^  '•""'''^  ^'"i^^'^f-  After  .heir  arrival  at 
i"  "he  re  n.  Pnl   R.  ,?"*  '^['■^""  '""""  ^''''''  ""l"*™'^  »  ^^^  hour«'  absence,  left  them 

ofT  a  I  nn^^r"li'  h"'"  ""■  PV^"'"  "  "'»"""""' ""^ 'h"  "'""her.  "tuaiion.  and  intentions 
.ntt,.™^^^^^^^^  threatened   .hem,  m  cose  they  hesitated  or  prevari.a.ed 

BriL>  :  Z«  •  '"j'^'T  k""  "P  "»'"«'h'"'"'y  to  be  massacred  by  the  Indian.;  who.  in 
Br«,«P.a,.ence.  and  with  the  encouragemen.  of  .heir  mo,«  savage  commander.  But  er. 


948 


LIVINGSTON   COUNTY. 


i 


:| 


i     ! 


were  ready  to  commit  the  greatest  cruelties.  Relying  probably  upon  the  promises  which 
Brant  had  made  them,  and  which  he  most  likely  intended  to  fulfil,  they  refused  to  give 
Butler  the  desired  information.  Upon  this  refusal,  burning  with  revenge,  Butler  hastened 
to  put  his  threat  into  execution.  He  delivered  them  to  some  of  their  most  ferocious  ene- 
mies, among  which  the  Indian  chief  Little  Beard  was  distinguished  for  his  inventive  fe- 
rocity. In  this,  that  was  about  to  take  place,  as  well  as  in  all  the  other  scenes  of  cruelty 
that  wore  perpetrated  in  his  town.  Little  Beard  was  master  of  ceremonies.  The  stoutest 
heart  quails  under  the  apprehension  of  immediate  and  certain  torture  and  death ;  where 
too,  there  is  not  an  eye  that  pities,  nor  a  heart  that  feels.  The  suffering  lieutenant 
was  first  stripped  of  his  clothing,  and  then  tied  to  a  sapUng,  when  the  Indians  menaced 
his  life  by  throwing  their  tomahawks  at  the  tree  directly  over  his  head,  brandishing  their 
scalping-knives  around  him  in  the  most  frightful  manner,  and  accompanying  their  ceremo. 
nies  with  terrific  shouts  of  joy.  Having  punished  him  sufficiently  in  this  way,  they  made 
a  small  opening  in  his  abdomen,  took  out  an  intestine,  which  tliey  tied  to  a  sapling,  and 
then  unbound  him  from  the  tree,  and  by  scourges,  drove  him  around  it  till  he  had  drawn 
out  the  whole  of  his  intestines.  He  was  then  beheaded,  and  his  head  was  stuck  upon  a 
pole,  with  a  dog's  head  just  above  it,  and  his  body  left  unburied  upon  the  ground.  Through- 
out the  whole  of  his  sufferings,  the  brave  Boyd  neither  asked  for  mercy,  or  uttered  a  word 
of  complaint. 

"  Thus  perished  William  Boyd,  a  young  officer  of  heroic  virme  and  of  rising  talents ;  and 
in  a  manner  that  will  touch  the  sympathies  of  all  who  read  the  story  of  his  death.  His 
fellow-soldior,  and  fellow-suffcrer,  Parker,  was  obliged  to  witness  this  moving  and  tragical 
scene,  and  in  full  expectation  of  passing  the  same  ordeal.  According,  however,  to  our  in- 
formation, in  relation  to  the  death  of  these  two  men,  which  has  been  obtained  incidentally 
from  the  Indian  account  of  it,  corroborated  by  the  discovery  of  the  two  bodies  by  the 
American  army,  Parker  was  only  beheaded. 

"  The  main  army,  immediately  after  hearing  of  the  situation  of  lieutenant  Boyd's  de- 
tachment, moved  towards  Genesee  river,  and  finding  the  bodies  of  those  who  were  slain  in 
the  heroic  attempt  to  penetrate  the  enemy's  line,  buried  them  in  what  is  now  the  town  of 
Groveland,  near  the  bank  of  Beard's  creek,  under  a  bunch  of  wild  plum-trees,  where  the 
graves  are  to  be  seen  to  this  day." 

Lima,  originally  named  Charleston,  and  organized  by  general  ses- 
sions of  Ontario  county  in  1789;  from  Albany  213  miles.  Pop. 
2,186.  Lima  village,  centrally  situated  on  the  great  western  road, 
has  about  100  dwellings,  remarkable  for  their  neatness.  The  Gen- 
esee Wesleyan  University,  a  highly  flourishing  and  well-endowed  in- 
stitution, is  situated  here. 

Livonia,  taken  from  Pittstown  in  1808  ;  from  Albany  217  miles. 
Livonia  Centre,  Lakeville,  6  miles  E.  from  Geneseo,  Jacksonville, 
and  South  Livonia,  are  villages.     Pop.  2,719. 

Mount  Morris,  taken  from  Leicester  in  1818 ;  from  Albany  236 
miles.  Pop.  4,547.  "  On  the  bank  of  the  river  in  this  town,  an  an- 
cient mound  was  discovered  and  opened  in  1835,  in  which  were  some 
human  skeletons  in  a  very  decayed  state,  and  uncommonly  large, 
with  some  stone  arrow-heads,  stone  knife  and  cleaver,  and  a  copper 
skewer,  about  the  size  of  a  pipe  shank,  flattened  at  one  end  and 
slightly  twisted.  The  knife  was  of  fine  hard  stone  of  the  thickness 
of  a  quire  of  paper,  with  sharpened  edges.  The  cleaver  was  of  slate. 
These  articles  were  of  the  rudest  workmanship."  There  was  for- 
merly an  Indian  village  hero  called  AUenshill.  It  was  named  after 
Ebenezcr  Allen,  the  first  miller  in  Rochester,  a  monster  in  human 
shape.  Many  are  the  tales  related  of  his  wickedness,  almost  too 
painful  for  recital.  One  will  suffice.  "  During  the  revolution  he  was 
a  tory,  and  on  one  occasion,  when  on  a  scouting  party  with  some  In- 
dians in  the  Susquehannah  country,  they  entered  a  dwelling  where 


LIVINGSTON   COUNTT. 


340 


they  found  a  man,  and  his  wife,  and  one  child,  in  bed.    As  they  en- 
tered, the  man  sprang  upon  the  floor  to  defend  himself,  but  Allen  felled 

"^u  .^  l?"^',  ^*''"''''  ""^  ^'^  *»®^d'  ^d  tossed  it  bleeding  into  the  bed 
with  the  hapless  woman.  He  then  snatched  the  infant  from  its 
mothers  bosom,  and  dashed  its  head  against  the  jamb  of  the  fire- 
place.  Allen  died  m  1814,  on  the  river  De  Trench,  in  Upper  Can- 
ada—three ol  his  wives  and  their  children  surviving  him. 


Western  view  of  Mount  Morris  village,  Livingston  county. 


The  Indians  sold  out  this  country  to  Messrs.  Phelps  &  Gorham, 
makmg,  however,  the  reservation  known  as  the  Gardeau  reservation. 
This,  commonly  called  the  White  Woman's*  land,  is  partly  in  this 
town,  and  partly  in  Nunda,  and  in  Castile,  Wyoming  county.  Mr. 
Thomas  Morris  from,  Philadelphia,  from  whom  the  town  is  named, 
bought  out  Allen,  and  in  1804  the  village  was  founded,  mostly  by 
famihes  from  Connecticut.  Mount  Morris  village,  incorporated  in 
1835,  is  at  the  head  of  the  boat  navigation  on  Genesee  river,  36  miles 
«w  ^'^^^^"t^^'  ^^^  ^y  the  Genesee  valley  canal  38i,  from  Geneseo 
bW.  e  miles.  The  site  is  beautiful,  being  elevated  above  the  fertile 
flats  which  border  the  river.  The  annexed  view  was  taken  near  the 
residence  of  Mr.  Joseph  Starkey.  The  three  churches  seen  in  front 
are  respectively  the  Episcopal,  Baptist,  and  Methodist ;  the  spire  on 
the  left  IS  that  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  The  hills  in  the  distance 
are  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Genesee  flats.  The  village  contains 
about  120  dwellings.  The  post-offices  are  River  Road,  River  Road 
Forks,  Tuscarora,  at  Brushville  village,  and  Brooks  throve. 

Sparta,  organized  as  part  of  Ontario  county  in  1789;  area  since 
reduced;  from  Albany  231  miles.  Pop.  5,841.  Dansville  village, 
18  miles  SE.  from  Geneseo,  is  at  the  head  of  the  Genesee  valley,  45 


•  For  a  biographical  sketch  of  Mary  Jemison,  or  the  "  White  Woman,"  the  reader  ia  re. 
lorred  to  Laatile,  Wyoming  county, 

32 


r-tlfnr-llF^ 


250 


LIVINOttTON    COUNTY. 


Wrstftit  view  in  Dansinlle,  Livingston  county. 

miles  from  Uoohrster.  A  side-cut  connects  this  village  and  the 
vnlley  of  the  Ciinascraga  with  the  Olean  and  Uochester  canal.  Tlio 
above  is  a  central  view  in  Dansville.  There  is  a  Lutheran  and  a 
Methodist  church  besides  th(!  one  shown,  which  is  a  Presbyterian, 
and  a  flourishinpf  Academy.  This  is  a  thrivinj>  place  and  rapidly 
increasing.  Within  the  circle  of  rt  miles,  there  are  no  less  than  60 
saw-mills.  There  are  now  in  the  viiiage  about  200  dwellings.  The 
first  settler  in  the  village  was  Amariah  Hammond,  originally  from 
New  L()nd«>n.  CoTin.  He  came  here  in  nDi),  and  erected  in  June  of 
that  year  the  first  log  cai)in,  which  stood  a  few  rods  south  of  his  pre- 
sent residence.  Sluutly  alter  came  Sanmel  Stillwell,  Alexander  Ful- 
lerton.  IVedtM-ick  Covert,  Richard  Porter,  and  others.  The  village 
was  laid  out  in  1700,  by  Daniel  Faulkner  from  Dansville,  Penn.,  after 
which  it  was  named.  He  was  a  wealthy  enterprising  man,  and 
making  hux'c  purchases  of  land,  held  out  inducements  to  emigrants. 
When  Mr.  flammond  came,  thert!  was  no  blacksmith  nearer  than  40 
miles,  at  Bath.  Tlu^  usual  price  for  laborers  was  02,  and  some,  by 
jobbing,  would  (>arn  t  or  .'i  a  day.  In  the  spring  of  17SHJ,  the  settlers 
were  alnnned  by  a  loud  noise  like  the  report  of  a  cannon.  It  was 
immediately  ascertained  to  be  the  I)ursting  out  of  a  stream  on  the  hill 
east  of  the  village.  The  water  i-nme  with  such  force  as  to  throw 
forth  earth  and  stones  weighing  t\V(»  or  thr(>e  hundred  pounds.  An 
oak  two  and  a  half  feet  in  diameter  was  cast  butt  foremost  down  the 
hill.  The  stream  is  supiKised  to  be  the  outlet  of  a  pond  one  and  a 
half  mile  distant,  on  the  sununit  of  tlie  n»ountain.  It  continues  to 
tlow  to  the  pn'sent  day.  and  is  used  to  turn  the  wheels  of  u  tannery. 
IJefore  the  revolution,  according  to  tradition,  a  battle  took  place  on  a 
hill,  a  tew  miles  distant,  between  the  Canisteo  Indians  and  those  liv- 
inc  in  this  vicinity,  during  which  a  chief  of  the  latter  was  killed. 
Wh»n  the  whites  fust  settled  here,  the  s|K)t  where  he  fell  was  marked 
by  a  large  Iiole  dug  in  the  earth  in  the  shape  of  a  man  with  arms  ex- 
tended.  An  lii<!ian  trail  led  by  tli(>  place,  and  the  Indians,  on  passing, 
were  i.hvays  accustomed  to  clear  away  the  dry  leaves  and  brush 
which  had  blown  in.     Tins  chief  was  buried  in  an  old  Indian  bury- 


LONG    ISLAND.  051 

ing  ground  which  stood  on  the  present  site  of  the  Lutheran  church, 
and  was  thickly  covered  with  graves  to  the  extent  of  two  or  three 
acres.  His  monument  consisted  of  a  large  pile  of  small  ston.  s  gath- 
ered  from  time  to  time  by  the  natives  from  a  hill  a  mile  distant ;  who, 
on  piissmg,  were  accustomed  to  take  one  in  their  hand  and  add  to 
the  heap.  His  bones  were  aflorward  disinterred  by  the  settlers,  and 
ludging  from  them,  and  the  length  of  the  hole  on'  the  hill,  he  must 
have  been  7  feet  or  more  in  height.  Scottsburg,  Byersvillc,  Kysor- 
ville,  and  Union  Corners,  are  small  villages.  Sparta  is  a  nost-oifice. 
Si'HiNH WATER,  takou  from  Sparta  and  Naples  in  1816;  from  Gene- 
seo,  SE.,  18  miles.  Springwator  valley  is  a  small  village.  Pop. 
2,832. 

York,  taken  from  Caledonia  and  Leicester  in  1819 ;  from  Albany 
287  miles.  Pop.  3,044.  Fowlers  ville,  on  the  Genesee,  10  miles  N., 
Greggsvillo,  4  miles  NW.  from  Geneseo,  and  York  Centre,  are  small 
villages. 


LONG  ISLAND.* 

"  LoNo  Island  may  he  described  as  the  .southeasterly  portion  of  the 
state  of  New  York,  and  extending  from  about  40°  34'  to  41°  10' 
north  latitude,  and  from  2°  .'>8'  to  .5^  3'  cast  longitude  from  Washing- 
ton city ;  being  in  length  from  Fort  Hamilton,  at  the  Narrows,  to 
Montauk  Point,  nearly  one  hundred  and  forty  miles,  with  a  mean 
range  north,  »(>°  44'  east.  Its  breadth  from  the  Narrows,  as  far  east 
as  the  Peconie  bay,  varies  from  12  to  20  miles  in  a  distance  of  ninety 
miles."  A  ridge  or  chain  of  hills  commences  at  New  Utrecht,  in 
Kings  county,  and  extends  with  occasional  interruptions  to  near 
Oyster  Pond  Point,  in  Suffolk  connty.  The  surface  of  the  island 
north  of  the  ridge  is  in  general  rough  and  broken,  while  the  surface 
south  of  the  range  is  almost  a  perfect  plain,  with  scarce  a  stone  ex- 
ceeding in  weight  a  few  ounces. 

On  tlie  south  side  of  the  island  is  the  great  South  bay,  extending 
from  Hempstead  to  the  eastern  boundary  of  Brookhaven — a  distance 
of  more  than  seventy  miles  of  uninterrupted  inland  navigation.  It 
varies  in  width  from  two  to  five  miles,  communicating  with  the  sea 
by  a  few  openings  in  the  beach,  the  principal  of  which  is  opposite 
the  town  of  Islip,  called  Five  Island  Inlet.  In  this  bay  are  very  ex- 
tensive tracts  of  salt  marsh,  and  islands  of  meadow  furnishing  im- 
mense quantities  of  ^rass ;  while  its  waters  coiif  lin  great  quantities 
of  shell  and  scale  hsh.  Wild-fowl  of  many  .iids  and  in  almost 
countless  numbers  are  found  here,  and  many  hundreds  of  people  are 
engaged  in  taking  them  for  the  New  York  market.     The  north  shore 

•  A  hitior)'  of  Long  Island  in  nn  ocinvo  volume  of  536  pages,  by  B.  F.  Thompson,  Esq., 
has  beon  recently  published;  it  w  to  this  valuable  and  interesting  work  that  the  euthort«r« 
deeply  imiobted  for  the  account  given  of  the  varioua  towns  on  hang  Island. 


262 


LONG   ISLAND. 


«        '' 


lip 


of  the  island  is  very  irregular,  and  where  not  protected  by  masses  of 
rock  and  stone,  has  been  worn  away  by  the  sea  to  a  considerable 
extent.  The  soil  on  the  north  side  generally  consists  of  loam,  on  the 
south  side  it  consists  more  of  sand,  while  through  the  middle  of  the 
island  it  consists  chiefly  of  sand  and  gravel.  The  soil  on  the  high 
grounds  is  in  most  cases  better  than  that  upon  the  plains,  yet  that 
found  upon  the  necks  or  points  on  both  sides  is  better  than  either. 
The  soil  m  the  vicinity  of  New  York  is  highly  productive  and  valua- 
ble, but  in  the  greater  part  of  the  island  it  is  naturally  light  and  poor. 
Much  of  the  land  m  the  central  part  of  the  island  is  covered  with  a 
vast  pme  forest,  in  which  wild  deer  are  still  to  be  found. 

"  Long  Island  Sound  is  a  bay,  or  inland  sea,  with  two  outlets.  If 
considered  as  extending  from  the  Battery,  in  New  York,  to  Fisher's 
island,  its  length  is  the  same  as  that  of  the  island.  Proceeding  from 
the  city,  easterly,  it  has  a  tortuous  course  of  16  miles,  in  which  it 
varies  from  half  a  mile  to  two  miles  in  width.  From  the  Battery  to 
Harlaem  river,  the  course  is  NNE.  8  miles,  and  thence  to  Throg's 
Point,  nearly  E.,  8  more.  This  portion  is  known  as  the  East  river. 
At  the  bend,  opposite  to  Ilarlacm  river,  is  the  noted  pass  of  Helle  Gat 
(Dutch)  or  the  gut  of  hell,  narrow,  crooked,  and  to  the  inexperienced, 
dangerous.  The  water  here,  when  the  tide  is  rising  or  falling,  forms 
cataracts  and  vortices,  which  may  dash  to  pieces  or  swallow  up  the 
largest  vessel  coming  within  their  influence.  The  best  times  for  pass- 
ing it  are  at  high  and  low  water. 

"  Above  Throg's  Point,  the  Sound,  properly  speaking,  commences, 
and  turns  to  the  NE.  18  miles,  between  Lloyd's  neck  and  Stamford,  in 
Connecticut.  Thus  far  the  shores  are  rugged  and  the  channel  rocky, 
and  much  interrupted  by  small  islets  and  projecting  points ;  but  be^ 
yond  Lloyd's  neck  it  opens  into  a  noble  elliptical  expanse,  from  8  to 
20  miles  wide,  and  with  depth  sufficient  for  the  largest  vessels  of 
commerce  or  war ;  presenting,  along  its  northern  shore,  a  continued 
picture  of  gradually  rising  hills,  bold  promontories,  and  commodious 
havens,  which  is  chased  before  the  eye  like  a  brilliant  phantasmago- 
ria,  in  the  rapid  passage  of  the  steamboats." 

Long  Island  was  claimed  by  the  Dutch  and  English  nations  re- 
spectively by  right  of  discovery.  The  Dutch  commenced  their  set- 
tlements as  early  as  102.5,  at  the  west  end  of  the  island.  In  1623, 
the  Plymouth  company,  by  order  of  Charles  I.,  issued  letters  patent 
S.  il  ^'^'^  Alexander,  Earl  of  Stirling,  for  the  whole  of  the  island. 
The  English  made  settlements  at  the  east  end  of  the  island,  but  they 
were  for  a  season  resisted  by  the  Dutch.  The  settlements,  both  at 
the  E.  and  W.  end,  were  nearly  cotemporary.  In  the  Dutch 
towns,  the  Indian  title  was  bought  by  the  governor,  and  the  lands 
granted  to  individuals  by  him  ;  in  the  English  towns  lands  were  ob- 
tained under  the  license  of  the  agent  of  Lord  Stirling,  and  after  his 
death,  by  the  people  of  the  several  towns  for  their  common  benefit. 
1  he  line  of  division  between  the  two  nations  was  a  source  of  much 
contention  and  many  complaints.  The  several  English  towns  united 
themselves  with  the  colonies  of  Connecticut  and  New  Haven.    After 


LONO    ISLAND. 


353 


Connecticut  received  her  royal  charter,  in  1662,  she  exercised  juris- 
diction, and  gave  each  of  the  towns  who  united  with  her,  permission  to 
send  a  deputy  to  the  general  court.  But  before  these  measures  could 
be  tullv  completed  they  were  frustrated  by  the  grant  of  Long  Island 
to  the  Duke  of  York.  ->        o  e 

The  following  account  of  the  Indians  on  Long  Island,  is  taken 
trom  "  Wood's  History  vf  Long  Island,"  published  in  1828. 

"  When  the  first  settlements  were  made  on  the  island  by  the  Dutch  and  Engliah,  it  ap. 
folb^  ■—         °"8inal  Indian  deeds,  that  the  principal  tribes  that  occupied  it,  were  u 

"  The  Canarse,  the  Rockaway,  the  Merikoke,  the  Marsapeague,  the  Secatague,  and  the 
mchague,  on  the  south  side— the  Matinecoc,  the  Nissaquague,  tlie  Satauket,  and  the  Cor- 
chaug,  on  the  north  side  ;  the  Shinecoc,  the  Manhanset,  and  the  Montauk,  from  the  Canoe 
riace  on  Montauk  Point. 

.  "y^^  Canarse  appears  to  have  been  the  only  tribe,  or  the  only  tribe  of  any  consequence, 
in  Kings  county.  This  tribe  claimed  the  chief  part  of  the  ':.nds  in  Kings  county,  and  a 
part  ol  the  lands  in  Jamaica, 

1  '' 'T)'*' IJ^ockaway  tribe  claimed  the  territory  around  Rockaway.  and  more  or  less  of  the 
lands  in  Newtown  and  Jamaica. 

"  The  Merikoke  and  Marsapeague  tribes  extended  from  Rockaway  throuah  Queens 
county  into  Suflolk,  on  thu  south  side  of  the  island. 

"^y^?  if' '"'"'■y  "•"  '■'«  IWntinecoc  uibe  extended  from  Flushing  through  Queens  county 
to  Fresh  Pond  in  Suffolk,  on  the  north  side.  ' 

"  The  Nissaquague  tribe  extended  from  Fresh  Pond  to  Stonybrook. 
"  The  Satauket  tribe  claimed  from  Stonybrook  to  the  Wading  river. 
"  The  Corchaug  tribe  extended  from  the  Wading  river  through  South  Old  on  the  north 

"  The  territory  of  the  Manhanset  tribe  was  Shclter-Island. 

"  The  territory  of  the  Secataug  tribe  adjoined  that  of  the  Marsapcagues,  and  extended  to 

"  The  territory  of  the  Patchogue  tribe  extended  to  South  Hampton. 

"  The  Shinecoc  tribe  extended  from  the  Canoe  Point  to  Montauk,  and  that  peninsula 
was  the  seat  of  the  Montauk  tribe. 

"There  are  one  or  two  other  tribes  named  in  the  old  records,  but  the  place  they  occu 
pied  cannot  be  ascertained,  and  it  is  evident  from  that  circumstance,  that  they  must  have 
been  very  small,  perhaps  the  mere  remnants  of  tribes  which  had  been  destroyed  in  their 

"  Jhose  above  enumerated  are  the  principal  tribes  that  occupied  the  island  when  the 
Jinglish  and  Dutch  commenced  their  settlements  there,  and  the  original  purchases  of  the 
several  towns  were  made  of  these  tribes. 

"The  Indian  settlements  were  all  on  the  bays,  creeks,  and  harbors  on  the  north  and 
sou  h  sides  of  the  island,  and  their  territories  were  divided  from  each  other  by  the  middle 
ot  the  island. 

"  At  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  of  the  island,  the  whole  Indian  population  was  con- 
siderable, but  by  no  means  as  great  as  the  facihties  of  subsistence  would  have  authorized  us 
to  expect,  nor  as  great  as  it  probably  had  formerly  been. 

"  The  shell  banks  which  indicate  the  sites  of  their  villages,  on  the  western  half  of  the 
island,  are  large  and  numerous,  and  beds  of  shells  of  some  size  or  other  are  found  at  inter, 
yals  ot  a  few  miles  all  around  the  margin  of  the  island.  From  these  it  would  seem  that 
the  popu  ation  of  some  parts  of  the  island  was  once  very  numerous,  or  must  have  been  sta. 
tionnry  there  a  long  time.* 

"  The  state  of  the  Indian  population,  must  be  ascribed  to  their  perpetual  wars,  by  which 
they  had  been  diminished. 

"  All  savage  nations  are  addicted  to  war.  The  causes  of  war  among  them  are  numerous, 
and  the  mode  of  carrying  it  on  destructive  to  their  numbers. 


•  '  The  shell  banks  in  the  western  towns  of  Suffolk  county  are  much  larger  and  more 
numerous  than  in  the  eastern  towns,  where  shell  fish  are  as  abundant :  which  proves  that 
the  western  part  of  the  island  had  been  the  longest  settled,  and  that  the  Indian  emigration 
proceeded  from  west  to  east."  " 


IB''^ 


254 


LONG    ISLAND. 


j.„. 


"  It  appears  that  Long  Island  had  been  overrun  by  hostile  tribes,  and  many  of  the  natives 
must  have  been  destroyed  by  them. 

"  The  confederacy  of  the  Five  Nations  extended  their  conquests  as  far  south  as  Manhattan 
Island,  and  had  passed  over  to  the  west  end  of  Long  Island,  and  subdued  the  Canarse 

Indians. 

"  There  is  a  tradition  among  the  Dutch,  that  at  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  of  the 
island,  the  Canarse  tribe  paid  the  Mohawks  an  annual  tribute  of  wampum  and  dried  clams 
and  that  they  discontinued  the  payment  of  it  on  the  persuasion  of  the  whites,  in  conse! 
quence  of  which  a  party  of  the  conquerors  came  and  destroyed  the  whole  tribe,  except  a 
few  who  happened  to  be  from  home. 

"  Some  writers  have  supposed  that  the  conquest  of  the  Mohawks  extended  to  the  whole 
island,  but  there  is  no  tradition  to  support  it,  and  it  is  believed  that  the  conquest  never 
extended  beyond  the  territories  of  the  Canarse  Indians.  This  may  have  been  owing  to  the 
fact,  that  all  the  other  Indians  were  in  subjection  to  the  Pequots.  It  is  well  known  that 
this  tribe  never  was  subdued  by  the  Five  Nations,  and  it  would  have  been  a  violation  of  their 
rules  of  warfare,  to  have  turned  their  arms  against  a  tributary  people,  when  they  had  not 
subdued  the  power  that  held  them  in  subjection. 

"  The  Montauks  had  probably  been  the  most  wariike  tribe  on  Long  Island,  had  overrun 
the  other  tribes  on  the  island  east  of  the  Canarse  territory,  and  had  reduced  them  to  some 
kind  of  subje  ;tion.  At  the  time  of  the  first  setllfnient  of  the  island,  the  Montauk  sachem 
claimed  and  jxercisod  some  kind  of  sovereignty  over  tlie  whole  territory,  and  it  is  siatr  i 
that  he  jrsti/  -^d  his  claim  before  the  governor  and  council  in  virtue  of  a  former  conquest  o. 
the  country.  In  1G59,  he  conveyed  the  territory  which  constitutes  the  town  of  Smithtown, 
then  occupie'  by  the  Nissaquaguo  Indians,  to  Lyon  Gardiner. 

"  It  was  un  ler  a  belief  of  his  superiority  over  the  chiefs  of  the  other  tribes,  that  the  first 
settlers  we're  anxious  to  have  their  purchase  deeds  signed  by  that  chief,  as  well  as  by  the 
faachem  of  the  tribe  of  whom  the  land  was  pu.chased. 

"  The  confirmation  deed  of  Hempptead  in  1657,  the  deed  for  Lloyd's  neck,  and  others, 
arc  executed  in  this  manner,  and  in  sorio  of  the  original  deeds  the  Mantauk  chief  is  styled 
the  sachem  of  Long  Island. 

"  The  superiority  ascribed  to  the  chief  of  that  tribe  after  the  settlement  of  the  country, 
might  have  arisen  in  part  from  the  distinction  conferred  on  him  or  recognised  by  the  com- 
missioners  of  the  united  colonics.  In  1651  it  is  staled  in  some  of  our  curly  records,  that 
they  consliluted  one,  who  is  supposed  to  liave  been  the  Montauk  chief,  grand  sachem  of 
the  Long  Island  Indians.  It  is  prubal.le  that  the  commissioners  only  recognised  or  con- 
finned  an  authority  with  wliicli  they  foimd  him  invested. 

"  It  is  evident  from  the  ■>ariy  writers  of  New  England,  that  the  Pequots,  who  occupied 
the  country  around  New  London,  and  was  the  most  wariike  tribe  in  Connecticut,  had  sub- 
dued  the  Montauks  with  their  tributaries,  and  that  at  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  of 
New  England,  the  Long  I«land  Indians  were  in  subjection  to  the  Po(|uoIh,  and  paid  them 
a  tribute.  The  victory  over  the  Montauks  involved  the  subjecliop  of  all  the  tribes  that 
were  under  them,  and  the  conquest  of  the  Pequots  must  have  embraced  all  the  tribes  on 
the  island  east  of  the  Canarse  territor  , 

"  In  1637,  the  New  England  rolonius  made  war  on  the  Pequots,  to  avenge  the  murders 
and  other  hostile  aggressions  which  they  h.'d  committed  on  the  whites,  and  subdued  and 
dispersed  the  whole  tribe.  The  Long  Island  Indians  who  had  been  suisjeet  to  the  Pequots, 
imuv.liately  repaired  to  the  English  to  iiiiike  llicir  piiice  wiili  iliein.  VViiitlirop,  in  his 
journal,  states  that  on  the  redurtion  of.tlie  Pe(|uots  in  1637, 'sacbetnH  from  Long  Island 
came  voluntarily  and  brought  a  tribute  to  us  of  twenty  fathom  of  wnnipum  eoeh  of  them.' 
"  From  this  time  they  seem  to  have  considered  themselves  to  be  in  subjection  to  the 
English,  and  to  have  paid  (hem  tribute,  perhaps  the  same  they  had  paid  the  Pequots.  In 
1641,  they  applied  to  the  conunissioners  for  some  evideriee  of  ihtir  relation  to  them,  and 
'  th.'  eonmiissioners  gave  them  a  eerli'lrale  in  wrilinc,  in  efleet  prumisim;  them  security 
frou'  injury  by  the  English,  and  all  olln'rs  in  friendship  with  tluiii ;  at  which  lime  they  as. 
•ured  the  commissioners  '  thai  they  hud  l)een  tributarii's  to  the  English  ever  since  the  I'e. 
quot  wur,  and  that  ihey  had  never  injured  thi-  En«liHli  or  Diiicli,  but  had  been  friendly  lo 
both,'  which  implied  that  they  had  been  subjeel  to  the  Peciuols  and  followed  their  fate.  In 
Ifi.'iO,  ihi'  eomii.iHHioiiers  sent  Captain  Mason  lo  Long  iNhind  to  require  payment  of  the 
tribute  due  Irnm  the  Indians  there,  and  lo  settle  a  way  in  which  it  might  be  punctually 
discharged  in  future. 

"  In  1656,  the  Moiiiaiik  chief  visited  the  commiasioners*  a.  Boston,  ond  in  answer  to  an 
»nquiry  whether  he  had  paid  the  tribute  due  from  him,  stated  that  he  had  paid  it  at  Hartford 
tor  the  space  of  ten  years,  and  that  il  was  in  arrear  for  the  four  IohI  years,  which  thev  re. 
mittod  in  considerarion  of  his  distrosaed  condiuon  by  the  late  war  in  which  he  had  Lmd 


MADISON    COUNTY. 


255 


engaged  with  the  Narragansetts.  In  1653,  Ninnigrate,  the  cluef  of  the  Nehantic  Indians, 
who  were  either  a  tribe  of  the  Narragansetts  or  closely  connected  with  them,  made  war  on 
^e  Long  Island  Indians,  which  lasted  several  years,  and  reduced  them  to  great  extremity. 
He  mvaded  the  territory  of  the  Montauks,  and  would  have  extirpated  the  whole  tribe,  if 
they  had  not  found  protection  in  the  humanity  of  the  people  of  East  Hampton. 

"  They  were  obliged  to  abandon  their  villages,  and  to  flee  for  refuge  to  East  Hampton, 
where  they  were  kindly  received,  sustained,  and  protected.  They  continued  to  reside  in 
that  town  for  several  years,  before  they  deemed  it  safe  to  return  to  Montauk. 

Long  Island  is  divided  into  three  counties,  Kings,  Queens,  and 
Suffolk.  An  accotant  of  the  various  towns  on  the  island,  with  his- 
torical notices,  &c.,  is  given  under  the  head  of  these  counties  in  iheir 
alphabetical  order. 


MADISON  COUNTY. 

Madison  county  was  taken  from  Chenango  county  in  1806,  and 
named  after  James  Madison,  president  of  the  United  States,  Great- 
est length  N.  and  S.  33,  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W.  32  r  ,  .  Cen- 
trally distant  from  New  York  250,  from  Albany  108  i.  ..es.  The 
surface  of  the  county  is  much  diversified.  The  middle  and  southern 
towns  are  more  or  less  uneven  and  hilly ;  but  the  northern  is  more 
level.  In  the  northern  part  much  wheat  is  produced  :  the  southern 
is  better  adapted  to  grass.  The  county  is  generally  well  watered. 
The  route  of  the  Chenango  canal  Ibllows  up  the  Oriski-ny,  and  crosses 
thence  into  the  Chenango  valley.  The  Erie  canal  runs  westerly 
through  the  northern  towns  of  Lenox  and  Sullivan.  The  county  is 
divided  into  14  towns.     Poj).  40,032. 

Brooki'ikld,  taken  from  Paris  when  part  of  Herkimer  county,  in 
1795;  from  Albany  90  miles  Pop.  3,095.  Clarksville,  incorporated 
in  1834,  has  about  tJO  dwellings.  Leonardsvillc,  on  the  Unadillu 
river,  22  miles  SE.  from  Morristown,  is  a  small  settlement. 

Cazenovia,  taken  from  Whitestown  and  Paris  when  part  of  Her- 
kimer county,  in  1795;  from  Albany  113  miles.  When  erected,  this 
tftwn  comprised  an  area  nearly  etiual  to  that  of  the  county.  Poj). 
4,153.  It  was  first  settled  in  1793,  by  Col.  John  Liiiklaen,  from  Am- 
sterdam, agent  for  a  company  in  Koliand,  who  W(.'re  .owners  of  largo 
tracts  in  this  and  tht^  adjacent  towns,  and  soiti  them  out  in  farms 
principally  to  N«  w  Englanders.  Cazenovia  village  was  founded  by 
Col.  Linklaen,  about  1095,  anil  incorporated  in  IHOO. 

It  is  situated  upon  tin  margin  of  Cazenovia  lake  and  its  outlet,  and 
upon  Chitfenango  creek,  8  miles  S.  of  the  Erie  canal,  1 1  from  Morris- 
ville.  40  from  Utica,  and  1 13  from  Albany.  The  following  engraving 
is  a  JsW.  view  of  the  village  as  seen  from  the  [)ridge,  at  the  outlet  of 
the  lake.  The  village  contains  upwards  of  20(»  dwi^llings,  1  Prosby. 
terian.  1  Methodist,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Con^fregationul  church,  n  bank, 
2  printing  olHces,  and  the  "Oneida  Conference  Seminary,"  incorpn- 
rated  in  18^5.     This  institution  was  established  under  the  patronage 


85B 


MADISON    v/OUNTV. 


w 


It  II 


South  Wcntcrn  view  of  Cazenovia. 

of  tho  Methodist  denomination  for  the  education  of  youth  of  both 
sexes.  It  has  ever  maintained  a  high  standing.  Tlie  number  of 
punils  in  1840  was  327.     Woodstock  is  a  small  village. 

De  Ruvtkh,  taken  from  Cazenovia  in  1708;  from  Albany  123 
miles.  Pon.  I,795>.  Do  Ruyter  village  is  17  miles  SW.  from  Mor- 
nsville,  and  was  incorporated  in  1833.  It  contains  about  80  dwell- 
ings and  the  De  Ruyter  Institute,  a  flourishing  literary  seminary,  es- 
tablished a  few  years  since  under  the  patronage  of  the  Seventh-day 
Baptists.  The  annual  catalogue  for  1840  gives  ltt2  as  the  number 
of  pupils  male  and  female.  A  newspaper  eiititlcd  the  "  Seventh-day 
Bnfitist  Register,"  is  published  in  the  village. 

K.\T(.v,  nnnied  in  honor  of  General  William  Eaton,  settled  in  1704, 


i\i>rlhefist  view  of  thr  public  hvil tings  in  Morrisvilfe. 
and  taken  from  Hamilton  in  1807;  from  Albany  100  mile>.     Pop. 


X    : 


MADISON  COUNTy. 


267 


?'t  ,3°T/«v»"«' the  county  seat,  on  the  three  great  western  turn- 
pikes,  102  miles  from  Albany,  15  S.  of  the  Erie  canal  at  Canastota, 
v^as  founded  in  1803  by  Thomas  Morris,  and  incorporated  in  1833: 
settled  pnncipally  by  emigrants  from  Connecticut.  Tlie  above  view 
shows  the  county  buildings  and  all  the  churches  in  the  village  ex- 
cepting the  Baptist.  The  first  building  on  the  left  is  the  jaif;  the 
second,  with  a  cupo  a,  the  county  house  ;  the  third,  the  county  clerk's 
oftce;  the  fourth,  the  Methodist  church;  and  the  two  on  the  right, 
are  respectively  the  academy  and  the  Presbyterian  church.  There  are 
m  the  VI  age  and  vicinity  about  100  buildings.  Eaton  village,  some- 
times  called  the  Log  City,  4  miles  SE.  fromlVIorrisville,  was  founded 
!(i  •  -.7  ,  •'TPh  ^"^^^^^  ^"'^  has  about  as  many  dwellinL's  as 
Morrisville,nnd  1  Baptist  and  1  Presbyterian  church.  Pratts  Hollow, 
3J  miles  N.  of  Mornsville,  is  u  small  village. 

In  September,  1823,  an  Indian  by  the  name  of  Abram  .Vntone  was 
executed  at  this  place  for  murder.  The  following  narration  is  drawn 
trom  a  memoir  published  at  that  time. 

a  boy,  h,8  parents  removed  to  Chenango.  During  the  revolution  he  took  up  arms  in  favor 
n  i«r„n  Jl^'r'""'-  ""1  •'"'i'J««  ''^i"K  in  ««veral  battie«.  it  is  said,  was  en.pioycd  o„  a  secrel 
h  rZth'^  tn,vernor  Clinton.  Bold,  adventurous,  and  revengeful,  few  dared  to  encoulr 
wh„^  nl,h  *«""' ""fht  elapse  before  the  opportunity  for  revenge  was  afforded  :  but  then. 
m  "  £^h  '  ^?^'"^  offender  least  expeeted.  he  paid  the  price  of  his  temerity  with  his 
ihn.,.JJ      r  r  ntrociotis  deed  of  all,  was  one  at  which  humanity  starts  with  horror— 

ir  i."*^  "n  '"'^'"'  ?'"'''•  "'"^  "'"'  '^'"'''  '"»  "«"'  =  The  circumstances  of  this  event  aro 
1^1  1  M  Tt'^.-"  '"'"•'•  "  "PP''"'^  fr"-"  «'"'  "'='''"""  »f  >""  ^i'"^  "'"t  returning  from 
mnZri^r  ."''""?  """  *""'"*af  '"  •''"  '*''f^'""'  •">  '■•"'"'I  his  little  child  of  four  or  fivo 
fiZ  i^.t^.r'''.  "'''''='^J"^-,.^"'P''"''"'  "'  the  noise,  the  monster  snatched  the  child 
ZZ."  """'•  '""^  "''""^  °P""  '  •""  *""*  "^  '""^»'  *'»"«'*'  "">  infont  beneath 

The  following  are  the  circumstances  connected  with  the  murder  for  which  ho  was  executed, 
ll^dian    t  U  «^?H  Inu'  2l!"T."'t  ''•"K^'" ''<■  intone,  fonned  a  connection  with  a  young 

ho  vo^'lrvilfth  f '■''''"*'*"  '"''"  '<-  *'"*'""•  '•"'  «"""«<•"""  '-'^  «"»"  hroke  off.  and 
the  young  savage  loft  his  former  miitress  for  one  more  agreeable.     This  so  enraged  the  he. 

ndin'n  i'n  f  -J^T""'""'  '".  ^'^^''  'i^nl.  which  she  effected  by  stabbing  h*er  w.th  an 
Indian  kn.fe.  A^hnn  arrested,  and  on  her  v/.y  to  prison,  she  manifested  a  remarkable 
XaZZ  Id  i";  ^""''  ''r'''VT  •■•'"•"■'•/■••"■erning  the  mur.Irr  of  the  squaw,  by  observ! 

leiu.  in  this  county.    John  Jacobs  was  the  principal  evidence  against  her.     He  had  also 

1  Ami  .l.^f  "PP"""n.ty.  Jacobs  hearing  of  it,  left  the  country,  and  did  not  return 
h  mint    hi.  n  J'""  "^-^u   "'"•  """ ''""'''  "";  I'"'""'  ''""'  ""•'"'''y  *""'  '''"  PO^P"'"'  "'Ketting 

hL  »«  h^in  •  ''«•*'«*"»•"''"•  "ll  the  precaution  which  seems  to  have  been  nece-Tary. 
wL  .^.t  n  1,"°?  '"  */'«'''•*'"'  "  """iber  of  men.  when  Antone  came  up  in  a  iViendlV 
ir«n™r„„,  1  .  I."  "^'l^  '"'}  "r  ""'''  *"'  '■»'"''  '"  •'•"■"'•«.  ""d  ^hilo  grasping  l.m  hand 
J  ff„«X.  5  "&•  ".'"  "  ""'^  '"?''^ ''"'" '""  "'"  '""•''  '''"«^'"  "'■  hi"  left  "rm  pronounci,^r 
strikLM^I'?'  .  '*■•  T'  r'"'!"""'"  '**"'""«  P'""K<"1  i'  into  the  body  of  Jaeobi^ 
?IrnHn  „  I  .  '1""^;'";^'''  ""'  "'■"''  "'•-■  ilo  fell  nt  the  first  blow.  Antonn  giving  a 
ternhc  yell,  bounded  off  before  any  one  had  recovered  prosonco  of  mind  sufficient  to  pursue 

h„rTi'flfl'""*'  "'*'"•  ""*  ''""""^  '''""'nK  '^here  he  had  tocreted  hinuelf.  to  the  ntim.  • 
bL?  ..nTr."'  "^7'y  P'"";-'!  Im".  Ho  h«d  cncamM  in  a  thick  cpse  of  under. 
cZ;  ll""  Pr'7'l'"'.h'm'-1(  with  dogs, |,„,  ,„i„ht  give  ,1...  alarm  m  caie  ho  WM  dii. 
rmn«-.M.  '<  '  .1  "  '^"''  "'"f\ '"''"'  '"'  "  P""'  'hroM^h  the  thicket,  which  was  almost 
ZhT>  .!".  "V  '^"''''T'■''  "  ":'"  P""""'"  """  Joif"  «''^''  "'«  «l«nn,  and  Antone.  (Iv.ng 
With  the  «,,o«ci  of  a  deer  ihrtuigh  the  .  wrow  path  which  he  hud  out,  oK-ap«d.     Shortly 

as 


258 


MADISON   COUNTY. 


after,  a  company  composed  of  about  thirty  white  men  and  Indians,  followed  him  to  his 
hiding-place.  They  approached  within  twelve  yards  before  thoy  discovered  him.  Again 
by  his  agility  he  escaped,  the  night  also  favoring  him.  He  went  constantly  armed  with  a 
rifle,  two  or  three  knives,  and  it  has  been  said  that  ho  wore  pistols  in  his  belt;  tliis,  how- 
ever is  not  certain.  His  two  sons  were  almost  constantly  with  him,  well  armed,  and,  as 
they  dccluroii,  for  the  purpose  of  defending  their  father.  One  of  the  brothers,  called  Charles, 
was  a  most  powerful  and  desperate  fellow.  He  was  said  to  be  the  strongest  Indian  of  his 
tribe.  He  died  some  years  since  in  Chenango  county,  having  undertaken  to  drink  a  quart 
of  mm  on  a  wager. 

"  There  was  an  attempt  made  to  take  Antone  while  encamped  on  a  Mr.  John  Guthrie's 
land,  in  the  town  of  Sherburne.  Two  large  and  resolute  Indians  having  obtained  informa- 
tion  that  Antone  was  olone  in  his  camp,  his  two  sons  having  left  him  for  a  few  days  on  a 
hunting  tour,  went  wi'.ti  tlie  full  detcnnination  of  securing  him.  They  approached  his  camp 
undiscovered.  Antone  was  making  «  broom  ;  but  the  ever  watchful  Indian  hearing  a  rust- 
ling at  the  entrance  of  his  camp,  seized  his  rifle,  and  as  they  suddenly  entered,  pointing  at 
the  foremost,  declared  if  he  advanced  a  step  further  he  would  thoot  him  dead.  His  deter, 
mined  maimer  appalled  the  pursuers,  and  after  parleying  with  him  a  short  time,  they  with- 
drew, v_-y  much  mortified  at  the  result  of  their  enterprise.  But  the  most  curiius  circum- 
stonce  of  oil  was  that  Aniono's  rifle  was  not  loaded  at  the  time.  He  hos  frequently  boasted 
since  of  having  scared  two  Indians  with  an  empty  rifle.  He  at  length  grew  so  fearless  that 
he  marched  through  our  towns  and  villages  in  open  doy,  without  any  fear  of  being  taken. 
It  is  even  said,  that  in  the  village  of  Sherburne  he  entered  a  store  in  which  were  about 
twenty  men,  and  drank  till  he  was  completely  intoxicated. 

"  There  was  nothing  remarkably  interesting  in  his  trial.  His  honor  Judge  Williams,  of 
UticB,  presided.  The  prisoner  was  brought  to  the  bar,  and  plead  not  guilty.  The  wit. 
nesses  against  him  were  principally  uncidtivaicd  sons  of  the  forest.  But  it  wiis  remarked 
that  their  testimony  was  given  with  a  can^l'uhiess  and  precision  scarcely  to  be  expected. 
The  testimony  was  clear  and  decisive.  The  court  appointed  Judge  Piatt  and  General 
Kirkland  his  counsel.  They  rested  their  defence  altogoilier  on  this,  tliat  the  state  of  New 
York  had  no  jurisdiction  over  the  Indian  tribes  within  her  territory.  The  court,  however, 
overruled  the  objection,  and  Antone  was  sentenced  to  be  hanged  on  Friday,  the  12th  of  Sop. 
tembor,  IH23.  Tlie  prisoner  bus  always  objected  to  a  Iriitl,  except  by  his  own  people.  Ho 
says  that  he  has  paid  two  hundred  and  seventy  dollars  to  the  dillbrent  tribes  for  n  ransom, 
ond  thinks  it  hard  that  he  should  die  when  he  has  made  his  peace  with  the  Indians.  Ho 
particidariy  objects  to  llie  mode  of  execution,  which  he  thinks  is  very  degrading.  '  No 
good  way,'  said  he,  piii'ting  his  hands  around  his  nick — ' No  good  way,'  and  then  pointing 
to  his  heart,  he  oliservi  d  that  lie  should  be  willing  to  bo  shot. 

"  Two  or  three  diflorent  tribes  have  sent  petitions  praying  for  his  release  ;  but  the  Oneida, 
of  which  tribe  he  is  said  by  some  to  be  a  chief,  have  neglected  it.  This  is  said  to  Ix'  owing 
to  tlio  influence  of  the  head  chief,  who  is  the  enemy  of  Antone.  Without  doubt  the  Indi- 
ans  generally  would  be  pleased  with  bis  release ;  though  it  is  certainly  a  very  singular  cir. 
cumstonco  that  the  same  ones  who  volunteered  in  pursuit  of  him  alter  the  murder  of  John 
Jacobs,  and  to  whom  he  was  alwoys  a  particular  object  both  of  dread  and  fear,  should  now 
turn  and  petition  for  him.  The  natives  do  not  generally  assent  to  our  jurisdiction  over 
them,  ami  it  may  perhaps  be  thought  that  they  petition  fur  Antone  on  this  principle. 

"  It  may  be  interesting  to  sonu^  to  know  what  ideas  of  religion  ant  entertained  by  An- 
tone. As  is  usual,  pious  people  have  talked  witli  him  and  endeavored  to  explain  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Chrislian  religion.  But  he  either  cannot  or  will  not  understund  them.  He 
has  no  idea  of  a  Saviour — indeed  he  apiK^ars  to  bn  utterly  ignorant  of  every  pHiieiple  of 
Christianity.  Ho  mentioned  through  tJie  interpreter  that  he  put  hit  trust  in  God,  or  more 
properly  the  Great  Spirit.  Ho  was  then  asked  whetlier  it  was  the  (Jod  of  the  Christiniw,  or 
the  Spirit  which  was  worshipped  by  his  fathers.  The  eye  of  the  warrior  sparkh^d  ua  ho 
readily  replied, '  The  (<nd  of  my  Fatheri."  Until  within  n  short  time  ho  has  nourished 
Btmio  lioiMjs  of  being  reprieved,  but  they  seem  to  have  failed  him.  He  says  that  he  is  will- 
ing to  die,  and  only  complains  of  the  manver.  lie  is  very  anxious  respecting  his  body, 
being  fearful  that  it  will  be  obtained  I'or  dissection. 

"  To  look  ot  the  old  warrior,  one  would  scarcely  suppose  that  he  could  be  guilty  of  su 
enormous  a  crime,  lie  has  a  noble  eoutitenaiiee,  in  whieli  ili'  'e  is  not  the  least  expression 
of  malice.  On  the  '-ontrary,  iliere  is  soiueduiig  placable,  and  bordering  on  serenity  in  his 
fer.ares  llis  eye  i;i  peiielraliiig,  but  yet  expresses  no  cruelty.  His  voice  is  somewhat 
broken  by  age,  bet  pit  iwuiil  anil  sonorous." 

FKNNrK.tnkm  from  Ciizt^novia  ami  Sniithlicld  in  lH',j;<j  iVoiii  Alba- 
ny lI.'ipuloH.    Pop.  l,J>in.    Pcrrysville,  on  ilio  SulHvRii  line  to  milei 


MADIBON    COUNTy. 


350 


NW.  from  Morrisville,  and  Fenner  centrally  situated,  are  small  set- 
tlements. 

Georgetown,  taken  from  De  Ruyter  in  1815;  from  Albany  106 
miles,  and  from  Morrisville  centrally  distant  SW.  12  miles.  George- 
town is  a  small  settlement,  near  the  centre  of  the  town.     Pop.  1,130. 

Hamilton  was  originally  taken  from  Paris,  when  part  of  Herkimer 
county  in  1801.  At  the  period  of  its  incorporation  it  comprised 
townships  No.  2,  3,  4,  and  5,  Eaton,  Madison,  Hamilton,  and  Leba- 
non. The  surface  of  the  township  is  hilly,  but  the  soil  is  of  a  supe- 
rior quality :  it  is  drained  on  the  south  by  the  Chenango  river  and  its 
branches.     Pop.  3,738.  s 


Northern  view  of  Hamilton  village,  Madison  county. 


Hamilton  village  is  8  miles  SW.  of  Morrisville,  28  from  Utica,  and 
06  from  Albany  ;  it  contains  nearly  100  dwellings,  1  Baptist,  1  Pres- 
byterian, and  1  Methodist  church,  and  a  newspapei  printing  office. 
1  he  above  engraving  slutws  the  appearance  of  th<i  village;  as  seen 
from  rt  point  ruuir  the  burying  ground.  The  buildings  of  the  "  Ham- 
ilton Literary  and  Theological  Seminary"  are  seen  on  the  (elevated 
ground  on  the  left.  This  institution  was  incorporated  in  1819,  and 
commenced  operations  in  1820.  The  j.rincipal  building,  which  was 
erected  in  1H27,  is  of  stone,  100  by  00  feet,  4  stories,  containing  34 
rooms  lor  study,  34  lodging  rooms,  a  reading  room,  library,  imd  a 
large  chapt;!.  ^  At.otlier  large  stone  edifice,  100  feet  by  00,  wusert^ct- 
ed  in  1831.  Th<;re  is  a  boatvi^^g-hoiise,  a  joiner's  shop,  and  a  farm 
ol  130  acres  belonging  to  the  society.  The  regular  course  of  studies 
IS  SIX  years;  lour  ui  the  collegiat(>, and  two  in  the  theological  depart- 
ment. This  seminary  was  established  un(l<;r  the  patntnage  of  the 
Baptists,  and  it  is  said  to  bo  the  largest  theological  institution  uf  that 
denommatum  in  the  world.  "The  institutiim  is  open  1.7  .<,ung  men 
having  the  ministry  in  view  from  every  denominati;'is  of  evangelical 
Christians."  Poolville,  Hamilton  Centre,  and  Cohhes';),  are  small 
settlements. 


,1, 


260 


MADISON   COUNTY. 


Lebanon,  taken  from  Hamilton  in  1807;  from  Albany  110,  from 
Morrisville  centrally  distant  S.  9  miles.  Lebanon,  Smith's  Valley, 
and  the  "Centre,"  are  small  settlements.    Pop.  1,794. 

Lenox,  taken  from  Sullivan  in  1809;  from  Albany  118  miles. 
Pop.  5,441.  Clockville,  10  miles  NW.  from  Morrisville,  has  about  60 
dwellings.  Canastota,  post  village,  on  the  line  of  the  Erie  canal  and 
great  Wostem  railroad,  15  miles  from  Morrisville,  has  1,  Dutch  Re- 
formed and  1  Methodist  church,  7  mercantile  stores,  and  750  inhab- 
itants. The  village  takes  its  name  from  a  cluster  of  pine  trees  that 
united  their  brancnes  over  the  creek  \»rhich  passes  through  the  centre 
of  the  village  and  bears  its  name,  called  in  the  native  dialect  of  the 
Oneidas,  Kniste.  The  tract  on  which  the  village  is  located  was  pa- 
tented in  1810  by  the  state  of  New  York  to  Capt.  Reuben  Perkins, 
its  first,  and  now  its  oldest  inhabitant.  The  present  site  of  the  village 
was  a  wheat  field  when  the  Erie  canal  was  laid  out  wi^onstructed. 
The  first  framed  house  was  erected  by  Capt.  Perkms  on  an  eminence 
where  it  now  stands,  near  the  cluster  of  pines.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Young 
was  the  first  settled  minister.  Wampsville,  13  miles  from  Morris- 
ville, Lenox,  and  Lenox  Basin,  are  small  villages. 

Madison,  taken  from  Hamilton  in  1807 ;  from  Albany  94  miles. 
Madison,  Bouckville,  6  miles  E.  from  Morrisville,  Madison  Centre, 
and  Solesville,  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  2,344. 

Nelson,  taken  from  Cazenovia  in  1807 ;  from  Albany  109  miles. 
Erieville,  9  miles  SW^.  from  Morrisville,  has  about  45  dwellings. 
Nelson  Flats  is  7  miles  W.  from  Morrisville.    Pop.  2,100. 

Stockbridge,  recently  taken  from  Smithfiefd ;  centrally  distant  7 
miles  NE.  from  Morrisville.  Cooks  Comers  and  Munsonville  are 
small  settlements.     Knoxville  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  2,344. 

Smithfield,  taken  from  Caiienovia  in  1807;  from  Albany  108,  cen- 
trally distant  N.  from  Morrisville  5  miles.  Pop.  1,699.  Peterboro, 
centrally  situated,  has  about  60  dwellings,  2  churches,  and  a  school 
for  the  education  of  colored  persons.  Siloam  and  Stockbridge  are 
villages.  The  principal  part  of  this  town  and  Stockbridge  was  Teased 
of  the  Oneida  Indians  by  Peter  Smith  in  1  '.'94,  and  purchased  by  the 
state  in  1795.  These  towns  comprise  the  larger  part  of  the  New 
Petersburg  tract,  and  a  portion  of  the  Oneida  reservation  and  New 
Stockbridge  tract. 

Sullivan  was  first  erected  in  1803,  then  in  Chenango  county;  and 
in  1809  the  eastern  and  largest  part  was  erected  into  the  town  of 
Lenox.  Canaseraga  and  Bridgeport  are  villages.  Joslin's  Corners 
w  a  post-ofPce.     Pop.  4,390. 

The  above  shows  the  appearance  of  Chittenango  village  as  it  is 
entered  from  the  SE.  The  village  consists  of  upwards  of  100  dwell- 
ings, 3  churches— 1  Dutch  Reformed,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Baptist— a 
large  woollen  factory,  and  several  other  manufacturing  establishments. 
The  Methodist  church  is  seen  in  the  central  part  of  the  engraving ;  the 
woollen  factory,  built  of  stone,  is  seen  on  the  left ;  the  spireof  the  Baptist 
cliurch  is  seen  towards  the  right,  near  which  is  the  spire  of  the  youths' 
Betliel.    The  Dutch  Reformed  cliurch,  a  large  stone  structure,  is  a  pro- 


MADISON   COUNTT. 


261 


Southeastern  view  of  Chittenango. 


nent  object  as  the  village  is  entered  on  the  road  from  the  Eri*  canal, 
but  it  could  not  be  seen  from  the  spot  from  whence  the  abcAie  view 
was  taken.  The  site  of  the  village  was  probably  at  a  formed  period 
a  lake ;  it  is  surrounded  on  almost  every  side  by  elevated  ffounds, 
in  which  are  found  numerous  petrifactions  of  trees,  brancfls,  &c., 
in  various  stages  of  conversion.  In  the  valley  of  the  Chit^nango 
creek,  about  a  mile  above  the  village,  are  two  mineral  spriCs,  one 
mostly  sulphur ;  the  other  has  a  large  portion  of  magnesf:  both 
have  been  found  efficient  in  some  diseases.  The  village  isttuated 
one  mile  S.  of  the  Erie  canal,  2  from  the  Utica  and  Syracje  rail- 
road, 8  from  Cazenovia,  16  from  Morristown,  34  from  Uticahnd  15 
from  Syracuse.  Canesaraga  and  Bridgeport  are  post  village  The 
letter  is  20  milds  from  Morrisville,  and  has  grown  within  a  i^  years 
from  a  hamlet  to  a  thriving  village.  i 

The  murder  of  Robert  Barber,  by  Lewis  Wilber,  on  the  Hi  of  the 
Erie  canal  in  this  town,  August  30th,  1837,  caused  a  great  sisation 
m  this  mrt  of  the  country.  Robert  Barber  was  from  Coldiine,  in 
the  northern  part  of  Massachusetts,  and  was  a  man  of  respeiability, 
and  in  easy  circumstanctvs.  He  was  a  widower  of  upwardpf  filly 
years  of  age,  and  had  children  and  numerous  respectable  retives  in 
Colcraine.  He  left  home  on  the  28th  of  August,  for  the  pipose  of 
marrying  a  lady  residing  at  Onondaga,  N.  Y.  On  his  jcrney  to 
Utica  he  became  acquainted  with  Wilber,  who  was  about  I  years 
of  age,  a  native  of  Saratoga,  N.  Y.  This  person  was  of  aow  and 
vicious  character,  and  in  the  habit  of  thievmg  from  his  cldhood. 
The  following  account  of  the  murder  is  from  a  pamphlet  pubshed  in 
Morrisville  in  1839. 


"  At  UticR,  Wilber  firet  entortnincd  tlie  thought  of  murdering  the  old  mnS  For  that 
object,  or  nny  oiinilnr  one,  hf  purohamicl  a  ■•omnion  shocknife,  bs  he  said,  -bufieh  a  one 
aa  la  .,itcn  calird  a  brrnd-knitV,  with  a  aharp  point  and  a  turned  wooden  handle  ;  :^o»t  eigh. 
teen  pence.     Tliia  he  wrapped  in  n  paper,  and  carried  it  in  a  pocket  in  the  skirtl'  hin  coat. 

"Bonietime  towards  evening  of  Iho  same  day,  (the  39lh,)  they  both  took  nue  iwnt  to 
go  wcBt,  ol  whii h  Edwin  II.  Muiigor  ««»  captain ;  the  name  of  the  boat  he  cdd  tu>t  re. 


MADISON   COUNTY. 

t^.^'  *■*""  'he  nighway,  and  the  distance  through  the  woods  to  theTa'nTftowS 
SirnoWra^^L^^:  T:LS^-'-  ''^-'  ^  '^^  gene^rco-lilTAt 

f^'^r^'^^t^'^T  described  and  a  pistol  that  he  carted,  which  at  the  time  w^s  not 
•i  i       *    Presenung  the  putol  to  the  old  gentleman,  demanded  of  him  his  money  a 

a../  ^ieHn  hi  ct,  «nf  ""'•"'^;  ^^.?  '""*■■  f^'iberately  took  his%ocket'-book  (Z 
'U  \m1  St.^v™  T  .r'^/'"'""  ^  P''""i.l<?<'n«  pocket-baying  at  the  same  time, 
/J,  M\rl  !r  r^^'T'^  ^^""^^^  y""  *"«  ""y  f"end.'  Wllber  then  told  him  to  throw 
.     J  .^  P?«ket-book  and  purse,  which  he  did.    ' I  was  afraid  to  take  them "r-  sa  d  he 

aTl  aol  il";ir  '"  ''''^"•r''  -^^^^  ^^'  """^  »°'  '""k  "P  fo^  half  an  houn''  He  then" 
Ae  wul^     hZUTk"""  '"  r^f^  ^^  {"y  ^h«"  '■"""'J.  "^•'O'ding  to  the  testimony  of 
pockTu^knd  „  fn.^     /  '""^^'f  u    "^^V}"^  """"^y  ■'"'>  leave  him.    He  took^he 
lZ,u^     u,  P"'^^' ?n^  secured  them.    Then,  standing  by  the  right  side  of  the  old 
gentlenj.  who  lay  on  his  face,  with  his  right  hand  under  his  eyes  and  his  hat  on  his  head 
a  secon^thought  warned  Wilber  of  the  danger  of  detection  if^the  ofd  gentleman  shoufd 
\Zl  'hf^J^""""^  "."  I''"  f '\'"  "^ '""  •=""'•  ^i'h  »  back-handed  stroke  he  plungeTthe  kn"fe 
ir,S?'^""""u*"''''''!:''°"*'  ""^  ^"'"^  "»«  ribs.    This  he  repeated  several  tin"s 
InHpln       ^'°'"  *'"'  ".T  ''"  1''"'=''  ^''^  fi""  b'"^  ^"h  'he  knife,  no  signa  of  lifT appeared 
Indeed  ,3  never  moved  from  the  original  position  in  which  he  laid  down.  "PP^^'^''- 

thni  hf^iKT.""!  ""'  ^"''"^^-  ."^  'hen  stepped  a  few  paces  to  the  west,  and  thinking 
hi^  ^lu  '^IJ  '"'•  """'1!"  ""«h'  «"rvive,  he  picked  up  a  large  stone,  and  approach  nf 
S  .h?  i  ^'k''''^"  ?V'"'"'  '^'^  "  •""''=''  his  head.  This  he  thought  made  the  fActurf 
m  the  aU  above  the  left  ear.  on  the  back  of  the  head,  which  appeared  when  th^bodv 
was  fou;  and  also  a  similar  corresponding  hole  in  the  hat.  ^ 

!,;«  /",™=7hing  this  scene— which  he  did  with  a  great  deal  of  accuracy  and  minuteness— 
^olfr  ^^«''"«'"y/^"'=''™«  his  utterance,  and  the  burden  of  his  thoughts  choked  iL 
hv IhL,  ^°"'f  P^r*-  """^  ^""'^  ""'*  ^"^P:  ""d  ^hen  ho  spoke  again,  it  would  b^ 
by  exclaitions  and  ejaculations,  accompanied  by  the  most  frightful  writhings  manifesting 
he  greait  mental  suffering  He  declared  that  if  the  old  gentleman  had  mXthe  ei^l 
resistanoor  noise,  he  should  have  fled,  and  left  him  untouched." 

Wilfr  after  the  murder  proceeded  on  to  Buffalo,  and  from  thence 
to  Utveland,  Uhio,  where  he  was  arrested  in  April,  1838.  After 
Mr  Biber  was  missed  by  the  captain  of  the  boat,  from  which  he 
wont  vth  Wilber,  his  trunk  was  kept  on  board  through  to  Buffalo 
and  bat  agam  to  Albany,  where  he  saw  a  notice  respecting  the  dis- 
appeance  of  Mr.  B.  His  suspicions  now  rested  on  Wilber  as  his 
murdoir.  Search  was  made  far  and  near  on  the  north  side  of  the 
canal ;  his  was  m  October,  and  the  winter  passed  awav  without  any 
discov<y.  In  March,  1838,  the  body  was  accidentally  discovered, 
which  nmediately  led  to  the  apprehension  of  Wilber.  He  was  ex- 
ecuted.t  Morrisvillc,  October  3d,  1839. 


MONROE   COUNTY. 


263 


I 


MONROE  COUNTY. 

Monroe  county  was  taken  from  Ontario  and  Genesee  in  1821. 
Distant  from  New  York  by  way  of  Albany  NW.  365,  and  from 
Albany  W.  219  miles.  Greatest  length  E.  and  W.  34,  greatest 
breadth  N.  and  S.  24  miles.  The  surface  is  level,  or  gently  wav- 
t"^i"  S^  mountain  ridge,  a  high  terrace  of  land  nearly  parallel  with 
Lake  Ontario,  extends  across  the  county,  as  also  the  alluvial  way, 
supposed  to  have  been  formed  by  the  action  of  the  waters  of  that 
lake  at  some  former  period.  The  soil  is  generally  a  rich  mould  and 
very  productive.  « It  is  said  that  an  analysis  of  the  Genesee  wheat, 
for  which  this  county  is  so  celebrated,  exhibits  more  saccharine  than 
tliat  of  the  southern  states  ;  whilst  the  latter  combines  with  a  larger 
portion  of  nolo-  in  the  composition  of  bread.  This  may  explain  why 
southern  flour  is  more  acceptable  to  the  baker,  and  Genesee  to  the 
consumer.  It  is  common  for  extensive  farmers  to  sow  from  50  to 
200  acres  with  wheat,  and  to  reap  an  average  crop  of  20  bushels  to 
the  acre.^^  The  product  is  sometimes  30,  40,  and  even  50  bushels  to 
the  acre."  The  long  level  of  the  Erie  canal  continues  2i  miles  E. 
of  the  Genesee  river.  In  the  towns  of  Rochester,  Mendon,  and  Gates, 
there  are  sulphur  springs.  "  The  towns  of  Parma,  Ogaen,  Chili,  Riga, 
Gates,  and  Greece,  E.  of  the  Triangle,  belonged  to  the  great  tract  of 
Phelps  and  Gorham,  together  with  that  portion  of  the  county  E.  of 
the  Genesee  river.  Clarkson  and  Sweden,  part  of  the  Triangle,  and 
Wheatland,  were  of  the  tract  purchased  by  Robert  Morris  from  Mas- 
sachusetts.  Phelps  and  Gorham  sold  out  Greece  and  Gates,  in  frac- 
tional parts  to  settlers;  and  Parma,  Ogden,  Riga,  and  Chili,  in  mass 
to  Robert  Morris.  The  lands  on  the  east  side  of  the  river  were  sold 
by  tnem  m  parcels,  consisting  of  whole  and  parts  of  townships.  The 
county  was  settled  chiefly  by  emigrants  from  New  England,  with  a 
few  from  Pennsylvania  and  the  lower  parts  of  New  York,"  It  con- 
tains  the  city  of  Rochester  and  19  towns.     Pop.  64,912. 

Brighton  was  taken  from  Smallwood  and  Penfield  in  1814;  NW. 
from  Albany  216,  from  R'.choster  E.  3  miles.  Pop.  2,337.  Blos- 
somsville,  situated  on  the  canal,  is  a  small  settlement. 

Chili  was  taken  from  Riga  in  1802 ;  NW,  from  Albany  230,  from 
Rochester  SW.  1 1  miles.  Chili.  North  Chils  South  Chili,  and  CCon- 
nelsville,  are  post-offices ;  around  which  are  small  settlements.  Pop. 
2,174.  ^ 

Clarkson  was  taken  from  Murray  in  1819;  NW,  from  Albany 
238  miles,  Clarkson  on  the  Ridge  road,  18  miles  W.  of  Rochester, 
is  a  small  village.    Pop.  3,486. 

Gates,  originally  named  Northampton,  and  organized  in  1802; 
from  Albany  225,  from  Rochester  W,  6  miles.     Pop,  1,728. 

Grkkcb  was  taken  from  Gates  in  1802 ;  NW.  from  Albany  225 
miles  Pop.  3,669.  Port  Genesee,  formerly  called  Charlotte,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Genesee  nver,  on  Lake  Ontario,  7  miles  N.  of  Roches- 


'  ■  ^•rfy'?^^'?^-'-'^ 


204 


MONROE   COCNTY. 


ter,  is  a  small  village.    It  has  a  customhouse,  a  pier  over  half  a  mile 

\hl  w  K  i%\u  "^'^'^^^ «  LBxidmg,  3  miles  N.  of  Rochester  oi 
the  west  bank  of  the  Genesee,  vjras  formerly  a  place  of  cousiderahl« 
busmess.  « It  was  the  first  landing  on  the  rive?  for  lake  navSni 
a.d  here  in  1798  was  built  the  frst  dwelling  anj  in  18?0  tfefirst' 
store,  on  the  nver  below  Avon,  on  the  west  side  of  the  Genesee  T- 
er.  Greece  is  a  small  settlement  on  the  ridge  road,  9  miles  NW 
from  Rochester.  North  Greece  is  a  post-olice.  The  following* 
re  ative  to  Hanford's  landing  is  from  Mr.  O'Reilly's  History  of  3- 

.  wiL  >hr!^T*'  "''  "L"""  ^^f'"  '^^  «'y  "'■  J^o'^hester  has  since  sprung  into  exltence  ho 

The TnnHfn!"'"''.^  °""  \'T"  K'^''  '''  ">'''  »»«  »"»«  "°'  !>«««  "ble  to  procure  50^1 
.«»L  l^?^  u  "?*  P""  '''""  '^''^"•'«  ""  "^e  shipments  of  the  Genesee  river  musX' 
made;  but  further  .mprovements  are  much  checked  in  consequencToPthe  thles  to  th! 
ands  being  in  dispute.  The  circumstances  are  as  follow :  Mr/ Phelps  sold  3  000  Lr«.  f. 
th«  neighborhood  to  Zadok  Granger  for  about  810.000.  thfTOn^  beiLSrprfhVa 

TllTth"  '^'-^r^-    "rr^"  f'''  ^"•'"  "f'^^ ^^  remo'valUrand  haTn^sold  part^of 
the  land,  the  residue  would  not  clear  the  mortgage  which  DrpventpH  hi<.  h^i^  f,^Z    j    • 

tT«  n»„   .       ''^^'"u  ^  ''''t"' •''^  ^  ""y  °^^^'  P*^'  "f  ^e  Genesee  count^.    I  wem  to  see 

SnlTn    '*  "^l-  '^'"^-    ^[  ■?  r^y  '^''«°""  "^  e«'  g^^ds  conveyed  to  an^  from Te  whirf 
consequence  of  the  great  height  and  steepness  of  the  bank.'  ' 

As  illustrative  of  the  condition  of  things  in  the  way  of  roads  as  well  as  navijraMp  fiirili 
ties  we  may  note  a  remark  of  tlie  traveller,  that '  yesttrdav  Aumist  IS  IflOiTl  .  J? 

STi^^G^neSLtZg."''"^  '°  Ruudicut  Bay.  and  from  thence  round"  about  in  boU' to 
"'This  Landing,'  adds  Maude,  'is  four  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river  where  tw,. 
J^g  huts  are  built  at  ite  entrance  into  Lake  Ontario.  At  tliis  Landing  the  cha?nemZ 
ir&S;,e?„'''"  ''l!'^  'T  '^«P'il'.»>»«"P-  the  bar  at  the  mf uth  of  the^erT 
er^  and  wiem  S„7  f 'f  T  "''•     ^}''  P'*"^"  ''  "'"'"'  ^'J"""'' ''«'«"« '"'^•»  «he  east! 

irn'l'"/'"j"*'^'  ^S^m'  ^'■•'deric  Hanford  opened  a  store  of  goods  at  what  was  called  thn 
Upper  Landing  or  Falltown-the  name  of  Genesee  Landing  was  no  longer  stri^tCnuliS! 
5m„^  »nf  .•"^Land-ng  had  been  established  at  the  junctL  of  the  rWe7,^S  iSe  «  2 
AvrrA^^  n''"""-    ^T^"'^'"  ^"^  '^''  «"'  merchant's  store  on  the  riverb;twetn 

"  In  the  same  year  Silas  O.  Smith  opened  a  store  at  Hanford's  Landing  but  in  IftH  «. 

ofToches,cr''hrnS'^''  1  ^^^T' T'^"^  '"'  """'  "•"  ««'  miS  iVrpl"; 
oi  Kociiestcr  having  been  planned  only  the  previous  season.  ^ 

fnr  ,„?!.!'        P'^*^"'  steamboat  landing  on  the  river  at  the  north  part  of  the  city  of  Rochet 
£  b  d^sTe^r  "' h''  J"  ^""l""''  ""^  '"'"^  °f  '■^«'«ht  betwee"^  the  toj  of  ^th   "a,  k  a^ 
ihT^Ir  I        '^'"'^  f  ".^  *''•'  warehouses  or  vessels  on  the  margin  of  the  river     The  rai Iwav 
the  warehouses,  and  the  wharves  at  Hanford's  were  burned  in  1835."  ^* 

Henrietta  was  taken  from  Pittslbrd,  when  part  of  Ontario  county, 


im: 


MONIOE   COUNTY. 


966 


in  1818 ;  from  Albany  228  miles.  Henrietta  Corners  is  a  small  post 
village  8  miles  S.  of  Rochester.  West  Henrietta  is  a  post-office. 
Pop.  2,085. 

iRONnEauoiT,  recently  taken  from  Brighton,  of  which  it  formed  the 
northeni  part.  It  receives  its  name  from  Irondequoit  bay,  which 
extends  through  the  eastern  part  of  the  town.     Pop.  1,252. 

c  "^  j' r  ^*^'  [^''"ndequoit,]  well  known  in  the  early  history  of  the  country,  is  now  wholly 
unhtted  for  navigation,  owing  to  the  sandbar  formed  at  its  junction  with  Lake  Ontario.  It 
IS  now  much  frequented  by  parties  from  Rochester,  for  gunning,  fishing,  &c.  The  geolo. 
gist  also  has  many  attractions  for  a  visit  thither;  for  '  on  the  borders  of  the  bay,  and  of  the 
creek  of  the  same  name  which  discharges  itself  there,  the  surface  of  the  earth  presents  a 
most  extraordinary  and  picturesque  appearance— a  multitude  of  conical  or  irregular  mounds 
of  sand  and  light  earth,  sometimes  insulated  and  sometimes  united,  rising  to  an  average 
.'F^l      ■  '■    ™  "^  P«''''<^'="y  '"vel  meadow  of  the  richest  alluvial  loam.' 

"  The  history  of  Irondequoit  is  mtimately  connected  with  that  of  the  MiUtary  and  Trad- 
ing  Posts  of  western  New  York.  A  station  was  established  there  in  1726,  to  aid  the  Brit, 
isti  in  securing  the  trade  with  the  western  Indians,  to  the  exclusion  of  the  French  at  the 
lower  end  of  Lake  Ontario. 

"  In  connection  with  the  fact  that  there  was  a  city  laid  out  at  Irondequoit  bay,  it  might 
be  mentioned  that  formerly  supplies  from  New  York,  destined  for  our  western  posts,  were 
sent  to  the  head  of  that  bay,  (instead  of  the  Genesee  river,)  there  freighted  in  batteaux,  to 
proceed  through  Lake  Ontario  to  Niagara  river—thence  to  be  taken  across  the  portage  to 
t  ort  Schlosser ;  and  there  re-embarked  to  proceed  up  the  Niagara  river,  through  Lake  Erie, 
&c.  The  city  was  laid  out  at  the  head  of  the  bay,  near  the  route  of  the  present  road  be. 
tween  Canandaigua  and  Rochester. 

"  It  inay  amuse  some  readers  to  learn  that  Maude,  a  traveller  in  1800,  mentions  that  the 
cargo  of  a  schooner  which  sailed  from  Genesee  river  for  Kingston,  U.  C,  had  '  been  sent 
from  Ganandarqua  for  Rundicut  bay,  and  from  thence  in  boats  round  about  to  Genesee 
river  landing,'  for  shipment  in  the  above  schooner.  [The  cargo  thus  circuitously  forwarded 
from  Cariandaigua  was  potash— and  '  no  potash  was  then  made  about  Irondequoit  or  Gen. 
esee  landings  for  want  of  kettles'  in  1800.] 

"  The  mouth  of  Irondequoit  is  about  four  miles  eastward  of  Genesee  river  on  Lake  On. 
tano ;  and  the  bay  extends  southwardly  about  five  miles,  nearly  to  the  present  main-travelled 
route  through  Brighton  between  Rochester  and  Canandaigua. 

The  Tooronto  bay  of  Lake  Ontario,'  says  SpafTord,  '  merits  more  particular  notice,  if 
tor  no  other  purpose  than  to  speak  of  Gerundcgut,  Irondequoit,  and  Rundicut— names  by 
which  It  is^lso  known.  The  Indians  called  it  •  Teoronto'- a  sonorous  and  purely  Indian 
name,  too  good  to  be  supplanted  by  such  vulgarisms  as  Gerundcgut  or  Irondequoit !  The 
bay  IS  about  five  miles  long  and  one  mile  wide,  communicating  with  the  lake  by  a  very 
narrow  opening— or  such  it  used  to  have— and  Teoronto,  or  Tche-o-ron-tok,  perhaps  rather 
nearer  the  Indian  pronunciation,  is  the  place  where  the  waves  breathe  and  die,  or  grtsp  and 
expire.  Let  a  person  of  as  much  discernment  as  these  savages  watch  the  motion  of  the 
waves  m  this  bay,  and  he  will  admire  the  aptitude  of  its  name,  and  never  again  pronounce 
Oerundcgut,  Irondequoit,  or  Rundicut.'  "  -=       r 

Mendon  was  taken  from  Bloomfield  in  1812 :  from  Albany  209 
miles.  Pop.  3,435.  Mendon,  incorporated  in  1833,  is  a  small  village 
near  the  eastern  line  of  the  town.  West  Mendon  is  10  miles  S.  of 
the  Erie  canal,  on  the  Honeoye  creek,  which  has  here  a  fall  of  60 
feet,  on  which  are  extensive  manufacturing  establishments.  There 
are  hero  upwards  of  100  dwellings.     North  Mendon  is  a  hamlet. 

Ogden,  taken  from  Parma  in  1817;  from  Rochester,  10,  and  Alba- 
ny 230  miles.  Pop.  2,404.  Adams  and  Spencers  basins,  on  the 
canal,  are  post-offices,  and  small  settlements.  At  Ogden,  post-office, 
2  miles  S.  from  the  canal,  10  W.  from  Rochester,  are  1  Presbyterian 
and  1  Baptist  church,  and  a  small  number  of  dwellings. 

Parma,  organized  as  part  of  Genesee  county  in  1808,  and  taken 
Irom  Northampton,  the  original  name  of  Gates ;  from  Albany  230 

34 


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MONROE   COUIfTY. 


v.3*^.' 


miles.  Pop.  2,651.  Panna  village,  on  the  ridge  road,  12  miles  W. 
from  Rochester,  is  a  small  village.  At  Parma  Centre,  15  miles  from 
Rochester,  there  is  a  small  collection  of  dwellings. 

Penfield,  taken  from  Boyle  in  1810  ;  NW.  from  Albany  211  miles. 
Pop.  2,842.  Penfield  village,  on  the  Irondequoit  creek,  8  miles  SE.  of 
Rochester,  has  about  30  dwellings.  The  creek  in  passing  through 
the  village  has  a  descent  of  90  feet,  forming  the  high  falla  of  the 
Irondequoit,  affording  a  valuable  water-power. 

Pekrinton,  taken  from  Boyle  in  1812 ;  NW.  from  Albany  209 
miles.  Pop.  2,513.  Rushnells,  FuUoms,  and  Fairport,  are  basins  and 
settlements  on  the  canal.  At  Bushnells  basin,  11  miles  SE.  from 
Rochester,  is  the  great  embankment  over  the  Irondequoit  creek. 
This  embankment  is  the  greatesf.  work  on  the  canal ;  it  is  nearly  a 
mile  in  length  and  from  40  to  76  feet  in  height.  It  is  partly  natural, 
partly  artificial,  and  extending  in  a  winding  direction  across  the  val- 
ley. The  following  is  extracted  from  the  journal  of  De  Witt  Clinton, 
while  on  his  exploring  tour  with  the  canal  commissioners  in  1810. 

"  We  arrived  at  the  tavem  at  Perrin's,  in  the  town  of  Boyle,  [now  Pemnton,]  twenty-one 
miles  from  Canandaigua,  four  and  a  half  from  Gerundegut  or  Irondequoit  landing,  and 
fourteen  from  Charlottosburgh.  A  vessel  of  thirty  tons  can  go  to  the  head  of  this  landing 
[from  Lake  Ontario ;  but  the  sandbar  at  the  mouth  of  the  bay  now  prevents  all  intercourse 
of  that  sort.]  The  sign  of  the  tavern  contains  masonic  emblems,  and  is  by  S.  Felt  &  Co. 
Felt  is  a  man  in  the  landlord's  employ ;  and  the  object  of  this  masked  sign  is,  as  the  land- 
lord says,  to  prevent  his  debtors  from  avoiding  his  house.  »  •  •  We  drew  lots  for  the 
choice  of  beds ;  and  it  turning  out  in  my  favor,  I  chose  the  worst  bed  in  the  house.  I  was 
unable  to  sleep  on  account  of  the  fleas,  &c.  *  •  •  At  this  place  we  eat  the  celebrated 
whitefish,  salted ;  it  is  better  than  shad,  and  cost  at  Irondequoit  landing  $12  per  barrel. 

"  We  departed  from  here  at  seven  o'clock,  after  breakfast ;  and  after  a  ride  of  eight  and 
»  half  miles,  arrived  at  a  ford  of  the  Genesee  river  about  half  a  mite  from  the  Grsat  Falls, 
and  seven  and  a  half  from  Lake  Ontario." 

PiTTspoRD  was  taken  from  Smallwood  in  1814  ;  NW.  from  Albany 
215  miles.  Pop.  1,983.  Pittsford,  a  thriving  village  on  the  canal,  6 
miles  SE.  from  Rochester,  was  incorporated  in  1827 ;  it  has  about 
100  dwellings. 

RiQA  was  taken  from  Northampton  in  1808 ;  from  Albany  230 
miles.  Pop.  1,983.  Church ville  and  Riga  are  the  post-offices.  The 
pleasant  little  village  of  Churchville  is  on  the  Rochester  and  Batavia 
railroad,  15  mi'es  SW.  from  Rochester. 

Rochester,  one  of  the  most  remarkable  instances  of  a  rapid  and  vig- 
orous growth  as  a  village  or  city  in  this  country,  is  situated  in  lat.  N. 
43°,  long.  W.  40' ;  distant  from  Albanj^  217  miles,  Buffalo  73,  Canan- 
daigua 28,  Batavia  85,  S.  from  Lake  Ontario  7,  and  361  miles  from 
Washington.  In  the  year  1810  there  was  not  a  house  where  Roch- 
ester now  stands.  The  first  allotments  for  a  village  were  made  in 
1812,  when  ]>Jathaniel  Rochester,  Charles  H.  Carroll,  and  William 
Fitzhugh,  surveyed  the  hundred-acre  tract  for  a  settlement,  under  the 
name  of  "  Uocfiester"  after  the  senior  proprietor.  This  tract  was  a 
"mill  lot,"  bestowed  by  Phelps  and  Gorham  on  a  semi-savage  called 
Indian  Allen,  as  a  bonus  for  building  mills  to  grind  corn  and  saw 
boards  for  the  few  settlers  in  this  region  at  the  time.  The  mills  de- 
cayed, as  the  business  of  the  country  was  insufficient  to  support  them, 


MONROE  COUNTY. 


267 


and  Allen  sold  the  property  to  Sir  William  Pulteney,  whose  estate 
then  included  a  large  section  of  the  "  Grenesee  country."  The  sale 
to  Rochester,  Fitzhugh,  and  Carroll,  took  place  in  1802,  at  the  rate 
of  $15.50  per  acre,  or  $1,760  for  the  lot,  with  its  "  betterments." 
Some  of  the  land  on  the  east  side  of  the  Genesee  in  Rochester,  (the 
hundred-acre  tract  being  on  the  west  side,)  was  sold  by  Phelps  and 
Gorham  in  1790,  for  eighteen  pencfi  an  acre. 

The  last  war  with  Great  Britain,  which  produced  much  distress  in 
this  frontier  region,  impeded  the  progress  of  Rochester  to  such  a  de- 
gree that  the  population  at  the  commencement  of  1816  amounted  to 
only  331.  By  the  opening  of  the  Erie  canal,  Rochester  became  the 
great  thoroughfare  between  the  seaboard  and  the  inland  waters.  On 
the  incorporation  of  the  village  in  1837,  about  750  acres  were  includ- 
ed within  its  limits.  The  city  charter,  in  1834,  extended  the  bounds 
so  as  to  embrace  upwards  of  4,000  acres.  The  staple  product  of  the 
fertile  valley  of  the  Genesee  is  wheat,  remarkable  for  its  quantity  as 
well  as  its  quality.  Its  celebrity  is  increased  by  the  skill  with  which 
it  is  prepared  for  market.  By  the  immense  water-power  formed  by 
the  falls  of  the  Genesee,  Rochester  is  the  largest  as  well  as  the  best 
flour  manufactory  in  the  world.  There  are  now  within  the  city  20 
mills,  (exclusive  of  grist-mills,)  with  nearly  100  runs  of  stone.  These 
mills  are  capable  of  manufacturing  5,000  barrels  of  flour  daily,  and 
when  in  full  operation,  require  about  20,000  bushels  of  wheat  daily. 
About  half  a  million  barrels  of  flour  are  yearly  manufactured.  There 
are  12  saw-mills,  and  various  other  establishments  that  use  the  water- 
power,  such  as  turning,  stone-cutting,  grinding  dye-woods  and  bark. 
There  are  1  cotton  and  3  woollen  mills.  Carpets,  edge  tools,  and  vari- 
ous other  articles  are  here  manufactured.  The  business  portion  of 
the  city  is  compactly  built,  and  contains  many  splendid  houses  and 
stores  four  stories  high.  The  east  and  west  portions  of  the  city  are 
connected  by  several  bridges,  and  by  the  great  aqueduct  of  the  Erie 
canal,  upwards  of  800  feet  long.  There  are  3  batiks,  having  an  ag- 
gregate capital  of  about  one  million  of  dollars ;  6  newspapers,  and 
numerous  religious,  benevolent,  and  literary  associations.  Population 
in  1840  was  20,202. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  churches  in  Rochester,  with  the  date 
of  their  organization.* 

Brick,  formerly  iecond,  (Preabylerian,)  1833 

Second  Baptist, 1834 

Zion  church,  (African,) 1835 

German  Evangelical  Lutheran, 1835 

German  Romon  Catholic, 1836 

Second  Methodist  Episcopal, 1836 

Free  WiU  Baptist 1836 

Bethel  Free,  (Presbyterian,) 1836 

Free  Congregational, 1836 

Univenalist, 1837 

African  Methodist  Episcopal  church,...  1837 


First  Presbyterian, IBIS 

St.  Luke's,  (Episcopal,) 1817 

Friends 1817 

First  Baptist 1818 

First  Methodist  Epijcopal, 1820 

St.  Patrick's,  (Catholic,) 1830 

Third  Presbyterian, 1827 

Orthodox  Friends 1838 

Reformed  Presbyterian, 1831 

Free  Presbyterian 1833 

Grace,  formerly  St.  Paul's,  (Episcopal,)  1833 


•  For  this  and  most  other  facts  respecting  this  place,  the  outhors  are  indebted  to  a  work 
entitled  "  Sk$tehei  of  Roehttter;  with  ineidtntal  Notieu  of  Wutem  Ntw  York,  Sec, 
by  Henry  O'Reilly."  This  volume  was  published  in  1838 ;  it  is  a  duodecimo  of  416 
pages,  full  of  interesting  historical  details,  and  illuslratod  by  43  engravings. 


.-J 


268 


MONROE   COUNTV. 


y^ 


.•^# 


No  longer  aga  than  1813,  pagan  rites  were  performed  on  the  spot 
where  so  many  Christian  temples  have  been  since  erected.  The  fol- 
lowing account  of  the  last  sacriiice  of  the  Senecas,  near  where  the 
Bethel  church  now  stands,  is  from  Mr.  O'Reilly's  History. 

"It  may  be  premiied  that  the  Senecas,  and  probably  othen  of  the  Six  Nations,  have 
five  feasta  annually ;  on  «^ch  ocoaaiona  it  is  customary  to  return  thanks  to  Nauwanew  for 
hw  blcssii^  or  to  deprecate  his  wrath. .  At  these  times  also  the  chiefs  conversed  upon  the 
affairs  of  the  tribes,  end  generally  uig;ed  upon  the  people  the  duty  of  demeaning  themselves 
so  as  to  ensure  a  oor  tinuance  of  the  favor  which  had  attended  them  in  their  pursuits  of 
peace  or  war.  Thete  feasts  followed  the  consummation  of  the  matters  usually  watched 
with  most  mterest  by  Indians  in  peaceful  timea— one  of  the  ceremonies  occurring  after 
sugar.tmie;'  anothtr  after  planting;  a  third  called  Uie  green.com  feast,  when  the  maixe 
first  becomes  fit  for  iise ;  the  fourth  after  the  com.harvest ;  and  the  fifth  at  the  close  of  their 
year,  late  m  January  or  early  in  February,  according  to  the  moon. 

"  The  latter  ceremonial  was  performed  for  the  last  time  in  Rochester  in  January,  1813. 
Ihe  ccmcl^ing  nteH  were  seen  by  some  of  the  few  persons  then  settled  in  •  these  parts.' 
i-Yom  Mr.  Edwm  Scrantom,  now  a  merchant  of  the  city,  who  was  among  the  spectatore, 
we  have  had  an  account  of  the  ceremonial,  as  far  as  he  behold  it,  which  corresponds  with 
the  accounts  g:ven  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kirkland,  long  a  missionary  among  the  Six  Nations, 
and  by  the  White  Woman,'  that  remarkable  associate  of  the  Senecas.  The  latter  person, 
age  related,  that  wh«m  the  Indians  returned  from  hunting,  ten  or  twenty  of  their  number 
were  appointed  to  superintend  the  great '  sacrifice  and  thanksgiving.'  Preparations  were 
made  at  the  conncil-house  or  other  place  of  meeting  for  the  accommodation  of  the  tribe 
during  the  ceremomul.  Nine  days  wm  the  period,  and  two  white  dogs  the  number  and 
kind  of  animals  formerly  required  for  the  festival ;  though  in  these  latter  days  of  reform  and 
retrenchment  (for  the  provaiUng  spirit  had  reached  even  the  wigwams  and  the  altare  of  the 
Benecas)  the  ttmo  has  been  curtailed  to  seven  or  five  days,  and  a  single  dog  was  made  the 
scapegoat  to  bear  away  the  sins  of  the  tribe  !  Two  dogs,  as  neariy  white  as  could  be  pro- 
cured,  were  usually  (.elected  from  those  belonging  to  the  tribe,  and  were  carefully  kiUed  at 
tJie  door  of  the  council-house  by  means  of  strangulation ;  for  a  wound  on  the  animal  or  an 
etiusion  of  blood  would  spoil  the  victim  for  the  sacrificial  purpose.  The  dogs  were  then 
tantastacally  pwnted  with  various  colors,  decorated  with  feathers,  and  suspended  about 
twenty  feet  high  at  the  council-house  or  near  the  centre  of  the  camp.  The  ceremonial  is 
then  commenced,  and  the  five,  seven,  or  nine  days  of  its  continuance  are  marked  by  feasu 
ing  and  dancing,  as  well  as  by  sacrifice  and  consultation.  Two  select  bands,  one  of  men 
and  another  of  women,  ornamented  with  trinkets  and  feathers,  and  each  person  furnished 
w,th  an  ear  of  com  m  the  right  hand,  dance  in  a  circle  around  the  council-fire,  '^vhich  is 
kindled  tor  the  occasion,  and  regulate  their  steps  by  rude  music.  Hence  they  proceed  to 
every  wigwam  in  the  camp ;  and,  in  like  manner,  dance  in  a  circle  around  each  fire.  Af. 
terward,  on  another  day,  several  mAi  clothe  themselves  in  the  skins  of  wild  beasts,  cover 
their  faces  with  hideous  masks  and  their  hands  with  the  shell  of  the  tortoise,  and  in  this 
garb  they  go  among  the  wigwams,  making  horrid  noises,  taking  the  fuel  from  the  fire,  and 
scattering  the  embers  and  ashes  about  the  floor,  for  the  purpose  of  driving  away  evil  spirits 
1  he  persons  performing  these  operations  are  supposed  not  only  to  drive  ofl'  the  evil  spirit 
but  to  concentrate  wjthin  themselves  all  the  sins  of  their  tribe.  These  sins  are  afterward 
all  transfused  into  ons  of  their  own  number,  who,  by  some  magical  dexterity  or  sleighUof. 
hand,  works  off  from  himself  into  the  dogs  tlie  concentrated  wickedness  of  the  tribe !  The 
scap^oat  dogs  are  then  placed  on  a  pile  of  wood,  to  which  fire  is  applied,  while  the  sur- 
rounding  crowd  throw  tobacco  or  other  incense  upon  the  flame,  the  scent  of  which  is 
deemed  to  co-operate  with  the  sacrifice  of  the  animals  in  conciliating  the  favor  of  Nauwa. 
new  or  the  Great  Spirit.  W^hen  the  dogs  are  partly  consumed,  one  is  taken  off  and  put 
into  a  large  kettle  with  vegetables  of  various  kinds,  and  all  around  devour  the  contents  of 
the  reeking  caldron.'  After  this  the  Indians  perform  the  dances  of  war  and  peace,  and 
■moke  Uio  calumet :  dien,  fi«e  from  wickedness,  they  repair  to  thoir  respective  places  of 
abode,  prepared  for  the  events  of  tlie  new  year." 

The  following  is  a  view  of  the  middle  or  main  falls,  as  seen  from  the 
east  bank  of  the  Genesee.  The  Rochester  and  Auburn  railroad 
bridge  la  viewed  a  few  rods  north  of  the  falls.  The  perpendicular  fall 
of  the  water  at  this  place  is  96  feet ;  towards  the  right  of  the  engrav- 
ing IS  seen  a  small  tabular  projection  from  the  general  line  of  the 


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Genesee  Falls  at  Rochester. 

verge  of  the  precipice.  From  this  projection,  in  the  fall  of  1829, 
Sam  Patch  took  a  last  leap,  and  perished,  not  much  unlike  many  oth- 
ers before  him, 

"  seeking  the  bubble  reputation,  even  in  the  cannon's  mouth." 

The  river  below  this  fall  is  broad  and  deep,  with  occasional  rapids 
for  a  mile  and  a  half  to  the  Lower  Falls,  the  first  25,  the  other  84  feet, 
making  a  total  descent  of  109  feet  in  a  few  rods.  Just  below  this  place 
stood  the  celebrated  Carthage  bridge,  remarkable  in  its  fate  as  in  its 
construction.  It  was  completed  in  February,  1819;  it  consisted  of 
an  entire  arch,  the  chord  of  which  was  352  feet,  and  the  versed  sine 
54  feet.  Its  entire  length  was  718  feet,  and  the  width  30  ;  the  sum- 
mit of  the  arch  was  196  feet  from  the  water.  "  The  most  lofty  single 
arch  at  present  in  Europe,  is  116  feet  less  in  length  than  this  was, 
and  the  arch  not  as  high  by  96  feet."  This  daring  work  stood  but 
one  year,  and  one  day  ;  which  latter  period  saved  the  builders  from 
loss,  as  they  guarantied  that  the  structure  should  endure  for  one  year. 
It  contained  about  70,000  feet  of  timber,  running  measure,  besides 
64,620  feet  of  board  measure.  "  The  immense  weight  of  timber  press- 
ing unequally  upon  the  arch,  threw  up  the  centre  from  its  equilibrium, 
and  the  whole  tumbled  into  ruins."  A  port  of  entry  was  established 
at  what  is  now  known  as  the  harbor  of  Rochester,  in  1805 ;  when 
Samuel  Latta,  residing  at  the  iunction  of  the  river  and  lake,  was  ap- 
pointed the  first  collector.  The  Rochester  or  Genesee  revenue  dis- 
trict has  a  frontier  of  about  70  miles  on  Lake  Ontario,  extending 
westward  from  Sodus  bay,  Wayne  county.  The  port  of  Rochester, 
at  the  Ontario  steamboat  landing,  is  situated  at  the  north  line  of  the 
city,  about  five  miles  from  the  lake.  The  largest  vessels  on  the  lake 
can  ascend  the  river  to  this  point.  There  are  three  railways  for 
facilitating  the  business  between  the  vessels  and  the  warehouses  on 
the  upper  banks,- which  are  here  about  160  feet  high. 


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270 


MONROB   COUNTY. 


"  A  aerious  alarm,  attended  by  some  amusing  conaequences,  occurred  in  May,  1814, 
when  Sir  James  Yeo,  with  a  fleet  ofthirteen  vessels  of  various  sizes,  appeared  off  the  mouth 
of  the  Genesee,  threatening  the  destruction  of  the  rude  improvements  in  and  around  Ro. 
Chester.    Messengers  were  despatched  to  arouse  the  people  in  the  surrounding  country  for 
defence  against  the  threatened  attack.     There  were  then  but  thirty.three  people  in  Roches- 
ter capable  of  bearing  arms.     This  Uttle  band  threw  up  a  breastwork  called  Fort  Bender 
near  the  Deep  Hollow,  beside  the  Lower  Falls,  and  hurried  down  to  the  junction  of  the 
Genesee  and  Lake  Ontario,  five  miles  north  of  the  present  city  limits,  where  the  enemy 
threatened  to  land ;  leaving  behind  them  two  old  men,  with  some  young  iads,  to  remove 
the  women  and  children  into  the  woods,  in  case  the  British  should  attempt  to  land  for  the 
capture  of  the  provisions  and  destruction  of  the  bridge  at  Rochester,  &c.    Francis  Brown 
and  Elisha  Ely  acted  as  captains,  and  Isaac  W,  Stone  as  m^or  of  the  Rochester  forces, 
which  were  strengthened  by  the  additions  that  could  be  made  from  this  fhinly-eettled  region. 
Though  the  equipments  and  discipline  of  these  troops  would  not  form  a  brilliant  picture  for 
a  warlike  eye,  their  very  awkwardness  in  those  points,  coupled  as  it  was  with  their  sagacity 
and  courage,  accomplished  more  perhaps  than  could  have  been  effected  by  a  larger  force 
of  regular  troops  bediizened  with  the  trappings  of  military  pomp.     The  militia  thus  hastily 
collected,  were  marched  and  countermarched,  disappearing  in  the  woods  at  one  point  and 
suddenly  emerging  elsewhere,  so  as  to  impress  the  enemy  with  the  belief  that  the  force 
collected  for  defence  was  far  greater  than  it  actually  was.    (The  circumstances  here  related 
are  substantially  as  mentioned  to  the  writer  by  one  who  was  then  and  is  now  a  resident 
of  Rochester.)     An  officer  with  a  flag  of  truce  was  sent  from  the  British  fleet.    A  militia 
officer  marched  down,  with  ten  of  the  most  soldierlike  men,  to  receive  him  on  Lighthouse 
Point.    These  militiamen  carried  their  guns  as  neariy  upright  as  might  be  consistent  with 
their  plan  of  being  ready  for  action  by  keeping  hold  of  the  triggers !    The  British  officer 
was  astonished :  he  •  looked  unutterable  things.'     •  Sir,'  said  he,  '  do  you  receive  a  flag  of 
truce  under  arms,  with  cocked  triggers  V    '  Excuse  me,  excuse  me,  sir ;  we  backwoodsmen 
are  not  well  versed  in  military  tactics,'  replied  the  American  officer,  who  promptly  sought 
to  rectify  his  error  by  ordering  his  men  to  •  ground  arms ."    The  Briton  was  still  more  as- 
tonished  ;  and,  after  delivering  a  brief  message,  immediately  departed  for  the  fleet,  indicat- 
mg  by  his  countenance  a  suspicion  that  the  ignorance  of  tactics  which  he  had  witnessed 
was  all  feigned  for  the  occasion,  so  as  to  deceive  the  British  commodore  into  a  snare ! 
Shortly  afterward,  on  the  same  day,  another  officer  came  ashore  with  a  flag  of  truce  for 
further  parley,  as  the  British  were  evidently  too  suspicious  of  stratagem  to  attempt  a  hostile 
landing  if  there  was  any  possibility  of  compromising  for  the  spoils.    Capt.  Francis  Brown 
was  deputed  with  a  guard  to  receive  the  last  flag  of  truce.    The  British  officer  looked  sus. 
piciously  upon  him  and  upon  lus  guard  ;  and,  after  some  conversation,  tamiliariy  grasped 
the  pantaloons  of  Capt.  B.  about  the  knee,  remarking,  as  he  firmly  handled  it,  '  Your  cloth 
IS  too  good  to  be  spoiled  by  such  a  bungling  tailor  ;'  alluding  to  the  width  and  clumsy  as. 
pect  of  that  garment.    Brown  was  quickwitted  as  well  as  resolute,  and  replied  jocosely 
diat '  he  was  prevented  from  dressing  fashionably  by  his  haste  that  morning  to  salute  such 
distinguished  visiters  ••    The  Briton  obviously  imagined  that  Brown  was  a  regular  officer 
of  the  American  army,  whose  regimentals  were  masked  by  clumsy  overclothes.    The  pro. 
position  WM  then  made,  that,  if  the  Americans  would  deliver  up  the  provisions  and  military 
stores  which  might  be  in  and  around  Rochester  or  Charlotte,  Sir  James  Yeo  would  spare 
the  settlements  from  destruction.    «  Will  you  comply  with  the  offer  ?'     '  Blood  knee-deep 
first ."  was  the  emphatic  reply  of  Francis  Brown. 

"  While  this  pariey  was  in  progress,  an  American  officer,  with  his  staff,  returning  from  the 
Niagara  frontier,  was  accidentally  seen  passing  from  one  wooded  point  to  another ;  and 
this,  with  other  circumstances,  aflbrded  to  the  British  '  oo&firniBtion  strong'  that  their  suspi. 
cions  were  well  founded ;  that  there  was  a  considerable  American  army  coUectcd  ;  and  that 
the  Yankee  officers  shammed  ignorance  for  the  purpose  of  entrapping  ashore  the  commodore 
and  his  forces  1  The  return  of  tlie  last  flag  to  the  fleet  was  followed  by  a  vigorous  attack  in 
bombs  and  balls,  whUe  the  compUment  was  spiritedly  returned,  not  without  some  effect  on 
at  least  one  of  the  vessels,  by  a  rusty  old  six.pounder,  which  had  been  furbished  and  mounU 
ed  on  a  log  for  the  important  occasion.  After  a  few  hours  spent  in  this  unavailing  manner. 
Admiral  Yeo  run  down  to  Pultcneyville,  about  twenty  miles  eastward  of  Genesee  river, 
wheTe,  on  learning  how  they  had  been  outwitted  and  deterred  from  landing  by  such  a 
handtul  ot  ntiilitia,  their  mortification  could  scarcely  restrain  all  hands  from  a  hearty  laugh 
at  the  '  Yankee  trick.' "  /       e 

Rush  was  taken  from  Avon  in  1818  ;  from  Albany  229  miles.  Pop. 
1,929.  Rush,  12  S.,  Sibley's  Comers  and  Green's  Corners,  each  15 
miles  from  Rochester,  Hartwell's  Corners  and  Davis'  Corners,  are 
smali  settlements. 


T  37.' --T  — ■  ■^':.  T.'V-i .  r -^^  ^ 


MONROE  COUNTY. 


371 


Collegiate  building  at  Brockport. 

Sweden,  taken  from  Murray  in  1813 ;  from  Albany  241  miles. 
Pop.  3,133.  Brockport  village  was  incorporated  in  1829.  It  is  situ- 
ated on  the  Erie  canal,  20  miles  SE.  from  Rochester,  and  239  from 
Albany.  The  village  consists  of  about  300  dwellings,  some  of  them 
three  and  four  stories  high,  built  of  brick  or  freestone.  The  citizens 
have  erected  a  noble  stone  building  five  stories  high,  for  a  collegiate 
institution,  at  an  expense  of  #25,000,  of  which  the  above  engraving  is 
a  representation.  Large  quantities  of  wheat  have  been  purchased  in 
this  village  for  the  Rochester  mills ;  451,000  bushels  were  bought 
here  in  1835.  The  first  buildings  in  the  village  were  erected  in  1820 ; 
the  population  is  now  upwards  of  1,300. 

Webster,  14  miles  NE.  from  Rochester,  was  recently  taken  from 
Penfield,  of  which  it  formed  the  northern  part.  The  township  is 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Lake  Ontario.    Pop.  2,235. 

Wheatland,  originally  named  Inverness,  and  taken  from  Caledo- 
nia in  1821 ;  from  Albany  232  miles.  Pop.  2,871.  Scottsville,  on 
Aliens  creek,  12  miles  SW.  from  Rochester,  near  Genesee  river,  con- 
tains several  churches,  and  upwards  of  150  dwellings.  The  water- 
power  here  has  been  lately  much  improved  by  a  canal  one  mile  in 
length,  taken  from  the  creek  to  the  Genesee  river,  by  which  a  head 
of  about  16  feet  is  obtained.  Indian  Allen,  so  called,  was  the  first 
settler  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek  which  goes  by  his  name.  In  the 
year  1800,  Isaac  Scott  located  himself  where  the  village  is  now  built. 
From  this  pioneer  of  the  wilderness  the  village  derives  its  name. 
There  are  within  three  miles  of  this  place  the  remains  of  four  ancient 
fortifications.  Trees  have  grown  on  these  mounds  indicating  a  lapse 
of  from  four  to  five  hundred  years  since  they  were  constructed.  Mum- 
fords  ville,  also  on  Aliens  creek,  18  miles  SW.  from  Rochester,  is  a 
small  settlement.  There  is  a  small  collection  of  dwellings  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Wheatland  post-office  and  at  Garbetts  mills. 


:'      'I 


•  •.--■_j^^i^,jgjpg^-w5^_,  - 


272 


HONTOOMCRT   COUNTY, 


MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 

MoNTGOMBRY  COUNTY  wos  named  after  the  lamented  Gen.  Montgom- 
ery, who  fell  at  the  attack  on  Quebec,  in  the  revolution.    Its  gr^test 
length  IS  34  E.  and  W.,  greatest  breadth  N.  and  S.  13  miles.    It  was 
originally  taken  from  Albany  and  named  in  honor  of  William  Tryon 
then  governor  of  the  province.     Its  name  was  changed  in  1784.     It 
embraced  all  that  part  of  the  state  lying  west  of  a  Ime  running  north 
and  south  nearly  through  the  centre  of  the  present  county  of  Schoharie. 
It  was  divided  into  five  districts— subdivided  into  precincts.    The  Mo- 
hawk  district  mcluded  Fort  Hunter,  Caugnawaga.  Johnstown,  and 
JUngsboro  ;  Canajoharie  district  embraced  the  present  town  of  that 
name,  with  all  the  country  southward,  comprehending  Cherry  Valley 
of  Otsego,  and  Harpersfield  of  Delaware  counties;  Palatine  district, 
north  of  the  Mohawk,  extended  over  the  region  so  called,  and  Stone 
Arabia,  <Sr,c. ;  German  Flats  district  and  Kingsland  covered  the  most 
western  fettlements.    The  Erie  canal  crosses  the  county  on  the  south 
side  of  tfte  JV^hawk,  and  the  Schenectady  and  Utica  railroad  on  the 
north  side.     The  Erie  canal  passes  the  Schoharie  creek  through  a 
pond  formed  by  a  dam  across  the  stream  below.    Its  fall  within  this 
county  IS  86  feet,  by  12  locks.    The  county  is  divided  into  ten  towns. 
Jrop.  35,801. 


4, 


Southern  view  of  Sir  Guy  Johnson's  house,  Amsterdam. 


surforl  «nH  S  f  I  "  •f'"°'^  Caugnawaga  in  1793.  It  has  a  rolling 
rated  inTfl  J  n^^  't  iET  ^^^?-  Amsterdam  village,  incorpo? 
ro^d  16  S,  C  ^'J^^oliawk  river  and  turnpike  ani  Utica  rS- 
road,  16  miles  W.  of  Schenectady,  contains  several  churches,  an 
sTde  T5;r^  ^^°"'  700  inhabitants.  The  Erie  canal  is  on  the  s^mh 
side  of  the  river,  over  which  there  is  a  commodious  bridge. 

Guv  John^r  '  ^^r  ^PPT'^^^  of  the  mansion  housi  of  Colonel 

JJiy  Johnson,  as  seen  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.     It  is  built 

stei' vl*^'  "'tJ  '''^"'^  "^  th^Mohawk,  about  a  mli;  from  Am- 
ana  m  front.    It  is  a  beautiful  situation,  and  was  formerly  called  "Guy 


MONTGOMERY   COUNTY. 


273 


•^<^S2>fe^'^  «-<«:^. 


'y/^^'Z/i^^ 


[Facfimile  of  the  signatures  of  the  Johruoiu,  and  of  Colonel  John  Sutler,  and  hi*  ton 
Walter.] 

Park."  The  house  occupied  by  Sir  John  Johnson  is  further  to  the 
west,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road.  These  men  Hved  here  essen- 
tially in  the  rank  and  splendor  of  noblemen,  till  their  possessions  were 
confiscated  by  the  state  for  their  adherence  to  the  British  cause.  Sir 
John  was  not  as  popular  as  his  father,  Sir  William  Johnson,  being 
less  social  and  less  acquainted  with  human  nature.  He  accompanied 
his  father  on  some  of  his  military  expeditions,  and  probably  saw 
considerable  service.  After  his  flight  from  Johnstown  to  Canada,  he 
in  the  month  of  January,  1777,  found  his  way  into  New  York, 
then  in  possession  of  the  British  troops.  "  From  that  period  he  be- 
came not  only  one  of  the  most  active,  but  one  of  the  bitterest  foes  of 
his  own  countrymen  of  any  who  were  engaged  in  the  war,  and  re- 
peatedly the  scourge  of  his  own  former  neighbors.  He  was  unques- 
tionably a  loyalist  from  principle,  else  he  would  scarcely  have 
hazarded,  as  he  did,  and  ultimately  lost,  domains  larger  and  fairer 
than  probably  ever  belonged  to  a  single  proprietor  in  America,  Wil- 
liam Penn  only  excepted. 

After  the  flight  of  Sir  John  from  Johnson  Hall,  [see  Johnstown] 
lady  Johnson,  his  wife,  was  removed  to  Albany,  where  she  was  re- 
tained as  a  kind  of  hostage  for  the  good  conduct  of  her  husband. 
"  She  wrote  to  Gen.  Washington  complaining  of  this  detention,  and 
asking  his  interference  for  her  release ;  but  the  commander-in-chief 
left  the  matter  with  Gen.  Schuyler  and  the  Albany  committee.  After 
the  confiscation  of  the  property  of  Sir  John,  the  furniture  of  the 
hall  was  sold  at  auction  at  Fort  Hunter.  The  late  lieutenant-gov- 
ernor of  New  York,  John  Taylor,  purchased  several  articles  of  the 
furniture  ;  and  among  other  things,  the  bible  mentioned  in  the  text. 
Perceiving  that  it  contained  the  family  record,  which  might  be  of 
great  value  to  Sir  John,  Mr.  Taylor  wrote  a  civil  note  to  Sir  John, 
offering  its  restoration.  Some  time  afterward  a  messenger  from  the 
baronet  called  for  the  bible,  whose  conduct  was  so  rude  as  to  give 
offence.     '  I  have  come  for  Sir  William's  bible,'  said  he,  '  and  there 

35 


ii 


274 


MONTGOMERY   COUNTY. 


are  four  guineas  which  it  cost.'  The  bible  was  delivered,  and  the 
nuiner  was  asked  what  message  Sir  John  had  sent.  The  reply  was, 
•  Pay  four  guineas  and  take  the  book  !' " — Stone's  Life  of  Brant. 

"About  a  mUe  and  a  half  above  the  viUage  of  Amsterdam  under  a  jutting  rock,  on  the 
north  side  of  the  Mohawk  nver,  are  still  to  be  seen  the  remains  of  an  Indian  paintinir  It 
was  the  custom  of  the  Mohawks,  and  doubtless  of  ail  the  different  tribes  of  the  Iroquois 
when  they  contemplated  a  military  expedition,  to  make  a  representation  thereof  by  paint, 
ing  on  trees  or  rocks  the  figures  of  the  warriors,  with  hieroglyphics  designating  the  dVsign 
of  the  expedition.  When  they  went  by  wafir,  canoes  were  painted,  and  aa  many  figures 
paced  in  ttiem  as  there  were  men  constituting  the  party— their  faces  looking  towards  the 
place  whither  they  were  bound.  The  painting  in  question  was  executed  to  commemorate 
an  expediuon  undertaken  by  a  party  of  Mohawks,  against  the  French  Indians,  about  the 
year  1720.  We  know  five  or  six  individuals,  who  saw  the  painting  Pfty  years  ago. 
when  the  outhnes  were  very  distincUy  to  be  seen.  It  was  done  with  red  chalk  and  rep 
9^"l835    *  **'  *"  *'*"*^'  '**'*'  '"*  """  "***"  "*"  "*  etich."— Schenectady  EeJUetor,  Oct. 


i 


Eastern  view  of  Canajoharie. 

Canajoharie*  was  organized  in  1788.  The  surface  of  the  town- 
ship is  considerably  uneven,  but  the  hills  are  generally  arable  and 
have  a  strong  soil.  The  early  inhabitants  were  Germans.  Pop. 
6,150.  The  village  of  Canajoharie  was  incorporated  in  1829.  It  is 
situated  at  the  confluence  of  Bowman's  creek  with  the  Mohawk, 
and  on  the  Erie  canal,  55  miles  from  Albany.  It  consists  of  about 
100  houses,  a  Lutheran  church,and  an  academy.  The  Radii, a  newspa- 
per, edited  and  printed  by  Mr.  L.  S.  Backus,  a  deaf  and  dumb  per- 
son, is  published  in  this  place.  "  The  Canajoharie  and  Palatine  man- 
ufactunng  company"  was  incorporated  in  1833.  The  accompanying 
engraving  shows  the  appearance  of  the  village  as  viewed  from  the  ele- 
vated  bank  of  the  Mohawk,  a  few  rods  from  the  bridge  seen  passing 

"  •  This  name  is  of  Indian  origin ;  and  Cana-jo-harie,  as  spoken  by  the  Mohawks,  signifies 
the  pot  or  kettle  that  washes  itself.  This  name  was  given  by  the  Moliawk  Indians  to  a 
deep  hole  of  foaming  water,  at  the  foot  of  one  of  the  falls  of  Canajoharie  creek:  fi-om 
which  It  became  the  common  name  of  that  stream,  and  an  extensive  tract  of  country 
around  it."~Spqfford'»  Gazetteer.  vumin. 


MONTGOMERY   COUNTY. 


376 


over  the  river,  cormecting  the  village  of  Palatine  Bridge  with  Cana- 
joharie.  Central  Canajoharie,  Ames,  and  Freysbush,  are  post-offices 
in  this  town. 

In  the  spring  of  1780,  the  Indians  again  made  their  appearance  in 
the  Mohawk  valley.  Gen.  Clinton  hearing  of  their  movements,  sent 
orders  to  Col.  Gansevoort  on  the  6th  of  June,  to  repair  to  Fort  Plank 
with  his  regiment,  to  take  charge  of  a  quantity  of  stores  destined  for 
Fort  Schuyler.  These  stores  were  to  be  transported  m  batteaux, 
and  carefully  guarded  the  whole  distance.  Joseph  Brant,  the  cele- 
brated chieftain,  at  the  head  of  four  or  five  hundred  Indians,  was  in 
the  vicinity,  and  he  artfully  caused  a  rumor  to  be  circulated  that  he 
intended  to  capture  the  batteaux,  in  order  to  divert  attention  from 
other  points  of  attack.  This  artifice  proved  too  successful ;  the  mili- 
tia of  the  lower  section  of  the  county  were  drawn  off"  to  guard  the 
convoy.  Brant  now  made  a  circuit  through  the  woods,  and  coming 
in  the  rear  of  them,  laid  waste  the  whole  country  around  Canajoharie.  . 
On  the  first  approach  of  Brant  in  Canajoharie  a  few  miles  eastwardly 
of  the  fort,  the  alarm  was  given  by  a  woman,  who  fired  a  cannon  for 
that  purpose.  The  following  account  of  this  incursion  is  given  by 
Col.  Samuel  Clyde,  in  a  letter  to  Gov.  George  Clinton,  dated  at  Can- 
ajoharie, Aug.  6,  1780 : — 

"  I  here  send  you  an  account  of  the  fate  of  our  districL  On  the  second  day  of  this  in- 
stant, Joseph  Brant,  at  the  head  of  about  four  or  five  hundred  Indians  and  lories,  broke  in 
upon  the  settiements,  and  laid  the  best  part  of  the  district  in  ashes,  and  killed  sixteen  of 
the  inhabitants  that  we  have  found ;  took  between  fifty  and  sixty  prisoners,  mostly  women 
and  children,  twelve  of  whom  they  have  sent  back.  They  have  killed  and  drove  away 
with  them  upwards  of  three  hundred  head  of  cattle  and  horses ;  have  burnt  fifty-three 
dwelling-houses,  besides  some  out-houses,  and  as  many  bams,  one  very  elegant  church,  and 
one  grist-mill,  and  two  small  forts  that  the  women  fled  out  of.  They  have  burnt  all  the  in- 
habitants'  weapons  and  implements  for  husbandry,  so  that  they  are  left  in  a  miserable  con- 
dition.  They  have  nothing  left  to  support  themselves  but  what  grain  they  have  growing, 
and  that  tjney  caimot  get  saved  for  want  of  tools  to  work  with,  and  very  few  to  be  got  here. 

"  This  affair  happened  at  a  very  unfortunate  hour,'  when  all  the  militia  of  the  county 
were  called  up  to  Fort  Schuyler  to  guard  nine  batteaux  about  half  laden.  It  was  said  the 
enemy  intended  to  take  them  on  their  passing  to  Fort  Schuyler.  There  was  scarce  a  man 
left  that  was  able  to  go.  It  seems  that  every  thing  conspired  for  our  destruction  in  this 
quarter ;  one  whole  district  ahnost  destroyed,  and  the  best  regiment  of  militia  in  the  county 
rendered  unable  to  help  themselves  or  the  public.  This  I  refer  you  to  Gen.  Rensselaer  for 
the  truth  of. 

"  This  spring,  when  we  found  that  we  were  not  likely  to  get  any  assistance,  and  knew 
that  we  were  not  able  to  withstand  the  enemy,  we  were  obliged  to  work  and  build  our- 
selves  forts  for  our  defence,  which  we  had  nearly  completed,  and  could  have  had  our  lives 
and  effects  secure,  had  we  got  liberty  to  have  made  use  of  them.  But  that  must  not  be, 
we  must  mm  out  of  them ;  not  that  we  have  any  thing  against  assisting  the  general  to  open 
the  communication  to  Fort  Schuyler,  but  still  doubted  what  has  happened  while  we  were 
gone.  But  it  was  still  insisted  on,  that  there  was  no  danger  when  we  were  all  out ;  that  in 
my  opinion  there  never  has  been  such  a  blunder  committed  in  the  county  since  the  war 
commenced,  nor  the  militia  so  much  put  out ;  and  to  send  generals  here  without  men,  is 
like  sending  a  man  to  the  woods  to  chop  without  an  axe.  I  am  sensible  had  the  general 
had  sufficient  men,  that  he  would  have  been  able  to  have  given  satisfaction  both  to  the  pub. 
lie  and  inhabitants  here." 

The  parents  of  Joseph  Brant,  the  celebrated  Mohawk  chieftain, 
resided  at  the  Canajoharie  castle,  the  central  of  the  three  castles  of 
the  Mohawks,  in  their  native  valley.  He  appears  to  have  been 
born  in  the  year  1742,  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  while  his  parents 


970 


MONTGOMERY    COUNTY. 


'  ■>. 


I? 


^<^^<?^ 


Vat-nmiU  of  Branl'j  ngnature 

ward  removed  to  Dartmouth, 


and 


were  on  a  hunting  excursion  in 
that  part  of  the  country.*  "  In 
July,  1761,  he  was  sent,  by  Sir 
William  Johnson,  to  the  ♦  Moor's 
Charity  school,'  at  Lebanon,  Con- 
necticut, established  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Wheelock,  which  was  after- 
became  the  foundation  of  Dart- 


mouth College.    The  following  mention  of  him  is  madei'nThe'me- 
moirs  of  that  gentleman : — 

"  Sir  William  Johnson,  superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  in  North 
America,  was  very  .riendly  to  the  design  of  Mr.  Wheelock,  and,  at 
his  request,  sent  to  the  school,  at  various  times,  several  boys  of  the 
Mohawks  to  be  instructed.  One  of  t^.  mi  was  the  since  celebrated 
Joseph  Brant ;  who,  after  receiving  t.is  education,  was  particularly 
noticed  by  Sir  William  Johnson,  and  employed  by  him  in  public  busi- 
ness. He  has  been  very  useful  in  advancing  the  civilization  of  his 
countrymen,  and  for  a  long  time  past  has  been  a  military  officer  of 
extensive  influence  among  the  Indians  in  Upper  Canada." 

In  confirmation  of  these  statements  it  may  be  added,  that  he  trans- 
lated into  the  Mohawk  language  the  gospel  of  St.  Mark,  and  assisted 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Stewart,  the  episcopal  missionary,  in  translaung  a  num- 
ber of  religious  works  into  the  Indian  tongue.  Brant  being  a  neigh- 
bor, and  under  the  influence  of  the  Johnson  family,  he  took  up  arms 
against  the  Americans  in  the  revolutionary  contest.  "Combining 
the  natural  sagacity  of  the  Indian,  with  the  skill  and  science  of 
the  civilized  man,  he  was  a  formidable  foe.  He  was  a  dreadful 
terror  to  the  frontiers.  His  passions  were  strong.  In  his  inter- 
course he  was  affable  and  polite,  and  communicated  freely  rela- 
tive to  his  conduct.  He  often  said  that  during  the  war  he  had  killed 
but  one  man  in  cold  blood,  and  that  act  he  ever  after  regretted.  He 
said,  he  had  taken  a  man  prisoner,  and  was  examining  him ;  the  pris- 
oner hesitated,  and  as  he  thought  equivocated.  Enraged  at  what  he 
considered  obstinacy,  he  struck  him  down.  It  turned  out  that  the 
man's  apparent  obstinacy  arose  from  a  natural  hesitancy  of  speech. 
"  In  person,  Brant  was  about  the  middling  size,  of  a  square,  stout 
build,  fitted  rather  for  enduring  hardships  than  for  quick  movements. 
His  complexion  was  lighter  than  that  of  most  of  the  Indians,  which 
resulted,  perhaps,  from  his  less  exposed  manner  of  living.  This  cir- 
cumstance, probably,  gave  rise  to  a  statement,  which  has  been  often 
repeated,  that  he  was  of  mixed  origin.  He  was  married  in  the  win- 
ter of  1779  to  a  daughter  of  Col.  Croghan  by  an  Indian  woman. 
The  circumstances  of  his  marriage  are  somewhat  singular.    He  was 

f*  '^'if,^"''''"'  "^"'6  of  B™nt  was  Thayendanegea,  a  word  signifying,  it  is  said,  twoMickt. 
tf.v>eod.buund.together,  denotiiiK  etrength.  The  life  of  Brant,  in  two  octavo  volumes,  hns 
been  recently  written  by  William  L.  Stone,  Esq.,  editor  of  the  Commercial  Advertiser, 
rilew  Jt  ork.  This  valuable  and  highly  intereming  work  is  one  of  great  research,  and  em. 
braces  a  full  history  of  the  border  wars  of  the  revolution,  and  much  other  matter  coimcctcd 
with  Indian  history. 


MONTfiOMERY   COUNTY. 


277 


present  at  the  wedding  of  Miss  Moore  from  Cherry  Vall^,  who  had 
been  carried  away  a  prisoner,  and  who  married  an  officer  of  the 
garrison  at  Fort  Niagara. 

Brant  had  lived  with  his  wife  for  some  time  previous,  according  to 
the  Indian  custom,  without  marriage ;  but  now  insisted  that  the  mar- 
riage ceremony  should  be  performed.  This  was  accordingly  done  by 
CoL  Butler,  who  was  still  considered  a  magistrate.  After  the  war 
he  removed,  with  his  nation,  to  Canada.  There  he  was  employed  in 
transacting  important  business  for  his  tribe.  He  went  out  to  Eng- 
land after  the  war,  and  was  honorably  received  there.  He  died  about 
ten  or  fifteen  years  since,  at  Brantford,  Haldiman  county.  Upper 
Canada,  where  his  family  new  reside.  One  of  his  sons,  a  very  in- 
telligent man,  has  been  returned  to  the  Colonial  Assembly." 

The  following  is  an  account  of  the  taking  of  the  three  Mohawk 
castles,  which  were  situated  in  this  vicinity,  by  the  French  and  Indi- 
ans, in  the  early  settlement  of  the  country.  It  is  drawn  from  Colden's 
History  of  the  Six  Nations. 

In  January,  1692-3,  a  large  body  of  French  and  Indians,  amounting 
to  six  or  seven  hundred,  started  on  an  expedition  from  Canada,  for 
the  purpose  of  punishing  the  Five  Nations,  who  had  the  previous 
summer  carried  the  war  into  Canada,  and  in  small  parties  had  rav- 
aged the  whole  country.  Count  de  Frontenac  chose  the  winter  sea- 
son for  this  incursion,  when  the  enemy  could  not,  without  great  hard- 
ship, keep  scouts  abroad  to  discover  them,  or  their  allies,  the  English, 
give  assistance. 

On  the  15th  of  January,  they  set  out  from  la  Prairie  de  Magda- 
leine,  and  endured  innumerable  hardships.  The  ground  was  at  that 
time  covered  with  a  deep  snow,  and  the  foremost,  marching  on  snow- 
shoes,  beat  a  track  for  those  which  followed.  At  night  the  army  was 
accustomed  to  divide  itself  into  small  groups,  and  each  party  to  dig 
a  hole  in  the  snow,  throwing  up  the  snow  all  around,  but  highest  to- 
wards that  side  from  whence  the  wind  blew.  The  ground  was  then 
covered  with  the  small  branches  of  fir-trees,  and  each  inan  wrapped 
in  his  cloak  v/ith  Ms  feet  pointed  towards  a  fire  in  the  centre,  would 
thus  pass  the  night. 

They  passed  by  Schenectady  on  the  8th  of  February.  The  two 
first  forts  of  the  Mohawks  being  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  English 
settlements,  were  not  fortified,  and  were  therefore  easily  taken.  At  the 
last  Mohawk  fort,  which  was  strongly  garrisoned,  they  met  with  con- 
siderable resistance,  and  the  French  lost  thirty  men  before  the  Indi- 
ans submitted.  The  Indians  at  Schenectady  having  obtained  infor- 
mation of  the  capture  of  their  castles,  sent  to  Albany  for  assistance 
to  pursue  the  enemy.  Col.  Peter  Schuyler,  with  a  body  of  militia, 
regulars,  and  Indians,  pursued  the  enemy  on  their  retreat,  and  had  a 
severe  skirmish  with  them.  On  the  20th,  Col.  Schuyler  was  obliged 
to  give  up  the  pursuit,  the  weather  being  very  cold  and  provisions 
scarce.  Schuyler  lost  only  8  men  killed  and  14  wounded.  The 
French  lost  59  men  in  killed  and  wounded,  besides  several  by  deser- 


278 


MONTGOMERY   COUNTY. 


! 


¥ 


tion.  Schuyler's  Indians  ate  the  bodies  of  the  French  whom  they 
found.  The  colonel  was  invited  to  partake  of  broth  with  them :  he 
ate  quite  hearty  until,  putting  the  ladle  into  the  kettle  to  draw  out 
more,  he  brought  up  a  Frenchman's  hand,  which  put  an  end  to  his 
appetite. 

The  French  arrived  at  their  settlements  in  a  state  of  starvation, 
having  been  obliged  to  eat  their  shoes  on  their  march. 

Charleston,  organized  in   1788,  by  the  name  of  Mohawk;  part 
erected  into  a  separate  town,  and  the  residue  called  Charleston 
in   1793 ;   from   Fonda  S.  8   miles,  from  Albany  40.     Charleston, 
l^harleston  tour  Corners,  and  Bensonville,  are  post-offices.    Pop. 

<«,lUo. 

Florida,  taken  from  Mohawk  in  1793 ;  from  Albany  35  miles. 
Pop.  5,162.  The  town  was  settled  by  some  Dutch  families  from 
Schenectady,  who  in  1750  were  joined  by  some  Germans,  subse- 
quently  by  Irish  and  Dutch,  and  lastly  by  New  Englanders.  Fort 
Hunter,  5  miles  SE.  of  Fonda,  is  a  small  settlement  Port  Jack- 
son,  on  the  Erie  canal,  is  a  flourishing  village.  Minaville,  4  miles  S. 
of  the  canal,  is  a  village  of  about  40  dwellings.  Fort  Hunter,  which 
lormerly  stood  on  the  line  of  the  canal  in  this  town,  was  a  place  of 
some  importance  in  colonial  history.  At  this  place  also  stood  Queen 
Annes  Chapel,  a  stone  structure,  built  by  Queen  Anne  of  England 
lor  the  use  of  the  Mohawk  Indians.  The  English  Episcopal  mis- 
sions to  the  Mohawks  appear  to  have  been  commenced  as  early  as 
1 702,  and  continued  down  to  the  beginning  of  the  revolutionary  war 

Glen,  taken  from  Charleston  in  1823 ;  from  Albany  43  miles. 
Pop.  3,697.  This  town  was  originally  settled  by  the  Dutch.  Ful- 
tonville,  on  the  canal,  1  mile  S.  from  Fonda,  57  from  Albany,  and  53 
from  Utica,  has  about  60  dwellings,  and  a  Dutch  Reformed  church 
Aunesville  or  Smithtown,  on  the  canal,  3  miles  E.  of  Fultonville,  and 
Voorheesville,  are  small  settlements. 

"Somewhere  between  this  [Schoharie]  creek  and  Caughnawaga,  commenced  an  Indian 

7srhnh''°'-'"'"''  7^^^  ^f^  '°  ^'^'^'''^'' .  N«"  'We  roal  and  within  the  northern  bounds 
ot  achohane  county,  has  been  seen  from  time  immemorial  a  large  pile  of  stones,  which  has 
given  the  name   stone  heap  patent-  to  the  tract  on  which  it  occu^ras  may  be  seen  f  om  rciem 
deeds.    Indian  tradition  saith  that  a  Mohawk  murdered  a  brother  (or  two  of  thorn)  on  this 
Tr!:.^'i  '/""•.'*  L""*"'-'  "^"^  •''**='^''  '"  ««'"mcmorate  the  event.    A  similar  practice  is 
hfJ^f  .       "''*  >?*f?  '"  ^"^"*  '""''"«  "'^  Hebrews;  in  Scotland  and  in  Wales,  many 
heaps  of  stones,  called  'cairns,'  are  to  be  found,  probably  constructed  for  a  similar  pirpose 
Bxay  not  the  bones  of  this  Indian  Abel  be  found  here  sepulchred  7    Every  individual 
passing  this  way  made  on  offering  to  propitiate  the  manes  of  the  deceased,  or  the  Minetto 
of  the  place;  which  was  performed  by  the  act  of  adding  another  stone  to  the  pile:  and  a 
Forson  was  but  a  few  years  sinca  hving,  who  had  witnessed  this  ceremony.    It  was  con- 
fidcntly  believed  by  the  Indians  that  those  who  neglected  to  do  it  would  meet  with  some 
K'',!!'"''".  V-  ■;  V  K   '•'«  !"»^'v  settlement  of  the  province,  Btmni  Van  Corlear,  a  great 
fcvorite  and  friend  of  the  Indmi.„.  on  a  certain  occasion,  passed  this  stone  heap  in  company 
T}    ,  P^'yof  Mohawks  on  their  way  to  Canada.    They  all  cast  a  stone  upon  the  pile 
except  Van  Corlear,  who  refiuied,  alleging  that  it  would  be  folly  for  him  tocomDivwth 
an  idle  superstition.    His  Indian  companions  considered  the  matter  in  a  more  serious  light" 
and  expressed  great  alarm  lest  some  mishap  might  befall  him  or  the  party.     These  presaires 
were  not  unreal,  for  by  one  of  those  coincidences  which  the  Almighty  sometimes  pern^ts 
Vat  Coriear  lost  his  life  bofore  he  arrived  at  the  end  of  his  journey.    lie  was  drowne™  n 
Cor  i.TT  """'r  ^''''  Chnniplain.    The  Indians  in  memory  of  this  event  called  "tVu" 
corlear «  Lake,  which  name  it  retained  for  some  time,  until  called  by  the  Cunadiai.  CoUio. 


MONTGOMERY   COONTY. 


270 


lie  priests  '  Lac  Sacrament,'  fdir  the  reason  they  had  selected,  and  used  its  waters  for  sa- 
cramental purposes." 

MiNDEN  was  taken  from  Canajoharie  in  1798.  The  town  was 
settled  at  an  early  period  by  Germans,  who  suffered  severely  from 
the  incursions  of  the  Indians  and  tories  during  the  revolutionary  war. 
The  surface  of  the  township  is  agreeably  diversified  by  gentle  hills 
and  fertile  valleys  on  Mohawk  river  and  Otsquake  creek.  Pop.  3,507. 
The  village  of  Fort  Plain  is  situated  on  the  Mohawk  river  and  Erie 
canal,  15  miles  from  Fonda,  12  miles  from  Cherry  Valley,  22  from 
Cooperstown,  and  60  from  Albany :  it  consists  of  about  80  houses, 
2  churches — 1  Presbyterian,  1  Universalist — a  printing  office,  and  a 
number  of  mills. 


Ancient  Blockhouse,  Fort  Plain. 

The  above  is  said  to  be  a  correct  representation  of  Fort  Plain,  from 
which  the  village  derives  its  name. 

"  The  fort  was  situated  on  the  brow  of  the  hill,  about  half  a  mile  northwest  of  the  vil. 
lago,  so  as  to  command  a  full  view  of  the  valley,  and  the  rise  of  the  ground,  for  several 
miles  in  any  direction ;  and  hence  it  doubtless  derived  its  name,  because  its  beautiful  loca- 
tion commanded  a  'plain'  view  of  the  surrounding  country.  It  was  erected  by  the  gov- 
cmment,  as  a  fortress,  and  place  of  retreat  and  safety  for  the  inhabitants  and  famihes  in 
case  of  incursions  from  the  Indians,  who  were  then,  and,  indeed,  more  or  less  during  the 
whole  revolutionary  war,  infesting  the  settlements  of  this  whole  region.  Its  form  was  an 
octagon,  having  port-holes  for  heavy  ordnance  and  muskets  on  every  side.  It  contained 
three  stories  or  apartments.  The  first  story  was  thirty  feet  in  diameter ;  the  second,  fofty 
feet ;  the  third,  fifty  feet ;  the  last  two  stories  projecting  five  feet,  as  represented  by  the 
drawing  aforesaid.  It  was  constructed  throughout  of  hewn  timber  about  fifteen  inches 
square ;  and,  besides  the  port-holes  aforesaid,  the  second  and  third  stories  had  perpendicular 
port.holc8  through  those  parts  tliat  projected,  so  as  to  aflbrd  the  regulars  and  militia,  or  sot- 
tiers  garrisoned  in  the  fort,  annoying  facilities  of  defence  for  themselves,  wives,  and  chil- 
dren,  in  case  of  cU|o  assault  from  the  relentless  savage.  Whenever  scouts  came  in  with 
tidings  that  a  hostiro  party  was  approaching,  a  cannon  was  fired  from  the  fort  as  a  signal  to 
flee  to  it  for  safely. 

"  In  the  early  part  of  the  war  there  was  built,  by  the  inhabitants  probably,  ot  or  near  the 
site  of  the  one  above  described,  a  foriitication,  of  mai'^rials  and  construction  that  ill  com- 
ported with  the  use  and  purposes  for  which  it  was  intci.dud.  This  induced  government  to 
erect  another,  (Fort  Plain,)  under  the  superintendence  of  an  experienced  French  engineer. 
As  a  piece  of  architecture,  it  was  well  wrought  a»4  neatly  finisiicri,  and  surpassed  all  the 
forts  in  that  region.  After  the  termination  of  the  revolutionary  war.  Fort  Plain  was  used 
for  some  years  as  a  deposit  of  military  stores,  under  the  direction  of  Captain  B.  Hudson. 
These  store*  were  finally  ordered  by  the  United  States  government  to  be  removed  to  Al- 


280 


MONTGOMEIIY   COUNTY. 


bany.  The  fort  is  demolished.  Nothing  of  it  remains  except  a  circumvallation  or  trench, 
which,  although  nearly  literated  by  the  plough,  still  indicates  to  the  curious  traveller 
sufficient  evidence  of  a  fortification  in  days  by-gone."— iV«  Plain  Journal,  Dec.  26,  1837. 

Hendrick,  a  celebrated  Indian  chieftain,  lived  in  this  town.  He  is 
sometimes  called  old  King  Hendrick,  and  the  great  Hendrick. 

'"The  site  of  his  house,'  says  Dr.  Dwight,  'is  a  handsome  elevation,  commanding  a 
considerable  prospect  of  the  neighboring  country.  It  will  be  sufficient  to  observe  here, 
that  for  capacity,  bravery,  vigor  of  mind,  and  immoveable  integrity  united,  he  excelled  all 
the  aboriginal  inhabitants  of  tlie  United  States  of  whom  any  knowledge  has  come  down  to 
the  present  time.  A  gentleman  of  very  respectable  character,  who  was  present  at  a  coun- 
cil  held  with  the  Six  Nations,  by  the  governor  of  New  York,  and  several  agents  of  distinc. 
tion  from  New  England,  informed  me  that  his  figure  and  countenance  were  singulariy  im. 
pressive  and  commanding ;  that  his  eloquence  was  of  the  same  superior  character,  and  that 
he  appeared  ns  if  born  to  control  other  men,  and  possessed  an  air  of  majesty  unrivalled 
within  his  knowledge.'  In  the  French  wars  he  led  forth  his  Mohawk  warriors  and  fought 
side  by  side  with  Sir  William  Johnson.  Through  all  the  intrigues  of  the  French  he  re. 
niaiiied  faithful  to  his  alliance.  He  was  also  highly  esteemed  by  the  white  inhabitants. 
During  some  of  the  negotiations  with  the  Indians  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  inhabitants  of 
that  state,  Hendrick  was  present  at  Philadelphia.  His  likeness  was  taken,  and  a  wax  figure 
afterward  made  which  was  a  very  good  imitation.  After  the  death  of  Hendrick,  an  old 
friend,  a  white  man,  visited  Philadelphia,  and  among  other  things  was  shown  this  wax 
figure.  It  occupied  a  niche,  and  was  not  observed  by  him  until  he  had  approached  within 
a  few  fret.  The  friendship  of  former  days  came  fresh  over  his  memory,  and  forgetting  for 
the  moment  Hendrick's  death,  he  rushed  forward  and  clasped  in  his  arms  the  frail,  icy 
image  of  the  chieftain." 

Mohawk,  the  ancient  Caughnawaga,  recently  organized,  was  form- 
erly the  southern  section  ot  the  town  of  Johnstown,  from  which  it 
was  taken  in  1837.  Pop.  3,106.  Since  the  formation  of  the  new 
county  of  Fulton,  the  seat  of  justice  for  Montgomery  county  has  been 


East  view  of  the  Courthouse  and  Hotel  in  Fonda. 

located  in  this  town.  The  above  is  an  engraving  of  the  courthouse 
and  hotel  recently  erected  in  the  new  village  of  Fonda.*  The  railroad 
passes  between  these  two  buildings.  The  central  part  of  the  village 
ol  Ciiughnawaga  is  about  half  a  mile  eastward  of  the  courthouse, 
and  consists  of  about  30  dwolling-houses,  on  the  north  side  of  the 
Mohawk,  40  miles  from  Albany,  and  4  miles  S.  from  Johnstown. 
The  village  occupies  the  site  of  an  ancient  Indian  village,  one  of  the 
prmcipal  towns  of  the  Mohawk  tribe.  Its  name,  Caiighnawaga,  is 
suid  to  signify  "  a  coffin"  which  it  received  from  the  circumstance  of 


r 


MONTOOMEST   COUNTT. 


t»l 


there  being,  in  the  river  opposite  the  place,  a  large  black  stone,  (still 
to  be  seen^  resembling  a  coffin,  and  projecting  above  the  surface  at 
low  water. 

The  annexed  is  a  representation  of 
the  ancient  Dutch  church  in  Caughna- 
waga.  It  is  a  massive  stone  structure, 
ana  is  believed  to  have  been  erected  in 
1768.  The  follovong  is  a  copy  of  the 
inscription  on  the  stone  tablet  which 
was  formerly  placed  over  the  door.  ' 

"Komt  laett  ons  op  gaen  tot  den 
Bergh  des  Heeren,  to  den  huyse  des 
Godes  Jacobs,  op  dat  hy  ons  leere  van 
syne  wegen,  en  dat  wy  wandele  in 
syne  paden." 

["  Come  ye,  and  let  ufl  go  up  to  the  mountain  of 
the  Lord ;  to  the  houM  of  the  Ood  of  Jacob,  and 
ho  will  teach  ua  his  waya,  and  we  will  walk  in  hia 
paths."] 
Ancient  Church,  Mahatek. 

The  following,  relating  to  the  history  of  this  town,  is  taken  from 
a  newspaper  published  in  Schenectady  a  few  years  since. 

"  The  Caughnawaga  flats  extend  from  the  western  base  of  Tripe's  Hill  to  the  Cayadutta 
creek,  a  distmice  of  four  miles.  A  patent  for  3,500  acres  of  these  flats,  was  granted  in  the 
year  1713,  to  John,  Edward,  and  Margaret  Collins.  These  individuals  aliened  to  Myndert 
Wemple,  Douw  Fonda,  and  Hendrick  A.  Vrooman ;  and  many  of  their  descendants  are 
proprietors  at  the  present  day. 

"  Until  1695,  there  were  no  buildings  on  the  site  where  Caughnawaga  now  stands,  ex. 
cept  a  Dutch  church  edifice  and  a  parsonage.  This  church  was  founded  in  1762,  by  the 
patronage  of  Sir  William  Johnson.  Its  principal  benefactors  were  the  Fonda,  Vrooman, 
Wemple,  and  Veeder  families.  The  church  edifice  is  still  standing,  but  in  a  dilapidated 
condition.  Its  first  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Thomas  Romeyn,  who  died  in  1794.  He  was 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Abraham  Van  Home,  of  New  Jersey,  who  continued  his  pastoral 
duties  until  a  few  years  since. 

"  Caughnawaga  hardly  deserved  to  be  called  a  hamlet  until  1795,  when  Messrs.  Douw 
and  Henry  Fonda,  of  Albany,  erected  several  buildings. 

"  This  place  suffered  much  during  the  revolution.  At  the  western  extremity  of  the  flats, 
is  a  small  hill  called  by  the  Dutch  '  Teaburg'  or  Teahill.  It  was  a  place  of  resort,  during 
the  time  of  the  French  war,  by  the  Caughnawaga  ladies  during  the  absence  of  their  hus. 
bands,  to  indulge  in  their  delicious  beverage  of  tea.  It  was  considered  a  good  place  of  re- 
treat from  danger,  and  from  which  the  approach  of  the  enemy  might  be  seen.  The  Mo- 
hawk name  of  this  elevation  is  '  Kaheka-nunda,*  or  '  hill  of  berries ;'  probably  because 
many  berries  are  found  there.  The  ancient  Mohawks  required  their  male  papooses  to  run 
up  and  down  this  hill,  and  those  who  flagged  under  the  exercise,  were  deemed  unqualified 
to  endure  the  fatigues  of  war. 

"  The  first  set^rs  of  Tripo's  Hill,  were  respectable  yeomen.  Nicholas  Hanson's  family 
emigrated  thitherhbout  1725,  from  Albany.  His  son  Hendrick  waa  the  first  white  child 
bom  in  the  Mohawk  valley  west  of  Schenectady,  on  the  north  side  of  the  river.  About 
1726,  a  New  Englander  by  the  name  of  Bowcn,  and  a  Mr.  Putnam  from  Schenectady,  took 
up  their  residence  here.  The  descendants  of  the  Hansons  and  Futnams  are  to  found  to 
this  day  in  this  region,  and  the  creek  on  the  eastern  side  of  Tripe's  Hill  received  its  name 
from  the  circumstance  of  the  Putnam  family  owning  the  land  through  which  it  passes. 

"  About  the  time  the  colonies  declared  their  independence,  the  Bowen,  witli  several 
other  families,  took  part  with  the  mother  country  and  moved  to  Canada.  They  were  in- 
duced to  take  this  course  in  consequence  of  their  attachment  to  Sir  William  Johnson,  who, 
whatever  his  faults  might  have  been,  ponessed  much  warm-heartedness  ond  benevolence. 

36 


988 


MONTOOMEKT  OOUNTT. 


i    fe 


S 


.   I 


I  1 


Had  he  lived  during  the  revolutionary,  conteat,  it  ia  generally  believed  he  would  have  dona 
much  towards  restraining  the  ferocity  of  the  bloodthirsty  tones  and  their  savage  alliea, 
whoee  murderous  attacks  on  the  defenceless  inhabitants  of 'the  valley,'  are  so  famous  in 
tradition.  But  the  mantle  of  Sir  William  did  not  descend  on  his  son  Sir  John  Johnson. 
The  latter  with  a  party  of  tories,  most  of  whom  had  formerly  resided  at  Tripe's  Hill,  and 
among  whom  Henry  and  William  Bowen  held  conspicuous  stations,  made  an  arrangement 
for  a  descent  on  this  sotdement.  The  most  zealous  whig  at  the  '  Hill'  was  Garret  Pumami 
captain  of  a  company  of  rangers.  He  had  rendered  himself  particularly  obnoxious  to  the 
British  in  consequence  of  the  fearless  and  zealous  stand  which  he  had  taken  against  thenii 
On  the  18th  of  May,  1780,  he  received  orders  to  repair  to  Fort  Hunter ;  which  he  did, 
taking  bis  fiimily  along  with  him.  He  leased  his  house  to  William  6ort  and  James  Plateau, 
two  Englishmen,  who,  although  tories,  'ook  no  active  part  and  were  therefore  unmolested 
by  the  whigs.  About  midnight  on  the  20th  of  May,  Sir  John's  party  reached  the  '  Hill,' 
and  steajthily  entering  Mr.  Putnam's  house,  instantly  killed  and  scalped  its  iimiates.  The 
haplesa  victims  had  not  an  opportunity  to  reveal  themselves.  The  enemy  suppoaed  they 
had  the  scalps  of  Captain  Putnam  and  his  son,  and  were  not  undeceived  until  the  morning 
light  revealed  to  them  the  corpses  of  their  two  brother  tories,  Gort  and  Plateau.  The 
same  night  Henry  Hanson,  a  sealous  whig,  was  also  murdered." 

The  annexed  is  a  representation 
of  the  house  of  Col.  Butler  the  loyal- 
ist, and  is  probably  the  oldest  dwell- 
ing in  the  town ;  it  is  now  owned 
and  occupied  by  Mr.  Wilson.  It  is 
situated  on  a  commanding  eminence 
about  one  mile  in  a  NE.  direction 
from  the  courthouse,  in  Fonda,  over- 
Butler't  HouM,  Mohawk.  looking  the  beautiful  Mohawk  val- 

ley at  this  place.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  revolutionary  war, 
John  Butler  was  lieutenant-colonel  of  a  regiment  of  the  Tryon  county- 
militia,  of  which  Guy  Johnson  was  the  colonel,  and  Jelles  Fonda  the 
major.  Sir  John  Johnson  had  been  commissioned  a  general  after 
the  decease  of  his  father.  "  Colonel  John  Butler,"  says  Mr.  Tryon, 
in  his  Annals,  "  had  some  good  traits  of  character,  and  in  his  calmer 
momentp  would  regret  the  ravages  committed  by  the  Indians  and 
tories ;  but  Walter  Butler  was  distinguished  from  youth  for  his  severe 
acrimonious  disposition.  After  the  massacre  at  Cherry  Valley  he 
went  to  Quebec ;  but  Gen.  Haldiman,  governor  of  Canada,  gave  out 
that  he  did  not  wish  to  see  him." 

Palatink,  organized  in  1782 ;  from  Fonda,  W.,  14  miles.    This 
town  was  first  settled  by  the  Dutch,  in  1724,  and  though  constantly 
under  cultivation,  ever  since  that  time  its  choice  lands  can  hardly  be 
said  to  have  lost  any  of  their  original  fertility !     Palatine  is  13  miles 
W.  of  Johnstown,  on  the  river,  turnpike,  and  Utica  railroad.    Pala- 
tine Bridge  is  also  on  the  river,  turnpike,  and  railroad,  immediately 
opposite  Canajoharie  village,  with  which  it  is  connected  by  a  bridge. 
(See  view  of  Canajoharie^     Stono  Arabia  is  3  miles  9fc  from  Cana- 
joharie.   The  above  are  all  small  villages.     Pop.  2,845.    During  the 
revolutionary  war  there  was  a  small  stockade  erected  in  this  town, 
at  Stone  Arabia,  called  Fort  Paris.    When  Sir  John  Johnson  was 
ravaging  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk,  in  1780,  this  fort  was  in  command 
of  Col.  Brown,  with  a  garrison  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  men.    Gen. 
Van  Rensselaer,  who  was  pursuing  Sir  John  up  the  valley,  having 
received  information  that  he  intended  to  attack  Fort  Paris  on  the 


m 


m 


MONTOOMEKT   COtTMTY. 


288 


19th  of  Oct.,  despatched  orders  to  Col.  Brown  to  march  out  and  check 
his  advance,  while  he  fell  upon  his  rear.  Col.  Brown  accordingly 
sallied  forth,  and  gave  Sir  John  battle  near  the  site  of  a  former  work, 
called  Fort  Keyser.  Van  Rensselaer  having  failed  to  advance  at  the 
appointed  time,  Brown's  force  was  too  feeble  to  check  the  progress 
of  the  enemy.  Col.  Brown  fell  gallantly  at  the  head  of  his  litUe  divi- 
Bion,  of  which  from  forty  to  forty-five  were  also  slain,  and  the  re- 
mainder sought  safety  in  flight* 

Root,  taken  from  Canajoharie  and  Charleston  in  1823;  from 
Albany  51  miles.  Sprackers  Basin,  on  the  canal,  9  miles  W.  of 
Fonda,  and  Currytown,  are  small  villages.  "  In  the  rocky  cliffs  of  the 
Nose,  near  the  river,  is  a  remarkable  cavern  known  as  Mitchell's 
Cave.  Fourteen  apartments,  some  it  is  said  at  the  depth  of  600  feet, 
have  been  visited.  The  ceilings  are  ornamented  with  stalactites,  the 
walls  with  incrustations,  and  the  floors  with  stalagmites.  On  the 
Plattekill,  a  mile  from  the  river,  there,  is  a  waterfall  of  about  80  feet 
in  10  rods,  with  a  perpendicular  pitch  of  50  feet."     Pop.  2,000. 

St.  Johnbvillb,  recently  taken  from  Oppenheim  of  Fulton  county. 
The  township  is  small  in  its  territorial  limits,  being  a  narrow  strip  of 
land  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Mohawk.  Pop.  1,923.  The  village 
of  St.  Johnsville  is  about  20  miles  from  Fonda,  and  77  from  Albany. 

In  the  fall  of  1780,  when  Sir  John  Johnson  ravaged  the  Mohawk 
valley,  he  made  a  stand  near  the  western  line  of  this  town,  when  pur- 
sued by  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer.  This  was  at  Fox's  mills,  about  eight 
miles  above  Fort  Plank,  (or  as  it  is  now  called.  Fort  Plain,)  and  two 
miles  below  the  upper  Mohawk  castle. 

"  On  the  north  side  and  on  a  flat,  partly  surrounded  by  a  bend  of 
the  river,  he  posted  his  regiment  of  regulars  and  tories.  A  small 
breastwork  was  thrown  across  the  neck  of  land.  The  Indians  occu- 
pied a  tract  of  elevated  land  to  the  north,  and  in  the  immediate 
vicinity,  which  was  covered  with  a  thick  growth  of  shrub  oak.    In 

*  Colonel  Brown  was  a  brave  soldier  of  high  moral  worth.  He  was  early  in  the  service, 
and  waa  engaged  in  the  disastrous  campaign  in  Canada.  Col.  Stone,  in  his  Life  of  Brant, 
states  that  Col.  Brown  detected,  or  believed  he  detected,  a  design  on  the  part  of  Gen.  Ar- 
nold  to  play  the  traitor  when  the  American  army  was  at  Sorel,  by  an  attempt  to  run  off 
with  the  American  flotilla  and  sell  out  to  Sir  Guy  Carleton.  During  the  winter  of  1776-7, 
while  Arnold  and  many  other  ofScen  were  quartered  in  Albany,  a  difficulty  arose  between 
him  and  Col.  Brown.  The  latter  published  a  handbill  severely  reflecting  on  Arnold,  and 
concluded  with  these  remarkable  words—"  Money  u  Mb  tnan't  Ood,  and  to  get  enough 
of  it  he  tDould  eaerijue  Am  country."  This  publication  produced  quite  a  sensation  among 
the  officers.  Arnold  was  greatly  excited ;  he  applied  a  variety  of  course  and  harsh  epithets 
to  Col.  Brown,  colling  him  a  scoundrel,  and  threatened  to  kick  him  wherever  he  should 
meet  him.  This  coming  to  the  ears  of  the  latter,  he  proceeded  to  the  dining  place  of  Ar- 
nold,  where  a  company  of  officers  were  assembled ;  going  directly  up  to  Arnold  he  stopped, 
and  looked  him  in  the  eye.  After  a  pause  of  a  moment,  he  observed ;  "  /  underetand,  *ir, 
that  you  have  »aid  you  would  kick  me :  I  now  preeent  myeelf  to  give  you  an  opportunity 
to  piityour  threat  into  execution !"  Another  brief  pause  ensued.  Arnold  opened  not  hia 
lips.  Brown  then  said  to  him—"  Sir,  you  are  a  dirty  scoundrel  ."•  Arnold  still  remained 
■ilent.  Col.  Brown,  after  apologiaing  to  the  gentlemen  present  for  his  intrusion,  left  the 
room.  Arnold  appears  to  have  kept  an  unbroken  silence  on  this  occasion,  which  can  only 
be  accounted  for  on  the  supposition  that  he  feared  to  provoke  inquiry  on  the  charges  of  Col. 
Brown.  A  monument  to  Uie  memory  of  Col.  Brown  has  recently  been  erected  by  his  son, 
•t  Stone  Arabia. 


-m 


284 


NEW   YORK    COUNTY. 


I 


this  position  Sir  John  awaited  the  approach  of  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer, 
who  was  joined  by  the  Canajoharie  mihtia  and  the  tories  from  Fort 
Plain  under  Col.  Du  Bois.  After  a  slight  skirmish,  the  Indians  were 
driven  from  their  position,  and  fled  up  the  river  to  the  fording  place, 
near  the  castle,  where  they  crossed,  and  directed  their  course  towards 
the  Susquehannah.  Sir  John's  troops  made  a  more  effective  resist- 
ance, though  they  were  almost  exhausted  by  the  forced  marches 
which  they  had  made  and  the  labors  they  had  performed.  The  at- 
tack had  been  commenced  late  in  the  day.  Though  it  was  conducted 
with  considerable  spirit,  night  came  on  before  the  works  of  Sir  John 
were  carried.  In  this  situation  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  ordercJ  his 
troops  to  fall  back  a  mile  and  encamp.  Many  of  the  militia  were  en- 
raged on  account  of  this  order,  and  refused  to  obey  it.  They  re- 
mained during  most  of  the  night,  and  took  several  prisoners,  who 
informed  them  that  the  enemy  were  on  the  point  of  offering  to  capit- 
ulate, when  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  ordered  his  troops  to  fall  back. 
A  detachment  of  the  Canajoharie  militia  under  Col.  Clyde  took  one 
of  their  field-pieces  during  the  night. 

"  On  the  following  morning,  when  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  advanced 
with  his  troops,  the  enemy  had  entirely  disappeared.  They  had  left 
their  ground,  and  retreated  up  the  river  a  short  distance,  and  then 
crossed  to  the  south.  The  river  was  deep  and  rapid  where  it  formed 
the  bend,  which  would  have  ensured  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  a  com- 
plete victory  had  he  prosecuted  his  attack  with  more  vigor.  A 
detachment  was  sent  in  pursuit,  who  discovered  in  the  trail  of  the 
enemy  evidence  of  the  extreme  state  to  which  they  ware  reduced 
by  hunger  and  fatigue.  The  whole  country  on  the  north  side  of  the 
river,  from  Caughnawaga  to  Stone  Arabia  and  Palatine,  had  been 
devastated — which,  with  the  ravages  of  Brant  on  the  south  side  of 
the  river,  in  the  previous  August,  almost  completed  the  destruction 
of  the  Mohawk  settlements. 

"  If  here  and  there  a  little  settlement  escaped  their  ravages,  each 
were  like  an  oasis  in  the  desert,  affording  temporary  shelter  and  pro- 
tection, and,  like  them,  liable  to  be  destroyed  or  buried  up  by  the 
next  whirlwind  which  should  sweep  over  the  land." 


NEW  YORK  COUNTY. 

The  county  and  city  of  New  York  are  of  the  same  extent,  com- 
prising the  whole  of  New  York,  or  Manhattan  Island,  about  14i  miles 
long,  varying  from  half  a  mile  to  two  miles  in  width ;  area  21 J  square 
miles,  or  13,920  acres.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  and  east  by  Haer- 
lem  and  East  rivers,  south  and  west  by  tiie  Hudson,  or  by  New  York 
bay  and  the  state  of  New  Jersey.  The  legal  subdivisions  of  the 
county  and  city  are  the  wards,  17  in  number,  of  various  extent,  ac- 


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'ti^Mi  tJi«?v  w*r«  tti«{KWt'  «xlmuM(.t'a  t;y  ji.^..  Jtn-,.*! 

i-.-.j.  ii<)mK^c*i.'*i<i  \i\tr  in  tlur  Jar     Tun*«if4  u  wn* . 
•    MMijumbio  Jjnutt  liijijhi  ('tJitj,-  cHt  )»«{f.(Hfi  tfiv  wiwki*  oi     . 

>T  to  lull  lr,u'J.  Aiu;!f..  n»;<!  v~wm\i(^^     tWiOiyof  o-'  .-.'im  vh««-««i|u- 


.  .* 


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w\MY^  'ik"  ftij  ^»iit?u*  in  fh«'  <i-.>st>ru  ail^t\Mm  t«nir-Tar\  ;ifK-<iter'si»i  vku- 

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NEW   YOBK   COUNTT. 


S8S 


cording  to  local  convenience.  Agreeable  to  the  charter  of  New  York 
its  jurisdiction  extends  to  the  lands  under  the  a^oining  waters  as  far 
as  to  low- water  mark  on  the  opposite  sides.  The  compart  part  of 
the  city  is  at  the  southern  part  of  the  island,  and  covers  about  one 
sixth  part  of  its  surface.  Its  latitude  and  longitude,  reckoned  from 
the  City  Hall,  were  determined  in  1817,  by  order  of  the  corporation, 
as  follows :  N.  lat.  40°  42'  48"  ;  W.  long,  from  Greenwich,  England, 
73°  69'  46",  and  E.  long,  from  the  city  of  Washington  3°  1'  13". 

A  tabh  of  tha  population  of  the  eity  of  Nete  York,  of  the  HaU  of  New  York,  and  of  th« 
United  States,  at  varioiu  periods. 


City. 
.1,000. 
.4,302. 


State. 


United  State: 


Tears. 

1656 

1697 

1731 a.622 49,819. 

1750 10,0  n 100,000 1,000,000 

1774 32,750 250,000 3,000,000 

1800 ..60,489 586,000 5,309,750 

1810 96,373 9594J20 74J38,903 

im> 123,706 1,372,812 9,638,226 

i83G iJ02,589 1,918,608 12,852,858 

1835 iJ70,089 .2,174,517 

1840 312,932 iJ,429,481 17,068,112 

The  relatiye  proportion  of  the  population  of  the  eity  to  that  of  the  whole  state,  haa  gen. 
erally  been  from  one-eight  to  ont.tenth  ;  and  the  state  of  New  York  has  borne  the  same  re- 
lative proportion  also  to  ^e  whole  IJnited  States. 

"  The  number  of  buildings  in  the  compact  part  of  the  citjr  of  New  York  is  32,116 ;  of 
which  there  are  used  as  breweries,  distilleries,  tanneries,  and  the  like  46 ;  as  dwelling 
houses  exclusively,  16,458 ;  as  dweUings  with  shops  6,614 ;  as  stores  and  offices  exclusively 
3,855 ;  as  taverns  and  private  boarding-houses  736 ;  as  baths  9 ;  as  factories,  with  engines 
equal  to  1100  hone  power,  74 ;  as  large  factories,  with  labor-saving  power,  172  ;  as  private 
stables  2,603 ;  as  livery  stables  137 ;  as  dairy  stables  57 ;  miscellaneous  1,355. 

"  The  valuation  of  real  estate  in  the  city,  as  corrected  by  the  board  of  supervisors  in 
1840,  is  $1874222,714 ;  and  of  personal  estate  $65,013,801.    Aggregate  $252,235,515. 

"  From  1810  to  1841,  the  corporation  has  expended  for  opening,  widening,  and  improving 
Btreeto,  &c.,  $6,275,317. 

"  The  total  amount  derived  from  the  city,  by  the  state,  from  auction  duties,  from  1816  to 
1840  inclusive,  is  $4,249,527. 

"  The  receipts  into  the  general  Treasury  during  the  year  1840,  from  the  ordinary  rev. 
enues  of  the  city,  from  the  negotiation  of  its  stocks,  and  from  the  management  of  its  '  trust 
accounts,'  including  the  cash  on  hand  at  the  commencement  of  the  year,  amotmted  to 
$6,004,610  12. 

"  The  amount  of  warrants  drawn  upon  the  Treasurer,  for  the  ordinary  expenses  of  the 
city  government,  the  payment  of  its  pre-existing  debts,  for  its  disbursements  on  the  public 
works,  and  on  its  '  trust  accounts,'  including  the  warrants  outstanding  at  the  commencement 
of  the  year,  amounted  to  $6,007,260  54 ;  from  which  is  to  be  deducted  the  warrants  out. 
standing  and  unclaimed  at  the  close  of  the  year,  amounting  to  $176,829  50.  The  result 
showing  the  actual  amount  paid  by  the  Treasurer,  during  the  year  to  be  $5,830,431  04 ; 
and  the  cash  balance  in  the  treasury  January  1st,  1841,  to  be  $174,179  08." 

Population  of  the  several  Wards  in  New  York, 


if.  ward 10,629 

2d  ward 6,408 

3d  ward 11,581 

4th  ward ,15,770 

5th  ward 19,159 

6th  ward 17,199 

7th  ward .22,985 

8th  ward .29,173 

9th  ward 24,795 


10th  ward 59,093 

Uthward 17,062 

12th  ward 11,678 

13th  word 18,516 

Uthward 20,230 

15th  ward 17,769 

16th  ward 22,275 

17th  ward 18,628 


i.a*"r*'f3lli  V 


S86 


NBW   YORK   COUNTY. 


The  bay  of  New  York  spreads  to  the  southward,  and  is  about  8 
miles  long,  and  from  1^  to  5i  broad.  It  is  one  of  the  finest  harbors 
in  the  world,  generally  open  for  vessels  at  all  seasons  of  the  year, 
but  is,  at  rare  intervals,  obstructed  for  a  few  days  in  very  severe 
winters  by  ice.  The  currents  in  the  bay  are  rapid  and  strong,  cir- 
cumstances that  are  of  great  importance  in  keeping  the  port  of  New 
York  open,  while  others  further  to  the  south  are  obstructed  by  frost. 
The  usual  tides  at  New  York  are  about  six  feet,  and  the  depth  of 
water  sufficient  for  the  largest  ships.  The  bay  contains  Governor's, 
Bedlow's,  and  Ellis'  islands,  upon  which  are  strong  fortifications 
guarding  the  approach  to  the  city.  There  are  also  fortifications  on 
Long  and  Staten  islands,  commanding  the  narrows. 


Stadt  Huys,  built  1642 — razed  1700. 

New  York  derives  its  origin  from  the  colonizing  and  commercial 
spirit  of  the  Hollanders,  and  the  general  spirit  of  adventure  which 
prevailed  among  the  maritime  nations  of  Europe  after  the  discovery 
of  the  western  continent  by  Columbus,  The  Dutch  immediately 
after  the  discovery  of  Hudson  in  1609,  began  to  avail  themselves  of 
the  advantages  which  his  discoveries  presented  to  their  view.  In 
1614  or  1615,  a  kind  of  fort  and  trading-house  was  erected  on  the 
southwest  point  of  Manhattan  or  New  York  Island,  which  was  named 
New  Amsterdam.  In  1614,  an  expedition  from  South  Virginia,  under 
Capt.  Argal,  was  sent  out  by  Sir  Thomas  Dale,  and  took  possession 
of  New  Amsterdam.  At  that  time  there  were  oxAy  four  houses  out- 
side of  the  fort.  But  an  arrangement  was  soon  after  made  with  the 
English  government,  by  which  the  Dutch  remained  in  possession  of 
Manhattan  Island,  and  of  the  trade  of  the  neighboring  country  for 
fifty  years. 

The  above  is  a  representation  of  the  ancient  " Stadt  Huys"  or 
City  Hall,  which  was  built  early  in  the  Dutch  dynasty,  in  1642.  It 
was  built  of  stone  ai.  the  head  of  Coenfies  slip,  facing  Pearl-street. 
About  the  year  1700,  it  became  so  weakened  and  impaired,  that  it  was 
sold,  and  a  new  one  erected  by  the  head  of  Broad-street,  which  was 
afterward  the  Congress  Hall,  on  the  corner  of  Wall-street. 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


287 


The  city  was  laid  out  in  streets,  some  of  them  crooked  enough,  in 
1656.  It  thep  contained  by  enumeration  '  120  houses,  with  extensive 
garden  lots,'  and  1000  inhabitants.  In  1677  another  estimate  of  the 
city  was  made,  and  ascertained  to  contained  368  houses.  In  the 
year  1674,  an  assessment  of  '  the  most  wealthy  inhabitants'  having 
been  made,  it  was  found  that  the  sum  total  of  134  estates  amounted 
to  £95,000. 


Nieuw  Amsterdam,  in  1659. 

[  A,  the  fbrt.  B,  th«  church.  C,  the  wind-mill.  D,  th<t  flag,  which  ii  hoisteil  when  vesaeh  arrive  in  port. 
E,  the  priiioii.    P,  tlic  liuuHe  of  tlie  general.    G,  tlie  place  of  execution.    H,  the  place  of  expose  or  pillory.] 

During  the  military  rule  of  Governor  Colve,  who  held  the  city  for 
one  year  for  the  states  of  Holland,  after  its  re-capture  from  the  British, 
every  thing  partook  of  a  military  character,  and  the  laws  still  in 
preservation  at  Albany  show  the  energy  of  a  rigorous  discipline. 
Then  the  Dutch  mayor,  at  the  head  of  the  city  militia,  held  his  daily 
parades  before  the  City  Hall,  (Stadt  Huys,)  then  at  Cocnties  slip ;  and 
every  evening  at  sunset,  he  received  from  the  principal  guard  of  the 
fort,  called  the  hoofd-wagt,  the  keys  of  the  city,  and  thereupon  pro- 
ceeded with  a  guard  of  six  to  lock  the  city  gates ;  then  to  place  a 
Burger-wagt — a  citizen-guard — as  niglit-watclies  at  assigned  places. 
The  same  mayors  also  went  the  rounds  at  sunrise  to  open  the  gates, 
and  to  restore  the  keys  to  the  officer  of  the  fort.  All  this  was  surely 
a  toilsome  service  for  the  domestic  habits  of  the  peaceful  citizens  of 
that  day,  and  must  have  presented  an  irksome  honor  to  any  mayor 
who  loved  his  comfort  and  repose. 

"  It  niny  umtiso  Boine  of  the  prcsont  gcncrntinn,  so  litilo  used  to  Dutch  nnraea,  fo  loBm 
some  of  liic  tiilrs  oiico  so  fnniiliar  in  New  York,  and  now  so  little  understood.  Such  as — • 
De  Ifrer  QMcier,  or  Ifoofd.Schout — Uigh-Shorill'.  Vc  FtBcael,  or  Procureur  Gen. — Attor 
ney  (irncrai.  Wcm.Mpeatrrs — Gunrdiaiis  of  orphans.  liuy-Mtesters — Regulators  of 
fences.  Grnnt  Jiurfrerr-'cht  and  Klein  Burgerrerht — The  grent  and  siimll  citizenship, 
which  then  marked  the  two  orders  of  society.  Eyck-MeeHer — The  Weigh  ftluster.  The 
Sellout,  (ihc  Sherill'.)  Bourgomasters  and  i^chepens  then  ruled  iJie  city  '  ns  in  nil  cities  of 
the  Fiithi^rhind.'  Geheim  A'rArytier— Recorder  of  secreta." — Watgott'a  Olden  Timet, 
Nem  York. 


I 


968 


VtW  YORK  OOUNTT. 


I    ■^:, 


*   \ 


Tho  procedmg  cut  shows  the  principal  buildings  standing  on  tho 
prosont  mle  o<  tl,e  city  of  New  York  In  1860.  ^ho  following  de- 
scnption  ot  Now  York  at  ahout  that  period,  is  copied  from  "  oJlby's 
Amenca,  a  largo  fo^.o  volume  illustrated  by  engravings,  publislied  in 
London  m  1071.  This  work  contains  a  view  of  Novum  Amsteroda. 
mum,  (as  it  is  called,)  similar  to  the  engraving  from  which  the  annexed 
cut  18  copied. 

nJd  iittion".  Rrvr«h'''/'i''  '".'•"^.M-"'!"-**""- looking  .ownrd.  the  Scaj  cncom. 
JHWiu  wiwi  Iliidion  t  River,  which  ji  mx  Milna  brond,  tho  town  it  comnaot  nnd  ovnl  wiiJi 
y.ryfi,y.ir„j,ta  «„d  i«verBl  gooil  Houw.!  the  rcit  an,  built  mucirXr  i"^2erof 
1  oll.nd.  to  tl,e  ni.n.bor  of  abotii  fimr  hundred  Ho««c«,  which  in  Zn  narurnra  h^Id  con 

Htonn  .«irr*  r  t  o  '  '""""'!".  '"Vy  »'"««"'  <»«  Cannon  mounted  J  tlio  WaJte  of 
Wr;»w.v.f  „?!:'.'''  f."T"  "'  Fr''-  ^■'"  ««<>«"n'"<l'»'od  with  tt,prinK„f  Fro, 
S^Lvn^I  !«J^^  •  V'  •'  '^""."  '"'*  ^""'"""  '"  "K""'"'  Arridnnt,:  D&tn.ft  from  tho 
SeSli-TvT  .k"""'"  "  -I'"  """"'"'•'•  r""  '"  """kilfuirilouj  under  the  Town 
be  n«  Sir!  .T.i,  •  "I""  '"•"?'  "•*,"  '"^T,  '«'''""  ""y  «»""""»  '»'«  Current  of  tho  River 
^^h™^  .  A'^"  m«rrpoHU,on  of  amnnll  Wand,  which  lio«  .  mile  di.tant  from  the  Town 
«./.u  '"  u  ''!'";  ^•'^  ^'''^  '"  *  »''•««  '••'"''•  M«"  "«««.  which  bein«  «  narrow  i.m- 
ffiv  hkndrwtbltr  ^^T  •»"">"P""  *•'«;"»  ""d  «'>•• !  ""J  i"  the  middle  lie  .ro 
wrnck-  .n  .1^  h^^  ?"'"1*  ""V?.  ,'"*?'''?"»'  ""»"•  •'""'  "  throatens  pre«ent  Ship, 
m.'.  ?  .  T.  ^'1,^'r* '"  'J"'^  Whirlwind,  which  continually  aenda  forth  a  hid.<>  m 

To  collie  h2  lb?  "'k*'"  rr  ^?"«'"  ['^'"  >""*"'«  '■'•''^"' '  "»"» '"  «^"  '■""'""•  Charon 
r„^l.^lr  *'""^'' '  *""  I?  •''"•"  *•'*'  ■"'  «''J""i'"«d  little  or  no  danger:  It  i.  a  place 
alJSk?.l»l,^v?„,"*°"r  ""''  t'tetny  c"«»>iit«  in  that  way,  which  a  mnnll  Fortification  would 
'^^^  Z1  T  '  "'a  »«"'«"?'«,<J'i""  to  come  in  at  tlic  West  End  of  Long  Mand  by 
S^wI^k'^'"'"  ?T"":  '"'"i'.''  '^'^*"'  '»"""  within  the  Command  of  the  Fort  at  New 
Iml  ^.  J  .f  n  ""l  "^"«  ^'""  ^"'*'"'  "1  '^''■«"'"'  "'  ""«  North  parts  of  America.  It  ia 
£h  nlln?  1  ?''  ^'""''  ""''  *?'"'**  '"'"'  ^"^  """^  "'•"'''  ''yl«.  »"J  "'«  Lnnd  being 
'rai.tnr.n.'pil!!ri'!,.?n''^L^  proapect  to  tho  Spoctaton..    The  i.du.bitanta 

tW  i,  Tp    I  ^«t    •""»  Dotrh,  and  have  a  conaiderable  trade  with  Indiana  for  Beaver, 

ore  aupply'd  with  Venwon  and  Fowl  m  the  winter,  and  t'iah  in  the  Sunuuer  by  tho  Indiana. 
.if,»^7  •'"'"  .T'T'.^'".'  "'"*  ''""'"«  ""'  Counirey  roundabout  them,  mdT^ 
r,h«  K  •  .  k'""''  ''t7."  '  "'  ?""''  ,P'"*'«'"«  »•  "w  "•'"dfi'l  'or  the  Life  of  Man,  not  one? 
\rJ,  J'^"k'"''»  «'"«  Dutch  within  their  own,  but  likewiae  by  the  adjacent  Coloniea. 

Itie  Mnnhattana,  or  Oreat  River  being  the  chiefeal,  hoving  with  two  wide  MoutliH 
waahM  Uio  mwh.y  laland  Watonwaka.  falla  into  the  Ocean.    Th?  South  mMmth  K  N 

Tnd  .^h?;:,';.'  '"''?.'"  m"-.  '"  ""'  ""'It  ."'■*'*"'■  """  »"  »"'•"'»  """•'I  *  'ri«"  State"  alandl 
sir  T^u^7  'm  '^'Vl''""'""''  •*>^«"''»  •«^"''  'h*"  Native,  which  on  the  I-laat  aide  of  tho 
de^  «  «ri.l"?f  r  ^'"'"  ^""'^"f',":  ^^']y  -«*  »,"ue!  people. and  ene.niea  to  tho  Holland! 
den.,  a«  ala.)  of  tiie  Sarhiana  which  reaido  on  the  Woatern  Shore.  Farther  up  ore  tho 
Mackwaea  and  Mahikana  which  continually  War.  one  ngainat  another.  In  ike  manner 
S.J'S,jl'".:"'r"""  'V  ^^""  ^^'l*:  "«■•''"  River  Manhattan,  are  commonly  at^nrnfy 
*ith  thow  diat  ,H«=esii  Uie  Raaleni  Shore  j  who  alao  ua'd  to  be  at  variance  with  the  HoU 

ZZ'  "^1  r. "'.,""'  ""T  Cr''""  ".'  '^  ^""'^""'  ''^'P'  f"*'*'  eorreapondency  with  u"m   . 
i2.n.V„'""    T'  "'^^  *"""  "'  "'"  Mfokwaea,  lav  formerly  a  Fdrt,  provided  with  two 
Drakoa  and  eleven  Stone  (Jmia,  yet  waa  at  lost  doaorled." 

"  Tho  settlement  and  fort  continued  to  bear  the  name  of  Nieuw 
Amsterdam,  by  the  Dutch,  down  to  the  time  of  the  surrender  by 
Inwcmor  htuyvesant  to  the  English,  in  1604.  Then  for  ten  years 
undt^r  the  rule  o\  Cols.  Nicolls  and  Lovelace,  acting  for  the  Duke  of 
Vork.  It  was  called  New  York;  but  in  August,  1078,  a  Dutch  fleet,  in 
Uiiu^  ol  war,  re-canttired  it  from  the  British,  and  while  tilfercisinff 
their  rule  tor  their  High  Mightinesst>s  of  Holland,  to  the  time  of  the 
peace  in  Km,  they  called  the  place  New  a-anee,  in  compliment  to 
the  pnnoo  of  Orang«\  and  the  fort  they  called  Willem  Hendrick. 

"  1  he  city  being  ivstored  to  the  Uritish  by  the  treaty,  was  re-deliv- 


mi' 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


380 


crocl  to  the  British  in  October,  1074.  The  fort  then  took  the  name 
of  Fort  Jaruos,  being  l)nilt  of  qr.adranguiar  form,  having  four  bastions, 
two  gates,  ami  12  cannon.  The  city  again  took  the  name  of  Now 
York,  once  unci  forever. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  a  pamphlet  publication  by  J.  W. 
Moulton,  Esq.,  entitled  "  View  of  the  city  of  New  Orange  (now  New 
York)  as  it  was  in  the  year  1079." 

"  Vort  Amitlndam,  grnaaml  Jmnm-Fort  hy  ile  Kngeliieht,  Fort  Amstcrdnm,  olhcrwige 
onlK'd  Jnim'H.I''ori  hy  tli<i  KiikHsIi.  TIio  nniiir  nfllciiilly  f;>/on  to  tho  fort  in  1673,  was  'fort 
Willom  Hcndrink.'  It  wiih  first  croc  i  iind  fitiiHhiid  in  WiS.'),  by  (iov.  Van  Twillor,  ncg- 
loclwl  by  (lovcrnor  Kioft,  rc^piiirod  nnd  Hiirroimdcd  bv  a  Blono  wall  by  Governor  Htuyvo. 
Nnnt,  nnd  di'iimlishrd,  and  tho  ground  lovcllcd  in  I7!)0nnd'9l.  It  was  mtuatod  dirnrtly 
Hoiilh  of  tho  Dowlini?  Kronn,  on  iiiiifh  ground,  waH  in  Hhapo  of  a  regular  iquaro,  with  four 
biimiiiiiH,  had  two  frnirs,  and  inoiinlcd  forly-two  cannon. 

"  Grrrfonnrcrilr  h'rrr.k.  'l']w  rofornuMl  Dutch  church  was  orocted  within  tho  fort,  by 
iiovcrnor  Kicft,  in  IG42.  It  wan  of  Btono,  nnd  covorcd  with  orIi  nhingloa,  which  cxponod 
to  ihii  woalhor,  nooii  niMcuiblcd  Hhilc.  Tho  motivufl  that  induced  Governor  Kiuft  to  bucomo 
the  founder  of  tlie  firHt  ciuirch  in  thiH  city,  may  be  boHl  related  in  tho  words  of  captain  Da- 
vid I'ictersz  de  Vriez  '  artillery  inecBtcr  van  't  noordor  Quartior,'  wlio  pcrfonnod  llireo  voy- 
aRcg  lo  Now  NelljorlnndH,  awociated  wiili  Killiaen  Vun  RenHalaer  and  othcrn,  in  1C30,  to 
coloni/.n  this  rcKion,  allonipled  :i  colony  at  ibn  JIorc-Kill  on  the  Delaware,  in  the  time  of 
Van  Twiller,  and  another  on  '  Hmalcn  Kylandt,'  which  he  Muotainod  till  the  troubles  with 
llio  Indians  in  the  latter  lime  of  Kioli  drove  him  to  abandon  the  country.  Do  Vrioi  oh- 
servoa ;  '  As  I  wan  every  day  with  Comnunidor  Kieft,  dining  generally  at  his  house  when  I 
Imppnned  to  Ixi  at  the  fori,  ho  told  mo  one  day  that  ho  had  now  mode  a  fine  tavern,  built 
with  ntniie,  for  the  I'jnglish,  by  whom,  as  tiioy  pawed  continually  with  their  vessels  from 
New  Kngland  to  Virgitiia,  ho  had  Hull'erod  imicli,  nnd  who  now  might  tako  lodgings  there. 
1  told  him  Ibis  was  voiy  good  for  truvollcrs,  but  that  we  wanted  very  badly  for  our  pooplo 
n  churrd).  It  was  a  Hhanio  that  when  the  Llnglish  passed,  they  should  see  nothing  but  a 
mmn  hnnt,  in  which  we  porfornu'd  our  worship ;  on  tho  contrary,  tho  first  thing  tliat  thoy 
in  Now  Knglnnd  did,  when  they  had  built  fine  dwellings,  was  to  erect  a  fine  church:  wo 
ought  lo  do  Iho  same,  ii  being  supposed  that  tho  West  India  Company  were  very  zealous  in 
protecting  lh(!  Reformed  church  (CalviniNi)  against  tho  SpauiHli  tyranny,  that  wo  had  good 
materials  for  it,  tinu  oak  wood,  fine  building  stone,  good  limo  made  of  oyster  shells,  being 
better  than  our  limo  in  Holland.  Kioft  aHkod  mo  then  who  would  like  to  attend  to  this 
building?  I  replied  the  lovers  of  tho  roformod  religion,  as  certainly  sonieof  ihcm  could  bo 
found.  lie  told  mo  that  he  suppomid  I  myself  was  one  of  ihein,  as  I  made  tho  proposition, 
and  ho  supposed  I  would  contribute  a  hundred  guilders  !  I  replied  that  I  agreed  to  do  so, 
and  that  as  ho  was  Governor,  ho  should  bo  tho  first.  Wo  then  elected  Jochom  Pietcrsz 
Kuyter,  who  having  n  sot  of  good  hands,  would  soon  procure  good  timber,  ho  being  also  a 
dovout  Calvinisi.  Wo  elected  also  Jan  Clacaz  Damcn,  because  ho  lived  near  tho  fort,  and 
thus  we  four  "  Kerk  moesters"  formed  tho  first  consistory  to  superintend  tho  building  of  tho 
church.  Tho  gcjvernor  should  furnish  a  few  thousand  guilders  of  the  company's  money, 
and  would  try  lo  rniso  the  ronuiinder  !)y  subscription.  The  church  should  bo  built  in  the 
fort,  whore  it  would  ho  free  from  the  depredations  of  the  Indians.  Tho  building  was  soon 
started  of  stone,  and  was  oovorod  by  English  carpenters  with  slate,  split  of  oakwood,'  (that 
is,  with  oak  shingles,  which  by  rain  and  wind  soon  became  blue,  and  resomblod  slate.) 

"  The  contract  for  tho  erection  of  this  churcli  is  upon  record.  It  was  made  in  May, 
1(542,  before  the  socrotnry  of  iho  New  Netherlands,  botwoon  'Williom  Kieft,  church, 
warden,  at  tho  request  of  bis  brethren,  tho  church-wardens  of  the  church  in  New  Noilior- 
land,  aiul  .fohn  Ogdon  of  Stanford,  nnd  Richard  Ogdon,  who  contracted  to  build  the  church 
of  rock-atono,  73  feet  long,  .')2  broad,  and  1(5  feet  high  above  tho  soil,  for  9,500  guildem 
(X41G  j'1  4)  "in  beaver,  cash  or  inorohamlizo,  to  wit,  if  tho  church-wnrdens  are  satie. 
fied  with  the  work,  so  ihni,  in  their  judgment,  the  2,.')00  guilders  shall  have  botn  earned— 
then  said  c^ch-wardoiis  will  reward  thorn  with  one  hundred  guilders  (£16  13  4)  more," 
in  the  mcaiWlme  assist  tboni  whenever  it  is  in  their  power,  and  allow  thrm  Iho  use,  for  a 
month  or  six  weeks,  of  tho  Company's  boat,  lo  faciiiialo  tho  carrying  of  the  stono  thither.' 

"  Tlio  oliundi  wim  not  complelely  finished  until  the  first  year  of  Goverivor  Sluyvesant's 
ndminislrnlion.  In  July,  1G47,  he  and  two  others  were  appointed  kork-mecsters,  (church, 
wardens,)  lo  superintend  iho  worl',,  nnd  complete  it  the  ensuing  winter. 

"  The  town  bell  was  removed  lo  this  church.     Besides  tho  offlre  of  calling  ihe  devout  to 

37 


390 


NEW   YORK   COimTY. 


meeting,  and  announcing  the  hour  of  retirement  at  night,  the  bell  was  appropriated  for 
various  singular  uses.  In  October,  1638,  a  female,  for  slandering  the  Rev.  E.  Bogardus, 
was  condemned  to  appear  at  fort  Amsterdam,  and  before  the  governor  and  councU,  '  to 
declare  in  public,  at  the  sounding  of  the  bell,  that  she  knew  the  minister  waa  an  honest 
and  pious  man,  and  that  she  lied  falsely.' 

"  In  1639,  ail  mechanics  and  laborers  in  the  service  of  the  Company  commenced  and 
left  work  at  the  ringing  of  the  bell,  and  for  every  neglect  forfeited  double  the  amount  of 
their  wages,  to  the  use  of  the  attomey-general. 

"  In  1647,  all  tavern  keepers  were  prohibited,  by  the  placards  of  Governor  Stuyvesant 
and  council,  from  accommodating  any  clubs,  or  selling  any  ardent  liquor,  after  the  ringing 
of  the  bell,  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

In  1648,  two  runaways  were  summoned  into  court  by  the  ringing  of  the  beU,  to  defend 
themselves.  And  in  1677,  an  ordinance  was  passed  by  the  common  council  of  New  York, 
imposing  a  fine  of  six  shillings  on  any  members  of  the  corporation  and  jurymen,  who  should 
neglect  to  appear  in  court  at  the  third  ringing  of  the  bell.  The  bell-ringer  was  an- 
ciently  the  court  messenger.  In  1661,  amid  Us  multifarious  oiRcial  duties,  he  waa  to  'as- 
sist in  burying  the  dead  and  attend  to  toll  the  bell.' 

"  The  proclamation  of  governor  Lovelace,  issued  December  10,  1672,  is  a  document  too 
curious  to  be  omitted.     It  was  in  the  following  words : — 

"  •  Whereas  it  is  thought  convenient  t  H  icessary,  in  obedience  to  his  Sacred  Majesty's 
Commands,  who  enjoynes  all  his  subjects,  .  their  distinct  colonyes,  to  enter  into  a  strict 
Allyance  and  Correspondency  with  each  other,  as  likewise  for  the  advancement  of  Nego- 
tiation.  Trade  and  Civill  Commerce,  and  for  a  more  speedy  Intelligence  and  Dispatch  of 
affayrcs,  that  a  messenger  or  Post  bee  authorised  to  sett  forth  from  this  City  of  New-Yorke, 
monthly,  and  thence  to  travaile  to  Boston,  from  whence  within  that  month  hee  shall  re- 
tiime  againe  to  this  City :  These  are  therefore  to  give  notice  to  all  persons  concerned. 
That  on  the  first  day  of  January  noxt  (1673)  the  messenger  appointed  shall  proceed  on  hi« 
Journey  to  Boston :  If  any  therefore  have  any  letters  or  small  portable  goods  to  bee  con. 
veyed  to  Hartford,  Connecticott,  Boston,  or  any  other  parts  in  the  Road,  they  shall  bee 
carefully  delivered  according  to  the  Directions  by  a  swome  Messenger  and  Post,  who  is 
purposely  imployed  in  that  Affayre ;  In  the  Interim  those  that  bee  dispos'd  to  send  Letters, 
lett  them  bring  them  to  the  Secretaries  office,  where  in  a  lockt  Box  they  shall  bee  preserv'd 
till  the  Messenger  calls  for  them.  AH  persons  paying  the  Post  before  the  Bagg  bee  seald 
up.    Dated  at  New  Yorke  this  10th  day  of  December  1672.' 

"Stuyvesant  Huys.  Governor  Stuyvesant's  house  or  dwelling  was  b'lilt  about  four 
years  before  he  surrendered  his  government  to  the  English.  It  fronted  the  public  wharf  and 
stood  on  tho  west  side  of  the  present  Whitehall-street,  nearly  opposite  the  commencement 
of  the  present  Water-street, 

"  The  public  wharf  and  harbor  or  dock,  were  built  by  the  burgomasters  of  the  city  about 
the  year  1658.  Here  vessels  loaded  and  unloaded,  and  a  wharfage  duty  was  exacted  at 
first  of  eight  stivers  per  last.  The  harbor  was  constructed  to  accommodate  vessels  and 
yachts,  in  which,  during  winter,  the  barques  stationed  there  might  be  secured  against  the 
floating  ice ;  for  which  large  vessels  paid  annually  '  one  beaver,  and  smaller  in  proportion, 
to  the  city,  to  keep  it  in  order.'  This  wharf  and  harbor  are  now  a  part  of  Whitehall-street, 
Whitehall  slip  having  since  been  formed  into  the  river. 

"De  Waegh,  The  weigh,  or  balance.  This  was  erected  in  1653,  by  Governor  Stuy- 
vesant, and  the  standard  weight  and  measure  kept  in  the  balance-houso,  was  according  to 
those  of  the  city  of  Amsterdam.  To  this  standard  merchants  were  obliged  to  conform,  and 
to  pay  the  eyck-meester  for  marking  their  weights  and  measures.  Goods  were  here  also 
brought  in  bulk  and  weighed,  before  they  were  stored  in  the  public  storehouses. 

"  In  front  of  the  City.Hall  were  also  the  stocks  and  whipping-post.  The  ducking-stool, 
or  rather  cucking-stool,  waa  not  yet  erected,  notwithstanding  the  Lutlieran  minister  in  1673 
pleaded  in  bar  to  a  public  prosecution  against  him  for  striking  a  female  that  she  '  provoked 
him  to  it  by  scolding.'  The  Dutch  hod  the  credit  of  introducing  the  wooden-horsc,  but  tho 
cucking-stool  was  reserved  for  the  superior  ingenuity  of  tho  English,  who  deriving  a  sanc- 
tion for  their  want  of  gallantry  fi-om  the  immemorial  authority  of  their  Common  Law,  or. 
dered  in  February,  1692,  'at  a  meeting  of  a  grand  Committee  of  the  Conu|pn  Council,  a 
pillory,  cage  and  ducking-stool  to  be  forthwith  built.'  " 

The  following  relation  from  Knickerbocker's  New  York,  of  the 
manners  and  customs  of  the  early  Dutch  inhabitants  of  this  city,  al- 
though humorously  exaggerated,  is  by  no  means  devoid  of  historical 
truth. 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


901 


I 


"  I  will  not  grieve  their  patience,  however,  by  describing  minutely  the  increase  and  im- 
provement of  New  Amsterdam.  Their  own  imaginations  will  doubtless  present  to  them 
the  good  burghers,  like  so  many  pains-taking  and  penevering  beavers,  slowly  and  surely 
pursuing  their  labors — they  will  behold  the  prosperous  transformation  from  the  rude  log-hut 
to  the  stately  Dutch  mansion,  with  brick  front,  glazed  windows,  and  tiled  roof— from  the 
tangled  thicket  to  the  luxuriant  cabbage  garden ;  and  from  the  skulking  Indian  to  the  pon- 
derous burgomaster.  In  a  word,  they  wUl  picture  to  themselves  the  steady,  silent,  and  un- 
deviating  march  to  prosperity,  incident  to  a  city  destitute  of  pride  or  ambition,  cherished  by 
a  fat  government,  and  whose  citizens  do  nothing  in  a  hurry. 

"  The  sage  council,  as  has  been  mentioned  in  a  preceding  chapter,  not  being  able  to  de- 
termine upon  any  plan  for  the  building  of  their  city — the  cows,  in  a  laudable  fit  of  patriot, 
ism,  took  it  under  their  pecuUar  charge,  and  as  they  went  to  and  from  pasture,  established 
paths  through  the  bushes,  on  each  side  of  which  the  good  folks  built  their  houses ;  which 
is  one  cause  of  the  rambling  and  picturesque  turns  and  labyrinths,  which  distinguish  certain 
streets  of  New  York  at  this  very  day. 

"  The  houses  of  the  higher  class  were  generally  constructed  of  wood,  excepting  the  gable 
end,  which  was  of  small  black  and  yellow  Dutch  bricks,  and  always  faced  on  the  street,  as 
our  ancestors,  Uke  their  descendants,  were  very  much  given  to  outward  show,  and  were 
noted  for  putting  the  best  leg  foremost.  The  house  was  always  furnished  with  abundance 
of  large  doors  and  small  windows  on  every  floor ;  the  date  of  its  erection  was  curiously 
designated  by  iron  figures  on  the  front,  and  on  the  top  of  the  roof  was  perched  a  fierce 
little  weathercock,  to  let  the  family  into  the  important  secret,  which  way  the  wind  blew. 
These,  like  the  weathercocks  on  the  tops  of  our  steeples,  pointed  so  many  different  ways, 
that  every  man  could  have  a  wind  to  his  mind  ; — the  most  stanch  and  loyal  citizens,  how- 
ever, always  went  according  to  the  weathercock  on  the  top  of  the  governor's  house,  which 
was  certainly  the  most  correct,  as  he  had  a  trusty  servan-.  employed  every  morning  to  climb 
up  and  set  it  to  the  right  quarter. 

"  In  those  good  days  of  simpUcity  and  sunshine,  a  passion  for  cleanliness  was  the  leading 
principle  in  domestic  economy,  and  the  universal  test  of  an  able  housewife, — a  chaiacter 
which  formed  the  utmost  ambition  of  our  unenlightened  grandmothers.  The  front  door 
was  never  opened  except  on  marriages,  funerals,  new  year's  days,  the  festival  of  St.  Nich- 
olas, or  some  such  great  occasion.  It  was  ornamented  with  a  goigeous  brass  knocker, 
curiously  wrought,  sometimes  in  the  device  of  a  dog,  and  sometimes  of  a  Uon's  head,  and 
was  daily  burnished  with  such  religious  zeal,  that  it  was  ofttimes  worn  out  by  the  very 
precautions  taken  for  its  preservation.  The  whole  house  was  constantly  in  a  state  of  intm- 
dation,  imder  the  discipUne  of  mops  and  brooms  and  scrubbing  brushes ;  and  the  good 
housewives  of  those  days  were  a  kind  of  amphibious  animal,  delighting  exceedingly  to  be 
dabbUng  in  water — insomuch  than  an  historian  of  the  day  gravely  tells  us,  that  many  of  his 
townswomen  grew  to  have  webbed  fingers  Uke  unto  a  duck ;  and  some  of  them,  he  had 
little  doubt,  could  the  matter  be  examined  into,  would  be  found  to  have  the  tails  of  mer- 
maids— but  this  I  look  upon  to  be  a  mere  sport  of  fancy,  or  what  is  worse,  a  wilful  misrep- 
resentation. 

"  The  grand  parlor  was  the  sanctum  sanctorum,  where  the  passion  for  cleaning  was 
indulged  without  control.  In  this  sacred  apartment  no  one  was  permitted  to  enter,  except- 
ing the  mistress  and  her  confidential  maid,  who  visited  it  once  a  week,  for  the  purpose  of 
giving  it  a  thorough  cleaning,  and  putting  things  to  rights — always  taking  the  precaution  of 
leaving  their  shoes  at  the  door,  and  entering  devoutly  on  their  stocking  feet.  After  scrub- 
bing the  floor,  sprinkling  it  with  fine  white  sand,  which  was  curiously  stroked  into  angles, 
and  curves,  and  rhomboids  with  a  broom — after  washing  the  windows,  rubbing  and  polish- 
ing the  furninire,  and  putting  a  new  bunch  of  evergreens  in  the  fireplace — the  window 
shutters  were  again  closed  to  keep  out  the  flies,  and  the  room  carefully  locked  up  until  the 
revolution  of  time  brought  round  the  weekly  cleaning  day. 

"  As  to  the  family,  they  always  entered  in  at  the  gate,  and  most  generally  lived  in  the 
kitchen.  To  have  seen  a  numerous  household  assembled  around  the  fire,  one  would  have 
imagined  that  he  was  transported  back  to  those  happy  days  of  primeval  simplicity,  which 
float  before  our  imaginations  like  golden  visions.  The  fireplaces  were  of  a  truly  patriarchal 
magnimde,  where  the  whole  family,  old  and  young,  master  and  servant,  black  and  white, 
nay,  even  the  very  cat  and  dog,  enuoy^d  ^  community  of  privilege,  and  had  each  a  right  to 
a  comer.  Here  the  old  burgher  would  sit  in  perfect  silence,  puffing  his  pipe,  looking  in 
the  fire  with  half-shut  eyes,  and  thinking  of  nothing  for  hours  together;  the  goede  vrouw 
on  the  opposite  side  would  employ  herself  diligently  in  spinning  yarn,  or  knitting  stockings. 
Tha  young  folks  would  crowd  around  the  hearth,  listening  with  breathless  attention  to 
some  old  crone  of  a  negro,  who  was  the  oracle  of  the  family,  and  who,  perched  Uke  a  raven 
in  a  corner  of  the  chUnney,  would  crook  forth  for  a  long  winter  afternoon  a  string  of  in- 


NKW   YORK   COUNTY. 


^ 


credible  etorics  about  New  England  witches — grisly  gliosts — horses  without  heads — and 
haubreadth  escapes  and  bloody  encounters  among  the  Indians. 

"  Ih  those  happy  days  a  well-regulateu  family  always  rose  with  the  dawn,  dined  at  eleven, 
and  went  to  bed  at  sundown.  Dinner  was  invariably  a  private  meal,  and  the  fat  old 
burghetB  showed  incontestible  symptoms  of  disapprobation  and  uneasiness  at  being  surprised 
by  a  visit  from  a  neighbor  on  such  occasions.  But  though  oar  worthy  ancestors  were  thus 
singularly  averse  to  giving  dinners,  yet  they  kept  up  the  social  bands  of  intimacy  by  occa. 
sional  banquetings,  called  tea  parties. 

"  These  fashionable  parties  were  generally  confined  to  the  higher  classes,  or  noblesse,  that 
is  to  say,  such  as  kept  their  own  cows,  and  drove  their  own  wagons.  The  company  com- 
monly  assembled  at  three  o'clock,  and  went  awuy  about  six,  unless  it  was  in  winter  time, 
when  the  fashionable  hours  were  a  little  earlier,  that  the  ladies  might  get  home  before  dark. 
The  tea  table  was  crowned  with  a  huge  earthen  dish,  well  stored  with  slices  of  fat  pork, 
fried  brown,  cut  up  into  morsels,  and  swimming  in  gravy.  The  company  being  seated 
around  the  genial  board,  and  each  furnished  with  a  fork,  evinced  their  dexterity  in  launch, 
ing  at  the  fattest  pieces  in  this  mighty  dish — in  much  the  same  manner  as  sailors  harpoon 
porjioises  at  sea,  or  our  Indians  spear  salmon  in  the  lakes.  Sometimes  the  table  was  graced 
with  immense  apple  pics,  or  saucers  full  of  preserved  peaches  and  pears ;  but  it  was  always 
sure  to  boast  an  enormous  dish  of  balls  of  sweetened  dough,  fried  in  hog's  fat,  and  called 
doughnuts,  or  oly  koeks — a  delicious  kind  of  cake,  at  present  scarce  known  in  this  city, 
excepting  in  genuine  Dutch  families. 

"  The  tea  was  served  out  of  a  majestic  delft  teapot,  ornamented 
with  paintings  of  fat  little  Dutch  shepherds  and  shepherdesses  tending 
pigs — with  boats  sailing  in  the  air,  and  houses  built  in  the  clouds, 
and  sundry  other  ingenious  Dutch  fantasies.  The  beaux  distinguish- 
ed themselves  by  their  adroitness  in  replenishing  this  pot  from  a  huge 
copper  tea-kettle,  which  would  have  made  the  pigmy  macaronies  of 
these  degenerate  days  sweat  merely  to  look  at  it.  To  sweeten  the 
beverage,  a  lump  of  sugar  was  laid  beside  each  cup — and  the  com- 
pany alternately  nibbled  and  sipped  with  great  decorum,  until  an 
improvement  was  introduced  by  a  shrewd  and  economic  old  lady, 
which  was  to  suspend  a  large  lump  directly  over  the  tea  table,  by  a 
string  from  the  ceiling,  so  that  it  could  be  swung  from  mouth  to 
mourn — an  ingenious  expedient,  which  is  still  kept  up  by  some  fami- 
lies in  Albany ;  but  which  prevails  without  exception  in  Communi- 
paw,  Bergen,  Flat  Bush,  and  all  our  uncontaminated  Dutch  villages. 

"  At  these  primitive  tea  parties  the  utmost  propriety  and  dignity  of 
deportment  prevailed.  No  flirting  nor  coquetting — no  gambolling  of 
old  ladies  nor  hoyden  chattering  and  romping  of  young  ones — no 
self-satisfied  struttings  of  wealthy  gentlemen,  with  their  brains  in 
their  pockets — ^nor  amusing  conceits,  and  monkey  divertisements,  of 
smart  young  gentlemen,  with  no  brains  at  all.  On  the  contrary,  the 
young  ladies  seated  themselves  demurely  in  their  rush-bottomed 
chairs,  and  knit  their  own  woollen  stockings ;  nor  ever  opened  their 
lips,  excepting  to  say,  yah  Mynher,  or  yah  ya  Vrouw,  to  any  question 
that  was  asked  them  ;  behaving,  in  all  things,  like  decent,  well-edu- 
cated damsels.  As  to  the  gentlemen,  each  of  them  tranquilly  smoked 
his  pipe,  and  seemed  lost  in  contemplation  of  the  blue  and  white  tiles 
with  which  the  fireplaces  were  decorated  ;  wherein  sundry  pasrages 
of  scripture  were  piously  portrayed — Tobit  and  his  dog  figured  to 
great  advantage ;  Haman  swung  consj)icuously  on  his  gibbet,  and 
Jonah  appeared  most  manfully  bouncing  out  of  the  whale,  like  Har- 
lequin through  a  barrel  of  fire. 


ill 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


398 


«  The  parties  broke  up  without  noise  and  without  confusion.  They 
were  carried  home  by  their  own  carriages,  that  is  to  say,  by  the  ve- 
hicles nature  had  provided  them,  excepting  such  of  the  wealthy  as 
could  afford  to  keep  a  wagon.  The  gentlemen  gallantly  attended 
their  fair  ones  to  their  respective  abodes,  and  took  leave  of  them  with 
a  hearty  smack  at  the  door ;  which,  as  it  was  an  established  piece  of 
etiquette,  done  in  perfect  simplicity  and  honesty  of  heart,  occasioned 
no  scandal  at  that  time,  nor  should  it  at  the  present — if  our  great 
grandfathers  approved  of  the  custom,  it  would  argue  a  great  want  of 
reverence  in  their  descendants  to  say  a  word  against  it. 

"  In  this  dulcet  period  of  my  history,  when  the  beauteous  island  of 
Manna-hatta  presented  a  scene,  the  very  counterpart  of  those  glowing 

Eictures  drawn  of  the  golden  reign  of  Saturn,  there  was,  as  I  have 
eforc  observed,  a  hap])y  ignorance,  an  honest  simplicity  prevalent 
among  its  inhabitants,  which,  were  I  even  able  to  depict,  would  be  but 
little  understood  by  the  degenerate  age  for  which  I  am  doomed  to 
write.  Even  the  female  sex,  those  arch  innovators  upon  the  tranquil- 
lity, the  honesty,  and  greybeard  customs  of  society,  seemed  for  a 
while  to  conduct  themselves  with  incredible  sobriety  and  comeliness. 
"  Their  hair,  untortured  by  the  abominations  of  art,  was  scrupu- 
lously pomatomed  back  from  their  foreheads  with  a  candle,  and  cov- 
ered with  a  little  cap  of  quilted  calico,  which  fitted  exactly  to  their 
heads.  Their  petticoats  of  linsey  woolsey  were  striped  with  a  va- 
riety of  gorgeous  dyes — though  I  must  confess  these  gallant  garments 
were  rather  short,  scarce  reaching  below  the  knee ;  but  men  they 
made  up  in  the  number,  which  generally  equalled  that  of  the  gentle- 
men's small-clothes ;  and  what  is  still  more  praiseworthy,  they  were 
all  of  their  own  manufacture — of  which  circumstance,  as  may  well 
be  supposed,  they  were  not  a  little  vain. 

"  These  were  the  honest  days,  in  which  every  woman  staid  at  home, 
read  the  Bible,  and  wore  pockets — ay,  and  that  too  of  a  goodly  size, 
fashioned  with  patch-work  into  many  curious  devices,  i  ostenta- 
tiously worn  on  the  outside.  These,  in  fact,  were  convenient  recep- 
tacles, where  all  good  housewives  carefully  stored  away  such  things 
as  they  wished  to  have  at  hand ;  by  which  means  they  often  came 
to  be  incredibly  crammed — and  I  remember  there  was  a  story  cur- 
rent when  I  was  a  boy,  that  the  lady  of  Wouter  Van  Twiller  once 
had  occasion  to  empty  her  right  pocket  in  search  of  a  wooden  ladle, 
and  the  utensil  was  discovered  lying  among  some  rubbish  in  one  cor- 
ner— but  we  must  not  give  too  much  faith  to  all  these  stories ;  the 
anecdotes  of  those  remote  periods  being  very  subject  to  exaggera- 
tion. 

"  Besides  these  notable  pockets,  they  likewise  wore  scissors  and 
pincushions  suspended  from  their  girdles  by  red  ribands,  or  among 
the  more  opulent  and  showy  classes,  by  brass,  and  even  silver  chains 
— indubitable  tokens  of  thrifty  housewives  an  J  industrious  spinsters. 
I  cannot  say  much  in  vindication  of  the  shortness  of  the  petticoats ; 
it  doubtless  was  introduced  for  the  purpose  of  giving  the  stockings  a 
chance  to  be  seen,  which  were  generally  of  blue  worsted  with  mag- 


294 


NEW    yOBK   COUNTY. 


niiicent  red  clocks — or  perhaps  to  display  a  well-turned  ankle,  and 
a  neat,  though  serviceable,  foot,  set  off  by  a  high-heeled  leathern 
shoe,  with  a  large  and  splendid  silver  buckle.  Thus  we  find  that 
the  gentle  sex  in  all  ages  have  shown  the  same  disposition  to  infringe 
a  little  ijpon  the  laws  of  decorum,  in  order  to  betray  a  lurking  beauty, 
or  gratify  an  innocent  love  of  finery. 

"  From  the  sketch  here  given,  it  will  be  seen  that  our  good  grandmothers  differed  consid. 
erably  in  their  ideas  of  a  fine  figure  fi-om  their  scantily  dressed  descendants  of  the  present 
day.  A  fine  lady,  in  those  times,  waddled  under  more  clothes,  even  on  a  fair  summer's 
day,  than  would  have  clad  the  whole  bevy  of  a  modem  ball.room.  Nor  were  they  the  less 
admired  by  the  gentlemen  in  consequence  thereof.  On  the  contrary,  the  greatness  of  a 
lover's  passion  seemed  to  increase  in  proportion  to  the  magnitude  of  its  object — and  a  vo. 
luminous  damsel,  arrayed  in  a  dozen  of  petticoats,  was  declared  by  a  Low  Dutch  sonnetteer 
of  the  province  to  be  radiant  as  a  sunflower,  and  luxuriant  as  a  full  blown  cabbage.  Cer- 
tain it  is,  that  in  those  days,  the  heart  of  a  lover  could  not  contain  more  than  one  lady  at  a 
time ;  whereas  the  heart  of  a  modern  gallant  has  often  room  enough  to  accommodate  half 
a  dozen.  The  reason  of  which  I  conclude  to  be,  that  either  the  hearts  of  the  gentlemen 
have  grown  larger,  or  the  persons  of  the  ladies  smaller — this,  however,  is  a  question  for 
physiologists  to  determine. 

"  But  there  was  a  secret  charm  in  these  petticoats,  which  no  doubt  entered  into  the  con- 
sideration of  the  prudent  gallants.  The  wardrobe  of  a  lady  was  in  those  days  her  only  for- 
tune ;  and  she  who  had  a  good  stock  of  petticoats  and  stockings,  was  as  absolutely  an 
heiress  as  is  a  Kamschatka  damsel  with  a  store  of  bear  skins,  or  a  Lapland  belle  with  a 
plenty  of  reindeer.  The  ladies,  therefore,  were  very  anxious  to  display  these  powerfiil 
attractions  to  the  greatest  advantage ;  and  the  best  rooms  in  the  house,  instead  of  being 
adorned  with  caricatures  of  dame  nature,  in  water  colors  and  needle-work,  were  always 
hung  round  with  abundance  of  homespun  garments,  the  manufacture  and  the  property  of 
the  females — a  piece  of  laudable  ostentation  that  still  prevails  among  the  heiresses  of  our 
Dutch  villages. 

"  The  gentlemen,  in  fact,  who  figured  in  the  circles  of  the  gay  world  in  these  ancient 
times,  corresponded,  in  most  particulars,  with  the  beauteous  damsels  whpse  smiles  diey 
were  ambitious  to  deserve.  True  it  is,  their  merits  would  make  but  a  very  inconsiderable 
impression  upon  the  heart  of  a  modem  fair ;  they  neither  drove  their  curricles  nor  sported 
their  tandems,  for  as  yet  those  gaudy  vehicles  were  not  even  dreamt  of— neither  did  they 
distinguish  themselves  by  their  brilliancy  at  the  table,  and  their  consequent  rencontres  with 
watchmen,  for  our  forefathers  were  of  too  pacific  a  disposition  to  need  those  gruardians  of 
the  night,  every  soul  throughout  the  town  being  sound  asleep  before  nine  o'clock.  Neither 
did  they  establish  their  claims  to  gentility  at  the  expense  of  their  tailors— for  as  yet  those 
offenders  against  the  pockets  of  society,  and  the  tranquillity  of  all  aspiring  young  gentle, 
men,  were  unknown  in  New  Amsterdam ;  every  good  housewife  made  the  clothes  of  her 
husband  and  family,  and  even  the  goede  vrouw  of  Van  Twiller  himself  thought  it  no  dis. 
paragement  to  cut  out  her  husband's  linsey  woolsey  galligaskins. 

"  Not  but  what  there  were  some  two  or  three  youngsters  who  manifested  the  first  dawn. 
ings  of  what  is  called  fire  and  spirit.  Who  held  all  labor  in  contempt ;  skulked  about  docka 
and  market  places ;  loitered  in  the  sunshine ;  squandered  what  little  money  they  could  pro- 
cure at  hustle-cap  and  chuck-farthing,  swore,  boxed,  fought  cocks,  and  raced  their  neigh, 
bar's  horses — in  short,  who  promised  to  be  the  wonder,  the  talk,  and  abomination  of  the 
town,  had  not  their  stylish  career  been  unforttmately  eut  short  by  an  afiair  of  honor  Mrith  a 
whipping-post. 

"  Far  other,  however,  was  the  truly  fashionable  gentleman  of  those  days — his  dress, 
which  served  for  both  morning  and  evening,  street  and  drawing-room,  was  a  linsey  wool, 
sey  coat,  made,  perhaps,  by  the  fair  hands  of  the  mistress  of  his  afibctions,  and  gallantly 
bedecked  with  abundance  of  large  brass  buttons. — Half  a  score  of  breeches  heightened  the 
proportions  of  his  figure — ^his  shoes  were  decorated  by  enormous  copper  buckles — a  low. 
crowned  broad-brimmed  hat  overshadowed  his  burly  visage,  and  his  hair  dangled  down 
his  back  in  a  prodigious  queue  of  eel  skin. 

"  Thus  equipped,  he  would  manfully  sally  forth  with  pipe  in  mouth  to  besiege  some  fair 
damsel's  obdurate  heart — not  such  a  pipe,  good  reader,  as  that  which  Acis  did  sweetly  tune 
in  praise  of  his  Galatea,  but  of  one  of  true  delft  manufacture,  and  fiimished  with  a  chaige 
of  fi'agrant  tobacco.  With  this  would  he  resolutely  set  himself  down  before  the  fortreas, 
and  rarely  failed,  in  the  proceae  of  time,  to  smoke  the  fair  enemy  into  it  surrender,  upon 
honorable  terms. 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


205 


a  low. 
down 


■1 


••  Such  WM  the  happy  reign  of  Wouter  Van  Twiller,  celebrated  in  many  a  long-forgotten 
song  as  the  real  golden  age,  the  rest  being  nothing  but  counterfeit  copper.washed  coin.  In 
that  delightful  period,  a  sweet  and  holy  calm  reigned  over  the  whole  province.  The  bur. 
gomaater  smoked  hia  pipe  in  peace — the  substantial  solace  of  his  domestic  cares,  after  her 
daily  toils  were  done,  sat  soberly  at  the  door,  with  her  arms  crossed  over  her  apron  of 
snowy  white,  without  being  insulted  by  ribald  street  walkers  or  vagabond  boys — those 
unlucky  urchins,  who  do  so  infest  our  streets,  displaying  under  the  roses  of  youth  the 
thorns  and  briers  of  iniquity.  Then  it  was  that  the  lover  with  ten  breeches,  and  the  dam. 
sel  with  petticoats  of  half  a  score,  indulged  in  all  the  innocent  endearments  of  virtuous  love 
without  fear  and  without  reproach ;  for  what  had  that  virtue  to  fear,  which  was  defended 
by  a  shield  of  good  linsey  woolseys,  equal  at  least  to  the  seven  bull  hides  of  the  invincible 

AJs*" 

"  Ah,  blissful,  and  never  to  be  forgotten  age !  when  every  thing  was  better  than  it  has 
ever  been  since,  or  ever  will  be  again — when  Buttermilk  Channel*  was  quite  dry  at  low 
water — when  the  shad  in  the  Hudson  were  all  salmon,  and  when  the  moon  shone  with  a 
pure  and  resplendent  whiteness,  instead  of  that  melancholy  yellow  light  which  is  the  conse. 
quence  of  her  sickening  at  the  abominations  she  every  night  witnesses  in  this  degenerate 
city ! 

"  Happy  would  it  have  been  for  New  Amsterdam  could  it  always  have  existed  in  this 
state  of  blissful  ignorance  and  lowly  simplicity ;  but  alas !  the  days  of  childhood  are  too 
sweet  to  last !  Cities,  like  men,  grow  out  of  them  in  time,  and  are  doomed  alike  to  grow 
into  the  bustle,  the  cares,  and  miseries  of  the  world.  Let  no  man  congratulate  himself, 
when  he  beholds  the  child  of  his  bosom  or  the  city  of  his  birth  increasing  in  magnitude  and 
importance — let  the  history  of  his  own  life  teach  him  the  dangers  of  the  one,  and  this  ex- 
cellent  little  history  of  Mannahatta  convince  him  of  the  calamities  of  the  other." 


THE  NEORO  M.0T. 

The  celebrated  Negro  Plot,  1741,  occurred  when  there  were  about  ten  thousand  inhabi. 
tants  in  this  city,  of  which  one  sixth  part  were  negro  slaves. 

"  After  a  lapse  of  a  century,  we  look  back  with  astonishment  on  the  panic  occasioned  by 
the  Negro  Plot,  and  the  rancorous  hatred  that  prevailed  here  against  the  Roman  Catholics. 
To  judge  from  tradition,  and  the  journal  of  the  proceedings  against  the  conspirators,  no 
doubt  can  be  had  of  the  actual  existence  of  a  plot ;  but  its  extent  could  never  have  been  so 
great  as  the  terror  of  those  times  depicted.  The  very  mode  adopted  to  discover  abettors 
by  mutual  criminations  and  confessions,  tended  in  the  progress  of  the  trials  to  inculpate 
every  negro  slave  in  the  city.  We  accordingly  find,  that  the  number  of  conspirators  daily 
increased.  As  it  was  impossible  to  prove  all  equally  guilty,  the  ringleaders  only  were  ex- 
ecuted ;  and  those  who,  to  save  their  lives,  plead  guilty,  and  threw  themselves  on  the  mercy 
of  the  court,  were  transported. 

"  Insurrections  and  conspiracies  were  at  this  juncture  frequent  in  the  Wost  India  islands, 
and  great  apprehensions  were  entertained  of  an  invasion  by  the  French  and  Spaniards. 
These  circumstances  aggravated  the  horror  of  a  domestic  plot  to  such  a  degree,  that  the 
white  inhabitants,  reganiing  every  negro  slave  as  an  incendiary  and  an  assassin,  carried 
their  apprehensions  and  resentment  beyond  all  bounds. 

"  A  holy  hatred  of  the  Roman  Catholics  was  at  that  period  inculcated  by  church  and 
state.  Our  Dutch  forefathers,  glowing  with  all  the  zeal  of  the  early  reformers,  emigrated 
to  this  country  shortly  after  the  emancipation  of  the  United  Netherlands  from  the  Spanish 
yoke,  and  fostered  all  the  rancor  of  their  race  against  Papists  and  Spaniards.  It  was  the 
policy  of  the  English  government,  after  the  conquest,  to  cherish  this  animosity,  and  those 
of  our  readers  who  were  born  and  educated  before  the  American  revolution,  will  recollect 
how  religiously  they  were  taught  to  abhor  the  Pope,  Devil,  and  Pretender.  The  act  of  our 
Provincial  Areembly,  against  Jesuits  and  Papist  priests,  passed  2d  William  and  Mary,  and 
which  continued  in  full  force  until  our  independence,  was  owing,  not  only  to  these  preju- 
dices, but  to  the  exposed  situation  of  the  colony,  the  northern  frontier  of  which  was  bounded 
by  Canada,  at  that  time  in  possession  of  France,  the  natural  and  ever-daring  enemy  to  Eng- 
land. The  intolerant  spirit  of  this  act  shows  the  horror  and  detestation  in  which  the  Roman 
Catholics  were  held,  and  will  account  why  so  few  of  tliis  profession  existed  in  this  city  and 
colony  before  the  revolution. 


*  In  olden  times  the  channel  was  but  a  little  creek  which  separated  the  mainland  from 
Governors  Island. 


296 


.    ' 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


"  In  estimating  this  singular  event  in  our  colonial  history,  the  circunietancee  of  the  rimes 
should  be  duly  considered,  before  we  too  hastily  condemn  the  bigotry  and  cruelly  of  our 
predecessors.  The  advantages  of  a  liberal,  indeed  of  the  plainest  education,  was  the  happy 
lot  of  very  few.  Intercourse  between  the  colonies  and  tlie  mother  country,  and  between 
province  and  province,  was  very  rare.  Ignorance  and  illiberal  prejudices  universally  pre- 
vailed. Their  more  favored  and  enlightened  posterity  will  therefore  draw  a  veil  of  filial 
affection  over  the  involuntary  errors  of  their  forefathers,  and  emulating  their  simple  virtues, 
endeavor  to  transmit  a  brighter  example  to  their  successors." — Hist,  of  Nesro  Plot,  8vo. 
New  York,  1810. 

"  The  first  suspicion  of  a  plot  among  the  negroes,  and  which  subsequently  led  to  a  full 
investigation  and  discovery,  was  caused  by  frequent  alarms  of  fire,  and  a  robbery  committed 
at  a  Mr.  Hogg's, '  from  whence  were  taken  divers  pieces  of  linen,  and  other  goods,  and 
several  silver  coins,  chiefly  Spanish,  and  medals,  and  wrought  silver,  &c.,  to  the  value,  in 
the  whole,  of  sixty  pounds  and  upwards.'  The  scene  of  this  famous  robbery  was  in  a  house 
m  Broad  street.  On  Wednesday,  the  18th  March,  1740,  about  1  o'clock,  a  fire  broke  out 
of  the  roof  of  His  M^esty's  house,  at  Fort  George,  widiin  this  city,  near  the  chapel,  on  the 
east  side,  and  the  wind  blowing  a  violent  gale  at  southeast,  it  soon  became  impossible  to  stop 
its  progress.  The  citizens  and  engines  assembled  promptly  on  the  ringing  of  the  chapel 
bell,  and  assisted  in  saving  the  records  and  papers  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State, 
over  the  fort  gate,  which  fortunately  were  prfservcd,  although  in  the  hurry  they  were  tossed 
out  at  the  windows,  and  the  papers  blown  and  scattered.  An  alarm  being  given,  the  peo- 
ple were  soon  after  fearful  of  an  explosion,  and  stood  aloof,  although  assured  by  the  Gov- 
ernor that  it  was  groundless.  In  one  hour  and  a  quarter,  the  Governor's  house,  and  the 
venerable  old  Dutch  Church,  were  thus  consumed.  A  plumber  had  that  morning  been  at 
work,  with  his  pot  of  coals  and  soldering  iron,  to  mend  a  leak  in  the  gutter,  between  the 
house  and  the  chapel,  and  the  high  wind  had  no  doubt  blown  some  sparks  on  the  dry  shin- 
gles, or  under  the  eaves.  On  the  25th  of  March,  a  week  after  the  fire  at  the  fort,  another 
broke  out  at  the  southwest  end  of  the  town,  and  on  the  1st  of  April,  another  at  the  east 
end  of  the  town,  at  Van  Zandt's,  corner  of  Burling's  slip  and  Water-street.  On  the  4th  of 
April,  two  other  alarms  were  made,  and  fire  discovered ;  and  on  the  5th,  being  Sunday, 
Mr.  Murray's  haystack,  standing  near  some  stables  and  houses  in  Broadway,  had  some  live 
coals  put  under  it,  which  went  out  of  themselves.  On  Monday,  three  more  fires  occurred, 
and  the  panic  commenced.  Many  negroes  were  arrested,  and  the  investigations  were  long 
and  intricate.  By  the  course  of  the  evidence,  it  appeared  that  the  city  was  destined  to  be 
fired,  and  the  inhabitants  massacred  on  coming  out  of  the  English  Church  in  Broadway. 

"  St.  Patrick's  night  was  selected  to  begin  the  bloody  scene,  and  many  Irish  Catholics, 
lately  arrived,  enlisted  in  the  gang,  were  even  detected  as  being  concerned.  The  negroes 
were  led  on  by  a  villian  named  Hughson,  at  whose  house  they  were  freely  entertained, 
and  brought  then-  stolen  goods,  and  were  sworn  to  secrecy.  Ury,  a  priest,  was  also  deeply 
concerned. 

"  It  is  somewhat  remarkable,  that  London  has  had  its  Popish  Plot  and  fire ;  Boston  and 
Salem  its  delusions  of  witchcraft,  and  New  York  its  Negro  Plot :  and  there  can  be  no  doubt 
that  some  innocent  persons  were  at  those  times  accused,  and  suffered. 

"  One  hiindred  and  fifty-four  negroes,  and  twenty  white  persons,  were  committed  to  pri- 
son, of  which  fifty.five  were  convicted,  and  seventy.eight  confessed.  Thirteen  negroes 
were  burnt  at  the  stake,  at  a  place  then  out  of  town,  but  situated  near  the  present  in- 
tersection of  Pearl  and  Chatham  streets,  where  there  formerly  was  a  hollow  place,  as  recol- 
lected  by  one  of  our  oldest  citizens,  who  was  present  at  the  execution,  and  declares  that 
the  horrible  shrieks  and  cries  of  the  miserable  victims  still  dwell  on  his  memory.  Twenty 
were  hung,  (one  in  chains, '  on  the  island,  by  the  powder-house,'  where  the  Arsenal  now 
is,  in  Ehn  street.)  Seventy  were  transported  to  foreign  parts,  viz.  Newfoundland,  Madeira, 
Hispaniola,  Cape  Fran5oi8,  Curra9oa,  Surinam,  &c.,  &c.,  and  fifty  were  discharged. 

"  Although  the  black  population  has  increased  from  that  period  to  the  present,  in  this 
city,  yet  the  proportion  they  now  bear  to  the  whites  is  much  less  than  at  that  time,  being 
only  one-twelfth  part ;  then  they  were  one-sixth." 

The  following  extracts  are  from  newspapers  published  previous  to 
and  during  the  revolution :  they  will  serve  to  throw  light  on  the  his- 
tory of  the  times. 

.  " ^^^L^f""^,  November  4,  1765.— The  late  extraordinary  and  unprecedented  prepara. 
tions  in  Fort  George,  and  the  securing  of  the  Stamped  Paper  in  that  garrison,  having  greatly 
^rnied  and  displeased  the  inhabitants  of  this  city,  a  vast  number  of  them  assembled  last 
f  nday  evenmg  in  the  commons,  from  whence  they  marched  down  the  Fly,  preceded  by  a 


rtt-U 


NEW   YORK   COUNTT. 


|^■ 


nambsr  of  ligfata,  uid  having  stopped  •  few  minutes  at  the  Coffee  House,  proceeded  to  the 

Fort  Waiii,  where  they  broke  open  the  stable  of  the  I#— t  G r,  took  out  his  coach,  and 

after  carrying  the  same  through  the  principal  streets  of  the  city,  in  triumph  marched  to  the 
commons,  where  a  gallows  was  erected ;  on  one  end  of  which  was  suspended  the  efligy  of 
the  person  whose  property  the  coach  was.  In  his  right  hand  he  held  a  stamped  Bill  of 
Lading,  and  on  his  breast  was  affixed  a  paper  with  the  following  inscription, '  The  EeM 
Drummer  in  the  year  1715 :'  at  his  back  was  affixed  a  drum,  the  badge  of  his  profession ; 
at  the  other  end  of  the  gallows  hung  the  figure  of  the  devil,  a  proper  companion  for  the 
other,  as  'tis  supposed  it  was  entirely  at  his  instigation  he  acted  :  after  they  had  hung  there 
a  considerable  time,  they  carried  the  effigies,  with  the  gellows  entire,  being  preceded  by 
the  coach,  in  a  grand  procession  to  the  gate  of  the  fort,  where  it  remained  for  some  time, 
from  whence  it  was  removed  to  the  Bowling  Green,  uader  the  muzzles  of  the  fort  guns, 
where  a  bon-fire  was  immediately  made,  and  the  drummer,  devil,  and  coach,  &c.,  were 
consumed  amidst  the  acclamations  of  some  thousand  spectators,  and  we  make  no  doubt, 
but  the  L — t  G r,  and  his  friends,  had  the  mortificaiion  of  viewing  the  whole  proceed- 
ing from  the  ramparts  of  the  fort :  But  the  business  of  the  night  not  being  yet  concluded, 
the  whole  body  proceeded  with  the  greatest  decency  and  good  order  to  Vauxhall,  the  house 

of  M r  J 8,  who,  it  was  reported,  was  a  friend  to  the  Stamp  Act,  and  had  been  over 

officious  in  his  duty,  from  whence  they  took  every  individual  article  to  a  very  considerable 
amount ;  and  having  made  another  bon-fire,  the  whole  was  consumed  in  the  flames,  to  the 
great  satisfaction  of  every  person  present ;  after  which  they  dispersed,  and  every  man  went 
to  his  respective  habitation.  The  whole  affair  was  conducted  with  such  decorum,  that  not 
the  least  accident  happened. 

"  The  next  evening  another  very  considerable  body  assembled  at  the  same  place,  having 

been  informed  that  the  L — t  G r  had  qualified  himself  for  the  distribution  of  the  Stamped 

paper,  were  determined  to  march  to  the  fort,  in  order  to  insist  upon  his  delivering  into  their 
hands,  or  to  declare  that  he  would  not  undertake  to  distribute  the  same ;  but  before  this 

resolution  could  be  executed,  the  minds  of  the  people  were  eased  by  the  L — t  G r's 

sending  the  following  declaration  from  the  fort,  viz : — 

•"rpHE  Lieut.  Governor  declares  he  will  do  nothing  in  Relation  to  the  Stamps,  but  leave 

JL  it  to  Sir  Henry  Moore,  to  do  as  he  pleases  on  his  anival.  Council  Chamber,  New 
York,  Nov.  2,  1765.    By  Order  of  His  Honor.  Ww.  Banyar  D.  CI.  Con. 

" '  We  can  assure  the  Gentlemen  of  the  neighboring  Provinces,  That  every  Importer  of 
European  Goods  in  this  City,  have  agreed  not  to  Import  any  Goods  from  England  next 
Spring,  unless  the  Sugar  Act,  and  the  Oppressive  and  Unconstitutional  Stamp  Act  are 
repealed.' " 

"  New  York,  Jan.  8th,  1763.— Thuniday  next  is  appointed  to  celebrate  the  birth  of  the 
Prince  of  Wales,  when  there  is  to  be  a  treble  discharge  of  all  the  artillery  in  this  place,  and 
the  evening  is  to  be  concluded  with  the  play  of  the  Fair  Penitent,  by  the  officers  of  the 
army,  in  a  theatre  built  for  that  purpose." 

"  JVeio  York,  Dee.  13, 1765.— We  are  credibly  informed  that  there  were  married  last 
Sunday  evening,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Auchmuty,  a  very  respectable  couple,  that  had  been  pub- 
lished at  three  different  times  in  Trinity  church.  A  laudable  example  and  worthy  to  be 
followed.  If  this  decent,  and  for  many  reasons,  proper  method  of  publication  was  once 
generally  to  take  place,  we  should  hear  no  more  of  clandestine  marriages,  and  save  the  ex- 
pense of  licenses,  no  inconsiderable  sum  these  hard  and  distressing  times." 


"  New  York,  March  13th,  1766. — Upon  a  supposition  that  the  cannon  upon  the  Battery 
in  this  city  were  spiked  by  order  of  Lieutenant-governor  Colden,  his  effigy  was  exhibited 
last  Thursday,  sitting  upon  a  piece  of  ordnance,  properly  mounted  with  a  drill  constructed 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  continually  working ;  at  his  back  hung  a  drum  as  a  badge  of  hia 
former  profession  :  On  his  breast  was  fixed  a  paper  on  which  were  the  following  lines : 
'  I'm  deceived  by  the  devil  and  left  in  the  lurch ; 
And  am  forced  to  do  penance,  tho'  not  in  the  church.' 
"  After  it  had  appeared  in  the  principal  streets  of  the  city  attended  by  many  thousand 
■pectators,  (although  it  rained  great  part  of  the  time,)  it  was  carried  to  the  common,  where 
a  fire  was  immediately  made,  and  the  whole  consumed  by  5  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 

amidst  the  acclamations  of  the  multitude,  who  dispersed  directly  thereailer The 

affair  was  conducted  with  such  order  and  decorum,  that  no  person  sustained  the  least 
damage. 

38 


t 


298 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


"  N.  B.  The  public  «re  deaired  to  take  notice,  that  the  cannon  still  remain  apiked ;  and 
it  is  expected  that  no  further  hint  will  be  necessary." 


"New  York,  May  3,  1766.— The  play  advertised  to  be  acted  last  Monday  evening, 
having  given  offence  to  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  city,  who  thought  it  highly  improper 
that  such  entertainments  should  be  exhibited  at  this  time  of  public  distress,  when  great 
numbers  of  poor  people  can  scarce  find  means  of  subsistence,  whereby  many  persons  might 
be  tempted  to  neglect  their  business,  and  squander  that  money  which  is  necessary  to  the 
payment  of  their  debts  and  support  of  their  families,  a  rumour  was  spread  about  the  town 
on  Monday,  that  if  the  play  went  on,  the  audience  would  meet  with  some  disturbance  from 
the  multitude.  This  prevented  the  greatest  part  of  those  who  intended  to  have  been  there 
from  going ;  however,  many  people  came  and  the  play  was  begun  :  but  soon  interrupted  by 
the  multitude,  who  burst  open  the  doors,  and  entered  with  noise  and  tumult.  The  audi- 
ence  escaped  in  the  best  manner  they  could  ;  many  lost  their  hats  and  other  parts  of  dress. 
A  boy  had  his  skull  fractured,  and  was  yesterday  trepanned ;  his  recovery  is  doubtful :  several 
others  were  dangerously  hurt,  but  we  heard  of  no  lives  lost.  The  multitude  immediately 
demolished  the  house,  carried  the  pieces  to  the  common,  where  they  consumed  them  in  a 
bonfire." 


Frtm  the  New  York  Gazette  of  August  3,  1769. 

"  Extract  of  a  letter  to  a  gentleman  in  the  city  from  a  correspondent  in  the  country,  dated 
July  20,—'  Sir  :  As  a  sincere  friend  I  give  you  a  caution  now  to  be  particularly  on  your 
guard  agiinst  the  importation  of  English  goods  ;  for  I  fear  you  will  not  get  them  sold  at  any 
rate,  as  it  appears  quite  plain  from  this  hint  of  facts,  you  may  depend  upon.  Within  these 
few  weeks  I  happened  to  be  present  at  several  meetings  of  some  towns  here,  when  among 
other  things,  they  took  into  their  most  serious  consideration  the  affair  of  buying  English 
goods  from  your  merchants,  and  it  was  strongly  reasoned  thus :  We  have  gone  (said  they) 
these  several  years  past  clearing  new  lands  and  raising  grain  only,  and  have  foolishly  neg- 
lected the  raising  of  sheep  and  flax,  becai^ae  we  vainly  thought  we  could  buy  them  cheaper 
at  the  stores  than  make  them  at  our  bouses  ;  until  now  our  cash  is  wholly  carried  to  Eng. 
land  for  their  fineries,  and  here  it  has  got  so  scarce,  that  in  a  whole  town  one  guinea  is 
scarcely  seen  in  a  year's  time  :  so  that  when  a  man  goeth  to  buy  any  necessaries  at  a  mer- 
chant's shop,  instead  of  his  purse,  he  must  take  a  wagon  load  of  grain,  and  sell  it  to  the  mer. 
chant's  and  take  his  English  goods  at  whatever  price  he  pleases  to  ask. 

"  Wherefore  they  unanimously  and  firmly  resolved,  1st.  That  for  them  to  buy  any  more 
Scotch  or  English  goods  from  merchants,  was  in  fact  a  sure  wicked  way  to  qualify  Britain 
tyrannically  and  inflexibly,  from  time  to  time  to  impose  upon  Americana  whatsoever  new 
laws,  new  admiralty  courts,  or  bishop's  courts  they  pleased,  to  take  away  our  civil  and  re- 
ligious liberties  piecemeal,  until  we  and  our  posterity  were  finally  enslaved  as  deep  as  any 
Spaniard  or  African. 

"2d.  That  therefore,  whosoever  of  their  town,  durst  presume  to  buy  any  more  of  said 
British  goods,  before  the  restoring  of  our  liberty,  should  be  held,  reputed,  deemed,  and 
treated  by  all  his  neighbors  as  an  open  enemy  to  all  the  civil  and  religious  interests  of  their 
country,  &c.  &.c. 

"  I  have  heard  that  a  great  many  towns,  through  the  inland  parts  of  this,  and  the  other 
provinces,  are  beginning  to  be  greatly  alarmed  with  the  fears  of  their  new  admiralty  courts, 
and  bishop's  courts,  &c.,  and  therefore  are  forming  resolvea  of  the  same  nature.  Now  if 
you  do  in  these  circumstances  import  goods,  you  will  be  ruined.  Look  round  and  see 
how  many  merchants  have  been  sent  to  jail,  and  their  families  ruined  by  importing  English 
goods,  and  not  getting  them  sold  to  any  advantage.    Yours  &c." 


From  the  New  York  Gazette,  March  29,  1770. 
"Last  Saturday  night  about  11  o'clock,  14  or  15  soldiers  were  seen  about  the  liberty- 
pole  in  this  city,  which  one  of  them  had  ascended,  with  an  intent  to  take  off  and  carry 
away  the  topmast  and  vane  ;  as  soon  as  they  were  discovered,  five  or  six  young  men  who 
were  accidentally  crossing  the  green  at  that  time  made  up  towards  the  pole,  to  see  what 
they  were  about,  but  they  were  immediately  attacked  and  driven  off  the  green  by  the  sol- 
diers ;  who,  finding  that  they  were  discovered,  and  being  apprehensive  that  the  inhabitants 
would  be  alarmed,  they  made  off.  Soon  after  some  persons  went  into  town  and  acquainted 
their  friends  with  the  proceedings  of  the  soldiers,  upon  which  14  or  15  persons  came  up  to 
the  green,  and  going  to  the  pole  vere  there  surrounded  by  40  or  50  soldiers,  with  their  cut. 


NEW   YORK    COUNTY. 


S99 


laaiei  drawn ;  upon  which  4  or  5  of  them  retreated  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Bicker,  and  were 
followed  by  part  of  the  soldiers,  who  immediately  called  out  for  the  soldiers  from  the  bar- 
racks ;  upon  which  they  were  joined  by  a  very  considerable  body  who  came  over  the  bar. 
rack  fence.  Mr.  Bicker  seeing  himself  and  family  in  danger,  and  exposed  to  the  insults  of 
a  licentious  and  brutal  soldiery,  stood  with  his  bayonet  fixed,  determined  to  defend  himself 
to  the  last  extremity,  and  declared  that  he  would  shoot  the  first  man  that  should  attempt  to 
enter ;  they  several  times  attempted  to  force  the  under  door,  the  upper  door  being  open, 
which  Mr.  Bicker  kept  shut  by  fixing  the  point  of  hb  bayonet  against  it,  while  they  kept 
cutting  and  hacking  the  barrel  of  his  gun,  in  attempting  to  cut  him  down  with  their  cut. 
lasses, — but  he  soon  after  got  the  upper  door  shut  and  barred  ;  upon  which  they  strove  to 
break  open  the  front  windows,  which  were  also  shut,  one  of  which  they  forced  open,  broke 
the  panes  of  glass,  and  cut  all  the  frame  to  pieces,  in  order  to  get  into  the  house.  Some 
people  who  were  in  the  house  seeing  the  imminent  danger  to  which  Mr.  Bicker  and  hia 
family  were  exposed,  got  out  the  back  way  and  ran  to  alarm  the  citizens.  The  chapel  belt 
was  immediately  rung,  upon  the  hearing  of  which,  the  soldiers  retreated  precipitately.  A 
number  of  the  citizens  were  up  all  night  and  under  arms,  which  probably  prevented  any 
mischief  being  done,  as  they  repeatedly  swore  that  they  would  set  fire  to  the  house,  and 
bum  or  destroy  every  person  in  it.  Col.  Robertson,  the  commanding  officer  of  the  regi. 
ment,  repaired  to  the  barracks,  as  soon  as  he  had  notice  of  the  disturbance ;  he  immediately 
ordered  the  centinels  to  be  confined,  and  remained  up  all  night  to  prevent  any  further  mis. 
chief  being  done ;  and  as  a  number  of  inhabitants  nightly  guarded  the  pole,  till  the  Trans, 
porta  with  the  soldiers  were  sailed,  they  were  disappointed  in  effecting  their  designs 
against  it,  although  they  positively  swore  that  they  would  carry  off  some  part  of  it  with  them." 


Frmn  the  tame,  December  24,  1767. 

"  To  be  disposed  of — the  remaining  time,  being  about  three  years,  of  three  German  ser- 
vants,  one  a  baker  by  trade,  one  a  butcher,  and  the  other  a  laborer.  They  are  very  in- 
dustrious good  men,  whose  honesty  has  been  tried,  and  may  be  had  on  reasonable  terms- 
Inquire  of  the  printer  hereof." 


"  Last  Thursday  being  the  anniversary  of  His  Majesty's  birth-day,  when  ho  entered  hia 
30th  year,  the  same  was  observed  here  with  great  solemnity.  About  11  o'clock  the  de. 
tachment  of  the  train,  with  the  17th  and  46th  regiments,  were  paraded  on  the  battery,  and 
marched  in  order  by,  and  saluted  his  Excellency,  General  Gage ;  at  the  same  time  his  Ex. 
cellency.  Sir  Henry  Moore,  the  members  of  His  Majesty's  council  for  this  province,  his 
worship  the  mayor,  and  the  rest  of  the  corporation,  and  most  of  the  other  gentlemen  of 
the  city,  were  assembled  in  Fort  George,  where  his  Majesty's  and  many  other  loyal  healths 
were  drank,  under  the  discharge  of  a  Royal  Salute  from  the  Fort,  which  was  immediately 
followed  by  a  salute  of  21  guns  from  the  Liberty  Pole,  on  which  was  suspended  a  Union  ; 
these  were  answered  by  three  vollies  from  the  troops,  five  of  His  Majesty's  ships,  and  many 
other  vessels  in  our  harbor,  which  with  their  colors  displayed  made  a  very  grand  and  beautiful 
appearance ;  the  two  regiments  then  returned  to  their  barracks  and  the  train  to  the  Green, 
and  there  grounded  their  arms.  Elegant  entertainments  were  given  at  Fort  George,  and 
Head  Quarters,  by  their  Excellencies  Sir  Henry  Moore  and  General  Gage,  at  which  were 
present  ail  the  gentlemen  of  the  army  and  navy,  and  most  of  the  principal  gentlemen  of 
this  place.  In  the  evening  the  most  magnificent  fireworks  ever  seen  in  America  were 
played  off  before  a  very  great  number  of  spectators.  Over  the  gate  of  Fort  George  a 
number  of  lamps  were  disposed  in  such  a  manner  as  to  represent  a  Regal  Ceown  with  a 
LAtniEL  Tree  on  each  side,  and  before  the  door  of  his  Excellency  Gen.  Gage,  was  exhib. 
ited,  by  lamps  properly  placed,  a  large  and  elegant  appearance  of  the  Rotal  Arms  ;  there 
being  a  general  illumination  throughout  the  city.  The  fire.works  were  conducted  in  such 
a  manner  as  showed  great  skill  and  judgment  in  the  projectors  and  operators,  every  pan  be. 
ing  played  off  with  the  greatest  ease  imaginable-,  in  the  following  order,  viz  :— 

Firet  Set. — Two  signal  rockets,  royal  salutes  of  21  maions,  13  sky  rockets,  a  single 
vertical  wheel,  a  Chinese  fountain,  a  line  rocket  of  three  changes  and  a  swarm  box,  3 
gerbs,  2  air  balloons  of  crackers  and  serpents,  a  Chinese  piece  with  a  horizontal  wheel,  a 
yew  tree  with  a  brilliant  fire,  a  nest  of  serpents.     • 

"Second  Set.— Two  signal  rockets,  a  salute  of  19  marons,  12  sky  rockets, a  double 
vertical  wheel,  an  illuminated  globe,  a  fire  tree  and  swarm  box,  2  air  balloons  with  crack. 
ers  and  stars,  3  fixed  pieces  with  double  vertical  wheels,  a  range  of  fountains,  a  yew  tree  of 
brilliant  fire,  2  nesta  of  serpents. 

»  Third  Set — Two  signal  rockets,  a  salute  of  17  marons,  12  sky  rockets,  3  signal  ver. 


300 


NEW   YORK    COUNTY. 


tical  wheels,  a  cascade  of  brilliant  fire,  a  line  rocket  of  three  changes  and  swarm  box,  a 
range  of  fountains,  two  air  balloons  with  serpents  and  stars,  a  Chinese  piece  with  a  hori. 
zontal  wheel,  an  illuminated  yew  tree,  a  star  with  bnlliant  rays  and  glory.  Conclusion.-^ 
A  flight  of  rockets." 


From  the  same,  January  29tA,  1767. 
"  Wednesday  last  several  gentlemen  arrived  here  from  Quebec,  in  Canada,  in  12  days. 
They  came  over  the  mountains  on  snow^hoes  to  Crown  Point,  and  from  thence  down 
Lake  George  on  the  ice.  The  river  St.  Lawrence  was  not  frozen  over  at  Quebec  when 
they  came  away ;  and  we  are  told  in  the  hardest  weather  it  seldom  is  frozen  there  before 
the  month  of  February." 


"New  York,  May  7,  1772.— On  Saturday  last  Mr.  Montanny's  negro  man  who  had  mis- 
behaved,  and  was  a  remarkable  drunkard,  was  sent  to  Bridewell,  and  underwent  the  usual 
discipline  of  the  house  for  such  offences,  viz.  a  plentiful  dose  of  warm  water  and  salt  to  op. 
erate  as  an  emetic,  and  of  lamp  oyl  as  a  purge,  in  !>roportion  to  the  constitution  of  the  pa. 
tient.  Of  these  he  took  about  3  quarts  of  the  cue,  and  2i  spoonfuls  of  the  other,  also  a 
gill  of  New  Erigland  rum,  which  operated  very  powerfully,  attended  with  a  violent  sick, 
ness  which  obliged  him  to  lye  down,  and  between  8  and  9  at  night  he  was  discovered  to  be 
dead.  He  had  been  drunk  three  times  that  day  before  he  was  brought  to  Bridewell,  and 
was  not  sober  when  the  discipline  began.  Several  phvsicians  and  surgeons  attended,  the 
body  of  the  negro  was  opened  and  no  marks  of  violence  external  or  internal  appeared  :  the 
coroner's  inquest  brought  in  their  verdict  that  he  died  of  excessive  drinking,  co.operating 
with  the  effects  of  the  medicine  he  had  taken.  But  thai  Mr.  Dobbs,  (the  operator,)  was 
innocent  of  his  death." 


li     ii 


"  New  York,  December  24,  1773,— His  Excellency  the  Governor  having  sent  to  White, 
head  Hicks,  Esq.,  Mayor  of  this  city,  the  sum  of  two  hundred  pounds,  which  he  most  mu- 
nificently  ordered  to  be  applied  in  relieving  the  properest  objects  of  distress  confined  in  Uie 
city  gaol.  We  have  tlie  pleasure  to  inform  the  public  that  near  thirty  persons  have  been 
entirely  released  from  imprisonment,  and  those  whose  debts  were  too  large  to  be  cleared  by 
this  gracious  bounty  have  had  a  very  comfortable  provision  made  in  wood,  &c.,  to  carry 
them  through  the  winter." 

"  We  hear  from  Dutchess  County  that  the  High  Sheriff,  having  received  the  sum  of  fifty 
pounds  from  his  Excellency  Governor  Tryon,  to  be  distributed  for  the  relief  of  debtors 
confined  in  liis  gaol,  has  applied  that  money  in  the  manner  prescribed,  and  cheered  many 
indigent  men  whoso  misfortunes  had  reduced  them  to  melancholy  durance.  The  gratitude 
of  these  unhappy  persons  on  this  gracious  atior  ;ion  to  them  cannot  be  described." 

>Jy  His  Exckllknct  Williafn  Cosby,  Esq.,  Captain  General  and  Govemour  in  Chief  of  the 
Provinces  of  New  York,  New  Jersey,  and  Territories  thereon  depending,  in  America, 
Vice  Admiral  of  the  same,  and  Colonel  in  His  Majesty's  Army,  <tc. 

To  any  Protestant  Minister, 
Whereas  there  is  a  Mutual  Purpose  of  Marriage  between  Jacob  Glenn,  of  the  City  of 
Albany,  Merchant,  of  the  One  Party,  and  Elizabeth  Cuyler  of  the  same  City,  Spinster,  of 
tlie  other  party,  for  which  thoy  have  desired  my  Licence,  and  have  given  Bond  upon  Condi, 
tions,  That  neither  of  tlicm  have  any  Lawful  Let  or  I"  -.ediment  of  Pre-Contract,  Affinity 
or  Consanguinity  to  hinder  their  being  joyned  in  the  Holy  BB.ids  of  Matrimony:  these  are 
therefore,  to  Authorize  and  Impower  you  to  .Toyn  the  said  Jacob  Glenn  and  Elizabeth  Cuy. 
ler  in  the  Holy  Bands  of  Matrimony,  and  them  to  Pronounce  Man  and  Wife. 
Given  under  my  Hand  and  Perogative  Seal,  at  Port  George,  in  New  York,  the  Sixteenth 
Day  of  October,  in  the  Sixth  Year  of  the  Reign  of  our  Sovereign  iMrd  (iEORGE  the 
Second,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland,  KING,  Defender 
of  the  Faith.    Annoq :  Domini  1732. 

W.  COSBY. 
HENDK.  MORRIS,  D.  Sccry. 

From  the  Connecticut  Journal,  Nov.  20,  1775. 
"  On  the  20th  of  this  month  sixteen  respectable  inhabitants  of  this  towi),  (New  Haven,) 
in  company  with  Cnpt.  Sears,  set  out  from  this  place  for  East  and  West  Chester,  in  th« 
Province  of  New  York,  to  itxanT.  th«  principal  tones  thers,  and  secure  the  persons  or  Par- 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


301 


I 


son  Seaburjr,  Judge  Fowhr,  and  Lord  Underbill.  On  their  way  thither  they  were  joined 
by  Captains  Scilhck,  Richbrds,  and  Mead,  with  about  80  men.  At  Marrinecis  they  burnt 
a  small  sloop,  which  was  purchased  by  government  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  provisions 
on  board  the  Asia.  At  East  Chester  they  seized  Judge  Fowler,  and  then  repaired  to  West 
Chester  and  secured  Seabury  and  Underbill.  Having  possessed  themselves  of  these  caitifls, 
they  sent  them  to  Connecticut  under  a  strong  guard.  The  main  body,  consisting  of  75,  then 
proceeded  to  New  York,  which  they  entered  at  noon.day  on  horseback,  with  bayonets 
fixed,  in  the  greatest  regularity  went  down  the  main  street,  and  drew  up  in  close  order  be- 
fore the  printing  office  of  the  infamous  James  RIVINGTON.  A  small  detachment  enter, 
ed  it,  and  in  about  three  quarters  of  an  hour  brought  off  the  principal  part  of  his  types,  for 
which  they  offered  to  give  an  order  on  Lord  Dunmore.  They  then  faced  and  wheeled  to 
the  left  and  marched  out  of  the  town  to  the  tune  of  YANKEE  DOODLE.  A  vast  con. 
course  of  people  assembled  at  the  coffee-house  bridge,  on  their  leaving  the  ground,  gave 
them  three  hearty  cheers. 

"  On  their  way  home,  they  disarmed  all  the  tories  that  lay  on  their  route,  and  yesterday  ar- 
rived here  escorted  by  great  number  of  gentlemen  from  the  westward,  the  whole  making  a 
very  grand  procession.  Upon  their  entrance  into  town  they  were  saluted  with  the  discharge 
of  two  cannon,  and  received  by  the  inhabitants  with  every  mark  of  approbation  and  re. 
spect.  The  company  divided  into  two  parties,  and  concluded  the  day  in  festivity  and  inno. 
cent  mirth.  Captain  Sears  returned  in  company  with  the  other  gentlemen,  and  proposed 
to  spend  the  winter  here  unless  public  business  should  require  his  presence  in  New  York. 
Seabury,  Underbill,  and  Fowler,  three  of  the  dastardly  protesters  against  the  proceedings 
of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  who  it  is  believed  had  concerted  a  plan  for  kidnapping 
Capt.  Sears,  and  conveying  him  on  board  of  the  Asia  man-of-war,  are  (with  the  types  and 
arms)  safely  lodged  in  this  town  ;  where  it  is  expected  Lord  Underbill  will  have  leisure  to 
form  the  scheme  of  a  lucrative  lottery,  the  tickets  of  which  cannot  be  counterfeited ;  and 
Parson  Seabury  sufficient  time  and  opportunity  to  compose  sermons  for  the  next  Continent- 
al  Fast." 


After  the  Americans  were  defeated  on  Long  Island,  August  26, 
1776,  New  York  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  British  troops,  who  kept 
possession  of  it  during  the  revolutionary  war.  The  annexed  account 
of  the  military  movements  on  New  York  island  is  from  Colonel 
Humphrey's  Life  of  General  Putnam. 

"  The  unfortunate  battle  of  Long  Island,  the  masterly  retreat  from 
thence,  and  the  actual  passage  of  part  of  the  hostile  fleet  in  the  East 
river,  above  the  town,  preceded  the  evacuation  of  New  York.  A 
promotion  of  four  major-generals,  and  six  brigadiers,  had  previously 
been  made  by  congress.  After  the  retreat  from  Long  Island,  the 
main  army,  consisting,  for  the  moment,  of  sixty  battalions,  of  which 
twenty  were  continental,  the  residue  levies  and  militia,  was,  conform- 
ably to  the  exigencies  of  the  service,  rather  than  to  the  rules  of  war, 
formed  into  fourteen  brigades.  Major-general  Putnam  commanded 
the  right  grand  division  of  five  brigades,  the  Majors-general  Spencer 
and  Greene  the  centre  of  six  brigades,  and  Major-general  Heath  the 
left,  which  was  posted  near  Kingsbridge,  and  composed  of  two 
brigades.  The  whole  never  amounted  to  twenty  thousand  effective 
men ;  while  the  British  and  German  forces,  under  Sir  William  Howe, 
exceeded  twenty-two  thousand ;  indeed,  the  minister  had  asserted  in 
parliament  that  they  would  consist  of  more  than  thirty  thousand. 
Our  two  centre  divisions,  both  commanded  by  General  Spencer,  in 
the  sickness  of  General  Greene,  moved  towards  Mount  Washington, 
Harlaem  heights,  and  Horn's  hook,  as  soon  as  the  final  resolution 
was  taken  in  a  coimcil  of  war,  on  the  12tli  of  September,  to  abandon 
the  city.  That  event,  thus  circumstaaQed,  took  effect  a  few  day* 
after. 


|r 


I 


a  I 


303 


NIW   yOBK   COUNTY. 


"On  Sunday,  the  15th,  the  British,  after  sending  three  ships  of  war 
up  the  North  river,  to  Bloomingdale,  and  keeping  up,  for  some  hours, 
a  severe  cannonade  on  our  lines,  from  those  already  in  the  East  river, 
landed  in  force  at  Turtle  bay.    Our  new  levies,  commanded  by  a 
state  brigadier-general,  fled  without  making  resistance.    Two  bri- 
gades of  General  Putnam's  division,  ordered  to  their  support,  notwith- 
standing the  exertion  of  their  brigadiers,  and  of  the  commander-in- 
chief  himself  who  came  up  at  the  instant,  conducted  themselves  in 
the  same  shameful  manner.    His  excellency  then  ordered  the  heights 
of  Harlaem,  a  strong  position,  to  be  occupied.     Thither  the  forces  in 
the  vicinity,  as  well  as  the  fugitives,  repaired.    In  the  mean  time. 
General  Putnam,  with  the  remainder  of  his  command,  and  the  ordi- 
nary outposts,  was  in  the  city.    After  having  caused  the  brigades  to 
begin  their  retreat  by  the  route  of  Bloomingdale,  in  order  to  avoid 
the  enemy,  who  were  then  in  the  possession  of  the  main  road  leading 
to  Kingsbridge,  he  galloped  to  call  off  the  pickets  and  guards. 
Havmg  myself  been  a  volunteer  in  his  division,  and  acting  adjutant  to 
the  last  regiment  that  left  the  city,  I  had  frequent  opportunities,  that 
day,  of  beholding  him,  for  the  purpose  of  issuing  orders,  and  encour- 
aging the  troops,  flying,  on  his  horse  covered  with  foam,  wherever 
his  presence  was  most  necessary.    Without  his  extraordinary  exer- 
tions, the  guards  must  have  been  inevitably  lost,  and  it  is  probable 
the  entire  corps  would  have  been  cut  in  pieces.    When  we  were  not 
far  from  Bloomingdale,  an  aid-de-camp  came  from  him  at  full  speed, 
to  inform  that  a  column  of  British  infantry  was  descending  upon  our 
right.    Our  rear  was  soon  fired  upon,  and  the  colonel  of  our  regiment, 
whose  order  was  just  communicated  for  the  front  to  file  oflT  to  the 
left,  was  killed  on  the  spot.    With  no  other  loss  we  joined  the  army, 
after  dark,  on  the  heights  of  Harlaem. 

"  Before  our  brigades  came  in,  we  were  given  up  for  lost  by  all  our 
friends.  So  critical  indeed  was  our  situation,  and  so  narrow  the  gap 
bv  which  we  escaped,  that  the  instant  we  had  passed,  the  enemy 
closed  it  by  extending  their  line  from  river  to  river.  Our  men,  who 
had  been  fifteen  hours  under  arms,  harassed  by  marching  and  coun- 
termarching, in  consequence  of  incessant  alarms,  exhausted  as  they 
were  by  heat  and  thirst,  (for  the  day  proved  insupportably  hot,  and 
few  or  none  had  canteens,  insomuch,  that  some  died  at  the  brooks 
where  they  drank,)  if  attacked,  could  have  made  but  feeble  resistance. 

"...  That  night  our  soldiers,  excessively  fatigued  by  the  sultry 
march  of  the  day,  their  clothes  wet  by  a  severe  shower  of  rain  that 
succeeded  towards  the  evening,  their  blood  chilled  by  the  cold  wind 
that  produced  a  sudden  change  in  the  temperature  of  the  air,  and 
their  hearts  sunk  within  them  by  the  loss  of  baggage,  artillery,  and 
works  in  which  they  had  been  taught  to  put  great  confidence,  lay 
upon  their  arms,  covered  only  by  the  clouds  of  an  uncomfortable  sky. 

"...  Next  morning  several  parties  of  the  enemy  appeared  upon 
the  plains  in  our  front.  On  receiving  this  intelligence,  General  Wash- 
ington rode  quickly  to  the  outposts,  for  the  purpose  of  preparing 
against  an  attack,  if  the  enemy  should  advance  with  that  design. 


IT  'lit 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


SOS 


Lieutenant-colonel  Knowlton's  rangers,  a  fine  selection  from  the 
eastern  regiments,  who  had  been  skirmishing  with  an  advanced  par- 
ty, came  in,  and  informed  the  general  that  a  body  of  British  were 
under  cover  of  a  small  eminence  at  no  considerable  distance.  His 
excellency,  willing  to  raise  our  men  from  their  dejection  by  the  splen- 
dor of  some  little  success,  ordered  Lieutenant-colonel  Knowlton,  with 
his  rangers,  and  Major  Leitch,  with  three  companies  of  Weedon's 
regiment  of  Virginians,  to  gain  their  rear ;  while  appearances  should 
be  made  of  an  attack  in  front.  As  soon  as  the  enemy  saw  the  party 
sent  to  decoy  them,  they  ran  precipitately  down  the  hill,  took  pos- 
session of  some  fences  and  bushes,  and  commenced  a  brisk  firing  at 
long-shot.  Unfortunately,  Knowlton  and  Leitch  made  their  onset 
rather  in  flank  than  in  rear.  The  enemy  changed  their  front,  and 
the  skirmish  at  once  became  close  and  warm.  Major  Leitch  having 
received  three  balls  through  his  side,  was  soon  borne  from  the  field ; 
and  Colonel  Knowlton,  who  had  distinguished  himself  so  gallantly  at 
the  battle  of  Bunkerhill,  was  mortally  wounded  immediately  after. 
Their  men,  however,  undaunted  by  these  disasters,  stimulated  with 
the  thirst  of  revenge  for  the  loss  of  their  leaders,  and  conscious  of 
acting  under  the  eye  of  the  commander-in-chief,  maintained  the  con- 
flict with  uncommon  spirit  and  perseverance.  But  thy  general,  seeing 
them  in  need  of  support,  adv?  jced  part  of  the  Maryland  regiments 
of  Griffith  and  Richardson,  together  with  some  detachments  from 
such  eastern  corps  as  chanced  to  be  most  contiguous  to  the  place  of 
action.    Our  troops  this  day,  without  exception,  behaved  with  the 

§reatest  intrepidity.  So  bravely  did  they  repulse  the  British,  that 
ir  William  Howe  moved  his  reserve,  with  two  field-pieces,  a  battal- 
ion of  Hessian  grenadiers,  and  a  company  of  Chasseurs,  to  succor  his 
retreating  troops.  General  Washington,  not  willing  to  draw  on  a 
general  action,  declined  pressing  the  pursuit.  In  this  engagement 
were  the  second  and  third  battalions  of  light  infantry,  the  forty-second 
British  regiment,  and  the  German  Chasseurs,  of  whom  eight  officers, 
and  upwards  of  seventy  privates  were  wounded,  and  our  people 
buried  nearly  twenty,  who  were  left  dead  on  the  field.  We  had 
about  forty  wounded ;  our  loss  in  killed,  except  of  two  valut^ble  offi- 
cers, was  very  inconsiderable. 

"  An  advantage  so  trivial  in  itself  produced,  in  event,  a  surprising 
and  almost  incredible  effect  upon  the  whole  army.  Amongst  the 
troops  not  engaged,  who,  during  the  action,  were  throwing  earth 
from  the  new  trenches,  with  an  alacrity  that  indicated  a  determina- 
tion to  defend  them,  every  viaage  was  seen  to  brighten,  and  to  as- 
sume, instead  of  the  gloom  of  despair,  the  glow  of  animation.  This 
change,  no  less  sudden  than  happy,  left  little  room  to  doubt  that  the 
men,  who  ran  the  day  before  at  the  sight  of  an  enemy,  would  now, 
to  wipe  away  the  stain  of  that  disgrace,  and  to  recover  the  confidence 
of  their  general,  have  conducted  themselves  in  a  very  different  man- 
ner." 

The  following  is  Mr.  Grim's  account  of  the  great  fire,  21st  of  Sep- 
tember, 1776.  *  ^ 


304 


»BW   YORE   COUNTY. 


- 


!     i 


:  i 


I* 


"  The  fire  of  1776  commenced  in  a  small  wooden  house,  on  the  wharf,  near  the  White, 
hall  slip.  It  was  then  occupied  by  a  number  of  men  and  women,  of  a  bad  character.  The 
fire  began  late  at  night.  There  being  but  a  very  few  inhabitants  in  the  city,  in  a  short 
time,  it  raged  tremendously.  It  burned  all  the  houses  on  the  east  side  of  Whitehall  slip, 
and  the  west  side  of  Broad-street  to  Beaver-street.  A  providential  and  happy  circumstwice 
occurred  at  this  time ;  Ae  wind  was  then  southwesterly.  About  two  o'clock  that  morning, 
the  wind  veered  to  the  southeast ;  this  carried  the  flames  of  the  fire  to  the  northwestward, 
and  burned  both  sides  of  Beaver-street  to  the  east  side  of  Broadway,  then  crossed  Broadway 
to  Beaver-lane,  and  burning  all  the  houses  on  both  sides  of  Broadway,  with  some  few 
houses  in  New-street,  to  Rector-street,  and  to  John  Harrison,  Esq.'s  three  story  brick  house, 
which  house  stopped  the  fire  on  the  east  side  of  Broadway ;  fi-om  thence  it  continued  bum. 
ing  all  the  housts  in  Lumber-street,  and  those  in  the  rear  of  the  houses  on  the  west  side  of 
Broadway  to  St.  Paul's  church,  then  continued  burning  the  houses  on  both  sides  of  Parti- 
tipn-street,  and  all  the  houses  in  the  rear  (again)  of  the  west  side  of  Broadway  to  the  North 
river.  The  fire  did  not  stop  until  it  got  into  Mortkile-street,  now  Barclay-street.  The 
college  yard  and  the  vacant  ground  m  the  rear  of  the  same,  put  an  end  to  this  awfiil  and 
tremendous  fire.  Trinity  church  being  burned,  was  occasioned  by  the  flakes  of  fire  that 
fell  on  the  south  side  of  the  roof.  The  southerly  wind  fanned  those  flakes  of  fire  in  a  short 
time  to  an  amazing  blaze,  and  it  soon  became  out  of  human  power  to  extinguish  the  same, 
the  roof  of  this  noble  edifice  being  so  steep  that  no  person  could  go  on  it.  St.  Paul's  church 
was  in  the  hke  perilous  situation.  The  roof  being  flat,  with  a  balustrade  on  the  eaves,  s 
number  of  the  citizens  went  on  the  same,  and  extinguished  the  flakes  of  fire  as  they  fell  on 
the  roof.  Thus  happily  was  this  beautiful  church  saved  from  the  destruction  of  this  dread, 
ful  fire,  which  threatened  the  ruin  thereof,  and  that  of  the  whole  city.  The  Lutheran 
cliurch  being  contiguous  to  houses  adjoining  the  same  fire,  it  was  impossible  to  save  it  mm 
destruction.  This  fire  was  so  furious  and  violently  hot,  that  no  person  could  go  near  it, 
and  there  were  no  fire  engines  to  be  had  at  that  time  in  the  city. 

"  The  number  of  houses  that  were  burned  and  destroyed  in  this  city  at  that  awful  confla- 
gration, were  thus,  viz.— From  Mortkile-street  to  Courtlandt-street,  167 ;  from  Courflandt- 
street  to  Beaver-street,  175 ;  from  Beaver-street  to  the  East  river,  151.  Total,  493.  There 
being  very  few  inhabitants  in  the  city  at  the  time,  and  many  of  those  were  atraid  to  venture 
at  night  in  the  streets,  for  fear  of  being  taken  up  as  suspicious  peraons.  An  instance  to  my 
knowledge  occurred.  A  Mr.  White,  a  decent  citizen  and  house-carpenter,  rather  too  vio- 
lent  a  loyalist,  and  latterly,  had  addicted  himself  to  liquor,  was,  on  the  night  of  the  fire, 
hanged  on  a  tavern  signpost,  at  the  corner  of  Cherry  and  Roosevelt-street.  Several  of  the 
citizens  were  sent  to  the  provost  guard  for  examination,  and  some  of  them  remained  there 
two  and  three  days,  until  they  could  give  satisfactory  evidence  of  their  loyalty. 

"  Mr.  Hugh  Gain,  in  his  Universal  Register  for  the  year  1787,  page  119,  says.  Now 
York  is  about  a  mile  and  a  half  in  length,  and  half  a  mile  broad,  containing,  before  the  fires 
on  the  2l8t  of  September,  1776,  and  3d  of  August,  1778,  about  4,200  houses,  and  30,000 
inhabitants." 

The  following  annexed  account  of  the  incidents  of  the  revolutiona- 
ry war  in  New  York,  is  from  Watson's  Sketches  of  Olden  Times  in 
New  York  city. 

"  After  the  war  had  commenced  and  New  York  was  expected  to  be  captured,  almost  all 
the  Whig  famihes,  who  could  sustain  the  expense,  left  their  houses  and  homes  to  seek  pre- 
carious refuge  where  they  could  i«  the  country.  On  the  other  hand,  after  the  city  was 
possessed  by  the  British,  all  the  Tory  families  who  felt  unsafe  in  the  country  made  their 
escape  into  New  York  for  British  protection.  Painfiilly,  family  relations  were  broken ; 
families  as  well  as  the  rulers  took  different  sides,  and  '  Greek  met  Greek'  in  tierce  encoun- 
ter. 

"  Mr.  Brower,  who  saw  the  British  force  land  in  Kip's  bay  as  he  stood  on  the  Long 
Island  heights,  says  it  was  the  most  imposing  sisfht  his  eyes  ever  beheld.  The  army  crossed 
the  East  river,  in  open  flat  boats,  filled  with  soldiers  standing  erect ;  their  arms  all  glittering 
in  the  sunbeams.  They  approached  the  British  fleet  in  Kip's  bay,  in  the  form  o»  a  crescent, 
caused  by  the  force  of  the  tide  breaking  the  intended  line  of  boat  after  boat.  They  all 
closed  up  in  the  rear  of  the  fleet,  when  oil  the  vessels  opened  a  heavy  cannonade. 

"  All  the  Presbyterian  churches  in  New  York  were  used  for  military  purposes  m  some 
form  or  other.  I  suspect  they  were  deemed  more  whiggish  in  general  than  some  ol  the 
other  churches.  The  clergymen  oi"  that  order  were  in  general,  throughout  the  war,  said  to 
be  zealous  to  promote  the  cause  of  the  revolution.  The  Methodists,  on  the  contrary,  then 
few  in  number,  were  deemed  loyalists,  chiefly  from  the  known  loyslism  of  their  founder. 


NEW   YORK    COUNTY. 


305 


Mr.  Wesley.  Perhaps  to  this  cause  it  was  that  the  society  in  John  street  enjoyed  so  much 
indulgence  as  to  occupy  their  church  for  Sunday  night  service,  while  the  Hessians  had  it  in 
the  morning  service  for  their  own  chaplains  and  people. 

"  The  British  troops  were  quartered  in  any  empty  houses  of  the 
Whigs  which  might  be  found.  Wherever  men  were  billeted,  they 
marked  it. 

"  The  middle  Dutch  church  in  Nassau-street,  was  used  to  imprison 
3,000  Americans.  The  pews  were  all  gutted  out  and  used  as  fuel. 
Afterward  they  used  it  for  the  British  cavalry,  wherein  they  exer- 
cised their  men,  as  a  riding  school ;  making  them  leap  over  raised 
windlasses.  At  the  same  place  they  often  picketed  their  men,  as%, 
punishment,  making  them  bear  their  weight  on  their  toe  on  a  sharp 
goad.  At  the  same  place,  while  the  prisoners  remained  there,  Mr. 
Andrew  Mercein  told  me  he  used  to  see  the  '  (fearf  car£  come  every 
morning,  to  bear  off  six  or  eight  of  the  dead.  The  old  sugar-house, 
which  also  adjoined  to  this  church,  was  filled  with  the  prisoners  taken 
at  Long  Island ;  there  they  suifered  much,  they  being  kept  in  an 
almost  starved  condition.  This  starving  proceeded  from  different 
motives ;  they  wished  to  break  the  spirit  of  the  prisoners,  and  to 
cause  their  desertion,  or  to  make  the  war  unwelcome  to  their  friends 
at  home.  On  some  occasions,  as  I  shall  herein  show,  the  British 
themselves  wfc.e  pinched  for  supplies;  and  on  other  occasions  the 
commissaries  had  their  own  gam  to  answer,  by  withholding  what 
they  could  from  the  prisoners.  I  could  not  find,  on  inquiry,  that 
Americans  in  New  York  were  allowed  to  help  their  countrymen 
unless  by  stealth.  I  was  told  by  eye-witnesses  of  cases,  where  ths 
wounded  came  crawling  to  the  openings  in  the  wall,  and  begging 
only  for  one  cup  of  water,  and  could  not  be  indulged,  the  sentinels 
saying,  we  are  sorry  too,  but  our  orders  have  been, '  suffer  no  com- 
munication in  the  absence  of  your  officer.' 

"  The  north  Dutch  church  in  William-street  was  entirely  gutted  of 
Its  pews,  and  made  to  hold  2,000  prisoners.  The  Quaker  meeting  in 
Pearl-street  was  converted  into  an  hospital.  The  old  French  church 
was  used  as  a  prison.  Mr.  Thomas  Swords  told  me  they  used  to 
bury  the  prisoners  on  the  mount,  then  on  the  comer  of  Grace  and 
Lumber  streets.     It  was  an  old  redoubt. 

"  Cunningham  was  infamous  for  his  cruelty  to  the  prisoners,  even 
depriving  them  of  life,  it  is  said,  for  the  sake  of  cheating  his  king  and 
country  by  continuing  for  a  time  to  draw  their  nominal  rations  !  The 
prisoners  at  the  Provost,  (the  present  debtors'  prison  in  the  Park,) 
were  chiefly  under  his  severity,  (my  father  among  the  number  for  a 
time.)  It  was  said  he  was  only  restrained  from  putting  them  to 
death,  (five  or  six  of  them  of  a  night,  back  of  the  prison-yard,  where 
were  also  their  graves,)  by  the  distress  of  certain  women  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, who,  pained  by  the  cries  for  mercy  which  they  heard,  went 
to  the  commander-in-chief,  and  made  the  case  known,  with  entreaties 
to  spare  their  lives  in  future.  This  unfeeling  wretch,  it  is  said,  came 
afterward  to  an  ignominious  end,  being  executed  in  England,  as  was 
published  in  Hall  and  Sellers'  paper  in  Philadelphia.    It  was  there 

SO 


306 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


( 


ill 


said,  that  it  came  out  on  the  trial  that  he  boasted  of  having  killed 
more  of  the  king's  enemies  by  the  use  of  his  own  means  than  had 
been  effected  by  the  king's  arms ! — he  having,  as  it  was  there  stated, 
used  a  preparation  of  arsenic  in  their  flour ! 

"  Loring,  another  commissary  of  prisoners,  was  quite  another  man, 
and  had  a  pretty  good  name.  Mr.  Lennox,  the  other,  being  now  a 
resident  of  New  York,  I  forbear  any  remarks. 

"  There  was  much  robbing  in  the  city  by  the  soldiery  at  times.  In 
this,  Lord  Rawdon's  corps  and  the  king's  guards  were  said  to  have 
been  pre-eminent. 

i"  The  British  cast  up  a  line  of  intrenchments  quite  across  from 
Corlear's  hook  to  Bunker's  hill,  on  the  Bowery  road,  and  placed  gates 
across  the  road  there.  The  Hessians,  under  Knyphausen,  were  en- 
camped on  a  mount  not  far  from  Corlear's  hook. 

"Mr.  Andrew  Mercein,  who  was  present  in  New  York  when  most 
of  the  above-mentioned  things  occurred,  has  told  me  several  facts. 
He  was  an  apprentice  with  a  baker  who  made  bread  for  the  army, 
and  states,  that  there  was  a  time  when  provisions,  even  to  their  own 
soldiery,  was  very  limited.  For  instance,  on  the  occasion  of  the 
Cork  provision  fleet  over-staying  tiieir  time,  he  has  dealt  out  six 
pennv  loaves,  as  fast  as  he  could  hand  them,  for  '  a  hard  half  dollar 
a-piece  !'  The  baker  then  gave  §20  a  cwt.  for  his  flour.  They  had 
to  make  oatmeal  bread  for  the  navy.  Often  he  has  seen  7s.  a  pound 
given  for  butter,  when  before  the  war  it  was  but  2d, 

"  When  Cornwallis  was  in  diflUculties  at  Yorktown,  and  it  became 
necessary  to  send  him  out  all  possible  help,  they  took  the  citizens  by 
constraint  and  enrolled  them  as  a  militia.  In  this  service  Mr.  Mer- 
cein was  also  compelled,  and  had  to  take  his  turns  at  the  fort.  There 
they  mounted  guard,  &c.  in'  military  attire,  just  lent  to  them  for  the 
time  and  required  to  be  returned.  The  non-commissioned  officers 
were  generally  chosen  as  Tories,  but  often  without  that  condition. 
Mr.  IVlercein's  sergeant  was  whitish  enough  to  have  surrendered  if 
he  had  had  the  proper  chance.  There  were  some  independent  com- 
panies of  Tories  there. 

"  It  was  really  an  affecting  sight  to  see  the  operations  of  the  final 
departure  oT  all  the  king's  embarkation ;  the  royal  band  beat  a  fare- 
well march.  Then  to  see  so  many  of  our  couiitrymen,  with  their 
women  and  children,  leaving  the  lands  of  their  fathers  because  they 


took  the  king's  side,  going  thence  to  the  bleak  and  barren  soil  of 
Nova  Scotia,  was  at  least  affecting  to  them.     Their  hearts  said, ' '. 
country,  with  all  thy  faults  I  love  thee  still.' 


"  In  contrast  to  this,  there  followed  the  entry  of  our  tattered  and 
weather-beaten  troops,  followed  by  all  the  citizens  in  regular  platoons. 

"  '  Oh !  one  day  of  Huch  a  wolcomc  sii{li», 

Were  worth  u  whole  eternity  of  lesser  years.' 

"  Then  crowded  home  to  their  own  city,  all  those  who  had  been 
abroad,  reluctant  exiles  from  British  rule  ;  now  fondly  cherishing  in 
their  hearts, '  this  is  viij  own,  my  native  land.' 


% 


n-  !i 


NEW    YORK   COUNTY. 


307 


"  The  Hessian  troops  were  peculiarly  desirous  to  desert  so  as  to 
remain  in  our  country,  and  hid  themselves  in  every  family  where  they 
could  possibly  secure  a  friend  to  help  their  escape. 

"...  Captain  Graydon  of  Philadelphia,  who  has  left  us  amusing 
and  instructive  memoirs  of  sixty  years  of  his  observing  life,  having 
been  among  the  officers  and  men  (3,000)  captured  at  Fort  Washing- 
ton near  New  York,  and  held  prisoners,  has  left  us  many  instructive 
pages  concerning  the  incidents  at  New  York  while  held  by  the  Brit- 
ish, which  ought  to  be  read  by  all  those  who  can  feel  any  interest  in 
such  domestic  history  as  I  have  herein  endeavored  to  preserve. 

"After  our  capture,  (says  he,)  we  were  committed,  men  andq||i- 
cers,  to  the  custody  of  young  and  insolent  officers ;  we  were  asain 
and  again  taunted  as  '  cursed  rebels,'  and  that  we  should  all  be 
hanged.  Repeatedly  we  were  paraded,  and  every  now  and  then 
one  and  another  of  us  was  challenged  among  our  officers  as  deserters  ; 
affecting  thereby  to  consider  their  common  men  as  good  enough  for 
our  ordinary  subaltern  officers.  Unfortunately  for  our  pride  and 
self-importance,  among  those  so  challenged  was  here  and  there  a 
subject  fitted  to  their  jibes  and  jeers.  A  little  squat  militia  officer, 
from  York  county,  with  dingy  clothes  the  worse  for  wear,  was  ques- 
tioned with '  What,  sir,  is  your  rank  V  when  he  answered  in  a  chuff 
and  firm  tone, '  a  keppun,  sir ;'  an  answer  producing  an  immoderate 
laugh  among  '  the  haughty  Britons.'  There  was  also  an  unlucky 
militia  trooper  of  the  same  school,  with  whom  the  officers  were 
equally  merry,  obliging  him  to  amble  about  for  their  entertainment 
on  his  old  jade,  with  his  odd  garb  and  accoutrements.  On  being 
asked  what  were  his  duties,  he  simply  answered, '  it  was  to  Jlank  a 
little  and  bear  tidings' 

"  At  this  beginning  period  of  the  war,  most  things  on  the  American 
side  were  coarse  and  rough.  Maryland  and  Philadelphia  county  put 
forward  youne  gentlemen  as  officers  of  gallant  bearing  and  demean- 
or ;  but  New  England,  and  this,  then  seat  of  war,  was  very  deficient 
in  such  material.  In  many  cases  subaltern  officers  at  least  could 
scarcely  be  distinguished  from  their  men  other  than  by  their  cock- 
ades. It  was  not  uncommon  for  colonels  to  make  drummers  and 
fifers  of  their  sons.  Among  such  the  eye  looked  around  in  vain  for 
the  leading  gentry  of  the  country.  General  Putnam  could  be  seen 
riding  about  in  his  shirt  sleeves,  with  his  hanger  over  his  open  vest : 
and  Colonel  Putnam,  his  nephew,  did  not  disdain  to  carry  his  own 
piece  of  meat,  saying,  as  his  excuse,  •  it  will  show  our  officers  a  good 
lesson  of  humility.' 

"...  The  American  officers  took  full  latitude  of  their  parole,  in  traversing  the  street!  in 
all  directions  with  a  good  dt-il  of  purposed  assurance.  One  of  them,  on  one  occasion, 
wearing  his  bust  uniform,  to  the  great  gaze  and  wonderment  of  many,  actually  ventured 
diBdainfully  to  pass  the  coffee  house,  then  the  general  resort  of  the  British  officers.  At 
other  times,  when  the  Kolch  water  was  frozen  over,  and  was  covered  with  British  officers, 
who  thought  theniselvGs  proficients  in  skating,  it  was  the  malicious  pleasure  of  some  of  our 
otiicers  to  appear  and  ecliiwe  them  all.  The  officers  occasionally  met  with  cordial  civilities 
and  genteel  entertainment  from  British  officers  witli  whom  they  came  in  contact ;  for,  in 
truth,  the  latter  valued  their  personal  gentility  too  much  to  seem  to  be  in  any  degree  defi. 


4, 


308 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


I  I 


cient  in  politcnes*  and  courtcvy  when  they  met  witli  those  whom  they  tliought  aufficiontly 
polished  tn  apprccinte  their  demeanor. 

"...  The  residence  of  Admiml  Di^by,  and  indeed  of  ail  naval  officers  of  distinction  ar- 
riving on  the  station,  was  Beekman's  house,  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Sluate.lane  and 
Hanover  square.  There  dwelt,  under  the  guardianship  of  Admiral  Digby,  Prince  Willaim 
Henry,  the  late  king  of  England.  What  associations  of  idea  must  be  produced  in  the 
minds  of  those  who  can  still  remember  when  he  walked  the  streets  of  New  York  in  the 
common  garb  of  a  midshipman's  '  roundabout,'  or  when  they  saw  him  a  knockcd-kneed  lad, 
joining  the  boys  in  skating  on  the  Koluh  pond !" 

The  annexed  is  a  description  of  some  of  the  principal  British  officers.  ■*  Sir  William 
Howe  waa  a  fine  figure,  full  six  feet  high,  and  admirably  well  proportioned.  In  person  he 
a  good  deal  resembled  Washington,  and  might  have  been  mistaken  for  him  at  a  distance. 
His  featurea,  though  good,  were  more  pointed,  and  the  expression  of  his  countenance  woo 
lell  benignant.  His  manners  were  polished,  graceful,  and  dignified.  Ho  lived  at  N. 
Prime's  hrusc,  at  the  south  end  of  Hroadway,  near  the  battery. 

"Sir  Henry  Clinton  was  short  and  fat,  with  a  full  face,  prominent  nose,  and  animated  in- 
telligent countenance.  In  his  munners  he  was  polite  and  courtly,  but  more  formal  and 
distant  than  Howe ;  oad  in  his  intercourse  with  his  officers,  was  rather  punctilious  and  not 
inclined  to  intimacy. 

"  Lord  Cornwollis  in  person  was  short  and  thick  set,  but  not  so  corpulent  as  Sir  Henry. 
He  had  a  handsome  aquiline  nose,  and  hair,  when  young,  light  and  rather  inclined  to  san. 
dy ;  but  at  the  time  of  his  leaving  hero  it  had  become  somewhat  gray.  His  ftice  was  well 
farmed  aad  agreeable,  and  would  have  been  altogether  fine  had  he  not  blinked  badly  with 
his  left  eye.  He  was  uncommonly  easy  and  ati'able  in  his  manners,  and  always  accessible 
to  the  lowest  of  his  soldiers,  by  whom  he  was  greatly  beloved.  With  his  oiHccis  he  used 
the  utmost  cordiality. 

"tieneral  Koyphausen,  who  commanded  the  Germans,  was  a  fine-looking  German,  of 
about  £ve  feet  eleven,  straight  and  slender.  His  features  were  sharp,  and  his  appearance 
martiaL 

"Tarleton  was  below  the  middle  size,  stout,  strong,  heavily  made,  with  large  legs,  but 
uncommonly  active.  His  eye  was  small,  black,  and  piercing ;  his  face  smooth,  and  his 
complexion  dork ;  In  was  quite  young,  probably  about  twenty.five. 

"  Colonel  Abercrombie,  who  afterward  gained  so  much  eclat  in  Egypt,  where  he  fell, 
was  one  of  the  finest  built  men  in  the  army ;  straight  and  elegantly  proportioned.  His 
countenance  was  stroag  and  manly,  but  his  face  was  much  pitted  by  the  small-pox.  When 
iiere  he  appeared  to  be  about  forty." 


M 


CAPTAIN  DAVID  HALE. 
"  TWs  emineoft  martyr  t*  American  liberty  was  the  son  of  Deacon  Richard  Hale,  of 
Coventry,  Connecticut,  when  he  was  bom  June  6, 1755 ;  and  graduated  at  Yale  College  in 
177S.  Possessed  of  genius,  taste,  and  ardor,  he  early  became  distinguished  as  a  scholar, 
and  being  endowed  in  an  eminent  degree  with  those  gifts  and  graces  which  glways  add  a 
new  ehatm  to  youthful  excellence,  he  gained  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all  that  knew 
him.  Being  a  patriot  from  principle,  and  enthusiastic  in  a  cause  which  appealed  equally  to 
his  sense  of  justice  and  his  love  of  liberty,  he  wos  among  the  first  to  take  up  arms  in  de. 
fence  of  his  country,  whose  soil  had  been  invaded  by  a  hostile  force,  and  its  cilizt^iis  subjected 
to  the  alternative  of  determined  reaiwtanee  or  humiliating  suhtniiition.  The  life  of  Captain 
Hale  wasfihort,  but  evcntfuL  Its  termination  was  under  rare  circumstances  of  intrepidity 
and  oruelfy.  His  case  has  been  deemed  parallel  with  that  of  Major  Andre,  and  in  some 
respects  it  was  so — the  nature  of  the  service  was  identical.  Both  were  young,  well  edu- 
cated, ardent  and  brave  ;  one  for  his  king,  the  other  for  his  country  ;  ond  each  fell  a  victim 
to  the  rigor  of  military  law.  The  news  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  roused  his  martial  spirit, 
and  summoned  him  to  the  tented  field.  Before  arriving  at  the  age  of  twcnty-one,  a  cap. 
tain's  conrniission  was  tendered  him,  and  he  soon  became  im  efficient  officer  in  the  conti. 
nental  army ;  where  hia  activity,  zeal,  and  patriotism,  obtained  universal  approbation.  The 
company  under  hiseommand,  participating  in  the  same  spirit,  submitted  to  a  system  of  disci. 
pKne  before  unknown  to  the  army ;  and  which  produced  very  beneficial  results.  He  entered  as 
t  captain  in  the  light  infantry  regiment  commanded  by  Colonel  Knowlton,  of  Ashford,  and 
was  with  the  army  on  its  retreat  from  Long  Island,  in  August,  1776.  The  American  forces 
took  refuge  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  aft«rward  at  the  heights  at  Harlaem ;  and  it  be- 
came a  matter  of  the  utmost  importance,  in  the  opinion  of  the  commander  in-chief,  to  as. 
certain  the  numerical  force  and  contemplated  operations  of  the  enemy ;  for  on  that  know- 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


ledge  depended  the  safety   T  the  Amcricnn  nrmy,  and  perhaps  the  natton  also.    A  council 
of  officers  wu«  assi'inblcfl,    iid  resulted  in  a  determination  to  send  some  one  competent  to 
the  task  into  the  heart  o»  I:  c  enemy's  camp,  and  Colonel  Knowlton  was  charged  with  the 
selection  of  an  individual  to  iwrforni  the  delicate  and  ha/urdous  service.    On  being  inform- 
cd  of  the  views  and  wishes  of  Washington,  Hale,  without  hesitation,  volunteered  his  ser- 
vices,  saying  that  he  did  not  accept  a  commission  for  fame  alone  ;  that  he  had  been  some- 
time  in  the  army  without  being  able  thus  far  to  render  any  signal  aid  to  his  country ;  and 
that  he  now  felt  impelled,  by  high  considerations  of  duty,  to  peril  his  lite  m  a  cause  of  so  vital 
importance  when  an  opt^rtimity  presented  itself  of  being  useful.    The  arguments  of  hw 
friends  were  unavailing  to  dissuade  him  from  the  undertaking  ;  and  having  disgmsed  him. 
self  as  well  as  he  could,  he  left  his  (juartcrs  at  Harlacm  Heights,  and  having  an  order  trorn 
the  commandcr.in.chief  to  all  the  American  armed  vessels  to  convey  him  to  any  point  which 
ho  should  designate,  he  was  enabled   to  cross  the  sound  from  Fairfield  to  Long  Island,  and 
arrived  at  Huntington  about  the  middle  of  September,  1776.     When  he  reached  Brooklyn, 
the  British  army  had  taken  possession  of  New  York.     He  examined  with  the  utmost  cau- 
tioii  the  fortifications  of  the  enemy,  and  ascertained  as  far  as  possible  their  number,  posu 
lion,  and  future  intentions  ;  and  having  satisfactorily  accomplished  the  objects  ot  his  mission, 
ho  again  reached  Huntington  for  the  purpose  of  re-crossing  the  sound.    While  waiting  lor 
H  parage,  a  boat  came  on  shore,  which  he  at  first  supposed  to  be  from  Connecticut,  but 
proved  to  be  from  a  British  vessel,  the  Cerberus,  lying  in  the  sound ;  and  on  board  this  boat, 
it  is  said,  was  a  relative  of  Capt.  Hale,  n  tor/  refugee,  who  recognised  and  betrayed  him. 
lie  had  assumed  a  character  which  did  not  belong  to  him,  that  of  pretending  to  be  what  he  was 
not.    That  he  was  a  »py,  could  no  longer  be  concealed,  and  he  was  immediately  sent  to 
General  Howe  at  New  York.    Here  tlie  parallel  between  hia  case  and  that  of  Andre  ceases. 
The  latter  was  aUowed  time  and  an  impartial  trial  before  officers  of  honorable  ranlt  and 
character,  and  his  last  moments  were  soothed  by  tenderness  and  sympathy.     Not  so  with 
the  former ;  he  was  delivered  into  the  possession  of  the  infamous  provost-marshal,  Cun. 
iiingham,  and  ordered  immediately  for  execution,  without  even  the  formality  ot  a  trial. 
The  order  was  performed  in  a  brutal  manner  on  the  twenty-first  of  September,  177«>,  and 
his  body  was  buried  on  the  spot  where  he  breathed  his  last.    He  was,  indeed,  permitted  to 
consecrate  a  few  previous  moments  in  writing  to  hia  family  ;  but  as  soon  as  the  work  ot 
death  was  done,  even  this  testimony  of  affection  and  patriotism  was  destroyed,  assigning 
as  the  cause,  •  that  the  rebehthould  never  know  they  had  a  man  in  their  army  who  could 
die  with  tuehfirmnes*.'    In  this  trying  hour  the  use  of  a  bible  and  the  attendance  of  » 
minister,  wliich  ho  desired,  were  also  denied  him.     Thus  unknown  to  those  around  hiin, 
with  no  eye  to  pity,  or  a  voice  to  administer  consolation,  fell  one  of  the  most  noble  and 
amiable  youths  which  America  could  boast ;  with  this  his  dying  observation,  'Wot  he  only 
lamented  he  had  but  one  life  to  lose  for  his  country.'    Though  the  manner  of  his  execuUon 
will  be  abhorred  by  every  friend  of  humanity,  yet  there  cannot  be  a  question  but  that  the 
sentence  of  death  was  conformable  to  the  practice  of  all  civilized  nations.    It  is,  however, 
but  common  justice  to  the  character  of  Captain  Hale  to  state,  that  his  motives  for  engaging 
ill  diis  service  were  entirely  different  from  those  which  sometimes  influence  others  in  like 
cases.    Neither  expectation  of  promotion  or  pecuniary  reward  induced  the  attempt.    A. 
high  sense  of  public  duty,  and  a  hope  of  being  in  this  way  useful  to  his  country,  and  the 
opinion  which  he  had  adopted,  that  every  kind  of  service  became  honorable  by  being  ne- 
cessary, were  the  motives  which  prompted  him  to  this  hazardous,  and,  to  him,  fatal  enteN 
prise.    To  see  such  an  one,  in  the  bloom  of  youth,  influenced  by  the  purest  intenUons,  and 
emulous  of  doing  good  to  his  beloved  country,  fall  a  victim  to  the  policy  of  nattone,  must 
have  been  wounding  even  to  the  feelings  of  his  enemies. 

"  Among  other  causes  of  distress  in  1776,  the  want  of  provisions  and  cloUiing  was  se- 
vercly  felt  by  the  American  army.  Just  previous  to  the  battle  of  Long  Island  it  was  aa. 
certained  that  an  Englith  sloop,  with  supplies  of  these  essential  articles,  had  arrived  in  the 
East  river,  and  lay  tliere  under  the  protection  of  the  ship  Asia,  of  nmety  guns.  Ooptain 
Hale  conceived  the  bold  project  of  capturing  this  sloop,  and  bringing  her  into  the  port  ot 
New  York,  and  found  a  sufficient  number  of  bold  hearts  and  stout  hands  to  make  the  aU 
tempt.  At  an  hour  <•  incerted,  they  passed  in  a  boat  to  a  point  of  land  nearest  iOe  sloop, 
where  they  lay  till  the  moon  was  down ;  and  when  all  was  quiet,  except  the  voice  ot  the 
watchman  on  the  quarter-deck  of  the  Asia,  they  pulled  for  the  sloop,  and  in  a  few  minute* 
were  on  board.  She  became  their  prize,  and  the  goods  were  distributed  to  those  who 
needed  them  in  our  army.  .   u       ..    ocu 

•'  A  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Coventry  and  the  neighboring  towns  was  held  on  the  .iStli 
of  November,  1836,  at  which  a  society  was  formed  called  the  Hale  Monument  Associa- 
Tioif,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  measures  to  erect  a  suitable  memorial  to  the  memory  of 
the  lubject  of  this  notice.    An  eloquent  address  was  dehvered  on  the  occaaion,  by  An- 


810 


NEW    YOIIK    COUNTY. 


drew  T.  Judson,  Esq.,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  much  of  the  information  contained  in 
this  brief  memoir. 

"  I'he  following  poetical  tribute  to  the  lamented  Hale,  is  from  the  pen  of  the  late  Presi- 
dent Dwight : — 

'  Thus,  while  fond  virtue  wished  in  vain  to  save. 
Hale,  bright  uud  generous,  found  a  hapless  grave ; 
Witli  genius'  living  flame  his  bosom  glow'd. 
And  science  charmed  him  to  her  sweet  abode  ; 
In  worth's  fair  path,  adventured  far. 
The  pride  of  peace,  and  rising  grace  of  war.' 

"  As  yet  no  monument  has  been  erected,  nor  have  his  ashes  ever  been  recovered.  A 
select  committee  of  congress,  on  the  19th  of  January,  1836,  recommended  an  appropria- 
tion of  one  thousand  dollars  from  the  treasury  of  the  United  States  towards  carrying  the 
object  into  eifect ;  but  no  action  was  ever  had  upon  it  afterward,  and  it  is  much  to  be 
feared  so  praiseworthy  a  design  will  be  suffered  to  sleep,  perhaps  forever." — Thompson's 
History  of  Long  Island. 

The  annexed  account  of  the  evacuation  of  New  York  by  the  Brit- 
ish, and  the  entrance  of  the  American  troops,  under  Washington,  is 
extracted  from  Thatcher's  Military  Journal. 

"  November  25th,  1 783. — The  British  army  evacuated  Nevir  York, 
and  the  American  troops  under  General  Knox,  took  possession  of  the 
citv.  Soon  after,  General  Washington  and  Governor  Clinton,  with 
their  suite,  made  their  public  entry  into  the  city  on  horseback,  fol- 
lowed by  the  lieutenant-governor  and  the  members  of  council,  for 
the  temporary  government  of  the  southern  district,  four  abreast; 
General  Knox  and  the  officers  of  the  army,  eight  abreast ;  citizens 
on  horseback,  eight  abreast ;  the  speaker  of  the  assembly  and  citizens 
on  foot,  eight  abreast.  The  governor  gave  a  public  dinner,  at  which 
the  commander-in-chief,  and  other  general  officers  were  present. 
The  arrangements  for  the  whole  business  were  so  well  made  and 
executed,  that  the  most  admirable  tranquillity  succeeded  through  the 
day  and  night.  On  Monday  the  governor  gave  an  elegant  enter- 
tainment to  the  French  ambassador,  the  Chevalier  de  la  Luzenie ; 
General  Washington,  the  principal  officers  of  New  York  state,  and 
of  the  army,  and  upwards  of  a  hundred  gentlemen  were  present. 
Magnificent  fireworks,  infinitely  exceeding  every  thing  of  tne  kind 
before  seen  in  the  United  States,  were  exhibited  at  the-  Bowling 
Green,  in  Broadway,  on  the  evening  of  Tuesday,  in  celebration  of 
the  definitive  treaty  of  peace.  They  commenced  by  a  dove  descend- 
ing with  the  olive  branch,  and  setting  fire  to  a  marron  battery.  On 
Tuesday  noon,  December  4th,  the  principal  officers  of  the  army  as- 
sembled at  Francis'  tavern,  to  take  a  final  leave  oi  their  much  loved 
commander-in-chief.  Soon  after,  his  excellency  entered  the  room. 
His  emotions  were  too  strong  to  be  concealed.  Filling  a  glass,  he 
turned  to  them  and  said, '  With  a  heart  full  of  love  and  gratitude,  I 
now  take  leave  of  you.  I  most  devoutly  wish  that  your  latter  days 
may  be  as  prosperous  and  happy  as  your  former  ones  have  been 
glorious  and  honorable.'  Having  drank,  he  added,  '  I  cannot  come 
to  each  of  you  to  take  my  leave,  but  shall  be  obliged  to  you,  if  each 
of  you  will  come  and  take  me  by  the  hand.'  General  Knox  being 
nearest,  turned  to  him.     Incapable  of  utterance,  Washington,  in  tears, 


NEW   YORK   COtrNTY. 


311 


grasped  his  hand,  embraced  and  kissed  him.  In  the  same  affection- 
ate manner  he  took  leave  of  each  succeeding  officer.  In  every  eye 
was  the  tear  of  dignified  sensibility ;  and  not  a  word  was  articulated 
to  interrupt  the  eloquent  silence  and  tenderness  of  the  scene.  Leav- 
ing the  room,  he  passed  through  the  corps  of  light  infantry,  and 
walked  to  Whitehall,  where  a  barge  waited  to  convey  him  to  Paulus' 
Hook.  The  whole  company  followed  in  mute  and  solemn  proces- 
sion, with  dejected  countenances,  testifying  feelings  of  delicious  mel- 
ancholy which  no  language  can  describe.  Having  entered  the 
barge  he  turned  to  the  company,  and  waving  his  hat,  bid  them  a  silent 
adieu.  They  paid  him  the  same  affectionate  compliment,  and  after  the 
barge  had  left  them,  returned  in  the  same  solemn  manner  to  the  place 
where  they  had  assembled.  The  passions  of  human  nature  were  never 
more  tenderly  agitated  than  in  this  interesting  and  distressful  scene." 
The  following,  respecting  the  prevalence  of  the  yellow  fever  at 
various  times  in  New  York,  is  from  a  publication  written  by  James 
Hardie,  A.  M.,  printed  in  New  York  in  1822. 

"The  yellow  fever,  in  our  times,  was  first  observed  in  this  city  in  the  year  1791,  when 
General  Malcolm  and  some  other  very  respectable  citizens  fell  victims  to  its  fuiy.  The 
late  respectable  Dr.  James  Tillary,  at  a  meeting  of  a  number  of  physicians,  explained  the 
symptoms  of  the  disease,  described  its  character,  and  gave  it  its  true  name.  To  all  present, 
excepting  two,  the  doctor  spoke  in  a  language  which  was  past  their  comprehension,  as  he 
had  described  a  disease  which  they  had  never  seen,  and  of  which  they  had  not  the  most 
distant  conception.  But  it  was  well  remembered  by  the  late  venerable  Dr.  John  Carleton 
and  Dr.  Samuel  Bard,  who  had  seen  the  same  fell  destroyer,  spreading  havoc  and  destruc 
tion  in  this  city,  about  forty  years  before  that  period.  Since  that  time,  it  has  repeatedly 
made  its  appearance  amongst  us,  and  every  physician  in  this  city  as  well  as  in  most  other 
maritime  cities  in  the  United  States  has  had  repeated  opportunities  of  seeing  it  and  of  de- 
vising,  in  his  own  mind,  what  he  might  deem  the  most  effectual  means  of  its  prevention 
and  cure. 

"  As  the  sickness,  which  occurred  in  the  year  1798,  was  by  far  more  fatal  than  any 
which  has  happened  since  that  time,  I  shall  endeavor  to  give  as  brief  an  tccount  as  powi- 
ble  of  its  origin,  progress,  and  termination. 

"  Its  first  victim,  in  nil  probability,  was  Mr.  Melancton  Smith,  who  died  on  the  28th  or 
29th  of  July,  after  an  illness  of  a  few  days.  His  case  was  said  to  have  been  attended  with 
the  most  malignant  symptoms ;  but  such  was  the  general  opinion  of  the  inhabitants  with 
respect  to  the  healthiness  of  our  city,  that  his  death  excited  little  or  no  alarm.  It  was  be- 
heved  that  Mr.  Smith  had  been  taken  sick  at  his  store,  in  Front^treet,  near  Coenties.8lip, 
and  a  few  days  after  his  death,  several  persons  were  attacked  with  sickness  in  that  vicinity. 
The  symptoms  of  their  disorders,  however,  appeared  to  be  similar  to  that  of  a  common  cold. 
They  were,  therefore,  negligent  in  obtaining  medical  aid ;  hence  the  diseaae  got  the  as- 
cendancy Nfore  they  were  aware  of  their  danger,  and  the  assistance  of  physicians  was 
called  for  when  it  was  too  late. 

"  Whether  any  ease  of  pestilential  fever  existed  in  the  earlier  part  of  August,  reinote 
from  the  place  where  it  was  believed  to  have  originated,  was  not,  at  the  time,  ascertained 
to  a  certainty  ;  but  of  this  there  was  no  doubt,  viz.  that  about  the  20th  of  the  month,  cases 
of  a  highly  malignant  nature  appeared  in  diflerent  parts  of  the  city  on  the  same  day,  and  in 
the  course  of  six  or  eight  days  in  different  streets  very  remote  from  one  ani  tber.  In  par. 
ticular,  it  began  to  rage  with  great  violence  at  the  New^slip ;  in  Cliff-street  and  John-street ; 
but  more  especially  in  Rider-street  and  Edon's-alley,  where  not  a  family  escaped  it,  nor 
was  there  a  house,  except  two,  in  which  it  did  not  terminate  fatally  to  one  or  more  indi- 
viduals. 

"  The  Health  Commissioners  began  to  be  apprehensive  respecting  the  appearance  of  this 
pestilence  so  early  as  the  6th  of  August,  on  which  day  they  addressed  a  letter  to  the 
Mayor.  It  was  to  the  following  purport,  viz.  that  '  the  unfinished  state  of  the  docks  in 
Front-street,  between  Coenties  and  the  Old  slips,  generally,  had  been,  in  their  opinion,  a 
source  of  disease,  in  that  neighborhood,  last  year,  and  had  occasioned  the  death  of  several 
valuable  citizens.    That  they  cannot  sufficiently  regret  that  they  had  reason  to  renew  their 


812 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


K-  'lilt 


remonstrances  on  this  subject,  and  that  iia  present  situation  was  likely  to  bo  productive  of 
still  greater  evils  than  those  of  last  year.'  They  added,  that  several  persons  had  sickened 
in  the  neighborhood  of  these  unfinished  grounds  within  a  week,  and  with  symptoms  strik> 
ingly  characteristic  of  yellow  fever;  and  they  recommended  that  the  common  council 
would  appoint  two  of  their  members,  with  whom  they  (the  commissioners)  would  meet, 
at  an  early  hour  on  the  ensuing  morning,  to  concert  measures  adapted  to  the  emergency 
of  the  cose.  The  board  very  cheerfully  complied  with  this  recommendation,  and  such 
measures  were  immediately  adopted  as  were  deemed  most  likely  to  check  the  progress  of 
the  growing  malady ;  but  it  had  now  taking  so  deep  root,  that  it  could  neither  be  eradi. 
catod  nor  checked  by  human  means. 

"  On  the  same  day  (6th  August)  the  commissioners  issued  an  advertisement,  notifying 
their  determination  to  put  the  laws  in  force  agninst  those  who  should  neglect  to  keep  the 
streets  clean  before  their  respective  doors,  &.C.,  adding  that  the  street  inspectors  were  di> 
reeled  to  report  all  offences  of  this  nature  to  the  police,  and  that  the  penalty  against  offend- 
ers would  be  rigidly  exacted. 

"  On  the  12th,  13th  and  l^th  of  August,  there  were  heavy  showers  of  rain ;  that  on  the 
14th  commenced  at  four  in  the  morning,  and  continued  without  intermission  until  nine, 
with  considerable  thunder.  The  quantity  which  fell  during  these  five  hours,  was  supposed 
to  have  been  greater  than  had  at  any  time  fallen,  during  the  same  space  of  time,  for  many 
years.  The  streets  were  covered  with  water  in  many  places  knee-deep,  and  a  vast  num. 
ber  of  cellars  were  filled  with  it. 

"  It  was  at  the  time  generally  believed,  that  this  excessive  rain  and  thunder  would 
have  BO  purified  the  air,  that  the  city  would,  in  a  few  days,  be  totally  exempt  from  any 
cases  of  this  disorder ;  bu:,  alas !  our  expectations  were  dreadfuUy  disappointed.  It  is  Well 
known,  that  stagnant  water  in  confined  places,  during  hot  weather,  will,  in  a  few  days,  ex- 
hale a  pestilential  vapor,  which,  if  it  does  not  generate,  will  certainly  propagate  or  throw 
into  more  extensive  circulation  dangerous  diseases  which  have  already  made  their  appear- 
ance. To  prevent  an  occurrence  of  this  kind,  the  citizens  were  repeatedly  and  most  earn- 
estly entreated  by  the  Health  Commissioners  to  cause  the  water  to  be  removed,  and  lime 
afterward  to  be  liberally  scattered  in  their  cellars.  Although  it  might  have  been  reasona- 
bly expected,  that  a  regard  to  self-preservation  would  have  produced  a  prompt  compliance 
with  this  recommendation,  it  is  well  known  that  many  neglected  it,  and  of  those  not  a  few 
were  amongst  the  first  victims  to  the  disease.  From  this  time,  the  number  of  deaths  almost 
daily  increased. 

"  About  the  34th  of  August,  numbers  began  to  leave  the  city,  and  many  of  those  who 
had  offices  for  the  transaction  of  business  towards  the  East  river,  moved  to  Broadway, 
which  was  deemed  more  healthy.  The  customhouse,  in  Mill-street,  and  the  Insurance 
Office,  in  Water-street,  were  fixed,  for  the  time,  in  the  Tontine  City  Tavern,  in  Broadway. 

"  During  the  whole  month  of  August,  the  number  of  deaths  amounted  to  three  hundred 
and  twenty-nine.  As  particular  attention  was  not  paid  by  the  sextons,  during  this  month, 
to  distinguish  those  who  fell  victims  to  the  fever  from  those  who  had  died  of  other  disor. 
ders,  it  was  difHcult  to  ascertain  their  precise  numbers.  It  was  believed,  however,  that  by 
fixing  it  at  one  hundred,  it  would  not  be  far  from  the  truth.  On  the  15th  of  August,  the 
deaths  were  14 — ^from  which  day  the  number  continued  to  progress,  so  that  on  the  1st  of 
September  they  amounted  to  23.     The  daily  averages  during  August  was  about  12. 

"  On  the  15th  of  September  the  number  of  funerals  was  38,  on  the  19th  'liey  were  no 
less  than  63,  and  on  each  of  the  two  following  days  they  were  reduced  to  40 — from  which 
circumstance  hopes  were  entertained  that  our  mortal  foe  was  about  to  leave  us ;  but  we 
were  again  disappointed,  for  the  next  four  days  it  kept  fluctuating  between  41  and  50,  and 
on  the  26th  rose  up  to  60.  The  total  number  of  deaths  during  this  month  was  eleven 
hundred  and  fifty-two,  of  whom  nine  hundred  and  fifty-four  died  of  fever.  The  daily  aver- 
age through  the  month  was  about  38. 

"  The  number  of  the  dead  on  the  1st  of  October  was  43,  and  this  was  the  greatest  num. 
ber  during  the  whole  month.  On  the  18th  it  was  reduced  to  16,  and  on  the  21st  it  only 
amounted  to  9.  After  this  the  number  of  deaths  on  any  one  day,  during  the  existence  of 
the  calamity,  did  not  exceed  15 ;  and  it  is  almost  certain,  that  had  our  absent  citizens  at. 
tended  to  the  advice  of  the  Health  Committee,  dissuading  them  from  a  premature  return, 
the  death  warrant  of  the  disorder  might  have  been  doted  from  that  day.  The  whole  num- 
ber of  fimerals  in  October  was  five  hundred  and  twenty.two,  of  whom  four  himdrcd  and 
thirty.une  died  of  fever.    The  average  of  the  deaths,  during  this  month,  was  about  17. 

"  On  the  10th  of  November  the  deaths  were  5,  and  on  each  of  the  preceding  dayn  they 
were  only  4.  The  total  number  during  these  ten  days  were  83,  of  whom  thirty.nine  died 
of  yellow  fever.  The  following  address  of  the  Committee  to  the  public  now  made  its 
appearance. 


NEW    YORK    COITNTY. 


313 


" '  The  Health  Committee  for  tlic  relief  of  the  sicii  and  indigent  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
beg  leave  to  congratulate  their  fellow.citizens,  that  under  Divine  Providence,  thia  long 
afflicted  city  ia  once  more  restored  to  its  usual  state  of  general  health,  and,  with  the  moat 
heartfelt  pleasure,  inform  those  who  yet  remain  in  exile,  that  although  a  few  cases  of  the 
pestilential  fever  exist,  yet  that  by  the  late  cold  weather  and  frost,  the  contagion  is  bo  far 
destroyed,  as  to  render  the  return  of  their  families  to  the  city  perfectly  safe,  provided  they 
take  the  necessary  previous  measures  of  cleansing  ond  ventilating  their  long  unaired  dwell, 
ings,  and  purifying  tlic  bedding  and  clothing,  which  may  have  been  left  therein  during  the 
prevalence  of  the  fever. 

"  *  It  would  have  afforded  the  Committee  much  satisfaction,  could  they  have  given  thia 
invitation  at  an  earlier  period,  but  they  did  not  conceive  themselves  warranted  by  the  then 
existing  circumstances.  There  have,  until  the  present  moment,  been  several  new  cases 
of  fever,  particularly  among  those  citizens  who  returned  earlier  than  the  committee  thought 
prudent,  many  of  whom  have  fallen  victims  to  the  devouring  pestilence.  This,  among 
other  circumstances,  has  induced  the  committee,  to  withhold  this  invitation  until  the  pre- 
sent time,  &c.' 

"  The  whole  number  of  deaths  during  this  awful  calamity,  was  two  thousand  and  eighty- 
six,  viz.  eleven  hundred  and  ten  men,  five  hundred  and  eighty.nine  women,  and  eight  hun- 
dred and  eighty.five  children.  Of  tliese,  if  we  admit  that  one  hundred  died  of  the  fever  in 
August,  its  victims  would  amount  to  one  thousand  five  hundred  and  twenty.four.  A  great 
many  of  our  citizens,  too,  who  fled,  were  likewise  cut  off  by  it.  Hence  it  is  probable,  that 
the  whole  number  of  deaths  would  be  between  2,400  and  2,500.  An  awful  number  in- 
deed ;  particularly  if  we  consider  that  more  than  one  third,  some  suppose  that  one  half,  of 
tiie  inhabitants  had  left  the  city, 

"  An  opinion  generally  prevailed,  that  the  progress  of  the  disease  varied  according  to  the 
state  of  the  atmosphere  ;  but  from  my  observations  on  this  subject,  in  the  years  1798, 1799, 
1800,  1803,  1805,  and  also  in  the  present  year,  I  am  much  inclined  to  doubt  its  accuracy. 
The  pestilence  walketh  in  darkness,  and  the  wisest  of  men,  as  yet,  know  very  little  of  the 
nature  of  its  progress.  Of  this,  however,  we  may  be  certain,  that  cool  mornings  and  even- 
ings, accompanied  by  hot  days,  contribute  greatly  to  spread  infection  ;  that  in  case  of  yel- 
low fever  having  for  some  time  existed  in  a  city,  it  is  extremely  dangerous  for  those  who 
have  fled  to  return  to  their  houses  till  the  hard  frost  shall  set  in,  and  that  a  keen  black  frost 
has  uniformly  and  almost  instantaneously  put  an  end  to  the  further  progress  of  the  disorder." 

The  following  is  an  accotmt  of  the  yellow  fever  in  1803,  as  given 
in  an  official  letter  by  Dr.  Miller. 

"  The  commencement  of  the  disease  took  place  about  the  20th  of  July,  and  from  that 
time,  it  continued  to  prevail,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  till  the  end  of  October.  The  num. 
ber  of  deaths,  in  this  city,  amounted  to  five  hundred  and  three ;  those  at  the  Hospital  of 
Bellevue,  to  one  hundred  and  three,  and  those  at  the  Marine  Hospital  on  Staten  Island,  to 
sixty-eight,  making  a  total  of  six  hundred  and  seventy-four.  To  thia  should  be  added  an 
indefinite  number,  about  fifty  or  sixty,  who  fled  Irom  the  city,  and  died  of  this  disease  in 
the  neighboring  country  and  villages. 

"  The  first  public  alarm  arose  from  some  fatal  cases  at  the  CofTee-House  Slip,  and  in  that 
neighborhood.  About  the  same  time,  the  disease  was  discovered  in  many  other  parts  of 
the  city,  without  any  known  intercourse  or  communication  between  the  persona  who  fell 
sick.  Although  the  number  of  cases,  even  at  the  worst  periods  of  the  epidemic,  could  not 
be  pronounced  to  be  great,  especially  if  compared  with  some  preceding  seasons,  they  were 
certainly  more  generally  diffused,  and  left  fewer  parts  of  the  city  exempt  than  on  any  former 
occasions.  Broadway  and  some  of  the  adjacent  parts  of  the  town  retained  their  healthy 
character.  The  streets  lying  near  the  margins  of  the  two  rivers,  and  some  of  those  in  the 
upper  part  of  the  city,  which  are  principally  inhabited  by  indigent,  uncleanly,  and  dissolute 
classes  of  the  community,  sufTered  the  worst  ravages  of  the  disease.  The  alarm  of  the  in- 
habitants  was  very  suddenly  produced,  and  the  suspension  of  business  and  the  desertion  of 
the  city  far  exceeded  what  had  been  ever  experienced  in  former  seasons." 

The  following  respecting  the  yellow  fever  in  1805,  is  extracted 
from  a  letter  from  Dr.  E.  Miller  to  Gov.  Lewis. 

"  In  former  seasons,  it  has  been  usual  to  observe  sporadic  cases  of  this  disease,  for  several 
weeks,  before  the  commencement  of  the  epidemic.  Thia  was  remarkably  verified  in  the 
late  season ;  and  such  cases  deserve  the  more  attention,  as  they  furnish  the  best  means  c' 
calculating  the  probability  of  approaching  pestilence.  Accordingly,  one  case  of  a  decidedly 
malignant  choracterwas  observed  in  the  month  of  June;  several  took  place  in  July;  a  still 
greater  number  in  August :  and  at  the  beginning  of  September,  they  had  become  so  nu. 

40 


314 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


meroius  as  to  ascertain  the  exiatenco  of  the  epidemic.  Throughout  September  and  October, 
the  disease  continued  to  prevail  with  more  or  leas  severity,  according  to  the  fluctuating 
state  of  the  weather ;  but  towards  the  close  of  the  latter  month,  the  coldness  of  the  season 
had  evidciuly  checked  its  progress;  and  at  the  beginning  of  November,  the  city  was  nearly 
restored  to  its  usual  health. 

"  During  the  early  period  of  the  epidemic,  nearly  all  the  cases  took  place  on  the  eastern 
side  of  tlie  city,  in  Front,  Water,  and  Pearl  streets,  and  principally  below  Buriing-SIip. 
They  afterward  became  more  generally  diffused.  About  the  20th  of  September,  they 
begtn  to  prevail  near  the  North  river.  On  the  whole,  the  Joto  grounds  on  the  margin  of 
the  two  rivers  certainly  produced  a  chief  part  of  the  cases.  The  number  of  deaths  in  the 
city  amounted  to  about  two  hundred;  those  at  the  Bellevue  Hospital  to  52,  and  those  in 
the  Marine  Hospital,  sent  from  the  city,  to  twenty-eight.  The  number  of  cases  of  malig- 
nant  fever  reported  to  the  Board  of  Health,  amounted  to  six  hundred.  It  is  proper,  like- 
wise,  in  estimating  the  extent  of  the  epidemic,  to  notice  an  unascertained  number,  proba. 
bly  about  forty,  who  after  their  flight  from  the  city  died  in  various  parts  of  the  country. 

"  The  source  of  this  disease  forms  a  most  interesting  subject  of  inquiry ;  on  the  success 
of  which  must  depend  all  rational  and  adequate  means  of  preventing  and  eradicating  the 
evil.  After  a  long  and  careful  investigation  of  the  subject,  I  cannot  hesitate  to  conclude, 
that  a  pernicious  exhalation  or  vapovr  floating  in  the  atmosphere,  is  the  primary  and  easen- 
tial  cause  of  this  disease." 

The  yellow  fever  in  1822,  made  its  appearance  in  a  different 

quarter  from  that  in  which  it  had  commenced  its  depredations  in 

former  years.     It  had  uniformly  begun  somewhere  on  the  East  river ; 

but  now  it  was  first  seen  in  Rector-street  towards  the  North  river,  a 

part  of  the  city  which  had  been  heretofore  deemed  peculiarly  un- 

lealthy.     The  disease  was  first  formally  noticed  by  the  Board  of 

lealth  on  the  31st  of  July.     The  Board  again  met  at  12  o'clock, 

laving  agreed  to  meet  every  day  at  that  hour  during  the  prevalence 

of  fever.     From  the  13th  of  July  to  the  2d  of  November,  twelve 

hundred  and  thirty-six  persons  died. 

"  On  the  some  day,  Saturday,  the  24th  August,  our  city  presented  the  appearance  of  a 
town  besieged.  From  daybreak  till  night,  one  line  of  carts,  containing  boxes,  merchandise, 
and  eflbcts,  were  seen  moving  towards  Greenwich  Village  and  the  upper  parts  of  the  city. 
Carriages  and  hacks,  wagons  and  horsemen,  were  scouring  the  streets  and  filling  the  roads ; 
persons  with  anxiety  strongly  marked  on  their  countenances  and  with  burned  gait  were 
bustling  through  the  streets.  Temporary  stores  and  oflices  were  erecting,  and  even  on  the 
ensuing  day  (Sunday)  carts  were  in  motion  and  the  saw  and  hammer  busily  at  work. 
Within  a  few  days  thereafter,  the  Customhouse,  the  Post-office,  the  Banks,  the  Insurance  offi- 
ces,  and  the  printers  of  newspapers,  located  themselves  in  the  village  or  in  the  upper  part  of 
Broadway,  where  they  were  free  from  the  impending  danger,  and  these  places  almost  in- 
Btantaneously  became  the  seat  of  the  immense  business  usually  carried  on  in  this  great 
metropolis. 

Friday,  the  Uth  of  October,  was  observed  as  a  day  of  public  hu- 
miliation and  prayer  on  account  of  the  pestilence. 

"  Immediately  after  the  address  of  the  Board  to  their  fellow-citizens  on  the  2Gth  October, 
the  absentees  began  to  return  to  their  respective  abodes  with  a  precipitation  almost  unpar- 
nlleled.  Forty  or  fifty  carts  and  wagons  could  be  seen  in  a  line  transporting  goods,  wares, 
merchandise,  and  household  furniture  from  the  village  of  Greenwich  and  places  in  the 
outskirts  of  the  city,  to  the  stores  and  houses  from  which  they  had  been  taken  several 
weeks  before.  On  the  5th  November,  the  Customhouse,  PosUoffice,  Banks,  Insurance 
offices.  Printing  offices.  Vendue  Masters,  Merchants,  &c.,  returned  to  their  former  hubita. 
tions.  About  this  time,  the  places  of  worship,  which  had  been  so  long  shut,  in  the  lower 
part  of  the  city,  wore  reopened,  vessels  came  to  our  docks  as  usual,  and  a  bustle  again  be- 
came  visible  at  the  former  places  of  trade  and  commerce." 

In  July,  1832,  the  asiatic  cholera  made  its  appearance  in  this  city. 
*rhe  following  table  is  extracted  from  the  New  York  Dbsnrvor.  It 
includes  all  the  deaths  from  July  2d,  at  about  the  time  of  its  com- 
mencement, until  Oct.  19th,  when  the  pestilence  had  almost  ceased. 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


315 


City  Inspector's  Report. 


OoR  Estimate. 


Week  ending 

July    7.... 

"  14.... 

"  21.  .. 

"  28.... 
Aug.  4.... 

"  11.... 

"  18.... 

"  25.... 
Sept.  1.... 

"     8.... 

"  15... 

"  22.... 

"  20..., 
Oct.    5... 

"  12  ... 

"  19.... 


Burials. 

...191.... 
...510.... 
...887.... 
...879.... 
...580.... 
...4G7.... 
...444.... 
...391.... 
...324.... 
...3.55... 
...291.... 
...238.... 
...180... 
...137... 
...129.... 
...  94.... 


Of  Cholera. 


.  56.. 
.336.. 
.716.. 
.686.. 
.383.. 
.281.. 
.222.. 
.178.. 
.138.. 
.201.. 
.128.. 
.  72.. 
.  50. 
.  24. 
.  14. 
.  11. 


Average  per 
day. 

11 

57 

Ill 

110 

67 

51 

48 

40 

30 

35 

26 

18 

10 

4 

2 

2 


Total 6,097 


3,496 


4,364 


The  annexed  description  of  New  York  in  1800,  was  taken  from  a 
series  of  historical  articles  relating  to  the  city,  now  being  published  in 
the  New  York  Express, commenced  two  years  since. 

"  The  fashionable  part  of  the  city,  or  west  end  of  the  town,  was  in  Wall  and  Pine  streets, 
between  Broadway  and  Pearl,— Pearl  from  Hanover  square,  (now  part  of  Old  slip,)  to 
John-strcet,  along  Statcstreet  and  a  part  of  Broadway,  below  WalUtrect.  Then  the  city 
liall  was  not  built,  and  on  the  site  where  it  now  stands  was  the  rear  of  the  almshouse— the 
hog.pen  of  which  enclosed  the  ground  now  the  most  beautiful  part  of  the  Park.  The 
change  is  truly  astonishing.  In  Wall-street,  for  example,  there  now  is  but  one  family 
residing  in  the  whole  street,  and  that  is  over  a  bank.  Hardly  an  old  buddmg  remams, 
and  not  one  that  is  not  so  altered  as  to  be  totally  different  from  what  it  was  then.  At 
the  corner  of  Nassau-street,  stood  the  venerable  Federal  hall,  since  torn  down— a  splendid 
row  of  dwellings  was  afterward  put  up,  which  were  subsequently  torn  down  to  give  place 
to  the  new  customhouse,  now  building.  Next  below  stood  the  elegant  mansion  of  Mr. 
Verplanck,  the  brick  of  which  were  brought  from  Holland,  and  in  its  stead  is  tlio  Bank  ol 
the  State  of  Now  Yo'k.  Next  was  the  residence  of  John  Keese,  now  the  Union  Bank—less 
changed  than  any  other  building.  This,  however,  on  the  first  of  May,  is  to  be  levelled  with 
the  ground,  and  a  new  banking-house  to  be  put  up.  Between  it  and  Wilham^treet  were 
the  resiliences  of  Francis  B.  Winthrop  and  Charles  Wilkes— in  the  place  ot  which  are  the 
Dry  Dock  Bank,  and  Bank  of  America.  On  the  lot  where  the  United  States  Bank  now 
stands  was  the  elegant  mansion  of  Gen.  John  Lamb,  first  collector  of  the  port,  and  father 
of  Alderman  Lamb.  This  was  considered  not  only  the  finest  house,  but  was  beheyod  to 
be  the  grandest  house  that  could  be  built.  On  the  opposite  side,  where  is  now  going  up 
the  massive  new  Merchnnta'  Exchange,  stood  the  residence  of  Thomas  Buchanan,  Mrs. 
White,  and  William  C.  Lefiingwcll.  Mr.  Jauncey,  an  English  gentleman  who  lived  in 
great  style,  occupied  the  building  now  rented  by  Messrs.  i^ykers  &  Alstyne— his  ■table  is 
the  same  building  now  used  by  the  Board  of  Brokers.  Tlio  very  room  m  >vhich  millions 
of  stock  are  sold  every  week  was  then  a  hay-loft.  .        n  %.•  e 

"  The  watch-house  was  kept  at  the  corner  of  Broad-street,  now  used  by  Robinson  tor 
the  sale  of  his  caricatures.  Baker's  tavern,  one  of  the  most  noted  public  houses,  was  at  the 
corner  of  New-street— a  club  met  there  nightly  tor  more  than  half  a  century.  Pme^treet 
has  undergone  still  greater  changes,— from  Wator-strcet  to  Broadway,  every  house  has  been 
demolished.  Then  not  a  store  was  to  be  seen.  The  old  French  church,  the  sanctuary  of 
the  Huguenots,  stood  at  the  comer  of  Nassau,— its  surrounding  burying  yard  contained  the 
ashes  of  many  of  the  most  valued  citizens.  The  Walcotts,  Jays,  Waddingtons,  Radcliffs, 
Brinkerhotrs,  Wells,  and  a  host  of  oihem,  resided  in  this  street,  without  a  thought  that  in 
lo».s  than  40,  and  even  30  years,  not  one  brick  then  standing,  would  remain  on  another. 
In  Pcarl-strcet  were  the  fashionable  rnsidcnces  of  Samuel  Denton,  John  Ellis,  John  J. 
Glover,  John  Mowctt,  Robert  Lnnoi,  Thomas  Cadle,  John  Glendonning,  John  B.  Murray, 
Governor  Broome,  Andrew  Ogdeii,  Governor  Georgo  Clinton,  Ricaard  Varick,  and  •  graat 


ai6 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


number  of  othera.  Nearly  all  of  these  gentlemen  are  deceased.  We  noticed  a  few  days 
since,  one  of  the  number,  Mr.  Denton,  for  a  long  time  past  a  resident  of  Tennessee.  He 
remarked  that  he  was  absolutely  a  stranger ;  knew  no  one,  and  could  hardly  identify  a  sm- 
gle  spot.  In  Hanover  square,  stood  a  block  of  buildings  fronting  Old  slip  and  Pearl-street. 
They  have  all  been  removed.  The  city  consisted  of  seven  wards,  now  increased  to  seven, 
teen." 


View  of  the  City  Hall,  New  York. 


The  city  hall*  is  one  of  the  most  pror.iinent  buildings  in  New 
York,  standing  near  the  centre  of  the  park,  an  area  of  about  four 
acres.  Situated  in  this  spacious  area,  it  is  seen  to  great  advantage 
in  every  direction. 

"  The  building  is  of  a  square  form,  two  stories  in  height,  besides  a 
basement  story.  It  has  a  wing  at  each  end,  projecting  from  the  front, 
and  in  the  centre  the  roof  is  elevated  to  for.n  an  attic  story.  The 
whole  length  of  the  building  is  216  feet,  the  breadth  105,  and  the 
height  51  feet.  Including  the  attic  story,  it  is  65  feet  in  height.  The 
front  and  both  ends,  above  the  basement  story,  are  built  of  native 
white  marble,  from  Stockbridge,  Massachusetts  ;  and  the  rest  of  the 
building  is  constructed  of  brown  freestone.  The  roof  is  covered 
with  copper,  and  there  is  a  balustrade  of  marble  entirely  round  the 
top.  Rising  from  the  middle  of  the  roof,  is  a  cupola,  on  which  is 
placed  a  colossal  figure  of  Justick,  holding  in  her  right  hand,  which 
rests  on  her  forehead,  a  balance,  and  in  her  left,  a  sword  pointing  to 
the  ground.     Justice  is  not  blindfold,  as  she  is  represented  in  Europe. 

"  There  are  four  entrances  to  the  building ;  one  in  front,  one  in  the 

•  The  above  engraving  was  copied  from  a  drawing  taken  some  years  ago.  Since  then, 
the  cupola  has  been  slightly  altered,  and  a  clock  placed  in  it.  A  small  cupola  hos  also 
been  added  in  the  rear,  on  which  liaiigH  the  city  fire.bell.  The  city  is  divided  into  hvo  fire 
districts,  and  when  there  is  a  fire  the  particular  district  in  which  it  is  located  is  indicated  by 
the  number  of  times  which  the  bell  tolls.  For  instance,  when  it  is  in  the  first  it  tolls  once, 
ill  the  second,  twice  in  succession,  and  so  on,  excepting  in  the  fifth,  which  is  indicated  by 
a  continual  tolling. 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


317 


rear,  and  one  in  each  end.  The  front,  which  is  the  principal,  is  on 
the  first  story,  to  which  there  is  access  by  a  flight  of  12  marble  steps, 
rising  from  which  there  are  16  columns  supporting  a  portico  imme- 
diately over  the  entrance,  also  composed  of  marble.  In  the  centre 
of  the  rear  of  the  building,  there  is  a  projecting  pediment.  The  en- 
trance in  this  quarter  is  also  on  the  first  story,  by  a  flight  of  freestone 
steps.  The  first  story,  including  the  portico,  is  of  the  Ionic,  the  second 
of  the  Corinthian,  the  attic  of  the  Fancy,  and  the  cupola  of  the  Com- 
posite orders. 

"  The  foundation  stone  of  this  building  was  laid  on  26th  Septem- 
ber, 1803,  during  the  mayoralty  of  Edward  Livingston,  Esq.,  and  at 
a  time  when  the  yellow  fever  prevailed  in  the  city.  It  was  finished 
in  1812,  and  the  expense,  exclusive  of  the  furniture,  amounted  to  half 
a  million  of  dollars." 

"  Fifty  dollars,"  says  the  New  York  Express,  "  were  appropriated 
to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone. 
These  were  the  times  when  expenses  of  this  sort  were  dealt  out 
with  a  most  sparing  hand.  No  corporation  dinners  were  allowed 
and  two  to  three  thousand  dollars  expended.  When  the  comer- 
stone  was  laid,  and  long  after,  the  long  building  now  standing  on 
Chamber-street,  and  in  which  various  courts  are  held,  was  the  alms- 
house. The  paupers  of  that  day  numbered  less  than  four  hundred ; 
now,  our  Bellvue  establishment  has  more  inmates  than  the  number 
of  many  of  our  most  flourishing  cities.  Three  to  four  thousand  are 
the  permanent  inhabitants  of  the  almshouse,  besides  quadruple  that 
number  who  receive  temporary  relief  from  the  commissioners.  The 
space  between  the  almshouse  and  city  hall,  was  then  a  pig-pen,  and 
contained  hundreds  of  pigs,  fattened  by  the  wash  of  the  almshouse, 
debtor's  prison,  and  bridewell.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  hall  is  mainly 
built  of  marble ;  the  first  design  was  that  the  whole  should  be  built 
of  that  material.  At  that  time,  marble  was  high,  and  it  was  desira- 
ble to  make  a  saving.  It  was  maintained  that  the  population  would 
never,  to  any  extent,  settle  above  Chamber-street,  and  therefore,  as 
the  rear  of  the  hall  would  not  be  seen,  it  was  concluded  to  build  the 
same  of  red  freestone.  This  accounts  for  the  diftcrence  between  the 
front  and  rear." 

The  following  shows  the  Egyptian  building,  embracing  the  halls  of 
justice,  as  it  appears  fronting  Centre-street.  The  police  courts  are 
held  here  at  all  hours  of  the  day ;  the  justices  rdlieving  each  other 
in  their  sittings.  This  place  may  be  considered  as  the  head-quarters 
of  the  police  officers  or  constables,  who  are  constantly  seen  going 
after,  and  returning  with  criminals  of  every  grade,  from  the  genteel 
and  accomplished  rascal,  to  his  brother  in  crime,  the  coarse  and  bru- 
tal villain.  Perhaps  in  no  other  part  of  the  country  are  seen  such 
degraded  and  disgusting  exhibitions  of  fallen  humanity,  as  in  this 
place.  Hero  many  culprits  of  both  sexes  are  literally  dragged  up 
to  the  tribunal  of  justice.  While  some  are  making  complaints,  others 
are  being  "  examined,"  "  sentenced,"  "  bound  over,"  or  "  reprimand- 
ed," as  the  case  may  be.     While  this  is  going  on,  the  officers  may 


318 


NEW    YORK   COUNTY. 


Southern  view  of  the  Halls  of  Justice,  Centre-street. 

be  seen  leading  ofl'  some  to  the  prisons,  or  tombs,  (as  they  are  famil- 
iarly called,)  in  another  part  of  the  building.  The  court  of  sessions 
is  held  in  an  adjoining  part  of  the  building,  at  whick^the  recorder 
Drcsidcs 

"  This  edifice  now  occupies  the  whole  of  the  block  bounded  by 
Leonard,  Elm,  Franklin,  and  Centre  streets,  (formerly  the  corpora- 
tion yard,)  and  is  253  feet  3  inches  in  length,  by  200  teet  5  mches 

in  width. 

"  The  interior  combines  accommodations  for  the  courts  of  sessions, 
police,  grjmdL  jury,  house  of  detention,  records,  city  watch,  district 
attorney,  sheriff,  clerk  of  the  court,  and  other  officers  belonging  to 
the  different -branches  of  the  institution,  together  with  the  necessary 
offices  for  cooking,  washing,  watering,  warming,  &c.  The  whole 
designed  by  Mr.  John  Haviland. 

"The  four  facades,  as  well  as  the  entrance  hall,  are  executed  m 
the  Egyptian  style  of  architecture,  with  Hallowell  granite. 

"  The  principal  front  has  a  distyle  portico  of  four  columns,  with 
palm-leaved  capitals.  Above  the  capitals  are  square  dies,  upon 
which  rests  the  architrave,  ornamented  with  a  large  winged  globe 
encircled  by  serpents.  The  architrave  is  surmounted  by  a  cornice, 
composed  of  a  bold  Scotia,  enriched  with  reeded  Triglyphs  and  a 
bancied  Torus  ;  and  which,  being  of  the  same  height  with  that  of  the 
similarly  embellished  wings,  forms  with  them  one  continued  hne. 
Moreover,  the  banded  moulding  of  the  cornice  descends  in  the  form 
of  a  roller  on  all  the  external  angles  of  the  edifice.  Both  the  wmgs 
are  perforated  with  five  lofty  windows,  extending  the  height  ol  two 
stories,  and  finished  with  diminished  pilasters,  which  support  a  cor- 
nice over  each,  composed  simply  of  a  bold  Scotia,  enriched  with  a 
winged  globe  and  serpents. 

"The  lateral  fronts  on  Leonard  and  Franklin  streets  have  each 
two  projecting  pylones  or  porches,  with  two  columns ;  the  one  on 
Leonard-street  adjoining  the  principal  front,  is  the  entrance  to  the 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


319 


debtors'  ward,  and  the  opposite  one  on  Franklin-street  is  the  entrance 
to  the  poUce  ward ;  the  other  two  corresponding  porches  next  to 
Elm-street,  form  the  carriage  entrance  to  the  house  of  detention. 
These  porches  are  54  feet  wide,  and  their  columns  and  entablatures 
correspond  with  those  of  the  principal  front,  but  the  caps  and  shafts 
of  the  columns  are  less  enriched.'  The  recess  in  both  these  lateral 
fronts  is  six  feet,  and  is  relieved  by  five  windows  corresponding  in 
character  with  those  of  the  principal  front,  but  of  less  proportion  and 
enrichment,  the  Scotia  being  finished  with  reeded  Triglyphs  only, 
instead  of  the  winged  globe  and  serpents.  The  approach  to  the 
windows  on  these  fronts  is  guarded  against  by  a  neat  railing  in  keep- 
ing with  the  architecture.  The  rear  or  front  on  Elm-street  having 
no  entrance  or  windows,  is  simply  relieved  by  seven  narrow  recesses 
in  imitation  of  embrasures,  and  a  railing  in  the  same  style  as  those 
on  the  lateral  fronts. 

"  A  terrace  surrounds  the  whole  enclosure,  raised  ten  feet  above  the 
level  of  Centre-street,  from  which  you  ascend  eight  steps  of  a  trun- 
cated and  pyramidal  form,  to  the  platform  of  the  portico,  from  which 
you  ascend  also  twelve  steps,  between  the  intercolumniation  of  the 
rear  columns  to  the  entrance  hall.  This  hall  is  50  feet  square  and 
25  feet  high,  supported  by  eight  columns,  ranged  between  two  rows 
with  their  antaj  placed  on  the  opposite  walls.  These  columns  bear 
the  character  or  an  order  taken  from  the  colonnade  of  the  temple  of 
Medynet  Abou.  Attached  to  the  antes  opposite  these  columns,  the 
architect  originally  desired  to  place  the  Egyptian  caviatides,  so 
highly  spoken  of  by  the  French  artists  in  Napoleon's  great  work  on 
Egypt,  published  by  Pauckonche;  and  he  feels  assured  that  the 
Board  will  yet  be  of  his  opinion,  and  finally  adopt  these  splendid  and 
imposing  figures  in  this  entrance  hall,  as  nothing  else  will  be  wanting 
to  perfect  the  edifice ;  their  capitals  are  ornamented  with  the  leaves 
and  flowers  of  the  Lotus.  The  floors  are  arched  and  laid  in  mosaic 
of  an  Egyptian  character,  governed  in  form  by  the  compartments  in 
the  ceiling  to  which  each  belongs. 

"  The  principal  courts,  jury,  witness,  and  other  business  rooms,  are 
connected  with,  and  lead  into  the  entrance  hall.  On  the  left  side 
are  doors  and  passages  communicating  with  the  grand  jury  room, 
ofliices  for  register,  clerk  of  the  court,  district  attorney,  and  sheriff, 
debtors'  ward  and  witness'  rooms ;  and  on  the  right  side  are  disposed 
the  magistrates'  offices,  court,  and  witness'  rooms,  watchmen's  dor- 
mitories, police  court,  officers'  rooms,  and  cells  for  nightly  commit- 
ments. The  centre  leads  to  the  court  of  s«'ssions,  (including  two  jury 
rooms,  and  separate  gallery  capable  of  c  mtaining  an  audience  of 
300  persons;)  th  whole  well  ventilated  and  lijghted,  and  in  a  situa- 
tion the  least  liable  to  be  disturbed  by  the  nois(i  ot  the  adjoining  streets. 

"  The  house  of  detention  is  a  distinct  and  isolated  building,  142 
feet  in  length  by  45  in  width.  It  contains  148  cells,  divided  into  four 
distinct  classes  for  prisoners,  including  baths,  and  rooms  for  male  and 
female,  white  and  black  vagrants.  The  lower  cells  are  0  feet  9 
inches  wide,  11  feet  high,  and  16  feet  long,  diminishing  18  inches  in 


320 


NEW    VORK    COUNTY. 


length  in  each  story ;  they  are  provided  with  cast-iron  water  closets, 
hyarant,  water  cock,  ventilators,  and  are  warmed  by  Perkins'  hot 
water  pipes,  (introduced  and  now  in  successful  operation  in  the  new 
penitentiaries  at  Philadelphia  and  Trenton,  by  J.  Haviland,  architect.) 
The  floors,  and  ceilings,  and  galleries  are  formed  of  slabs  from  the 
North  river  flagging  ;  the  doors  and  window  jambs  of  iron  ;  and  the 
entire  cells  are  otherwise  finished  on  the  most  approved  plan  for  se- 
curity, seclusion,  ventilation,  economy  of  supervision  and  watching. 
The  corridors  are  ten  feet  wide  below,  and  widen  at  each  story  to 
19  feet  at  the  summit,  affording  a  free  ventilation  and  uninterrupted 
vjew  of  every  cell  door,  from  the  observatory.  A  bridge  leads  across 
from  the  house  of  detention  to  the  prisoners'  seat  in  the  courthouse. 
By  reference  to  the  specifications  and  drawings,  it  will  be  seen  that 
every  part  of  the  building  is  calculated  to  be  executed  in  the  most 
substantial  and  approved  manner,  with  the  best  materials  of  their 
kind :  and  that  no  pains  or  expense  is  spared  to  effect  all  the  desired 
objects  of  the  institution,  with  the  aid,  experience,  and  best  talent 
that  the  country  affords. 

"The  building  is  generally  fire-proof  by  ceilmgs  and  floors  of 
arched  masonry. 

"The  site  on  which  the  building  is  erected,  is  formed  ot  made 
ground,  every  precaution  having  been  used  to  render  the  foundation 
secure  by  the  introduction  of  iron  ties,  inverted  arches,  and  heavy 
timbering.  The  whole  area  was  excavated  several  feet  below  the 
water  level,  large  timbers  were  placed  together,  and  range  timbers 
at  right  angles  with  these  laid  several  feet  wider  than  the  respective 

walls.  J  /•  •  1    J   J     •        . 

"This  edifice  was  commenced  m  1836,  and  finished  during  the 

summer  of  1838."— New  York  in  1840. 


View  of  the  Penitentiary  on  BlackweWs  island. 

The  above  is  a  view  of  the  penitentiary  on  Blackwell's  island, 
about  four  miles  NE.  of  the  city  hall.  It  is  an  immense  stone  edifice, 
recently  erected,  partly  by  convicts.  The  main  building  is  four  stories 
high,  surmounted  by  a  square  tower ;  the  two  wings,  each  extend- 
ing upwards  of  200  feet  from  the  centre  building,  are  also  lour  stories 
high.  The  interior  is  fitted  up  with  rooms  for  the  accommodation 
of  the  keeoers.  workshops  in  which  the  prisoners  are  obliged  to  labor, 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


321 


and  numerous  cells ;  the  whole  being  constructed  in  the  most  sub- 
stantial and  secure  manner.  Bridewell  is  situated  at  Bellvue,  being 
part  of  the  building  now  used  as  the  female  penitentiary.  Criminals 
convicted  of  petit  larceny,  &c.,  are  confined  here ;  also  prisoners 
before  trial.  The  house  of  refuge  is  situated  about  2i  miles  N.  of 
the  city  hall,  and  is  under  the  control  of  the  '  Society  for  the  Re- 
formation of  Juvenile  Delinquents.'     It  was  incorporated  in  1825. 

"  Banks.— There  are  now  in  the  city  of  New  York  twenty-three 
incorporated  banks,  with  an  aggregate  capital  of  #20,361,200.  There 
are  also  incorporated  in  the  state  of  New  York  seventy-five  other 
banks,  with  an  aggregate  capital  of  #16,740,260,  making  in  all  ninety- 
eight  banks,  with  a  total  capital  of  #37,101,468.  All  but  eight  of  the 
above  banks  are  subject  to  the  Safety  Fund  Act ;  the  exceptions  are 
the  Manhattan,  Dry  Dock,  Fulton,  North  River,  and  Chemical  banks, 
in  the  city  of  New  York ;  the  Long  Island  Bank,  Brooklyn ;  Com- 
mercial Bank,  Albany ;  and  Bank  of  Rochester,  in  the  city  of  Roch- 
ester. The  Safety  Fund  now  amounts  to  #500,000,  which  is  the 
maximum  provided  by  law.  This  fund  was  created  by  an  annual 
tax  upon  the  Safety  Fund  Banks,  and  in  case  of  the  failure  of  any 
one  or  more  of  them,  it  is  liable  to  be  drawn  on  for  the  deficit. 

"  The  banks  are  open  every  day  in  the  year,  from  10  A.  M.  to  3 
P.  M.,  except  Sundays,  Christmas  day.  New  Year's  day,  the  Fourth 
of  July,  and  general  holidays  appointed  by  legal  authority,  and  the 
Bank  of  New  York  on  Good  Fridays. 

"  The  rate  of  discount  is  6  per  cent,  per  annum,  (calculatmg  360 
days  to  the  year,)  excepting  when  notes  have  over  60  days  to  run. 
Three  days'  grace  are  allowed  on  all  notes,  and  the  discount  taken 
for  the  same.  When  notes  have  over  60  days  to  run,  the  banks  have 
the  privilege  of  charging  7  per  cent." 

The  following  is  an  account  of  the  great  fire  in  1835,  by  which  it 
is  estimated  that  about  twenty  millions  worth  of  property  was  de- 
stroyed. 

"  One  of  tlie  most  alanning  and  destructive  fires  ever  known  in  this  hemisphere,  broke 
out  on  Wednesday  evening,  December  16th,  1835,  in  the  premises  of  Messrs.  Crawford  & 
Andrews,  situate  No.  25  Merchant-street,  in  this  city,  which  in  a  short  time  raged  with 
such  intensity  as  to  defy  the  exertions  of  the  firemen,  and  others,  who  with  equal  zeal  and 
prompitude  were  quickly  on  the  spot  for  the  purpose  of  stopping  its  ravages.  The  inutility 
of  all  aid  was,  however,  soon  perceptible,  and  all  that  could  be  done,  was  to  remove  what 
could  in  haste  be  got  together,  to  such  places  as  were  deemed  beyond  the  reach  of  the  de- 
vouring  element.  With  this  impression,  an  immense  quantity  of  goods  were  placed,  for 
safety  from  buildings  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  fire,  in  the  Merchants'  Exchange  and 
Reformed  Dutch  Church,  where  it  was  presumed  they  would  remain  free  from  danger : 
alas !  the  futility  of  human  speculation ;  but  a  short  time  had  elapsed  from  the  tune  of  such 
deposit  to  the  whole  being  enveloped  in  flames,  and  these  splendid  buildings  were  soon 
reduced  to  a  heap  of  ashes.  The  power  of  man  was  fruitlessly  employed  in  attempts  to 
stay  its  impetuosity,  which  every  minute  increased  in  the  most  alarming  manner,  spreading 
in  all  directions,  and  causing  the  utmost  dismay  and  consternation  through  the  whole  city. 
Any  attempt  to  convey  to  the  mind  a  faithful  description  of  the  awfully  grand  scene  that  pro- 
sented  itself  to  the  view  of  those  who  were  witnesses  of  this  dreadful  catastrophe,  must  of 
necessity  be  very  feeble. 

"  The  morning  of  the  17th  of  December,  1835,  opened  upon  New  York  with  a  scene 
of  devastation  around,  sufficient  to  dismay  the  stoutest  heart.  The  fine  range  of  buildings 
and  splendid  stores  in  Exchange  place,  Merchant-street,  and  all  the  adjoining  streets  down 

41 


322 


NEW   YOHK    COUNTY. 


to  the  river,  lay  literally  levelled  to  the  earth,  with  their  contents  consumed ;  the  Mer- 
chants'  Exchange  and  Post-office  entirely  destroyed — the  whole  one  heap  of  smoking  ruins. 

"  A  tolerably  correct  idea  of  the  extent  of  the  devastation  may  be  formed  from  the  fol- 
lowing  account,  which  appeared  the  next  morning  in  the  Courier  and  Enquirer. 

"  South-street  is  burned  down  from  Wall-street  to  Coenties  slip.  FronUstreet  is  burned 
down  from  Wall-street  to  Coenties  sUp.  Pearl-street  is  burned  down  from  Wall-street  to 
Coenties  alley,  and  was  there  stopped  by  blowing  up  a  building.  Stone-street  is  burned 
down  from  William-street  to  No.  32  on  the  one  side  and  No.  39  on  the  other.  Beaver- 
street  is  burned  down  half  way  to  Broad-street.  Exchange  place  is  burned  down  from 
HanoverJBtreet  to  within  three  doors  of  Broad-street ;  here  the  flames  were  stopped  by 
blowing  up  a  house.  William-street  is  burned  down  from  Wall-street  to  South-atreet,  both 
sides  of  the  way.  Market-house  down.  Wall-street  is  burned  down  on  the  south  side, 
from  William-street  to  South-street,  with  the  exception  of  51,  53,  65,  57,  59,  61,  opposite 
this  office.    All  the  streets  and  alleys  within  the  above  limits  are  destroyed. 

"  The  following  will  be  found  a  tolerably  accurate  statement  of  the  number  of  houses  and 
stores  now  levelled  with  the  ground  :  26  on  Water-street,  37  on  South-street,  80  on  Front, 
street,  62  on  Exchange  place,  44  on  William-street,  16  on  Coenties  slip,  3  on  Hanover 
square,  20  on  Gouvemeur's  lane,  20  on  Cuyler's  alley,  79  on  Pearl-street,  76  on  Water, 
street,  16  on  Hanover-street,  31  on  Exchange-street,  33  on  Old  slip,  40  on  Stone-street, 
23  on  Beaver-street,  10  on  Jones'  lane,  38  on  Mill-street ;— Total,  674. 

"  Six  hundred  and  seventy-four  tenements.  By  far  the  greater  part  in  the  occupacy  of 
our  largest  shipping  and  wholesale  drygoods  merchants,  and  filled  with  the  richest  products 
of  every  portion  of  the  globe.  How  estimate  the  immense  loss  sustained,  or  the  fearful 
consequences  to  the  general  prosperity  ? 

"  Of  the  Merchants'  Exchange  nothing  but  its  marble  walls  remain  standing. 

"Three  or  four  vessels  lying  at  the  wharves  on  South-street  were  slightly  injured  in  their 
yards  and  rigging.    They  were  all  hauled  out  into  the  river  as  soon  as  practicable. 

"A  detachment  of  marines  from  the  navy-yard  under  Lieut.  Reynolds,  and  of  sailors 
under  Capt.  Mix  of  the  navy,  arrived  on  the  spot  at  two  o'clock  in  the  monung.  They 
rendered  most  valuable  service.  The  gunpowder  brought  from  the  magazine  at  Red  hook 
was  partly  under  their  charge. 

"  The  cold  during  the  whole  time  was  excessive  ;  the  thermometer  at  zeio.  It  may  bo 
easily  supposed  that  this  greatly  paralyzed  the  exertion  of  the  firemen.  One  sank  under 
its  effects,  and  was  with  difficulty  resuscitated. 

"  Two  companies,  with  their  engines,  arrived  here  from  Newark,  and  rendered  very 
material  assistance. 

"  The  passengers  in  the  steamboat  coming  down  the  river,  saw  the  flames  from  the 
Highlands,  forty-five  miles  distant,  and  such  was  the  violence  of  the  gale,  during  the  prcva. 
lence  of  the  fire,  that  burning  embers  were  carried  across  the  East  river  to  Brooklyn  and 
set  fire  to  the  roof  of  a  house  there,  which  was  however  speedily  extinguished. 

"  Strong  bodies  of  cavalry  and  volunteer  infantry  were  patrolling  the  streets  near  tlie  fire, 
and  preserved  perfect  order  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  depredations." 

Columbia  college,  (formerly  King's  college.)  is  situated  on  a  beau- 
tiful square  between  Murray,  Barclay,  Church,  and  Chapel  streets, 
in  the  city  of  New  York.  It  was  established  under  a  royal  charter 
in  1754,  which  has  been  confirmed  by  various  acts  of  the  legislature 
since  the  revolution. 

"  There  are  two  literary  societies  connected  with  the  college, 
composed  of  students  and  graduates — viz,  the  Pcithologian  and  the 
Philolexian  societies. 

"  There  is  also  connected  with  the  college,  a  grammar  school, 
subject  to  the  control  of  the  trustees,  and  under  the  direction  of  Pro- 
fessor Anthon,  as  rector.  The  school  is  composed  of  upwards  of 
200  hundred  scholars,  and  instruction  is  given  in  all  branches  neces- 
sary for  admission  into  any  college,  or  for  the  counting-house. 

"  Eight  instructers  are  constantly  employed,  besides  one  teacher  in 
French,  one  in  Spanish,  and  one  in  German  and  Italian.  There  is 
also  a  primary  school  attached  to  this  institution,  in  which  boys  from 
five  to  ten  years  are  prepared  for  the  more  advanced  classes. 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


Vievj  of  the  Customhouse,  Wall-street. 

"  By  a  statute  of  Columbia  college,  the  corporation  of  the  city  of 
New  York,  the  trustees  of  the  New  York  Public  School  Society,  the 
trustees  or  directors  of  the  Clinton  Hall  Association,  of  the  Mercantile 
Library  Association,  and  of  the  Mechanic  and  Scientific  Institutions, 
the  General  Society  of  Mechanics  and  Tradesmen,  and  such  other 
societies  as  the  board  of  trustees  may  from  time  to  time  designate, 
arc  each  entitled  to  have  always  two  students  educated  in  the  college 
free  of  all  charges  of  tuition.  Every  religious  denomination  in  the 
city  is  also  entitled  to  have  one  student,  who  may  be  designed  for  the 
ministry,  educated  fi'ee  of  all  charges.  And  every  school,  from 
which  there  shall  be  admitted  in  any  one  year  into  the  college  four 
students,  have  the  privilege  of  sending  one  scholar,  to  be  educated 
gratuitously.  In  order  to  give  effect  to  the  privilege  in  regard  to 
the  common  schools  in  the  city,  twelve  scholars  at  one  time  receive 
gratuitous  instruction  in  the  grammar  school  preparatory  to  their 
entering  the  college." 

The  above  is  a  view  of  the  new  customhouse  as  seen  from  Wall- 
street.  This  structure  surpasses  any  building  of  its  size  in  the 
world,  both  in  the  beauty  of  its  design  and  the  durability  of  its  con- 
struction. It  is  in  the  form  of  a  parallelogram,  200  feet  long,  by  90 
•wide ;  and  about  80  feet  in  height  from  the  bottom  of  the  foundation 
wall  to  the  top.  Brick,  granite,  and  marble  are  used  in  the  construc- 
tion; all  the  inside  walls  are  of  brick,  with  the  exception  of  those  in  the 
rotunda,  which  are  of  marble.  The  steps  and  stairs  throughout  are 
of  a  light-colored  granite,  employed  for  the  sake  of  durability.  At 
the  extremity  of  the  entrance  hall  is  the  rotunda,  or  large  circular 
apartment  to  be  used  as  the  collector's  office.  This  is  a  most  splen- 
did room  ;  the  roof  is  supported  by  16  beautiful  marble  columns,  high- 
ly polished  with  Corinthian  capitals,  30  feet  high,  and  2  feet  8  inches 
in  diameter.  The  diameter  of  the  rotunda  is  00  feet  in  the  clear, 
and  80  feet  in  the  recesses.    The  largest  blocks  of  marble  used  in 


324 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


the  building  weigh  thirtv-three  tons.  The  marble  slabs  for  the  roof 
weigh  300  or  400  pounds,  and  lap  over  each  other  eight  inches  with 
an  upper  and  an  under  lip,  to  allow  of  the  expansive  power,  and  to 
keep  out  the  least  particle  of  water.  The  entire  outside  of  this 
«)lendid  edifice  is  of  marble,  with  the  exception  of  the  granite  steps. 
There  is  not  a  particle  of  wood  work  in  any  part  of  the  building, 
and  it  is  probably  the  only  structure  in  the  world  that  has  been  erect- 
ed so  entirely  fire-proof.  This  elegant  edifice  was  commenced  in 
May,  1834,  and  finished  in  May,  1841.  The  cost,  ground  inclusive, 
was  #1,175,000 — building  alone,  #950,000.  The  architect  is  Mr. 
John  Frazee,  and  it  will  probably  remain  for  ages  a  monument  of  his 
skill. 

The  number  of  ofliicers  employed  in  the  customhouse  is  354,  of 
whom  nearly  200  are  inspectors.  The  amount  of  duties  received  for 
the  last  three  years  has  been  as  follows,  viz : — 

1838 #10,494,055  34 

1839 13,970,332  49 

1840 7,557,441  36 

The  old  city  or  Federal  Hall  stood  on  the  present  site  of  the  Cus- 
tomhouse. It  was  in  its  gallery  on  Wall-street,  on  April  30th,  1789, 
that  George  Washington  was  inaugurated  the  first  President  of  the 
United  States.  The  annexed  account  of  this  ceremony  is  from  Sparks* 
Life  of  Washington : — 

"  A  committee  of  congress,  consisting  of  three  members  of  the 
Senate  and  five  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  was  appointed  to 
meet  him  in  New  Jersey  and  attend  him  to  the  city  of  New  York. 
To  Elizabethtown  Point  came  many  other  persons  of  distinction,  and 
the  heads  of  the  several  departments  of  government.  He  was  there 
received  in  a  barge,  splendidly  fitted  up  for  the  occasion,  and  rowed 
by  thirteen  pilots  in  white  uniforms.  This  was  followed  by  vessels 
and  boats,  fancifully  decorated,  and  crowded  with  spectators.  When 
the  President's  barge  came  near  to  the  city,  a  salute  of  thirteen  guns 
was  fired  from  the  vessels  in  the  harbor,  and  from  the  battery.  At  the 
landing  he  was  again  saluted  by  a  discharge  of  artillery,  and  was 
joined  by  the  governor  and  other  ofiicers  of  the  state,  and  the  cor- 
poration of  the  city.  A  procession  was  then  formed,  headed  by  a 
long  military  train,  which  was  followed  by  the  principal  ofiicers  of 
the  state  and  city,  the  clergy,  foreign  ministers,  and  a  great  con- 
course of  citizens.  The  procession  advanced  to  the  house  prepared 
for  the  reception  of  the  President.  The  day  was  passed  in  festivity 
and  joy,  and  in  the  evening  the  city  was  brilliantly  illuminated. 

"  The  first  public  act  of  the  President  was  that  of  taking  the  oath 
of  office.  It  was  decided  by  congress,  that  this  should  be  done  with 
some  ceremony.  In  the  morning  of  the  day  appointed,  April  30th, 
at  9  o'clock,  religious  services  suited  to  the  occasion  were  performed 
in  all  the  churches  of  the  city.  At  twelve  the  troops  paraded  before 
the  President's  door,  and  soon  afterward  came  tne  committees  of 
congress  and  the  heads  of  departments  in  carriages,  to  attend  him  to 
the  Federal  Hall,  where  the  two  houses  of  congress  were  assembled. 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


325 


The  procession  moved  forward  with  the  troops  in  front,  next  the 
committees  and  heads  of  departments,  then  the  President  in  a  coach 
alone,  followed  by  the  foreign  ministers,  civil  officers  of  the  state,  and 
citizens.  Arrived  at  the  hall,  he  ascended  to  the  senate  chamber, 
and  passed  thence  to  a  balcony  in  front  of  the  house,  where  the  oath 
was  administered  to  him  in  presence  of  the  people  by  Chancellor 
Livingston.  The  President  returned  to  the  senate  chamber,  in  the 
midst  of  loud  acclamations  from  the  surrounding  throng  of  spectators, 
and  delivered  to  the  two  branches  of  congress  his  inaugural  speech. 
He  then  went  on  foot  to  St.  Paul's  church,  where  prayers  were  read 
by  the  bishop,  and  the  ceremonies  were  closed.  Tokens  of  joy  were 
everywhere  exhibited,  as  on  the  day  of  his  arrival,  and  at  night  there 
Avas  a  display  of  illuminations  and  fire-works." 


Merchants  Exchange,  Wall-street. 

This  structure,  now  erecting  and  nearly  completed,  is  in  part  on 
the  site  of  the  Exchange  building  destroyed  by  the  great  fire  of  De- 
cember, 1835,  and  embraces  all  the  ground  between  William  and  Wall 
streets,  Exchange  place,  and  Hanover-street,  covering  the  entire  block. 
The  dimensions  are  198  feet  on  Wall-street,  171  on  William-street, 
144  on  Hanover-street,  and  196  feet  on  Exchange  place.  It  is  77  feet 
high  to  the  top  of  the  cornice,  and  124  feet  from  the  foundation  wall 
to  the  top  of  the  dome. 

The  building  when  finished  will  be  of  the  Grecian  Ionic  style  of 
architecture,  the  exterior  of  which  will  be  constructed  of  blue  Quin- 
cy  granite,  in  the  most  chaste  and  durable  manner.  In  front,  on 
Wall-street,  will  be  a  recessed  portico,  with  18  massive  columns,  38 
feet  in  height.  The  process  of  quarrying  is  curious.  The  quarry  is  in 
in  the  side  of  a  hill ;  the  ends  of  a  block  of  granite  are  cleared,  a  row  of 
holes  are  drilled  in  a  straight  line,  wedges  are  inserted,  and  an  enormous 
piece  of  stone  weighing  from  300  to  400  tons  is  thus  wedged  off  with 
ease.  Each  of  the  columns  for  the  portico  weigh  about  90  tons  in 
the  rough,  and  five  men  with  a  simple  apparatus  draw  it  out  of  the 
quarry  in  two  or  three  days  to  the  place  where  the  woi'kmen  stand 


326 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY 


View  of  the  New  York  University. 

ready  to  hammer-dress  it.  The  fair  market  price  of  one  of  these 
columns  is  #6,000 ;  but  the  Exchange  company  pay  only  #3,000  for 
them,  delivered  in  New  York.  These  columns  with  but  one  excep- 
tion, (that  of  a  church  at  St.  Petersburg,)  are  the  largest  in  the  world, 
being  38  feet  in  height,  and  4  feet  4  inches  in  diameter ;  and  each  of 
the  columns,  includmg  the  base,  cap,  and  shaft,  weighs  43  tons.  The 
exchange  room  or  rotunda  is  a  most  magnificent  apartment,  in  the  cen- 
tre of  the  building.  The  height  of  it  to  the  spring  of  the  dome  is  51 
feet,  and  above  this  the  dome  is  30  feet  high ;  the  vi^hole  to  be  sur- 
mounted by  a  lantern  sky-light  37  feet  diameter,  and  6  feet  high.  The 
floor  is  to  be  of  fine  marble— its  diameter  is  80  feet  in  the  clear,  and 
100  feet  in  the  recesses,  forming  an  area  of  7000  square  feet,  which 
it  is  estimated  will  hold  3000  persons.  The  dome  is  partly  support- 
ed by  eight  polished  Italian  marble  columns  with  Corinthian  capitals, 
executed  in  Italy ;  these  are  41  feet  in  height,  including  the  cap  and 
base,  and  4  feet  8  inches  in  diameter.  There  will  also  be  many  rooms 
for  the  accommodation  of  public  and  private  offices,  so  constructed 
as  to  be  entirely  fire-proof,  under  the  superintendence  of  Mr.  Isaiah 
Rogers,  the  architect  of  the  building.  The  cost  of  the  structure  will 
be  about  $2,000,000. 

The  above  is  a  view  of  the  New  York  University,  built  in  the  col- 
legiate gothic  style,  situated  on  the  east  side  of  Washington  square. 
This  institution  was  chartered  in  1831,  and  opened  for  the  reception 
of  students  in  1832.     The  number  of  students  in  1840  was  364. 

"  This  building  has  just  been  completed,  after-  a  labor  of  several 
years ;  it  is  one  hundred  feet  wide,  and  one  hundred  and  eighty  feet 
long.  In  front  this  oblong  is  divided  into  five  parts — a  central  build- 
ing, with  wings  flanked  by  towers,  one  rising  on  each  of  the  four 
corners  of  the  edifice.  This  central  building  or  chapel  is  superior  to 
the  rest  in  breadth,  height,  and  character ;  and  is  somewhat  similar 
to  that  of  King's  college,  Cambridge,  England ;  a  masterpiece  of 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


327 


pointed  architecture,  and  the  model  for  succeeding  ages.  It  is  fiAy- 
five  feet  broad,  and  eighty-five  feet  deep,  including  the  octangular 
turrets,  one  of  which  rises  at  each  of  the  four  corners.  The  two 
ends  are  gabled,  and  arc,  as  well  as  the  sides,  crowned  with  an  em- 
battled parapet.  The  chapel  will  receive  its  principal  light  from  a 
window  in  the  western  end.  This  window  is  twenty-four  feet  wide, 
and  fifty  high.  It  has  eight  lights  and  two  embattled  transoms.  The 
heads  of  the  lights  are  cinque-foiled  in  a  plain  arch,  and  the  divisions 
above  are  quatre-foiled.  Over  the  head  of  the  window  is  a  drip- 
stone, with  plain  returns.  From  the  central  building,  or  chapel,  wings 
project  right  and  left,  and  are  four  stories  in  height,  flanked  by  towers 
of  five,  supported  by  angular  buttresses  of  two  stages,  running  above 
an  embattled  parapet,  and  are  at  the  top  themselves  embattled.    The 


New  York  Institution  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb. 

windows  in  the  wings  have  square  heads,  with  two  lights,  a  plain 
transom,  and  the  upper  division  tre-foiled.  The  heads  of  the  win- 
dows are  labelled,  and  have  plain  returns.  The  lower  range  of  win- 
dows is  set  on  a  tablet,  which  serves  as  a  base,  and  the  two  ranges 
above  are  set  on  strings,  which  return  around  the  turrets,  and  stop 
against  the  buttresses.  The  principal  entrance  is  under  the  great 
vvestern  window,  through  a  richly  moulded  and  deeply  recessed 
portal,  flanked  by  buttresses  of  two  stages,  the  upper  stage  set  di- 
agonally, and  rising  above  an  embattled  parapet.  The  doors  are  of 
oak,  richly  pannclled,  and  filled  with  tracery  of  open  work,  closely 
studded  with  bronze." 

"  The  New  York  Institution  for  the  instruction  of  the  deaf  and 
dumb,  was  incorporated  in  1817,  and  commenced  operations  under  its 
charter,  by  opening  a  school  for  the  reception  of  pupils  on  the  12th 
day  of  May,  1818.  Until  the  spring  of  1829,  the  school  was  held  in 
the  building  now  called  the  new  City  Hall.  At  that  time  the  pupils 
were  transferred  to  a  large  building  erected  for  the  purposes  of  the 
institution,  on  Fiftieth-street  and  the  Fourth  Avenue,  three  and  a  half 
miles  from  the  City  Hall.  Communication  between  the  institution 
and  the  city  is  rendered  very  easy,  by  the  cars  which  pass  on  the 
Harh-em  railroad,  (Fourth  Avenue,)  every  fifteen  or  twenty  minutea 
in  both  directions. 


.;f>i 


I 


328 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


"  The  principal  building  occupied  for  the  purposes  of  the  institution, 
is  one  hundred  and  ten  feet  by  sixty,  in  the  dimensions  of  its  plan, 
and  five  stories  in  height,  including  the  basement.  It  accommodates, 
with  some  inconvenience,  the  number  of  pupils  which  the  institution 
embraces  at  present,  with  the  teachers,  the  family  of  the  principal, 
and  such  other  persons  as  are  needed  to  assist  in  conducting  the  affairs 
of  the  establishment. 

"  The  original  charter  of  the  institution  being  about  to  expire  by 
limitation  on  the  first  day  of  April,  1837,  it  was  extended  by  the  le 
gislature,  in  the  spring  ot  1836,  for  a  period  of  twenty-five  years. 

"  The  number  of  pupils  who  were  members  of  the  institution  in 
1840,  was  one  hundred  and  fifty-two.  One  hundred  and  fourteen  of 
these  are  supported  at  the  expense  of  the  state  of  New  York,  six 
at  the  expense  of  the  state  of  New  Jersey,  twelve  by  the  city  au- 
thorities, one  by  the  supervisors  of  the  county  of  Dutchess,  twelve 
by  the  funds  of  the  iiistitution,  and  the  rest  by  their  parents  or  friends." 

The  New  York  institution  for  the  Mind. — This  institution  contains 
about  fifty  blind  pupils,  who,  in  addition  to  the  school  exercises,  are 
employed  in  making  baskets,  mats,  rugs,  carpeting,  and  in  braiding 
palm-leaf  hats.     They  are  also  taught  instrumental  and  vocal  music. 

The  New  York  Historical  Society,  established  in  1809,  by  private 
contribution  and  legislative  assistance,  possesses  a  library  of  about 
10,000  volumes,  valuable  manuscripts,  coins,  «kc.  The  Stuyvcsant 
Institute  was  organized  in  1834,  for  the  diffusion  of  knowledge  by 
means  of  popular  lectures,  to  establish  a  cabinet  of  natural  history, 
library,  &c.  The  American  Lyceum,  for  the  promotion  of  education, 
was  founded  in  1831.  The  New  York  Society  Library  was  estab- 
lished in  1754,  and  has  35,000  volumes.  The  Apprentices'  Library 
was  established  by  the  General  Society  of  Mechanics  and  Trades- 
men in  1821,  and  has  about  12,000  volumes. 

The  Mercantik  Library  Association. — This  noble  institution  was  es- 
tablished in  1821,  since  which  time  it  has  gone  on  gradually  and 
steadily  increasing,  until  it  now  numbers  3,500  members,  and  a  splen- 
did library  of  22,500  volumes,  with  an  annual  income  of  about  t8,000. 
Connected  with  the  library  are  extensive  reading-rooms,  which  are 
supplied  with  all  the  principal  American  and  foreign  periodicals. 
Lectures  are  regularly  given  by  those  distinguished  in  the  various 
departments  of  science  or  literature.  Classes  are  also  formed  for 
instruction,  and  the  facilities  here  given  at  a  trilling  expense  to  the 
clerk  for  acquiring  a  finished  mercantile  education,  are  unequalled 
periiaps  by  any  similar  institution  in  the  world. 

The  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  was  formed  in  1807,  by 
the  legislature  of  New  YorV,  at  the  recommendation  of  the  regents 
of  the  University,  by  whose  immediate  government  it  is  controlled. 
The  New  York  Eye  Infirmary  was  founded  in  1820 ;  since  this 
period  abou;  17,000  persons  have  for  a  longer  or  shorter  period  been 
under  the  care  of  the  surgeons  of  this  institution.  The  New  York 
Hospital  was  founded  in  1771,  by  the  earl  of  Dunmore,  the  governor 
of  the  colony.     This  institution  has  an  annual  revenue  from  various 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


329 


sources  of  about  #68,000,  the  larger  portion  of  which  is  annually 
expended.  The  Bloomingdale  Asylum  for  the  insane  is  pleasantly 
situated  near  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  river,  distant  7  miles  from  the 
city,  pnd  has  attached  to  it  40  acres  of  land,  laid  out  in  gardens, 
pleasure  grounds,  &c.,  well  adapted  for  the  unfortunate  inmates. 

The  American  Academy  of  Fine  Arts,  in  Barclay-street,  was  incor- 
porated in  1808.  Napoleon,  while  first  consul,  presented  Mr.  Liv- 
ingston, our  ambassador  to  France,  with  a  valuable  collection  of 
casts,  engravings,  &c.,  for  this  institution,  which  may  be  seen  by  the 
public  during  the  season  of  exhibition.  The  National  Academy  of 
Design  was  instituted  in  182G.  It  is  enriched  with  many  produc- 
tions of  American  art.  it  has  professorships  of  Painting,  Anatomy, 
Sculpture,  and  Mythology. 

The  number  of  churches  in  the  city  is  one  hundred  and  fifty,  com- 
prised in  the  annexed  list. 


Presbyterian 34 

CongregatioiialiBt 4 

Dutch  Reformed 14 

Episcopalian 28 

Baptist 19 


Methodist 20 

Catholic 7 

Friends 4 

Lutheran 2 

Univerdalist 3 


Unitarian 3 

Jews 3 

New  Jerusalem 1 

Moravian.,      I 

Miscellaneous 6 


Gothic  {late  Masonic)  Hall,  Broadway. 

This  building,  lately  the  head-quarters  of  the  Whig  party  in  this 
city,  is  situated  on  the  east  side  of  Broadway,  about  00  rods  north  of 
the  Park.  The  foundation  was  commenced  on  St.  John's  day,  24th 
June,  1820 ;  when  the  corner-stone  was  laid  with  all  due  ceremony 
by  the  craft,  in  presence  of  thousands  of  citizens.  It  was  finished  in 
the  subsequent  year ;  the  whole  cost  being  #50,000.  The  building 
has  lately  undergone  some  alterations  internally,  and  the  name  been 
changed  to  that  of  Gothic  Hall. 


'^  i 


330 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


View  of  Tammany  Hall*  and  the  adjoining  buildings. 

The  above  shows  the  appearance  of  Tammany  Hall  and  the  adja- 
cent buildings  as  they  appear  from  the  southern  wing  of  the  City 
Hall.  Tammany  Hall  has  acquired  considerable  celebrity  from 
being  the  head-quarters  of  the  democratic  party.  The  other  build- 
ings seen  on  this  block  are  mostly  newspaper  establishments :  "  The 
Sun,"  "  New  Era  "  "  Brother  Jonathan  "  the  "  Tattler,"  and  some 
others  are  published  here.  The  office  of  the  Sun,  a  daily  paper,  is 
on  the  corner  of  the  block.  This  is  the  oldest  penny  paper  in  the 
city,  having  been  commenced  towards  the  close  of  1833,  on  a  medium 
sheet,  by  Day  and  Wisner.  Two  or  three  months  afterward  the 
Transcript  was  begun  of  the  same  size,  by  Hayward,  Lyndc,  and 
Stanley.     The  Herald,  by  J.  G.  Bennet,  was  the  next  living  penny 

5»ublication:  it  was  started  in  1830.  The  New  Era,  by  Locke  and 
Mce,  followed  in  183«.  From  5,000  to  30,000  copies  of  some  of  the 
penny  papers  are  sold  daily.  A  large  proportion  of  these  go  into  the 
hands  of  those  who  take  no  other  paper ;  and  who,  were  it  not  for  their 

•  TliiB  name  is  denved  from  nn  Iiidiiin  chief  or  sniiit,  who  is  supposed  to  have  been 
nlivc  08  iftte  as  the  yonr  1G80.  Mr.  Hccitweider,  in  his  History,  soys  that  all  (hut  is  ktiown 
of  him  is  "  tliat  he  was  a  Drinwnro  chief,  wlio  never  had  liis  equal.  The  fame  of  this 
great  man  extended  tven  among  the  whiieK,  win)  fabricated  numerouH  IckcikIs  respecting 
him,  which  I  never  hearri,  however,  from  tlie  mouih  of  an  Indian,  and  therelHre,  heheve  to 
be  fnlinious.  In  llie  revolutionary  war,  Ills  entlniNiaslic  adniinrN  dulilicd  him  a  sninl,  and 
he  was  estahiishrd,  under  ihe  name  of  St.  Tammamj,  the  piilioii  Haiol  of  America.  Ilia 
name  was  inserted  in  «ome  calenilarH,  and  his  feHlival  celeliratcd  on  llie  tirst  day  ol  May  in 
every  year.  On  ihal  day  a  numerous  sociely  of  IiIh  votaries  walked  lofrether  in  proccssicm 
throuKJt  the  Klr<  ctH  of  Philadelphia,  their  hats  decorated  with  bucks'  tail,'),  and  proceiMlcd  to 
a  liandsome  rural  place  out  of  town,  which  they  called  the  ii<iirwnm ;  where,  after  a  Innx 
talk,  or  Indian  sprreh  had  been  delivered,  and  the  ciilMincI  of  peaces  and  liiendship  had 
been  duly  smukid,  they  ;>pent  the  day  in  festivity  and  mirth." 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY- 


SSI 


cheapness,  would  be  destitute,  in  a.  great  measure,  of  correct  informa- 
tion respecting  public  events.  It  is  estimated  that  about  620,000 
newspapers  are  issued  in  the  city  every  week,  and  in  the  course  of 
the  year  upwards  of  thirty-two  millions. 


Tfie  Battery,  and  Castle  Garden. 

"  The  Battery. — This  beautiful  promenade  is  situated  at  the  south- 
west, end  of  tiie  island,  and  junction  of  the  North  and  East  rivers, 
and  possesses  attractions  unsurpassed,  perhaps,  by  any  other  similar 
place  of  resort  in  the  world,  pst\y  commanding  the  admiration  of 
every  visiter.  It  is  in  full  view  ot  the  bay  and  surrounding  scenery 
of  Long  Island,  Staten  Island,  New  Jersey,  and  the  islands  in  the 
harbor.  From  no  one  point  can  a  better  idea  be  formed  of  the  mag- 
nitude of  the  commerce  of  the  city ;  the  numerous  ships,  steam- 
boats, and  small  vessels,  that  are  constantly  entering  and  departing 
from  the  port,  forming  a  scene  of  stirring  interest.  Of  the  bay  itself, 
we  deem  it  appropriate  in  this  place  to  quote  the  language  of  a  late 
English  tourist. 

"•I  have  never  seen  the  bay  of  Naples.  I  can  therefore  make  no 
comparison  ;  but  my  imagination  is  incapable  of  conceiving  any  thing 
more  beautiful  than  the  harbor  of  New  York.  Various  and  lovely 
are  the  objects  which  meet  the  eye  on  every  side ;  but  the  naming 
them  would  only  be  to  give  a  list'  of  words,  without  conveying  the 
faintest  idea  of  the  scene.  I  doubt  if  even  the  pencil  of  Turner  could 
do  it  justice,  bright  and  glorious  as  it  rose  upon  us.  We  seemed  to 
enter  the  harbor  of  New  York  upon  waves  of  liquid  gold  ;  and  as 
we  dashed  past  the  green  isles  which  rise  from  its  bosom  like  guar- 
dian sentinels  of  the  fair  city,  the  setting  sun  stretched  his  horizontal 
beams  further  and  fnrth(n-,  at  each  moment,  as  if  to  point  out  to  us 
some  new  glory  in  the  landscape.' 

"  The  Battery  extc^nds  somtiwhat  in  the  form  of  a  crescent,  Irom 
the  termination  of  Broadway,  Greenwich,  and  Washington  streets,  on 
the  northwest,  to  Whiichall-strect,  ou  the  east,  covering  un  area  of 


882 


KEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


nearly  1 1  acres,  and  laid  out  in  grass-plots  and  gravel  walks,  shaded 
with  trees.  The  exterior,  fronting  the  harbor,  is  built  up  with  hewn 
stone ;  and  on  this  side  is  a  paved  walk,  with  stone  posts  connected 
with  a  neat  open  railing.  An  expensive  iron  railing,  with  gateways, 
extends  along  the  interior  front." 

"  Originally  this  point  of  land  was  fortified  by  the  Dutch,  who 
threw  up  embankments,  upon  which  they  placed  some  pieces  of 
cannon.  *  In  process  of  time,'  says  Knickerbocker,  ♦  it  came  to  be 
pleasantly  overrun  by  a  verdant  carpet  of  grass  and  clover,  and 
their  high  embankments  overshaded  by  wide-spreading  sycamores, 
among  whose  foliage  the  little  birds  sported  about,  rejoicing  the  ear 
with  their  melodious  notes.  The  old  burghers  would  repair  of  an 
afternoon  to  smoke  their  pipes  under  the  shade  of  their  branches, 
contemplating  the  golden  sun,  as  he  gradually  sunk  in  the  west,  an 
emblem  of  that  tranquil  end  towards  which  themselves  were  hasten- 
ing ;  while  the  young  men  and  the  damsels  of  the  town  would  take 
many  a  moonlight  stroll  among  these  favorite  haunts,  watching  the 
chaste  Cynthia  tremble  along  the  calm  bosom  of  the  bay,  or  light  up 
the  white  sail  of  some  gliding  bark,  and  interchanging  the  honest 
vows  of  constant  affection.  Such  was  the  origin  of  that  renowned 
walk,  the  Battery,  which  though  ostensibly  devoted  to  the  purposes 
of  war,  has  ever  been  consecrated  to  the  sweet  delights  of  peace : 
The  favorite  walk  of  declining  age  ;  the  healthful  resort  of  the  feeble 
invalid ;  the  Sunday  refreshment  of  the  dusty  tradesman ;  the  scene 
of  many  a  boyish  gambol ;  the  rendezvous  of  many  a  tender  assigna- 
tion ;  the  comfort  of  the  citizen ;  the  ornament  of  New  York,  and 
the  pride  of  the  lovely  island  of  Mannahatta.' " 

"  Castle  Garden. — On  a  mole,  connected  with  the  Battery  by  a 
bridge,  is  situated  Castle  Garden,  originally  erected  for  a  fortification, 
and  used  for  that  purpose  until  1823,  when  it  was  ceded  by  the 
United  States  to  the  corporation  of  this  city,  since  which  it  has  been 
leased  fur  a  place  of  public  amusement  or  recreation.  On  the  top  of 
the  walls,  a  walk,  covered  by  an  awning,  has  been  constructed,  from 
whence  a  fine  view  of  the  harbor  and  adjacent  scenery  is  obtained. 
Within  the  walls  over  ten  thousand  people  may  be  accommodated, 
and  concerts  and  fireworks  are  occasionally  given." 

"  Vauxhall  Garden — Is  situated  near  the  junction  of  the  Bowery 
and  Broadway,  fronting  on  the  former,  and  is  at  present  a  place  of 
great  resort  in  summer.  On  the  evenings  of  public  days,  fireworks 
and  other  entertainments  are  exhibited ;  but  by  the  late  improve- 
ments in  that  part  of  the  city,  particularly  by  the  extension  of  Lafay- 
ette place  through  the  garden,  its  dimensions  have  been  much  les- 
sened. 

NiiiLo's  Garden — Is  one  of  the  most  fashionable  places  of  resort 
in  the  city,  during  the  summer  months.  It  has  been  laid  out  with 
great  taste,  and  when  open  to  the  public,  is  handsomely  lighted,  and 
decorated  with  paintings,  mirrors,  &c.  The  walks  are  bordered 
with  shrubbery  and  flowers  in  great  variety.    Fireworks  are  occa- 


NEW    YORK    COUNTV. 


838 


sionally  exhibited ;  and  in  the  saloon,  which  is  a  very  tasteful  and 
airy  building,  theatrical  and  musical  entertainments  are  given." 

"American  Museum. — This  excellent  institution  was  founded  in 
1810,  by  the  late  John  Scudder,  by  whose  arduous  efforts,  and  the 
persevering  exertions  of  its  more  recent  proprietors,  it  has  arose  to 
its  present  high  standing.  It  continues  daily  to  improve  in  every  de- 
partment, by  extensive  and  valuable  additions  of  the  works  of  nature 
and  artificial  curiosities,  from  all  parts  of  the  world.  Its  immense 
collections  are  well  arranged  and  beautifully  displayed  in  four  spa- 
cious saloons,  each  one  hundred  feet  in  length  ;  in  addition  to  which 
another  apartment  has  recently  been  added  of  still  larger  dimensions. 
The  Grand  Cosmorama  of  this  establishment  is  truly  a  most  splendid 
affair,  which  for  extent  of  glasses  and  magnificence  of  views,  is  not 
surpassed  in  tTiis  or  any  other  country.  The  views  embrace  a  great 
variety  of  subjects,  and  were  all  executed  expressly  by  Italian  artists 
of  eminence  in  their  profession.  No  labor  or  expense  has  been 
spared  to  render  this  establishment  well  deserving  a  continuance  of 
that  liberal  and  distinguished  patronage  it  has  always  received. 
The  building  is  very  high,  and  from  its  observatory  may  be  enjoyed 
some  of  the  finest  views  in  the  city,  and  of  the  beautiful  bay  and  sur- 
rounding country.  The  halls  are  well  warmed  and  ventilated,  and 
at  evening  brilliantly  lighted  with  gas,  altogether  forming  a  very  in- 
viting, agreeable  lounge,  and  at  the  same  time,  a  place  for  serious 
contemplation  and  amusement,  to  those  who  delight  in  the  study  of 
the  wonderful  works  of  nature. 

"  Peale's  Museum  and  Gallery  of  Fine  Arts. — This  establish- 
ment was  founded  in  the  year  1825,  and  has  increased  with  aston- 
ishing rapidity.  It  contains  four  spacious  apartments,  which  are 
arranged  in  the  following  order:  The  1st  contains  specimens  of 
Natural  History  in  all  its  branches,  and  its  beauty  of  arrangement, 
and  the  exquisite  style  in  which  the  articles  are  mounted,  renders  it 
one  of  the  most  interesting  places  of  public  amusement  in  the  country. 
The  2d  is  a  large  and  valuable  collection  of  Paintings,  by  eminent 
artists,  amongst  which  may  be  particularly  mentioned  a  Portrait  of 
Napoleon,  by  Le  Fevre ;  a  Magdalen,  by  Le  Bron,  together  with 
Portraits  of  at  least  150  celebrated  citizens  and  foreigners.  The  3d 
contains  a  very  superior  Cosmorama,  several  Wax  Figures  of  good 
workmanship,  Fossils,  Shells,  Minerals,  and  Miscellaneous  Curiosities." 

There  are  five  theatres  in  the  city,  viz :  Park  Theatre,  Bowery, 
Chatham,  Little  Drury,  and  Olympic.  The  National  Theatre  was 
burnt  down  the  present  year,  (1841.) 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  periodical  publications  issued  in  the 
city  of  New  York. 

"Quarterly  publications. — Literary  and  Theological  Review, 
Naval  Magazine,  New  York  Review  and  Quarterly  Church  Journal, 
New  York  Quarterly  Magazine,  Quarterly  Anti-Slavery  Magazine, 
Quarterly  Christian  Spectator,  Tailors'  MagaKine,  United  Brethren's 
Missionary  Intelligencer. 


a 


iiiiiiiiiiitt 


33*4 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


"Monthly  publications. — American  Monthly  Magazine,  Anti- 
Slavery  Record,  Children's  Magazine,  Home  Missionary  and  Pastor's 
Journal,  Human  Rights,  Journal  of  the  American  Institute,  Knicker- 
bocker Magazine,  Ladies'  Companion,  La  Revue  Francais,  (French) 
Mechanics'  Magazine,  Missionary  Herald,  Mothers'  Magazine,  Mei'- 
chants'  Magazine,  National  Preacher,  New  York  Farmer  and  Amer- 
ican Gardner's  Magazine,  Parley's  Magazine,  Sailor's  Magazine, 
Sunday  School  Visiter,  Tract  Magazine,  Youth's  Friend,  Family 
Magazine. 


View  of  the  Astor  House,  Broadicay. 

This  splendid  hotel,  furnished  with  magnificence  and  taste,  corres- 
ponding to  its  grandeur  and  simplicity,  is  the  largest  in  the  country, 
if  not  in  the  world.  It  was  erected  by  John  Jacob  Astor,  at  an  ex- 
pense of  about  a  million  of  dollars,  and  opened  May  31st,  1836.  It 
is  built  of  Quincy  granite,  in  a  style  remarkably  massive,  simple,  and 
chaste,  fronts  201  feet  on  Broadway,  directly  opposite  the  park,  154 
on  Barclay-street,  and  146i  on  Vescy-street.  It  is  77  feet  in  height. 
The  dining-room  on  Barclay-street  is  100  feet  by  40,  and  lOJ  high. 
The  house  contains  at  times  about  500  persons,  and  the  basement  is 
distributed  into  stores  ;  and  thus  the  establishment  forms  of  itself,  like 
the  Palais  Royal  of  Paris,  an  almost  independent  colony. 

The  annexed  account  of  the  completion  of  the  Erie  Canal,  October 
20th,  1825,  and  the  celebration  of  the  event  in  New  York  city,  is  ex- 
tracted from  newspapers  published  at  the  time. 

"  The  canal  connecting  the  preat  liikes  of  North  Amoricn  with  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  is 
finished.  On  Wednesday,  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  the  waters  of  Lake  Erie  were  admitted  at 
Buffalo,  and  the  first  boat  from  the  lake  commenced  its  voyage  to  New  York.  This  joyful 
event  was  announced  to  the  citizens  of  the  state  by  the  roar  of  cannon  planted  in  a  contin. 
ued  line  along  the  banks  of  the  canal  and  of  the  Hudson,  at  intervals  of  about  eight  miles, 
and  extending  from  Buffalo  to  Sandy  Hook,  a  distance  of  about  514  miles.  The  cannon 
were  fired  in  succession,  commencing  at  Buffalo  at  the  moment  of  the  entrance  of  ih;i  boat 
into  the  canal,  and  the  intelligence  tluis  communicated,  reached  this  city  precisely  ;ii  i  \onty 
minutes  past  eleven  o'clock,  ot  which  time  o  national  salute  was  fired  from  the  Imtir.y.nnd 
this  acknowledgement  that  wo  bad  received  the  intelligence  was  then  immediati  Iv  tcturned 
by  the  same  line  of  cannon  to  Bi>(:i''<i'>,    Thus  the  work  is  finished:  the  longr.i  canal  in 


'<. 


NEW   YOUK   COUNTY. 

the  world  is  completed,  and  completed  in  the  short  space  of  eight  years,  by  the  single  state 
of  New  York,  a  state  which  seventy  years  ago  was  a  wilderness,  thinly  peopled  by  a  iitue 
more  than  100,000  souls." 

CANAL  CELEBRATION. 
"  The  splendid  exhibition  in  honor  of  the  completion  of  the  Erie  Canal  took  place  on 
Friday  of  last  week,  Nov.  4th.  For  several  days  previous,  strangers  from  every  part  ot  the 
surrounding  country  had  been  crowding  into  the  city  to  witness  the  mteresting  event.  I  ho 
day  was  remarkably  pleasant,  and  favorable  for  the  display.  The  following  account 
of  the  ceremonies  which  took  place  is  from  the  Daily  Advertiser : —  j    u      i,  if      . 

"  The  Societies.— The  procession  formed  agreeably  to  arrangement,  and  about  halt-past 
ten,  moved  down  the  west  side  of  Greenwich.8treet  to  the  battery,  where  it  wheeled  and 
passed  up  the  east  side  of  Greenwich-street,  &c.,  in  the  following  order : 

"  At  the  head  were  four  buglemen  on  horseback,  who  preceded  the— Agncultural  and 
Horticultural  Societies,  many  of  whose  members  wore  nosegays.— The  Journeymen  1  ai- 
lors.— The  Butchers,  mounted  and  wearing  aprons,  with  the  banners  of  their  society,  and  j 
cats,  each  drawn  by  4  horses.    The  first  was  covered  with  a  roof,  decorated,  and  contained 
a  calf  and  a  sheep ;  the  other  a  fine  white  ox  and  4  large  sheep,  and  over  it,  on  a  second 
stage,  a  stuffed  ox,  with  several  butchers'  boys.- The  Tanners'  boys.— The  Tannere  had  a 
car  drawn  by  four  horses,  in  which  were  several  men  at  work  tanning  and  currying  leather, 
with  hides  hanging  overhead.      The  Skinners  followed  with  a  banner,  and  then  came 
another  banner  with  four  horses,  where  a  number  of  morocco  dressers  were  at  work  on 
skins  of  all  colors.— The  Cordwainers  had  also  a  car  drawn  by  4  horses,  on  which  were  b 
or  8  men  seated  at  their  benches,  making  shoes.- The  Hatters'  Society  had  a  large  banner 
with  a  portrait  of  St.  Clement,  and  a  car  drawn  by  six  horses,  containing  a  shop,  in  which 
ei"ht  men  were  at  work  at  the  kettle,  and  others  employed  in  the  different  operations  ot 
hat  making.     A  great  number  of  small  banners  succeeded,  bearing  the  names  ot  the 
western  Lakes,  great  and  small,  and  those  of  the  principal  towns  in  the  western  part  of  the 
state  and  country ;  24  boys  marching  under  the  banners  bearing  '  Washington,'  the    United 
Slates  of  America,'  and  a  portrait  of  Gov.  Clinton,  represented  the  states  of  the  Union. 
In  a  barouche  rode  the  two  oldest  hatters  and  journeymen  hatters  in  the  city.    Banner— 
'  The  heart  is  devoted  to  our  country.'— The  Bakers,  with  white  hats.— The  Journeymen 
Masons  came  next,  and  then  the  Coopers,  with  a  car  in  which  men  were  at  work  on  bar- 
rcls  &,c.— The  Chairmakers  had  a  large  chair  over  their  banner,  with  two  eagles  tollowmg, 
one' large  and  gilt,  with  a  miniature  chair  in  his  mouth.— The  Potters  came  next,  and  then 
the  Saddlers,  with  a  pair  of  horses  in  harness,  and  3  fine  white  ones  with  ladies',  gent  c- 
men's,  and  military  saddles,  all  of  the  most  superb  workmanship.    The  horses  were  led  hy 
blacks  in  rich  Moorish  costumes— the  insignia,  implements,  &,c.,  followed,  with  a  rocking, 
horse  saddled  and  bridled.— The  Shipwrights  had  the  model  ot  a  line  of  battle  ship,  mount, 
cd  on  wheels,  and  drawn  by  eight  horses.    The  officers  and  crew  were  represented  by  boys 
in  cay  dresses,  and  flags  and  ensigns  were  hoisted  on  board.    A  banner  bore  '  Cmma-ce  i« 
ours'  and  a  great  number  of  others  succeeded,  on  which  were  the  names  of  our  distin. 
Kuished  naval  commandcrs.-Thc  Boat-buiider's  Association  had  a  model  of  a  boat  borne 
bv  a  carrier,  and  another  drawn  by  horses.    A  car  drawn  by  four  horses,  contained  two 
half.tinishod  boats  of  considerable  size,  at  which  the  workmen  were  employed,  while 
smoke  was  coming  from  the  chimney  where  they  warped  their  plank  and  timber.— Tho 
Rope-makcrs  had  a  ropowalk,  in  which  a  number  of  men  and  boys  were  cinployed  in  spin- 
fling  an.l  laying,  ail  drawn  by  four  horscs.-The  Comb-makors  had  also  a  shop,  and  men  at 
work  &c.,  and  after  them  came  the  General  Society  of  Mechamcs;  the  Cabinet-makem 
with  sppciu.ens  of  furniture,  and  the  A,n>rrntices' Library  Assocmt.on.-rhe  New  York 
Fire  Department  was  represented  by  eight  companies,  Nos.  ^U,  4A  lo,  id,  41,  d.4,  /,  ana 
4  with  their  cn-ines,  and  several  hook  and  ladder  companies,  with  their  implements  raised 
aloft,  and  ha.ui..Mnely  decorated—The  Printers'  Society  had  a  car  drawn  by  horses,  on 
whiJh  wore  mounted  two  presses.    These  were  kept  in  operation,  striking  off  copies  of 
Tn  Ode  which  wee  distributed  to  the  people  from  the  car.-Tho  Book-binders  had  a  large 
vohime  bound  m  rod  morocco  and  gilt,  labelled  '  Erie  Canal  S'»I«'7'-Aft«'-»  full  band 
of  musicians  in  drrsses  of  scarlet  and  gold,  came  the  members  of  Columbia  College,  drcs^ 
ed  in  th..ir  Academic  gowns;  and  then  a  great  number  of  military  officers^ and  soldiem 
from  the  diflerciit  city  companies,  followed  by  the  Society  of  Tree  Masoiis.-T  ho  Tin  Plato 
W.)rkcrs  had  a  ear  drawn  by  four  gray  horses,  with  a  model  of  some  of  the  locks  on  the 

cnnnl a  Canal  boat,  barge,  &,c.,  made  of  tin.  . 

"  Aiiuatir.  rrocemion—Ai  eight  o'clock  the  citizens  were  seen  crowding  m  all  directions 
on  board  the  various  steamboats  which  were  announced  to  compose  the  fleet  which  was  to 
proceed  to  the  ocean.    The  steamboat  Washington,  under  the  command  of  C«pt.  Bunker, 


336 


NEW   YORK  COUNTY. 


took  the  lead,  on  board  of  which  the  Hon.  the  Corporation,  with  the  society  of  Cincinnati, 
the  Rev.  Clergy,  of  all  denominations,  the  Army  and  Naval  olficera — all  the  consuls  of 
Foreign  nations — the  judges  of  all  our  courts  and  many  other  citizens  and  strangers  were 
guests.  The  steamboats  Fulton,  James  Kent,  Chancellor  Livingston,  and  several  others 
were  also  employed  by  the  corporation  to  receive  other  guests,  all  which  were  filled  with 
our  most  distinguished  citizens — The  safety  barges  Lady  Clinton  and  Lady  Von  Rensse- 
laer, were  most  tastefully  festooned  with  evergreens  and  flowers,  and  were  exclusively  ap- 
propriated to  the  ladies.  At  about  10  o'clock  the  signal  was  given  for  departure,  and  the 
boats  all  proceeded  up  the  East  river,  and  formed  in  a  line,  accompanied  by  the  canal  boats, 
when  they  wore  round  and  proceeded  down  the  bay.  As  the  fleet  passed  the  Battery  they 
were  saluted  by  the  military,  the  revenue  cutter,  and  the  castle  on  Governor's  Island.  As 
they  proceeded,  they  were  joined  by  the  ship  Hamlet,  which  had  previously  been  dressed 
for  the  occasion  with  the  flags  of  all  nations,  and  on  board  of  which  were  the  Marine  and 
Nautical  societies,  composed  of  all  our  most  respectable  shipmasters.  As  the  fleet  passed 
the  Narrows,  they  were  saluted  by  Forts  Lafayette  and  Tompkins.  They  then  proceeded 
to  the  United  States  schooner  Dolphin,  moored  within  Sandy  Hook,  where  Gov.  Clinton 
went  through  the  ceremony  of  uniting  the  waters,  by  pouring  that  of  Lake  Erie  into  the 
Atlantic ;  upon  which  he  deUvered  the  following  address : — 

" '  This  solemnity  at  this  place  on  the  first  arrival  of  vessels  from  Lake  Erie,  is  intended 
to  indicate  and  commemorate  the  navigable  communication,  which  has  been  accomplished 
between  our  Mediterranean  seas  and  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  in  eight  years,  to  the  extent  of 
more  than  four  hundred  and  twenty.five  miles,  by  the  wisdom,  public  spirit,  and  energy  of 
the  people  of  the  state  of  New  York  ;  and  may  the  God  of  the  Heavens  and  the  earth  smile 
most  propitiously  on  the  work,  and  render  it  subservient  to  the  best  interests  of  the  human 
race.'  Dr.  Mitchell  then  poured  the  contents  of  several  vials,  which  he  stated  contained 
the  waters  of  the  Elbe,  &c.  &c.,  ".nd  delivered  a  long  address,  but  the  crowd  was  so  great 
that  but  few  were  able  to  hear  any  part  of  it.  The  Hon.  Mr.  Colden  presented  to  his  honor 
the  Mayor,  a  memoir  which  contains  a  brief  history  of  the  canal  from  its  commencement 
to  the  present  day.  Salutes  were  then  fired  from  the  revenue  cutter,  the  pilot  boais,  and 
several  of  the  steamboats,  and  the  procession  returned  to  the  city. 

"  On  the  return  from  the  excursion  to  Sandy  Hook,  the  atmosphere  was  nearly  clear,  and 
the  appearance  of  the  steamboats  was  truly  magnificent.  Here  were  26  of  these  vessels, 
splendidly  equipped  and  decorated,  moving  in  the  most  majestic  manner,  all  crowded  with 
passengers,  and  arranged  in  the  most  striking  order.  The  packet  ship  Hamlet,  which  was 
generously  offered  by  Capt.  Chandler  for  the  use  of  the  Marine  and  Nautical  societies,  made 
a  splendid  appearance,  towed  along  in  the  line  by  steamboats,  with  her  masts  and  rigging 
decorated  by  a  fine  display  of  flags  of  all  nations. 

"  Persons  abroad  may  judge  of  the  splendor  of  the  celebration,  when  it  is  stated  that 
there  were  displayed  among  the  different  societies,  upwards  of  200  banners  and  standards 
—many  of  them  extremely  splendid,  and  a  large  number  painted  expressly  for  the  occasion. 

"  It  is  with  pleasure  we  state  that  the  two  British  packets  now  at  anchor  in  our  port,  sa. 
luted  and  cheered  the  line  of  steamboats  as  they  passed ;  instances  of  good  feeling  of  this 
description  should  not  be  omitted  to  be  recorded.  The  band  in  return  played  '  God  save 
the  king.'  The  whole  line  of  steamboats  landed  their  passengers  at  3  o'clock,  in  time  for 
them  to  form  and  join  the  procession  of  their  fellow-citizens. 

"The  festivities  were  concluded  by  fireworks  in  the  evening,  at  the  Battery,  City  He!!, 
and  Vauxhall  Garden,  and  by  illuminations  of  some  of  the  principal  buildings  in  the  city, — 
the  City  Hall,  City  Hotel,  Theatre,  Sikes'  Hotel,  &c.  A  large  transparency  was  exhibited 
at  the  City  Hall,  representing  the  introduction  of  Neptune  to  the  Lody  of  the  Lakes  by 
the  Genius  of  America. 

"  We  cannot  help  expressing  our  gratification,  at  observing  among  the  thousands  we  saw 
in  the  streets  during  the  day  and  evening,  hardly  a  single  instance  of  intoxication,  and  not 
one  of  unpleasant  disturbance ;  and  so  far  as  we  could  learn,  no  accident  happened  to  mar 
the  festivities  of  the  day." 

Croton  Aqusduct. — This  great  work,  designed  for  the  supply  of  the  city  of  New  York 
with  pure  and  wholesome  water,  is  at  present  constructing.  Its  whole  length  is  40J  milew. 
It  is  a  long  brick  vault  stretching  from  Croton  to  New  York,  descending  at  the  rate  of 
nearly  14  inches  to  the  mile.  Its  dimensions  arc  about  6  feet  at  bottom,  7  feet  at  top,  and 
from  8  to  10  feet  in  height.  The  foundation  is  of  stone,  well  laid,  and  the  interstices  filled 
up  with  rubble,  and  over  this  a  bed  of  concrete  composed  of  cement,  broken  stone  and 
gravel,  in  due  proportions,  well  mixed  and  combined  together,  except  where  the  earth  is 
of  a  compact  and  dry  consistence,  when  the  stone  foundation  is  omitted,  and  the  bed  of 
concrete  laid  on  the  earth  foundation.    The  side  walls  are  of  good  building  stone,  39 


NEW   YOEK   COUNTY. 


337 


inches  thick  at  bottom,  and  27  inches  at  top.  These  walls  are  laid  in  regular  courses.  The 
bottom  of  the  aqueduct  is  an  inverted  arch,  and  the  roof  a  semicircle }  both  arches  are 
formed  of  brick.  All  the  materials  used  are  the  most  perfect  of  their  kind,  and  every  poe- 
sible  pains  taken  in  the  construction. 

The  work  commences  at  Croton,  about  5  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  river.  HeM  is  to 
be  the  dam  which  will  back  the  river  for  several  miles,  and  will  cover,  exclusive  of  its  pros- 
ent  bed,  5  or  600  acres,  and  thus  form  the  great  reservoir,  which  will  contain  100,000,000 
of  gallons  for  each  foot  in  depth  from  the  surface.  Inasmuch  as  the  aqueduct  is  to 
maintain  a  uniform  descent,  extensive  excavations  or  tunnels  in  passing  through  hills  and 
heavy  embankments,  with  culverts  in  crossing  valleys,  are  required.  Several  of  the  tonnela 
are  cut  through  solid  rock  at  an  enormous  expense.  The  longest  tunnel  is  the  Manhattan 
hill  tunnel  near  the  village  of  Manhattanville,  on  New  York  Island ;  it  is  1,315  feet  in 
length. 

In  crossing  the  Harlaem  river  the  aqueduct  encounters  its  most  formidable  impediment. 
"  Owing  to  the  great  depression  of  the  sffeam  below  the  grade  line,  and  the  peculiar  in- 
ciinations  of  its  banks,  the  length  of  the  aqueduct  bridge  will  greatly  exceed  the  width  of 
the  strait  at  its  surface,  (G30  feet.)  The  bridge  will  be  1,430  feet  in  length,  between  the 
pipe  chambers  at  either  end  ;  18  feet  in  width,  inside  of  the  parapet  walls ;  and  27  feet  be- 
tween the  outer  edges  of  the  coping ;  16  piers,  built  of  stone  laid  in  courses  of  uniform 
thickness.  Of  these,  6  will  be  in  the  river,  and  10  on  the  land,  (8  of  which  will  be  on  the 
Westchester  side  of  the  strait.)  The  river  piers  will  be  20  by  40  feet  at  base,  and  84  feet 
in  height,  to  the  spring  of  the  arch ;  diminishing  as  they  rise  in  height.  The  arches  will 
have  a  span  of  80  feet.  The  land  piers  will  be  proportionably  less  in  size,  their  height  va* 
rying  according  to  the  slope  of  the  banks,  and  the  span  of  these  arches  will  be  50  feet  each. 

"  The  central  height  of  the  arches  over  the  stream  is  to  be  100  feet  above  high-water 
level,  in  the  clear ;  and  the  distance  from  high  tide  to  the  top  of  the  parapet  walls  will  be 
116  feet.  The  total  elevation  of  the  structure,  from  its  base  at  the  bottom  of  the  strait  to 
the  top  of  the  parapet,  will  be  about  138  feet.  The  piers  and  abutments  will  be  carried  up 
with  pilasters  to  the  top  of  the  parapet,  with  a  projection  of  two  feet  beyond  the  face  of 
the  work.  Those  piers  to  be  erected  in  the  water,  will  commence  with  solid  rock,  upon 
which  the  earthy  bed  of  the  stream  reposes.  The  estimated  cost  of  this  structure  ia 
$755,130. 

"  The  bridge  is  intended  for  the  support  of  iron  pipes ;  and  these  will  be  laid  down,  in 
the  first  instance,  two  or  three  feet  diameter,  which  it  is  supposed  will  be  adequate  for  the 
supply  of  water  to  the  city,  for  many  years  to  come.  The  work  however  will  be  so  ar- 
ranged, as  to  admit  the  introduction,  at  any  time  hereafter,  of  two  four-feet  pipes,  whose 
capacity  will  be  equal  to  that  of  the  grand  trunk.  The  pipes  will  be  protected  from  the 
action  of  the  frost,  by  a  covering  of  earth  four  feet  in  depth,  well  sodded  on  the  surface. 
The  aqueduct  will  discharge  its  water  into  the  northern  pipe  chamber,  whence  it  will  pass 
over  the  bridge  into  the  southern  chamber,  where  the  aqueduct  resumes  its  course  towards 
the  city.  At  the  distance  of  half  a  mile,  the  line  crosses  a  ravine  of  30  feet  to  the  top  line 
of  the  embankment ;  and  at  a  short  distance  beyond,  it  enters  the  Jumel  tunnel,  234  feet 
in  length ;  and  6}  miles  from  the  city.  A  ravine  is  passed  soon  after  leaving  the  tunnel, 
95  feet  below  the  grade  line ;  and  soon  after,  another,  still  more  formidable,  presents  itself; 
which  required  a  foundation  of  30  feet  to  elevate  it  to  the  grade. 

"  The  water  will  be  conducted  over  the  Manhattan  valley  by  means  of  iron  pipes  or  in- 
verted syphons.  The  depression  of  the  valley  is  105  feet  below  the  grade  line,  and  ar- 
rangements of  pipe  chambers,  on  each  side  of  the  valley,  similar  to  that  at  Harlaem  strait, 
will  be  adopted  here.  The  pipes  arc  to  be  laid  on  a  foundation  of  stone,  covered  with  a 
couree  of  concrete  masonry,  six  inches  thick.  After  the  pipes  are  laid,  concrete  is  to  be 
worked  under  them,  as  a  support,  18  inches  wide,  and  12  high ;  and  the  whole  is  to  be 
protected  with  a  covering  of  earth,  to  guard  against  frost  and  other  injury.  The  aqueduct 
having  terminated  at  one  pipe  chamber,  on  Manhattan  hills,  it  recommences  at  another  on 
the  Asylum  Hill ;  and  after  pmceeding  a  short  distance  southward,  enters  the  Asylum  Hill 
tunnel  040  feet  in  length,  which  is  the  last.  About  three  miles  from  the  southern,  terminus 
of  this  Herculean  work,  the  aqueduct  commences  its  passage  over  several  streets,  the  grading 
of  which  has  a  mean  depression  below  that  of  the  aqueduct,  of  about  40  feet ;  this  vale  ia 
to  be  passed  by  a  bridge  of  a  corresponding  height.  The  line  of  aqueduct  runs  100  feet 
east  of  the  Nintli  avenue ;  and  on  the  land,  extending  from  one  street  to  the  other,  a 
foundation  wall  is  to  bo  built  of  sufficient  width  ond  height  to  support  the  aqueduct.  Over 
the  carriage  way  and  side-walks  of  each  street,  there  will  be  circular  arches  turned.  Nine- 
ty-sixth street,  being  100  feet  wide,  will  have  two  arches  of  27  feet  span,  for  the  carriage 
way ;  and  one  arch  of  14  feet  span,  on  each  side,  for  the  sidewalks.  The  other  streets 
being  only  60  feet  in  width,  will  each  have  an  arch  of  30  feet  span  for  the  carriage  way, 
and  one  on  each  aide  of  10  feet  span.    The  breadth  over  the  arches  to  be  24  feet. 

43 


'  i' 


—■■Wtiwfiiiinnim-. 


336 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


"  On  the  whole  line  there  will  be  ventilatore  placed  at  intervals  of  one  mile  apart ;  and 
between  each,  triangular  cavities,  designed  for  the  erection  of  udditional  ventilators,  are 
left,  covered  with  flag  stono  md  their  location  indicated  by  marble  slabs.  Some  of  the 
ventilators  can  be  used  as  .le  weirs  and  as  entrances  into  the  arjueduct.  The  next  im- 
portant  work  is  the  receiving  reservoir,  38  miles  by  the  lino«f  the  aqueduct  from  its  north- 
ern terminus.  It  covers  35  acres  of  ground,  divided  into  two  sections.  The  north  section 
to  have  20  feet  of  water  when  ful"  ■■■  ^■^:.  '"  -i :  t'l  '25  feet;  the  whole  reservoir  will  con- 
tain  about  160,000,000  of  gallons,  l.i-  in^i  tok.' voirthe  water  will  be  conveyed  through 
the  Fifth  avenue  to  the  distril  ;;  liaain,  o'.  ubout  5  acres,  holding  20,000,000  of  gallons, 
at  Murray  Hill,  in  Forty^ecoi  d  stre  jt,  iy  means  of  pipes  30  inches  in  diameter.  From 
Murray  Hill  the  water  will  bu  conveyed  to  the  city  by  the  ordinary  distributing  pipes.  The 
difference  of  level  between  thu  basin  at  Murray  Hill  und  the  pool  at  Croton,  is  about  46 
feet,  being  a  fraction  less  than  14  inches  to  the  mile. 

"  About  26  miles  of  the  aqueduct  are  now  (April,  1840,)  completed,  and  several  other 
detached  sections  are  nearly  so.  It  must  not,  however,  be  inferred  that  the  work  still  to  be 
done  is  of  but  small  amount ;  on  the  contrary,  the  mt*t  difiicult  ami  expensive  portions  of 
it  remain  to  be  performed.  According  to  the  cngincf'.-i  v':m,\  !■  hole  work,  with  the 
exception  of  the  bridge  over  Harlaem  strait,  will  be  completed  and  ready  fi  -  use  in  the 
spring  of  1842.  The  completion  of  the  bridge  cr  inot  be  expected  before  '  ^  close  ol 
1843;  and  it  may  and  will  probably  be  still  further  delayed.  To  diminish  thi^  lelny,  it  is 
proposed  to  erect  a  temporary  conduit  pipe  of  suitable  dimensions,  as  soon  as  the  coffer 
dams  at  Harlaem  will  admit  of  it,  by  which  means  the  city  may  have  the  benefit  of  tlie 
water,  two  or  three  years  before  a  supply  could  be  had  by  the  Harlaem  aqueduct  bridge. 

"  The  original,  estimate  of  cost  of  this  great  work,  was  $4,718,197  ;  but  it  will  not  fall 
short  of  $10,000,000  ;—f  3,924,650  08  having  been  expended  at  the  date  of  the  last  re- 
port,  January  let,  1840." 


Northern  view  of  Harlem  Tunnel 

Harlem  8,  Yorkville  5,  and  Manhattanmlle  9  miles  from  the  City 
Hall,  are  small  villages  on  Manhattan  Island,  and  included  within  the 
city  limits.  The  New  York  and  Harlem  railroad  commences  at  the 
City  Hall  and  extends  to  Fordham  in  Westchrster  county,  12i  miles 
from  the  city.  By  a  late  act  of  the  legislature,  (May  7,  1841,)  the 
company  have  the  privilege  of  extendinj^  it  to  the  north  line  of  West- 
chester county.  "  The  road  is  laid  with  a  double  track,  and  is  tra- 
versed for  nearly  three-fourths  of  its  length,  by  steam  power.  Owing 
to  the  peculiar  nature  of  the  ground  and  the  necessity  for  maintain- 
ing a  nearly  level  grade,  for  a  considerable  part  of  the  line,  long  and 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


heavy  cuts  and  embankments  were  required,  which  augmented  the 
cost  of  construction  far  beyond  that  of  any  other  similar  work  m 
this  country.     The  whole  cost  of  die  work,  including  depots,  motive 
and  other  power,  &c.,  amounted  to  $1,100,000  or  $137,500  per  mile. 
The  receipts  for  fare  by  the  company,  during  the  year  ending  De- 
cember 31st,  1839,  were  $99,811.     Notwithstanding  the  great  num- 
ber of  persons  conveyed  on  this  road,  about  1,200,000  annually,  the 
directors  have  not  as  yet  declared  a  dividend,  and  up  to  the  1st  of 
January,  1840,  the  stockholders  had  not  received  a  dollar  Irom  the 
work.     The  tunnel  through  which  the  line  passes,  is  the  most  costly 
portion,  as  well  as  the  most  attractive  feature  of  the  road.     Among 
the  thousands  who  are  almost  daily  conveyed  through  it,  a  vast  ma- 
iority  is  impelled  bv  a  desire  to  examine  the  •  tunnel;  which,  though 
excavated  at  an  immense  cost,  ($90,000,)  contributes,  in  no  small  de- 
gree, to  increase  the  revenues  of  the  company.     The  tunnel  is  cut 
through  solid  rock,  which  chiefly  consists  of  quartz  and  hornblende 
of  such  a  compact  texture,  that  masonry  is  entirely  dispensed  with, 
even  at  the  ends.     It  extends  along  the  Fourth  Avenue  from  91st  to 
94th  streets,  and  is  595  feet  in  length,  24  in  width,  and  21  m  depth 
from  the  crown  of  the  arch.     The  tkre  on  this  road  is  as  follows  :  to 
27th  street,  OJ  cents  ;  to  Yorkville,  5  miles,  12i  cents  ;  to  Harlem,  8 
miles,  18a  cents  ;  and  to  Fordham,  12i  miles,  25  cents." 

"  Peter  Sivrnskvr, 
the  last  of  the  Dutch  gov- 
eriiors  in  New  York,  de- 
serves  to  be  kept  in  re- 
niembrance.  He  began 
his  administration  in  1647 ; 
and  he  exerted  all  hia  en- 
ergies  to  prevent  the  en. 
croaclunents  of  the  Eng- 
Fac-simile  of  Peter  StuynesanVa  itgnature.  lish  and   Swedes,  on  the 

territc^  v  under  his  command.    He  was  more  successful  with  the  l!;'7 ''j"' '^^.f^'-'J^^^;,/,'; 

"^^  Slnr:^ In  ^t^i^i^'rL^y  vault,  once  constructed  wUhin  the 
wal  "of  rs^ecLdTuiirRcfoV-i  DutJh  church,  which,  for  pious  purposes  he  haj  ^^.t  at 
his  personal  exP-e  o"  ^.i^^^^  '-'•  J  -^waU^  Th^^  Ke^c£h  'rtheTrigU 
llrdSnaS  thi  bodronum  whl^  rTnk  aid  titles  stood  thus  described,  to  wit : 

•  In  this  vault,  lies  buried 

PETRUS    STUYVESANT, 

late  Cap:    n  General  and  Commander-in-chief  of  Amsterdam, 

in  iNcw  Netheriand.  now  called  New  York,  and  the 

Dutch  West  India  Islands. 

Died  in  August,  A.D.  1G82.  aged  eighty  years.'" 

"PmiiP  Livingston  was  born  at  Albaii^Janunry.  1716.    ««  ^''.^  «<J"5«'«f  "J.^^^ 
foundation,  and  erected  the  superstructure  of  oxtrwrdmary  prosperity. 


840 


WEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


"He  commenced  hi«  career  in  pubUc  life  in  1754,  aa  an  alderman  of  the  east  ward  of 
the  city  of  New  York;  and,  in  1759,  was  returned  by  the  freeholders  of  this  city  as  a 
member  of  the  assem-bly.  In  this  body,  he  soon  became  conspicuous  for  his  talents  and 
devotedness  to  the  interests  of  the  people.  In  1769,  ho  declined  an  elechon  for  New  York, 
and  was  returned  a  member  of  the  house  for  the  manor  of  Livingston.  His  liberal  views, 
and  powerful  exertions  in  defending  the  righu  of  the  citizens,  soon  after  rendered  him  ob. 
noxious  to  the  governor  j  and,  as  a  majority  of  the  assembly  were  now  under  the  influence 
of  the  crown,  lua  seat  in  tlie  house  was  vacated,  by  a  vote  of  that  body,  on  the  plea  ot 
non-residence.  ^^^  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  first  congress,  which  met  at  Philadelphia, 
1774.  He  WM,  the  following  year,  appointed  president  of  the  provincial  congress,  assem- 
bled  at  New  York,  In  1776,  in  conjunction  with  his  colleagues,  he  affixed  his  signature 
to  the  Declaration  of  Lidependence,  in  behalf  of  the  state  of  New  York.  .    ..     „, 

"During  the  recesses  of  the  general  congress,  he  rendered  important  services  m  the  or. 
ganization  of  the  state  government.  In  May.  1778,  he  took  his  seat  m  congress  for  the 
C  time.  Although  feeble  in  body,  and  low  in  health,  he  consented  to  forego  a"  conside  - 
ations  but  those  of%atriotism  ;  and.  at  a  distance  from  h«  family,  ^'f^jy  devoted  to  his 
country  the  last  hours  of  his  life.  He  expired  on  the  12th  of  June,  at  the  age  of  sixty-two 
years." 

y,  .*_  "  William  Livingston,  L  L.  D..  governor 

•^  >.     yl       J^ .  *  ^  .y^i^     of  New  Jersey,  was  bom  in  the  city  of  New 

^/A^r*'  /^t^   ^^  7^  York  about  the  year  1723.  and  was  graduated 

^1/^^^°^^^  f^  at  Yale  College,  in  1741.    He  studied  law, 

Fatraimilt  of  William  Litingston's  signature.       and  possessing  an  understanding  of  great  en- 

ergy.  a  brilliant  imagination,  and  a  retentive  memory,  and  devoting  himself  assiduously  to 

the  cultivation  of  his  mind,  he  soon  rose  to  distinction  in  the  P^°[«»«""-  ,H^^"' ^  "''Ss 

ited  himself  an  able  and  zealous  advocate  of  civi  and  religious  liberty,  »»d;M"yed  J^ 

Den  in  vindicating  the  rights  of  the  colonies  against  the  arbitrary  claims  of  the  British. 

Keying  several  important  offices  in  New  York,  he  removed  to  New  Je^ey,  and  as 

a  reoresentative  of  that  state  was  one  of  tlie  most  distinguished  of  the  congress  of  1774. 

On^e  fbrmaUon  of  a  constitution  for  that  state  in  1776  he  was  appointed  the  first 

governor,  ™dZ  annually  re-elected  to  the  office  till  his  death  m  1790.    He  was  charac- 

fer^^ed  by  rimplicity  in  his  manners,  and  case,  amiablene^,  and  wit  in  his  social  intercourse. 

nSwriSdhsplay  uncommon  vigor,  keenness,  and  refinement,  and  are  often  eloquent. 

He  devoted  himself,  during  the  revolution,  ardently  to  the  cause  of  his  country,  and  did 

much  by  the  shrewdness  and  severity  of  his  writings  both  to  encourage  his  countrymen  and 

exasperate  the  British. 

"Robert  Fulton,  eminent 
as  the  inventor  of  steamboats, 
was  born  in  the  town  of  Little 
Britain,  Lancaster  county, 
Pennsylvania,  1765.  His  pa- 
rents, who  were  Irish,  were 
respectable,  and  gave  him  a 
common  English  education  at 
Lancaster.  He  early  exhibited 
Tacsimilt of  Robtrt  Fulton's  signature.  a  superior  talent  for  mechan- 

ism  and  painting,  and  in  his  eighteenth  year  established  himself  in  the  latter  employment  in 
KelphTa?an^d  obtained  much  credit  and  emolument  by  his  portraits  and  landscapes. 
On  entering  hU22d  year  he  went  to  England,  for  the  purpose  of  improving  his  knowledge 
of  that  artfan^  was  received  into  the  family  of  Mr.  West  with  whom  he  spent  several 
years!  and  culTvated  a  warm  friendship.  After  leaving  that  family,  he  employed  two  years 
fn  Devonshire  iL  a  painter,  and  there  became  acquainted  with  the  duke  of  Bndgewsier 
and  LorTstantope,^he  former  famous  for  his  canals,  and  the  latter  f  ^is  love  of  the  me. 
chanic  arts.  He  soon  turned  his  attention  to  mechanics,  particularly  to  the  improvement 
of  inland  navigation  by  canals,  and  the  use  of  steam  for  the  propelling  of  boats ;  and  in 
5794obtained  patents  for  a  double  inclined  plane,  to  be  u«ed  for  transportation,  and  an  m. 
etrument  to  be  employed  in  excavating  canals.  Heat  thw  time  professed  hmiselfa^^^^^^ 
engineer,  and  published  a  treatise  on  canal  navigation.  He  soon  after  ^^/P^J^JP^^' 
Md  obtained  a  patent  from  the  government  for  the  intpr^vements  he  had  invented.  He 
Bpentt^  succeeding  seven  years  in  Paris,  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Joel  Bartow,  dunng  which 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


341 


neriod  he  made  himself  acquainted  with  the  French,  ItaUan,  and  German  languages,  and 
i^n  acquired  a  knowledge  of  the  high  mathematics,  physua.,  chematry,  and  Pe"P««^r*: 
He  soon  turned  his  attention  to  submarine  navigation  and  explosion,  and  m  IBOi,  under 
the  patronage  of  the  first  consul,  constructed  a  plunging  boat,  and  ♦°'Pe''??*{.  (^'""=""8  ™*: 
teridly  from  Bushnel's  invention,  with  which  he  was  acquamted,)  with  which  he  performed 
many  experiments  in  the  harbor  of  Brest,  demonstrating  tl.e  Pr^^^Sf^^i^y  .1  .i^J"* 
subaqualic  explosion  and  navigation  for  the  destruction  of  vessels.    Thew  >nventton«  at- 
tracted  the  attention  of  the  British  government,  and  overtures  were  made  to  hun  by  the 
ministry  which  induced  him  to  go  to  London,  with  the  hope  that  they  would  j^vad  them- 
selves  of  his  machines ;  but  a  demonstration  of  their  efficacy  which  he  gave  the  n«ni"tty. 
by  blowing  up  a  vessel  in  their  presence,  led  them  to  wish  to  suppress  the  '"venUon  rather 
than  encourage  it;  and  accordingly  tliey  declined  patronising  him.    During  this  pcnod  ho 
also  made  mfny  efforL,  to  discover  a  method  of  successfully  using  the  ''«'»'P  «."«'"?  ^^'^^ 
propeUing  of  boats,  and  as  early  as  1793,  made  such  experiments  as  '"^P'"**  ^'™^™  8T^^^^^ 
confidence  in  its  practicability.    Robert  R.  Livingston,  Esq.,  chancellor  of  New  York  and 
mTnister  of  the  United  States  to  the  French  court,  on  his  arrival  in  France,  induced  him  to 
renew  his  attention  to  this  subject,  and  embarked  with  h.m  in  making  experiments  for  the 
purpose  of  satisfying  themselves  of  the  possibility  of  employing  steam  in  navigation.    Mr. 
FultoTengagedwith  intense  interest  in  the  trial,  and  in  1803,  constructed  a  boat  on  he 
river  Seinf,  at  their  joint  expense,  by  which  he  fiiUy  evinced  the  pract.cabdity  of  propeUng 
l^aLbythatagent.-'  He  immediately  resolved  to  enrich  his  country  with  this  .nvaluable 
discoveVy,  and  on  returning  to  New  York  in  1806.  commenced,  m  coajuncaon  md.  Mr. 
Livings^k,  the  construction  of  the  first  Fulton  boat,  which  was  launched  in  the  «Pnngof 
T^07  from  die  ship-yard  of  Charles  Browne,  New  York,  ami  completed  m  Augus'.    This 
boat  which  was  called  the  Clermont.*  demonstrated  on  the  first  expenment,  to  a  host  ot, 
at  fi«t  incredulous,  but  at  length  astonished  spectators,  the  correctness  of  his  expectauons 
ondThe  value  of  his  invention.    Between  this  period  and  his  death  he  superintended  the 
erection  of  fourteen  other  steam  vessels,  and  made  great  improvements  m  their  construction. 

"  I  myself"  says  Judge  Story.  "  have  heard  the  illustrious  inventor  re/ate.  in  an  animated 
and  affecting  manner,  the  history  of  his  labors  and  discouragements  ••-'When.'  said  he,  I 
w^  building  my  first  steamboat  at  New  York,  the  project  was  viewed  by  the  pubhc  either 
wWi  indifference  or  with  contempt  as  a  visionary  scheme.  My  fnends  indeed  were  civil 
Ct  they  were  shy.  They  listened  with  patience  to  my  explanations,  but  with  a  setUed 
cILt  of  in«edulitj  on  Uieir  countenances.    I  felt  the  full  force  of  the  lamentation  of  the 

poet, — 

"  Truths  would  you  teach,  to  save  a  sinking  land, 

All  shun,  none  aid  you,  and  few  understand." 

As  I  had  occasion  to  pass  daily  to  and  from  the  building  yard  while  my  boat  was  in  pro. 

Eress,  I  have  often  loitered  unknown  near  the  idle  groups  of  strangers  gathering  in  little 

fircTes  r.nd  heard  various  inquiries  as  to  the  object  of  this  new  vehicle.    The  language  waa 

uSrmytharof  scorn,  sneer,  or  ridicule.    The  loud  laugh  rose  at  my  expense,  the  dry 

ies    the  wise  calculation  of  losses  and  expenditures;  the  dull  but  endless  repetition  of  the 

Fdtm  folly.    Never  did  a  single  encouraging  remark,  a  bright  hope,  or  a  warm  wish. 

cross  my  path.    Silence  itself  was  but  politeness  veiling  its  doubts  or  hidmg  its  reproaches. 

AHength  the  day  arrived  when  the  experiment  was  to  be  got  into  operation.     Totnett 

wasa^st  trying  and  interesting  occasion.    I  invited  many  fnends  to  go  on  board  to  w.u 

nn^thTfirs  successful  trip.    Many  of  them  did  me  the  favor  to  attend  as  a  matter  of  per. 

LTaUesnectrbuthwaa  manifest  they  did  it  with  reluctance,  fearing  to  be  partners  of  my 

mort  ficaUon  and  not  of  my  triumph.    I  was  well  aware  that  in  my  case  there  were  many 

"^ons  to  douUof  my  own  success.    The  machinery  (like  Fitch's  before  him)  was  new 

and  TmndeT  and  many  parts  of  it  were  constructed  by  mechanics  unacquamted  with  such 

work;a™d  unexpected  difficulties  might  reasonably  be  presumed  to  present  themselWn,m 

other  causes.    The  moment  arrived  in  which  the  word  was  to  be  given  for  the  vessel  to 

move     My  friends  were  in  groups  on  the  deck.    There  was  anxiety  mixed  with  fear 

"mong  them     They  were  silent,  sad,  and  weary.    I  read  in  their  looks  nodiing  but  disaster, 

Tdahnost  repented  of  my  efforts.    The  signal  was  given,  and  the  boat  moved  on  a  short 

ditance  and  then  stopped,  and  became  immovable.    To  the  sdence  of  the  preceding  mo- 

menTnow  succeeded  mur;nurs  of  discontent,  and  agitations,  and  whispere.  and  shrugs.    I 

could  hear  distinctly  repeated.  "/ <oirf  you  it  uiasso;  it  ts  a  foolish  scheme;  I  wish  xee 

u^eweUout  of  itJ'    I  elevated  myself  i:pou  a  platform  and  addressed  the  assembly.    I 

Ttl^ed  that  I  knew  not  what  was  the  matter;  but  if  they  would  be  quiet,  and  mdulge  mo 

•  So  named  from  the  seat  of  the  Livingston  family.    (See  Clermont,  Columbia  county.) 


342 


NEW    YORK    COUNTY. 


for  half  on  hour,  I  would  either  go  on  or  abandon  the  voyage  for  that  time.  This  short 
respite  was  conceded  without  objection.  I  went  below  and  examined  the  machinery,  and 
discovered  that  the  cause  was  a  slight  maladjustment  of  some  of  the  work.  In  a  short 
period  it  was  obviated.  The  boat  was  again  put  in  motion.  She  continued  to  move  on. 
All  were  still  incredulous.  None  seemed  willing  to  trust  the  evidence  of  their  own  senses. 
We  left  the  fair  city  of  New  York ;  we  passed  through  the  romantic  and  ever-varying 
scenery  of  the  Highlands ;  we  descried  the  clustering  houses  of  Albany ;  we  reached  its 
shores ;  and  then,  even  then,  when  all  seemed  achieved,  I  was  the  victim  of  disappoinu 
nient.  Imagination  superseded  the  influence  of  fact.  It  was  then  doubted  if  it  could  be 
done  again  ;  or  if  done,  it  was  doubted  if  it  could  be  made  of  any  great  value.'  " 


"  The  Clermont,"  Fulton's  first  American  Steamboat, 

"  Fulton  obtained  a  patent  for  his  inventions  in  navigation  by  steam  in  February,  1809,  and 
another  for  some  improvements  in  1811.  In  the  latter  year  ho  was  appointed  by  the  legis. 
lature  of  New  York,  one  of  the  commissioners  to  explore  a  route  for  a  canal  from  the  great 
lakes  to  the  Hudson,  and  engaged  with  zeal  in  the  promotion  of  that  great  work.  On 
the  commencement  of  hostilities  between  tiie  United  States  and  Great  Britain  in  1812,  ho 
renewed  his  ottcntion  to  subinnrinc  warfare,  and  contrived  a  method  of  discharging  guns 
under  water,  for  which  he  obtained  a  patent.  In  1814  he  contrived  an  armed  steam-ship 
for  the  defence  of  the  harbor  of  New  York,  and  also  a  submarine  vessel,  or  plunging  boat, 
of  such  dimensions  as  to  carry  100  men,  the  plans  of  which  being  approved  by  government, 
he  was  authorized  to  construct  them  at  the  public  expenHo.  But  before  completing  either 
of  those  works,  he  died  suddenly,  February  24tli,  1315.  His  person  "'as  tall,  slender,  and 
well  formed,  his  manneiH  grncefu!  and  dignified,  and  his  disposition  generous.  His  attain, 
ments  and  inventions  bespeak  the  high  superiority  of  his  talents.  He  was  an  accomplished 
painter,  was  profoundly  versed  in  nicclmnics,  and  poHsessed  an  invention  of  great  fertility, 
and  which  was  always  directed  by  an  eminent  share  of  good'  sense.  His  style  as  a  writer 
was  perspicuous  and  energetic.  To  him  is  to  be  ascribed  the  honor  of  inventing  a  method 
of  successfully  employing  the  steam  engine  in  mivigation,  an  invention  justly  considered 
one  of  the  most  important  which  has  been  made  in  modcMii  ages,  and  by  wliith  he  rendered 
himself  both  a  perpct\ial  and  one  of  the  greatest  benetiu'iors  of  mankind.  He  was  not  in- 
deed  the  first  who  conceived  it  to  be  possible ;  others  had  believed  its  practicability,  and 
made  many  attempts  to  propel  boats  by  steam,  but  having  neither  his  genius,  his  knowledge, 
nor  his  perseverance,  they  were  totally  nnsuccessfiil.  Mr.  Fulton  was  familiarly  acquainted 
with  muny  of  the  mos'  distinguished  literary  and  political  characters  both  of  the  United 
States  and  of  F^urope  tvas  a  director  of  the  American  academy  of  tine  arts,  and  a  member 
uf  several  Uterary  and  philosophical  societies." 


"  Bkockhot.st  Livingston,  judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  United  States,  was  the  son 
of  William  Livingston,  governor  of  New  Jersey,  and  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
November  25th,  1757.  He  entered  Princeton  college,  but  in  1776  loft  it  for  the  field,  and 
becsine  one  of  the  family  of  General  Schuyler,  commander  of  tiie  northern  army.    He  -.viis 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


343 


afterward  attached  to  the  suite  of  general  Arnold,  with  the  rank  of  major,  and  shared  in 
the  honors  of  the  conquest  of  Biirgoyne.  In  1779  he  accompanied  Mr.  Jay  to  die  court 
of  Spain  as  his  private  secretary,  and  remained  abroad  about  three  years.  On  his  return 
he  devoted  himself  to  law,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  April,  1783.  His  talents  were 
happily  adapted  to  the  profession,  and  soon  raised  him  into  notice,  and  ultimately  to  emi- 
nence.  He  was  called  to  the  bench  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  state  of  New  York,  Jan- 
uary  8th,  1802,  and  in  November,  1806,  was  transferred  to  that  of  the  supreme  court  of 
the  United  States,  the  duties  of  whi>:h  station  he  discharged  with  distingui  'd  faithfulness 
and  ability  until  his  death,  which  took  place  during  the  sittings  of  the  court  at  Washington, 
March  18tli,  1823,  in  the  66th  year  of  his  age.  He  possessed  a  mind  of  uncommon  acute, 
ness  and  energy,  and  enjoyed  the  reputation  of  an  accomplished  scholar,  an  able  pleader  and 
jurist,  an  upright  judge,  and  a  liberal  patron  of  learning. 


^/^ 


'^rif^'^  ^f:^^^^ 


Facsimile  of  Richard  Montgomery's  signature, 

"  Richard  Montgomery,  a  major-general  in  the  army  of  the  United  States,  was  born  in 
the  north  of  Ireland,  in  1737.  He  possessed  an  excellent  genius,  which  was  matured  by  a 
fine  education.  Entering  the  army  r  at  Britain,  he  successfully  fought  her  battles,  with 
Wolfe,  at  Quebec,  in  1759  ;  and  on  very  spot  where  he  was,  afterward,  doomed  to  fall, 
when  fighting  against  her,  under  the  oannors  of  freedom. 

"  He  tarly  imbibed  an  attachment  to  America ;  and,  aOer  his  arrival  in  New  York,  pur- 
chased  an  estate,  about  one  hundred  mi:. m  from  the  city,  and  married  a  daughter  of  Judge 
Livingston.  When  the  struggle  with  Great  Britain  commenced,  as  he  was  known  to  have 
an  ardent  attachment  to  liberty,  and  had  expressed  his  readiness  to  draw  his  sword  on  the 
side  of  the  colonies,  the  command  of  the  continental  forces,  in  tho  northern  department, 
was  intrusted  to  him  and  Gen.  Schuyler,  in  the  fall  of  1775. 

"  By  the  indisposition  of  Schuyler,  the  chief  command  devolved  upon  him  in  October. 
After  a  succession  of  splendid  and  important  victories,  ho  appeared  before  Quebec.  In  an 
attempt  to  storm  the  city,  on  the  lost  of  December,  this  brave  counnander  fell,  by  a  dis- 
charge  of  grape-shot,  both  of  his  aids  being  killed  at  the  snmo  time.  In  his  fall,  there  was 
every  circumstance  united,  that  could  impart  fame  and  glory  to  the  death  of  a  soldier." 

"  General  Montgomery  wns  gifted  with  fine  abilities  and  had  received  an  excellent  educa- 
tion.  His  military  talents  especially  were  great ;  his  measures  were  taken  with  judgment 
and  executed  with  vigor.  The  sorrow  for  his  loss  was  heightened  by  the  esteem  which  his 
amiable  character  had  gaijied  him.  At  the  period  of  his  death  he  was  only  thirty-eight 
years  of  ago." 

"  William  Alexan- 
DER,  Lord  Stirling,  a 
major-general  in  the 
service  of  the  United 
States  during  the  revo. 
lutionary  war,  was  born 
in  the  city  of  New 
f\ic-$imile  of  Lord  Stirling's  tignature.  York,    but    possed    a 

portion  of  his  life  in  New  Jersey.  Ho  was  generally  styled  through  courtesy  ImvU  Stirling, 
in  concequence  of  being  considered  by  many  as  the  rightful  heir  to  tho  title  and  estates  of 
an  earldom  in  Scotland,  from  which  country  his  father  came,  though  the  government  re. 
fused  to  acknowledge  tho  son's  claim  when  ho  repaired  to  (Jrcat  Britain  ii'  pursuit  of  this 
inheritance.  lie  was  eariy  remarkable  for  his  fondness  for  mathemftics  and  astronomy,  in 
which  sciences  ho  made  considerable  progress. — Throughout  the  revolulion  he  acted  an  im. 
portant  part,  and  distinguished  himself  particulariy  in  the  battles  of  Long  Island,  Ciennan- 
town,  and  Monmouth.  In  tho  first,  ho  was  taken  prisoner,  after  having,  by  a  bold  attack 
upon  a  corps  commaiuled  by  Gornwallis,  efiected  tho  escape  of  a  large  part  ol  his  detach, 
mont.  In  the  second,  his  division,  with  the  brigades  of  Generals  Nash  and  Maxwell,  formbi 
the  corps  de  reserve;  and  in  the  last  he  coimnanded  tho  left  win;;  of  tho  American  army. 
He  was  always  warmly  attached  to  Gei)'3riil  Washington,  and  the  cause  which  ho  had  os- 
poiued.    Hb  died  at  Albany,  Jan.  15th,  1763,  aged  67  years,  leaving  behind  him  tlie  repvu 


'S^.  ^/^f^- 


at- 


344 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


I  i 


tationofabrave,  discerning,  and  intrepid  officer,  and  an  honest  and  a  leamodman."— 
Mnclyelopedia  Americana. 


O^, 


i 


liiili 


Fac-timih  of  Alexander  Hamilton^  signature. 


«'  Alexander  Hamilton  was  born  in  1757,  in  the  island  of  Nevis,  West  Indies.    Ilia 
father  was  a  native  of  England,  and  his  mother  of  the  island.    At  the  age  of  sixteen,  he 
became  a  student  of  Columbia  college,  his  motlier  having  emigrated  to  New  York.    He 
had  not  been  in  that  institution  more  than  a  year,  before  he  gave  a  brilliant  nianifestation 
of  the  powers  of  his  mind  in  the  discussion  concerning  the  rights  of  the  colonies.    In  sup- 
port  of  these  he  published  several  essays,  which  were  marked  by  such  vigor  and  maturity 
of  style,  strength  of  argument,  and  wisdom   and  compass  of  views,  that  Mr.  Jay,  at  that 
time  in  the  meridian  of  life,  was  supposed  to  be  the  author.    Whenit  had  become  neces. 
sary  to  unsheaUi  the  sword,  the  ardent  spirit  of  young  Hamilton  would  no  longer  allow  him 
to  remain  in  academic  retirement ;  and  before  the  age  of  nineteen  he  entered  the  American 
army  in  the  rank  of  captain  of  artillery.     In  this  capacity  he  soon  attracted  the  attention 
of  the  commander-in-chief,  who  appointed  him  his  aid-de-camp,  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant. 
colonel.    This  occurred  in  1777,  when  ho  vns  not  more  than  twenty  years  of  age.    trom 
this  time  he  continued  the  inseparable  comuanion  of  Washington  dunng  the  war,  and  was 
always  consulted  by  him,  and  frequently  by  other  public  functionaries,  on  the  most  impor- 
tant  occasions.     He  acted  as  his  firat  aid-dr-camp  at  tlio  battles  of  Brandywine.  Geman. 
town,  and  Monmouth,  and  at  the  siege  of  Yorktown  he  led,  at  his  "^n  request,  the  detach, 
ment  that  carried  by  assault  one  of  the  enemy's  outworks,  October  14, 1781.     In  this  aflair 
he  displayed  the  most  brilliant  valor.                                                     j  ..      .  j      r  .u    i„„, 
"  After  the  war,  Col.  Hamilton,  then  about  twenty-four,  commenced  the  studv  oJ  the  law, 
as  he  had  at  that  time  a  wife  and  family  depending  upon  him  for  support.    He  was  soon 
admitted  to  the  bar.     In  1782,  he  was  chos.m  a  member  of  congress  from  the  state  ot  New 
York,  where  he  qui'-kly  acquired  the  greatest  influence  and  distinction,  and  was  always  a 
member  and  sometimes  chairman  of  those  committees  to  which  were  confided  such  subjects 
as  were  deemed  of  vital  interest  to  the  nation.    The  reports  which  he  prepared  are  remark- 
able for  the  correctness  and  power  which  characterize  every  effort  of  nw  PMJ-     At  the  end 
of  the  session  he  returned  to  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and 
became  eminent  at  the  bar.    In  178G,  ho  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  legislature  of  his 
etate,  and  was  mainly  instrumental  in  preventing  a  serious  collision  between  Vermont  and 
New  York,  in  consequence  of  a  diipute  concerning  territorial  jurisdiction.     Ho  was  elected 
a  delegate  from  New  York  to  the  convention  which  was  to  meet  at  Philadelphia,  in  order 
to  form  a  constitution  for  the  United  8tates.    As  the  doors  of  the  convention  were  closed 
during  ita  sitting,  and  its  records  wore  never  given  to  the  world,  it  is  not  possible  to  state 
the  precise  part  which  he  acted  in  that  body.     It  is  well  ascertained,  however,  that  the 
country  is  at  least  as  much  indebted  to  him  for  the  excellences  of  the  constitution  ns  to  any 
other  member  of  the  illustrious  assembly.     Hamilton  and  Madison  were  the  chief  oracles 
and  artificers.    After  the  adoption  of  the  constitution  by  the  convention,  he  associated  him- 
self  with  Mr.  Madison  and  Mr.  Jay,  for  the  purpose  of  disposing  the  public  to  receive  it 
with  favor.    The  essays  which  they  wrote  with  that  design,  addressed  to  the  people  of 
New  "York  during  the  years  1787  and  1788,  are  well  known  under  the  name  of  the  Fed. 
eralist,  and  contributed  powerfully  to  produce  the  eflect  for  which  they  were  composed. 
The  larger  portion  of  them  was  written  by  Hamilton.     In  1788,  he  was  a  member  ot  the 
Slate  convention  of  New  York,  which  met  to  deliberate  on  the  adoption  of  the  federal 
constitution,  and  it  was  chiefly  in  consequence  of  his  eflbrts  that  it  was  accepted.    On  the 
oignniziilioa  of  the  f.ideral  government  in  1789,  he  was  appointed  to  the  office  of  secretary 
of  the  treasury.    Tiiis  was  a  niluation  which  required  the  exercise  oi  all  the  great  powers 
of  his  mind,  for  the  public  credit  was  at  that  time  at  the  lowest  state  of  depression  ;  and  as 
no  Btatistical  account  of  the  country  had  evi,r  been  atteniptol,  its  fiscal  resources  were 
wholly  unknown.    Dut  before  Hamilton  retired  from  the  post,  which  he  did  atter  hllmg  iC 
■oxDOWOat  raoro  man  nvo  ycare,  no  had  nuseu  ujc  jpuuuu  ticui^  t^  »♦  ^^*. o — 


NEW   YORK    COUNTY. 


345 


precedented  in  the  history  of  the  country ;  and  'oy  the  admirable  system  of  finance  which  he 
established,  had  acquired  the  reputation  of  one  of  the  greatest  financiers  uf  the  age.    His 
official  reports  to  congress  are  considered  as  masterpieces,  and  the  principles  which  he  ad- 
vocated  in  them  still  continue  to  exercise  a  great  influence  in  the  revenue  departmen'  of 
the  American  government.    Whilst  secretary  of  the  treasury,  he  was  ex  officio  one  of  the 
cabinet  counsellors  of  President  Washington ;  and  such  was  the  confidence  reposed  by 
that  great  man  in  his  integrity  and  ability,  that  he  rarely  ventured  upon  any  executive  act 
of  moment  without  his  concurrence,    He  was  one  of  the  principal  advisers  of  the  procla- 
mation of  neutrality  issued  by  Washington  in  1793,  in  consequence  of  the  attempt  made 
by  the  minister  of  France  to  cause  the  United  States  to  take  part  with  his  country  in  the 
war  then  raging  between  it  and  England.    This  measure  he  defended  in  a  series  of  essays, 
under  the  signature  of  Pacificus,  which  were  successful  in  giving  it  popularity.    In  1795, 
Hamilton  resigned  his  office  and  retired  to  private  life,  in  order  to  be  better  able  to  support 
a  numerous  family  by  the  practice  of  his  profession.    In  1798,  however,  when  an  mvasion 
was  apprehended  from  the  French,  and  a  provisional  army  had  been  called  into  the  field, 
his  public  services  were  again  required.    President  Adams  had  offered  the  i  hief  command 
of  the  provisional  army  to  Washington,  who  consented  to  accept  in  c;>se  Hamilton  should 
be  chosen  second  m  command,  with  the  title  of  iuspector^eneral.    This  ivas  accordingly 
done,  and  in  a  short  time  he  succeeded  in  bringing  the  organization  and  discipline  of  tho 
army  to  a  high  degree  of  excellence.     On  the  death  of  V/ashington  in  1799,  he  succeeded 
of  course  to  the  chief  command.    The  title  of  lieutenanUgeneral,  however,  to  which  he  was 
then  entitled,  was  from  some  unexplained  cause  never  conferred  on  him. 

"  When  the  army  was  disbanded  after  the  cessation  of  hostilities  between  the  United 
States  and  France,  General  Hamilton  returned  again  to  the  bar,  and  continued  to  practise 
with  increased  reputation  and  success  until  1804.    In  June  of  that  year  he  received  a  note 
from  Col.  Burr, — between  whom  and  himself  a  political  had  become  a  personal  enmity, — 
in  which  he  was  .eiiuiicd,  in  offensive  language,  to  acknowledge  or  disavow  certain  ex- 
pressions derogatory  to  the  latter.    Tho  tone  of  the  note  was  such  as  to  cause  him  to  refuse 
to  do  either,  and  a  challenge  was  .he  consequence.    July  11,  the  parties  mot  at  Hoboken, 
opposite  New  York,  on  the  Jersey  side  of  the  Hudson,  and  on  the  iirat  fire  Hamilton  fell 
mortally  wounded,  on  the  same  spot  where,  a  short  time  previously,  his  eldest  son  had  been 
killed  in  a  duel.    He  lingered  until  the  afternoon  of  the  following  day,  when  he  expired. 
The  sensation  which  this  excited  throughout  tho  United  States  had  never  been  exceeded 
on  this  continent.     Men  of  all  parties  felt  that  the  nation  was  deprived  of  its  greatest  ornn. 
ment.    His  transcendent  abilities  were  universally  acknowledged.    Every  citizen  was  ready 
to  express  confidence  in  his  spirit  of  honor  and  his  capacity  for  public  service.    Of  all  the 
coadjutors  and  advisers  of  Washington,   Hamilton  was  undoubtedly  the  one  m  whoso 
sagacity  and  judgment  he  reposed  the  greatest  confidence,  whether  in  the  military  or  m  the 
civil  career ;  and  of  all  the  American  statesmen  he  displayed  the  most  comprehensive  un. 
deratanding,  and  the  most  varied  ability,  whether  applied  to  subjccls  practical  or  speculative. 
A  collc-tion  of  his  works  was  issued  in  New  York  in  three  octavo  volumes,  some  years 
alter  his  death.     His  style  is  nervous,  lucid,  and  elevated  ;  he  excels  in  reasoning  founded 
on  general  principles  and  historical,  experience.     Genera!  Hamilton  was  regarded  as  tho 
head  of  the  Federalists  in  the  party  divisions  of  the  American  republic.    He  was  accused 
of  having  preferred  in  the  convention  that  framed  the  Federal  constitution,  a  government 
more  akin  to  tho  monarchical ;  he  weakened  the  federal  party  by  denouncing  President 
Adams,  whose  administration  he  disapproved,  and  whose  fitness  tor  office  he  (questioned. 
But  his  general  course  and  his  confidential  correspondence,  show  that  he  earnestly  desired 
to  preserve  tho  constitution,  when  it  was  ndopiud,  and  that  his  motives  were  patriotic  m 
his  proceedings  towards  Mr.  Adams.    Certain  it  is,  that  no  man  labored  more  faithfully, 
skilfully,  and  efficiently  in  organizing  and  putting  into  operation  the  federal  government."— 
Encyclopedia  Americana. 

The  annexed  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  in  this  city. 
The  monument  of  Emmet  is  in  St.  Paul's  churchyard,  that  of  Mont- 
gomery is  placed  in  front  of  the  church  itself.  The  monuments  of 
Aloxandei  Hamilton  and  Captain  Jame-s  Lawrence,  are  in  the  old 
Trinity  churchyard ;  and  the  one  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kunze,  is  in  the 
Lutheran  graveyard  adjoining  the  Episcopal  buryin^-g'-ound  in  Hud- 


sou-street. 

The  moDUineiit  erected  to  the  memory  of  Thomas  Addis  EmnieJ,  coiisisU 

44 


jntiro 


346 


NEW   YORK   COUNTY. 


block  of  white  marble,  about  thirty  feet  in  height.    On  its  face  fronting  Broadway  is  a  me- 
dallion  likeness  of  Emmet,  in  bas-rehef,  below  which  is  the  foUowing  inscnption. 

"In  memory  of  Thomas  Addis  Emmet,  who  exemplified  in  his 
A  conduct,  and  adorned  by  his  integrity,  the  policy  and  the  principles 

/^  of  the  United  Irishmen — '  To  forward  a  brotherhood  of  aiTection,  a 

I  community  of  rights,  an  identity  of  interests,  and  a  union  of  power 

I  among  Irishmen  of  every  religious  persuasion,  as  the  only  means 

I I  of  Ireland's  chief  good,  an  impartial  and  adequate  representation  m 
an  Irish  parliament.'  For  this  (mysterious  fate  of  virtue !)  exiled 
from  his  native  land,  in  America,  the  land  of  freedom,  he  found 
a  second  country,  which  paid  his  love,  by  reverencing  his  genius. 
Learned  in  our  laws,  and  the  laws  of  Europe,  in  the  literature  of  our 
times,  and  in  that  of  antiquity,  all  knowledge  seemed  subject  to  his 
use.  An  orator  of  the  first  order  ;  clear,  copious,  fervid,  alike  pow. 
erful  to  kindle  the  imagination,  touch  the  affections,  and  sway  the 
reason  and  the  will ;  simple  in  his  tastes,  unassuming  in  his  man- 
ners,  frank,  generous,  kind-hearted,  and  honorable  ;  his  private  life 
was  beautiful,  as  his  public  career  .was  brilliant.— Anxious  to  per- 
petuate  the  name  and  example  of  such  a  man,  alike  by  his  genius, 
his  virtues,  and  his  fate ;  consecrated  to  their  affections  by  his  penis, 
liis  sacrifices,  and  the  deeper  calomities  of  his  kindred,  in  a  just  and 
holy  cause ;  his  sympathizing  countrymen  erected  this  monument 
and  cenotaph.  Born  at  Cork,  April  twenty-fourth,  1764;  he  died 
in  this  city,  November  fourteenth,  1827." 

A  figure  of  an  American  eagle  is  seen  beneath  this  inscription 

resting  on  the  Irish  harp,  which,  as  an  emblem  of  the  condition  of 

Ireland,  is  represented  as  unstrung ;  and  surmounting  these  are  two 

hands  clasped  together,  on  the  bracelet  of  one  of  which,  are  the 

stars  of  our  Union,  on  that  of  the  other  a  wreath  of  shamrock.    The 

following  Latin  inscription  is  on  the  face  towards  the  church. 

•'  M  +  S.    Thomas  Addis  Emmet,  qui  ingenio  illustri,  studiis  al- 

,    „  .       tioribus,  moribus  integris,  dignum  se  prsstabat  laudibus  illis,  illft 

Emmet  *  Monnment.      ygygyg„tift,  illo  amore  quB3  semper  eum  viventem  prosequebantur ; 

et  subitJt  illo  erepto  morte,  univeisee  in  luctum  civitatis  se  effiiderunt.    Quura  raro  extitent 

VI  naturffive  dotibus,  doctrinaive  subsidiis  omnibus  illo  instructior ;  turn  eloquentift  altft  lUfc 

et  verft  qunlem  olim  mirabantur  Roma  Athenajque,  pra3cipue  alios  anteibat ;  gravis,  ranus, 

vchemens,  fervidus,  omnes,  animi  mofus  sic  regere  norit,  uti  eoe  qui  audirent  quo  vellet  et 

inviios  impelleret.    Hibernift  natus,  dilectam  sibi  patriam  dm  suhjectam  alieno,  servis  tan- 

turn  ferendo  jugo  ad  libertatem,  ad  sua  jura  vocare  magno  est  a  usus  ammo  ;  at  priBclara  et 

consiUret  vJta  fefellere  fata.     Spe,  non  animo,  dejectus  nobil.s  exul;  et  h,EC  Arnmcana 

libens  respublica  ilium  cxcepit,  civemque,  sibi  gratulans  adscivit ;  dein  hffic  civitas  ilh  domus. 

h<Bc  pntria  fuit,  hiEC  gloriam  illi  nuxit,  hiec  spiritus  ultimos  recep.t.    Mairentium  c.vium 

voluntas  hoc  exegit  monuinentum." 

The  following  inscription  in  the  ancient  Irish  character  and  language  faces  Fulton-street. 

"  He  contemplated  invaluable  benefits  for  the  land  of  his  birth ;  he  gave  eclat  to  the  land 

of  his  deatli ;  and  received,  in  return,  her  love  and  admiration." 

"  This  monument  is  erected  by  the  order  of  congress,  25tli  Jan.,  1776,  to  transmit  to  pos. 
terity  a  grateful  remembrance  of  the  patriotism,  conduct,  enterprise,  and  perseverance,  of 
MaI.gI  Richard  Montgomkrv,  vho  after  asorit^of  successes  am.d  the  "■««'  f>~ 
RBinK  difficulties,  fell  in  the  attack  on  Quebec,  31et  Doc,  177.'),  aged  37  yenrH.-T  he  Stnte 
of  New  Yo"k  caused  the  remains  of  Mty.  Gen.  Richard  Montgomery  to  be  conveyed  from 
Quebec  and  deposited  beneath  this  monument  the  8th  day  of  July,  1010. 

"In  memory  of  Cai^ain  James  Lawrence,  of  the  United  States  navy,  who  jell  on  the 
Ist  day  of  June,  1813,  in  the  32d  year  of  his  age,  in  the  action  between  '"'«  fr'8''l''».Cn«»«- 
peake  and  Shannon.  Ho  had  diHlitigulHlied  h.msolt  ..n  various  ««.'=»7,""j, '^.f  P»'"""'"'/ 
when  commnnainff  the  sloop  of  war  Hornet,  by  caplunng  and  SM.king  Ins  «"'!  "''"=.'^'^««- 
ty's  sloop  of  wai  Peacock,  after  a  desperate  action  of  14  niinutes.  His  bravery  i.i  a"'»n«^«^ 
only  equalled  by  his  modcHty  in  triu.npli  and  his  magnanimity  to  the  vanquished,  m  private 
k"-^»  ».»  «  Jn.l«m«n  of  the  .nost  cenerous  and  endearing  qualities,  and  so  acknowledged 


was  his  public 
with  his  count 
here  deposited 
the  fiury  of  ba 
could  subdue '. 


"Dan.  12, 

viele  zur  gere 
unvergesliche 
dcr  oriental  s| 
23  jahren  pre 
stein  als  ein  : 
entschlief  der 


Translatio 
firmament,  a 
the  memory 
sor  of  the  ori 
for  23  years 
stone  is  dedi 
love.  He  w 
age. 

Here  lies 
gathered  mo 
find  him  wi( 

"  To  the 
erected  this 
the  soldier 
virtues  will 
into  dust. 


NiAO/ 

E.  and 

is  of  In 

streams 

and  To 

1796,  e^ 

there  v 

county. 

above  1 

mencinj 

road  ru 

Falls. 

Lockpc 

Erie  cc 


HIAGARA  COUNTY. 


847 


waB  h«  public  worU»  that  the  whole  -J-^-S^^^^SiThetB^ wT^eS^^ 

..Dan.  12.  3.    Die  lehrer  aber  werden  le-^^"^ ^  twigllr tetTnll^^^^^^^^^^^ 
viele  zur  gerechtigkeit  weisen,  -'«  d.«  f  rne  .mmer  und  ew^^^^^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^^^^^^ 

unvergeslichen  lehrers  des  herm  Johann  ^™'*™™  .'Vu^i,  im  New  Yorker  staat,  und  seit 
der  oriental  eprachen,  senior  der  Luthemchen  ge.8U.chke,um  ]^^^^^  ^^^^       ^ 

23  jahren  prediger  der  Deuitseh  L"ther.8chen  gemeine  '"««;;  J^J^'^ohren  im  jahr.  1744, 
Btein  als  ein  zeichen  widmet  ihrer  verehrung  ''"f jf  °f; g.^Xe  telaOat. 
entachlief  den  24  July,  1807,  so  das  s.ch  sein  alter  auf  64  jahre  beiauai. 

.'  Hier  liegt  ein  knecht  des  hemn  der  seinen  J*"*'™  "«*"« 
fhm  treu  war  bis  in's  grab,  und  manche  seel  gewan^ 
Dr'um  denkt  zr  euren  trost,  die  each  sein  todt  betrubte 
Wie  trefen  ihm  einst  dort  hey  unserra  Jesus  an. 

7Va„,Iat«,n._Dan.l2,3.    And  they  that  be  ^^ J^hLt^^Tret  anlfo^er?' 't^ 
firmament,  and  they  that  turn  many  »»  "f  ^""^"^^'^^^l^;^^^^^^^^^  profes- 

the  memor/  of  their  never  to  be  forgotten  P««^^  /^J^^^J^^^^^^^^  state  of  New  York,  Mid 
sor  of  the  oriental  languages,  aemor  of  the  Lutheran  <=  ?y  "*  j^  j  „f  jjew  York,  this 
for  23  years  pastor  of  the  German  Luthemn  «°"e^^>XrimoS  of'^their  veneration  and 
zr  ^  HtSiKrytr  lt45ralrfelfXiV  My,  iW.  in  the  64  year  of  h.s 

find  him  with  our  Jesus. 

..To  the  memory  of  Ar.EXXKOHK  Ham..to..    Tjje  cor  o^^^^^^^^^ 
ereeted  this  monument  in  test.mony  '^^ ^'J^'^'^J^'J^l^i^^^^^^  whose  talents  and 

SrSblSrdVt'letl  ;=    oiXr-ble  ..^  have  —red 
into  du»t.    He  died  July  12th,  1804,  aged  47." 


NIAGARA  COUNTY. 

N.OAHA  CO..TV  was  taken  ^^^^^  '%l  t'TmZfa 
V.  ina  W  30;  breadth  N.  end  S.  21  miles,     ine  wuiu         g 

man  ovrliisive  of  the  occupants  (>1  i-    'ts  IMagara  auu  oo.  . 

,„e,King  near  ^f^:^'^;-^^  ^^  1%^^ The  Niagara 
Fa"?.™  A  'Ech  t"  ...n  nS  ..om  Lewi.Jo„  -  in'-sect  the 
Eockport  andXi  >va  C.'.U  railroad, a  ;;i't«->ce  "/about S  .rales.  The 
Erte  canal  enters  the  Tonawanta  creek  near  .ts  raouU..    Ihe  creeK 


348 


NIAGARA    COUNTY. 


is  used  for  12  miles  as  a  canal  by  a  tow-path  on  its  bank.  At  Pen- 
dleton village,  the  canal  leaves  the  creek  and  turns  in  a  northeasterly 
direction  across  the  mountain  ridge,  with  a  deep  cut  of  about  three 
miles  through  rock  averaging  20  feet ;  and  then  descending  60  feet, 
by  five  double  combined  locks  of  12  feet  each,  it  passes  out  of  the 
county  south  of  the  Ridge  road.  The  county  is  divided  into  12 
towns.    Pop.  31,114. 

Cambria,  organized  in  1808,  as  part  of  Genesee  county,  and  then 
embracing  the  whole  country  now  forming  Niagara  county ;  from 
Albany  288  miles.  Pekin,  10  miles  W.  from  Lockport,  is  a  small 
settlement  on  the  route  of  the  railroad,  on  elevated  ground,  having  a 
fine  prospect  to  the  northward.     Pop.  2,100. 

Hartlani),  organized  in  1812;  bounds  since  changed ;  from  Alba- 
ny 270  miles.  Hartland,  10  miles  NE.  from  Lockport,  and  Johnson 
Creek  14  miles,  are  small  villages  on  the  Ridge  road.     Pop.  2,301. 

Lewiston,  taken  from  Cambria  in  1813 ;  irom  Albany  293  miles. 
Lewiston  village,  upon  the  river,  was  surveyed  in  1813  ;  it  is  7  miles 
N.  of  Niagara  Falls,  27  from  Buffalo,  7  S.  of  Lake  Ontario,  18  W. 
of  Lockport,  80   from   Rochester.     Pop.  2,543.     It   lies   opposite 
Qucenston,  U.  C.     It  is  the  port  of  entry  for  the  Niagara  collection 
district,  and  is  on  the  Ridge  road,  elevated  about  a  hundred  feet 
above  the  river,  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain  ridge  portage,  and  at  the 
head  of  the  navigation,  and  contains  about  70  dwellings.     The  chief 
export  is  lumber.     Steamboats  from  the  lake  touch  daily  at  the  laud- 
ing.    There  is  a  ferry  across  the  river  at  Queenston,  the  passage 
of  which,  though  safe,'is  somewhat  appalling  by  reason  of  the  rapidity 
and  eddies  of"  the  stream.     In  the  central  part  of  this  town,  now 
intersected  by  the  Niagara  Falls  and  Lockport  railroad,  "  8  miles 
below  the  falls  and  3  miles  back  from  the  river,  is  the  reservation  of 
the  Tuscarora  Indians,  containing  2  miles  in  width  by  4  in  length, 
(about  5,000  acres,)  of  very  excellent  land.     They  consist  of  about 
300  souls ;  have  a  Presbyterian  church  of  50  members,  a  resident 
clergyman,  and  a  school  teacher,  and  a  temperance  society  oi'  more 
than  100  members.     They  are  under  the  care  of  the  American  Board 
of  Foreign  Missions.     Their  village  is  delightfully  situated  on  a  high 
bank,  commanding  an  extensive  prospect  of  the  surrounding  country 
and  of  Lake  Ontario.     These  Indians  came  from  North  Carolina 
about  the  year  1712,  and  joined  the  confederacy  of  the  Five  Nations, 
themselves  making  the  sixth.     They  formerly  held  a  very  valuable 
interest  in  land  in  North  Carolina,  but  have  recently  sold  it  and  divided 
the  proceeds  equally  among  themselves.     Many  of  them  are  in  very 
prosperous  circumstances ;  in  1834,  one  man  raised  and  gathered  50 
acres  of  wheat.     Visiters  at  the  falls  have  been  in  the  habit  of  going, 
sometimes  in  crowds,  to  this  village  on  the  Sabbath ;  but  the  Indians, 
with  their  missionary,  ha^e  often  expressed  their  desire  that  visiters 
would  not  interrupt  them  at  that  time." 

The  following  is  a  northern  view  taken  near  the  steamboat  landing 
at  Lewiston,  showing  in  the  distance  Queenston  Heights,  distinguished 
as  the  battle-ground  during  the  war  of  1812.    On  the  s  unmit  of  the 


iv^— 


Gen. 


NIAGARA   COUNTY. 


349 


Lewiston  Landing,  and  Queenston  Heights,  U.  C. 

elevated  ground,  370  feet  above  the  river,  is  seen  Gen.  Brock's  mon- 
ument, constructed  of  freestone,  at  the  expense  of  the  provincial  gov- 
ernment. The  base  is  20  feet  square,  and  the  shaft  rises  126  feet 
from  the  ground  ;  from  this  eminence  the  country  around,  including 
the  picturesque  lake  and  river  scenery,  may  be  seen  for  fifty  miles. 
The  following  is  the  inscription  on  the  monument. 

"  The  legislature  of  Upper  Canada  has  dedicated  this  monument  to  the  many  civil  and 
military  services  of  the  late  Sir  James  Brock,  Knight  commander  of  the  Most  Honorable 
Order  of  the  Bath,  Provincial  Lieutenant  Governor  and  Major-general,  commandmg  His 
Majesty's  forces  therein.  He  fell  in  action,  on  the  13th  of  October,  1812,  honored  and 
beloved  by  those  whom  he  governed,  and  deplored  by  his  Sovereign,  to  whose  services  his 
life  had  been  devoted.  His  remains  are  deposited  in  this  vault,  aa  also  his  Aid.dc.camp, 
Lieutenant-colonel  John  McDonald,  who  died  of  his  wounds  the  14  of  October,  1812, 
received  the  day  before  in  action." 

Gen.  Brock  was  killed  at  a  spot  about  80  rods  down  the  hill,  in  a 
northwestern  direction  from  the  monument,  near  a  cherry-tree.  He 
was  a  brave  officer,  and  fell  at  the  head  of  his  men  while  cheering 
them  on  to  action.  It  is  stated  that  when  leading  on  his  men,  he 
laid  his  hand  on  his  breast,  exclaiming, "  Here  is  a  breast  for  your 
yankee  halls—shoot  me  if  you  can ;"  when  mortally  wounded,  soon 
after,  he  took  off  his  cravat  and  told  one  of  liis  aids  to  deliver  it  to  his 
sister.  He  was  at  first  interred  in  the  northeastern  bastion  of  Fort 
George,  and  a  24  pound  American  cannon,  captured  with  Hull, 
placed  at  his  head.  His  remains  were  removed  to  Queenston 
lleights,  on  one  of  the  anniversaries  of  the  battle.— On  the  night  ol 
the  17th  of  April,  1840,  some  evil-minded  and  unknown  persons  en- 
deavored to  blow  up  the  monument  by  gJiipowder.  This  disgraceful 
attempt  was  partially  successful ;  tht  keystone  over  the  door  was 
thrown  out,  and  the  structure  itseli"  was  cracked  up  to  nearly  two 
thirds  of  its  height.— The  following  account  of  the  battle  of  Queens- 
ton is  from  the  Albany  Gazette,  Oct.  20th,  1812. 

"  \t  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  13th  inst.  Col.  Solomon  Van  Ilensselacr,  at  the 
head"  of  300  miliiia,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Christie,  at  the  hend  of  300  regulars  of  the  13th  regu 


k%-i!i 


850 


NIAGARA   COUNTY. 


I" 


mcnt  embarked  in  boats  to  dislodge  the  British  from  the  heights  of  Queenston.  They 
crossed  under  cover  of  a  battery  of  two  eighteen  and  two  six  pounders.  Their  movement 
was  discovered  almost  at  the  instant  of  their  departure  from  the  Amencan  shore.  The 
detachments  landed  under  a  heavy  fire  of  artillery  and  musketry.  Col.  Van  Rensselaer 
received  a  wound  through  his  right  thigh  soon  after  landing,  but  proceeded  on  until  he 
received  two  other  flesh  wounds  in  his  thigh  and  the  calf  of  one  of  his  legs,  and  a  severe 
contusion  on  one  of  his  heels,  when  he  ordered  the  detachments  to  march  on  and  storm 
the  first  battery,  and  was  himself  carried  ofl"  the  field.  The  order  for  storming  was  gallantly 
executed,  and  a  severe  conflict  ensued.  Lieut.  Col.  Christie  received  a  severe  wound  in 
his  hand,  but  got  over  the  works.  At  this  time  both  parties  were  reinforced.  The  enemy 
soon  gave  way  and  fled  in  every  direction.  Maj.  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  crossed  oyer  to 
sustain  the  attack,  and  ascended  the  heights  of  Queenston,  where  he  was  attacked  with 
great  fary  by  several  hundred  Indians,  who  however  were  soon  routed  and  driven  into  the 
woods  The  reinforcements  ordered  over  from  the  Amencan  side  began  to  move  tardily, 
and  finally  stopped.  This  induced  the  major-general  to  return,  in  order  to  accelerate  their 
movements.  He  mounted  a  horse  and  used  every  exertion  in  his  power  to  urge  on  the 
reinforcements,  but  in  vain ;  whereupon  the  general  perceiving  that  a  strong  remlorcement 
was  advancing  to  support  the  British,  ordered  a  retreat,  but  before  the  order  reached  Brig. 
Gen.  Wadsworth,  the  battle  was  renewed  by  the  enemy  with  great  vigor  and  increased 
numbers,  which  compelled  the  Americans,  whose  strength  and  ammunition  were  nearly 
exhausted  by  hard  fighting  for  eleven  hours,  and  with  very  little  interinission,  to  g.ve  way. 
The  number  of  killed  is  considerable  on  both  sides,  but  the  Americans  have  lost  many 
prisoners,  including  about  60  officers,  most  of  whom  are  wounded.  Among  the  prwoners 
are  Lieut.  Cols.  Scott,  Christie,  and  Fenwick,  of  the  United  States  troops ;  Gen.  Wads, 
worth  and  Col.  Stranahan  of  the  militia.  M^.  Gen.  Brock,  of  the  Bniish,  is  among  the 
slain,  and  his  aid-de-camp  mortally  wounded.  The  whole  number  of  AmeTicans  said  to 
have  been  engaged,  is  about  1,600,  of  which  900  were  regular  troops  and  700  mihtm— 
On  the  14th,  an  arrangement  was  made  between  Mnj.  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer  and  Gen. 
Sheafe  for  the  liberation  of  all  the  militia  prisoners  on  parole,  not  to  serve  during  the  war. 

The  following,  from  the  Albany  Register,  Extra,  contains  some 
atiditional  particulars. 

"A  large  body  of  the  enemy  got  behind  a  stone  guard-house,  in  which  was  mounted  a 
pair  of  heavy  ordnance.  Two  eighteen  pounders  were  directed  agamst  it,  which  raked 
them  severely;  and  at  the  8th  shot  tumbled  up  a  heap  of  men  and  dismounted  ono^gun. 
They  fled  behind  Judge  Hamilton's  store-house  ;  but  our  eightecns  raked  ihem  from  thence 
and  thev  fled.  By  this  time,  about  ten  o'clock,  the  enemy's  fire,  except  one  gun  out  ot 
reach,  was  silenced,  and  victory  seemed  complete.  The  general  had  passed  over  to  the 
heights,  but  sent  back  to  urge  on  the  troops  which  were  passing  over  to  head  the  columns. 
At  Uiis  time,  however,  the  enemy  received  a  reinforcement  of  severe,  hundred  of  Chippe- 
way  Indians,  and  commenced  an  attack  with  great  fury.  "The  nfle  and  the  bayone  had 
scarcely  put  them  to  route,  and  drove  them  to  the  woods,  when  they  were  joined  by  a  large 
reinforcement  of  regular  from  Fort  George.  They  renewed  the  attack,  and  the  conflict 
became  tremendous.  It  lasted  about  half  an  hour,  when  our  vahant  Spartan  band,  who 
had  waded  through  blood  anticipating  victory,  being  exhausted  in  strength  and  ammunition, 
were  obliged  to  yield  the  day.    They  hod  fought  eleven  hours  without  intermission. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  affair  in  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing,  was  estimated  at  1,000;  of  this  number  about  90  are  sup- 
posed to  have  been  killed.  The  n)ilitia,  previous  to  the  action,  insisted 
on  being  led  on  against  the  enemy  to  drive  them  Irom  the  Niagara 
peninsula,  so  that  they  could  return  home.  Many  ol  them  threatened 
to  leave  the  camp  unless  led  to  immediate  action.  Alter  the  com- 
mencement of  the  battle,  the  sight  of  the  wounded,  as  they  were 
brought  across  the  river  covered  with  blood,  and  the  groans  ot  the  dy- 
ing, cooled  their  military  ardor.  They  now  appeared  to  have  made  the 
discovery  that  the  constitution  did  not  require  them  to  go  beyond  the 
limits  of  the  United  States.  Rather  than  cross  over  to  an  enemv  s 
country,  be  shot  at,  with  a  chance  of  being  killed,  or  made  cripples 
for  life,  they  determined  to  forego  their  chance  of  obtammg  military 


r.=-r=;-=rT^ 

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1 

B 

NIAGARA   COUNTY. 


S51 


honors.  It  is  said  that  several  hundred  of  the  militia,  after  they  had 
crossed  over  to  the  Canadian  shore,  availed  themselves  of  the  dark- 
ness and  other  facilities  to  hide  themselves  in  the  clefts  of  the  rocks, 
where  they  remained  in  concealment  during  the  day,  and  were  only 
dragged  by  the  legs  from  their  lurking  places  by  the  British  troops, 
after  the  surrender  of  the  fighting  part  of  the  Americans. 

LocKPORT,  formed  from  Royalton  and  Cambria  in  1824;  centrally 
distant  from  Albany  by  canal  333,  from  Rochester  W.  63,  from  Buf- 
falo E.  30  miles,  by  road  24,  and  from  Niagara  Falls  20  miles.  Pop. 
of  the  town,  9,162.  Lockport  village,  incorporated  in  1829,  was 
founded  in  the  spring  of  1821,  by  Mr.  Sherard  Comstock,  deceased, 
who  surveyed  his  farm  of  100  acres  into  town  lots.  The  first  house 
was  erected  by  Joseph  Langdon,  additions  were  soon  made  to  the 
village  plat,  and  in  1822  it  became  the  county  town. 


Northeastern  view  of  the  locks  at  Lockport. 

The  above  is  a  view  of  i\\e  five  double  locks  on  the  Erie  canal, 
(from  which  the  village  derives  its  name.)  and  part  of  t  buildings 
in  the  vicinity.  A  now  set  of  locks  by  the  side  of  those  represented 
in  the  engraving  are  now  constructing,  which  will  give  increased 
facility  to  the  passage  of  boats.  The  village  contains  about  500 
liousos,  9  churches,  and,  according  to  the  census  of  1840,  5,711 
inhabitants.  Its  buildings,  both  public  and  private,  are  mostly  built 
of  the  excellent  stone  whicli  is  here  quarried.  There  is  a  bank  and 
two  newspaper  establishments.  The  manufacture  of  Hour  is  an  im- 
portant branch  of  business  in  tiiis  place.  The  great  abundance  of 
water  derived  from  Lake  Erie,  which  is  brought  through  the  deep 
cut  to  the  brow  of  the  ridge,  and  all  around  the  basin,  is  used  for 


I 


X* 


352 


NIAGARA    COUNTY. 


various  mills  and  factories.    The  waste  water  of  these  mills,  and  of 
the  locks  of  the  sixty  feet  mountain  ridge,  after  it  has  fulfilled  its 
hydraulic  operations  in  its  descent  to  the  basin,  is  there  retained  by  a 
dam  across  the  ravine,  and  forms  the  head  or  fountain  to  fill  the  long, 
or  sixty-five  mile  level,  and  as  such  is  chiefly  relied  on,  though  the 
Oak  orchard,  the  Genesee,  and  other  feeders  are  useful  in  their  place. 
"  The  upper  part  of  the  village  is  about  80  feet  above  the  level  of 
the  basin  and  long  level  of  the  canal.     In  moving  up  in  a  boat  to  the 
head  of  the  basin  to  enter  the  chain  of  double  locks,  which  are  ar- 
ranged in  the  most  massive  style  side  by  side,  in  huge  chambers, 
with  stone  steps  in  the  centre,  guarded  by  iron  railings  for  safety  and 
convenience,  the  gates  of  the  lock  are  closed  after  the  boat  is  in  the 
chamber,  and  the  roaring  and  sudden  influx  of  the  water  from  the  lock 
above,  in  three  or  four  minutes  raises  the  boat  to  the  level  of  the  lock 
above ;  and  this  is  repeated  five  times,  the  adjoining  side  lock  being, 
perhaps,  employed  in  letting  a  boat  pass  down  the  lock  to  the  basin 
and  canal.     The  boat  having  in  this  manner  risen  up  60  feet  in  five 
lifts,  the  passenger  finds  before  him  a  vista  of  several  miles,  bounded 
on  either  hand  by  walls  of  the  solid  limestone  rock,  25  to  30  feet 
high,  and  very  appropriately  called  the  '  Deep  rock  cutting  at  Lock- 
port:" 

New  Fane,  taken  from  Wilson,  Hartland,  and  Somerset  m  1824  ; 
from  Albany  276  miles.  Kempsville,  a  small  village  on  Lake  Ontano, 
12  miles  N.  of  Lockport,  is  a  place  of  considerable  trade  for  lumber, 
wheat,  &c.  Charlotte,  or  New  Fane  Centre,  is  7  miles  from  Lock- 
port.     New  Fane  is  a  post-ofiice.     Pop.  2,375. 

Niagara  was  taken  from  Cambria  in  1812,  by  the  name  of  Schlos- 
ser;  it  was  changed  in  1816.  The  village  of  Niagara  Falls  is  situated 
at  the  celebrated  Falls  of  Niagara  river,  lat.  43°  6'  N.,  long.  2°  6'  W. 
The  village  was  laid  out  by  Augustus  Porter,  Esq.,  and  others,  m 
1805.  It  was  at  first  called  Manchester,  afterward  Niagara  Falls. 
The  village  contains  2  churches,  2  splendid  hotels,  and  3  other  pub- 
lic houses,  2  public  schools,  80  dwellings  of  all  kinds,  and  500  mhabit- 
ants.  Distance  from  Albany  290  miles.  New  York  440,  Bufliilo  22, 
Lockport  18,  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  403,  Kingston,  U.  C,  200,  Montreal 
388,  Quebec  568,  Detroit  332,  Cincinnati  468,  and  Washmgton  703 
miles.     Pop.  1,261. 

"  The  river  Niagara  is  35  miles  in  length,  and  flows  northerly ; 
about  midway  between  the  two  lakes  it  separates  into  two  channels, 
forming  Grand  Island.  A  short  distance  below  the  union  of  these 
channels  are  the  falls  of  Niagara,  the  grandest  cataract  in  the  world. 
Half  a  mile  above  the  falls  the  river  is  a  furious  rapid,  which  sweeps 
away  to  certain  destruction  every  thing  involved  in  it.  The  river  is 
here  three  (juarters  of  a  mile  broad,  and  from  this  point  it  ruslies 
down  with  increased  velocity  to  the  fall,  where  it  leaps  in  an  immense 
mass  down  a  perpendicular  precipice  100  feet  in  depth,  with  a  roar 
heard  in  favorable  states  of  the  wind  and  atmosphere,  5,  10,  20  or 
even  30  miles.  The  cataract  forms  an  irregular  semicircle,  the 
deepest  hollow  of  which  is  called  Horse-shoe  Fall,  and  is  on   the 


f;.' 


NIAGARA    COUNTY. 


353 


View  of  Niagara  Falls  from  the  American  side. 


Canada  side.  At  the  brink  of  the  fall  stands  a  small  island,  called 
Goat  Island,  which  separates  the  Canada  from  the  American  fall.  A 
bridge  is  tiirown  across  the  falls  from  the  American  side  to  the  island. 
On  the  British  side,  a  few  yards  below,  is  a  projection  called  Table 
Rock,  commanding  a  magnificent  view  of  the  falls.  From  this  rock 
a  spiral  staircase  leads  down  to  the  foot  of  the  cataract,  where  visit- 
ers may  pass  under  the  fall  between  the  sheet  of  water  and  the  rock. 
The  path  leads  far  under  the  excavated  bank  of  the  river,  which  in 
some  places  forms  a  roof  overhanging  30  or  40  feet.  The  fall  of 
such  an  immense  mass  of  water  produces  violent  whirls  in  the  air, 
and  the  spray  is  driven  out  with  such  force  that  no  one  can  approach 
the  edge  of  the  cataract  without  being  drenched  to  the  skin.  It  is 
difficult  even  to  draw  a  breath  here,  and  in  entering  this  tremendous 
cavern,  there  is  danger  of  being  blinded  by  the  strong  driving  showers 
of  spray.  The  gi'catest  distance  1o  which  it  is  possible  to  pass  within 
this  sheet  of  water  is  about  LW  {(^ei.     The  banks  of  the  river  for 

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Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14SB0 

(716)  872-4503 


354 


MA6AKA   COUNTY. 


several  mires  below  the  falls  are  perpendicular  precipices  of  rock,  and 
there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  the  cataract  was  formerly  much 
further  down  the  river,  the  rock  having  gradually  worn  away  to  the 
present  spot.  A  cloud  of  spray  is  continually  rising  from  the  foam 
of  water,  and  exhibiting  in  the  sunshine  a  brilliant  rainbow." 

The  above  view  of  the  falls  was  taken  from  the  ferry,  and  shows 
on  the  left  of  Goat  Island,  and  near  to  the  spectator,  the  American 
fall,  and  to  the  right  of  the  island  and  in  the  distance,  the  Crescent  or 
Horse-shoe  fall.    The  cataract  on  the  American  side  is  164,  and  on 
the  Canada  side  168  feet  in  height.     The  stone  tower  seen  in  the 
view  is  connected  with  Goat  Island  by  the  Terrapin  bridge,  a  struc- 
ture 300  feet  in  length,  and  projecting  10  feet  over  the  foils.     This 
tower,  45  feet  in  height,  with  winding  steps  to  the  top,  was  erected  in 
1833,  from  which,  or  from  the  end  of  the  bridge,  the  view  is  awfully 
sublime.    Apart  from  the  falls,  this  whole  region  is  one  of  deep  inter- 
est, from  the  other  natural  curiosities  and  the  historical  reminiscences 
with  which  it  is  connected.     The  visiter  should  not  fail  to  visit  the 
whirlpool  in  the  Niagara  river,  3  miles  below  the  village.    "  A  mile 
from  the  whirlpool,  the  road  runs  within  a  few  feet  of  the  river's 
baiik,  where  a  deep  and  gloomy  chasm  is  rent  or  worn  out  of  the 
rock.    This  is  called  the  DeviVs  Hole,  and  the  small  stream  which 
crosses  the  road  and  falls  mto  the  chasm,  is  the  Bloody  Run."    In 
1769,  duriftg  the  old  French  and  Indian  war,  a  detachment  of  100 
British  regulars,  who  were  conveying  provisions,  in  wagons,  to  Fort 
Schlosser,  were  here  surpriaed  by  a  party  of  Indians  in  ambuscade. 
•♦  Many  of  the  soldiers  were  killed  at  the  first  discharge,  and  the 
others  were  thrown  into  hopeless  confusion.     The  Indians  fell  like 
tigers  upon  tiie  drivers,  tomahawked  them  in  their  seats,  and  threw 
them  under  foot.    The  wagons  were  backed  off  the  precipice,  and 
men  and  cattle  fell  with  their  loading  in  one  dismembered  and  muti- 
lated mass  below.    Some  threw  themselves  from  the  bank,  and  fell 
mangled  and  dying  on  the  rocks ;  others  lodged  in  the  branches  of 
the  trees,  where  they  remained,  disabled,  until  the  affray  was  over, 
when  the  savages,  at  their  leisure,  despatched  them."    The  brook 
that  courses  the  b?nk  ran  red  with  the  blood  of  the  slain.    Only  four 
escaped  to  relate  the  horrible  fate  of  their  companions.    Pieces  of 
wagons  and  other  relics  of  this  bloody  affray  remained  in  this  vicinity 
until  within  a  few  years,  but  have  now  mouldered  away. 

The  immediate  vicinity  of  the  falls  is  rendered  memorable  on  ac- 
count of  its  being  the  place  where  a  number  of  bloody  battles  were 
fought  during  the  last  war.  The  battle  of  Chippewa  was  fought  on 
the  6th  of  July,  1814,  at  the  village  of  that  name,  on  the  Canada  side, 
about  two  miles  from  the  falls.  In  July,  the  British  and  American 
forces  being  near  each  other.  Gen.  Ripley  ordered  Gen.  Scott  to 
make  an  advance  on  Chippewa. 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  fourth,  General  Scott  advanced  with  his  brigade  and  corpa  of 
arUUery,  and  took  a  position  on  the  Chippewa  plain,  half  a  mile  in  front  of  the  village,  hia 
right  resting  on  the  river,  and  his  front  protected  by  a  ravine.  The  British  were  ent;amped 
in  force  at  the  village.  In  the  evening  General  Brown  joined  hira  with  the  reserve  under 
General  Ripley,  and  the  artillery  commanded  by  Mijor  Hindman.    General  Porter  arrived 


1* 


) 


NIAGARA   COUNTY. 


355 


the  next  morning,  with  the  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  volunteeiB,  and  •  number  of  In. 
dians  of  the  Six  Nations.  Early  in  the  morning  of  the  5th,  the  Britiah  commenced  a  firing 
on  the  pickets.  Captain  Trott,  who  commanded  one  of  them,  hastily  retreated,  leaving 
one  of  his  men  wounded  on  the  ground.  General  Brown  instantly  ordered  him  to  retire 
from  the  army,  and  directed  Captain  Biddle  to  assume  the  command  of  the  picket,  lead  it 
back  to  the  ground,  and  bring  off  the  wounded  man ;  which  he  accomplished  witliout  loss. 
At  four  in  the  afternoon.  General  Porter  advanced,  taking  the  woods  in  order  to  conceal 
his  approach,  and  in  the  hope  of  bringing  their  pickets  and  scouting  parties  between  his  line  of 
march  and  the  American  camp.  In  half  an  hour  his  advance  met  the  light  parties  of  the  Brit, 
ish  in  the  woods  on  the  left.  These  were  driven  in,  and  Porter,  advancing  near  Chippewa, 
met  the  whole  British  force  approaching  in  order  of  battle.  General  Scott,  with  his  brigade 
and  Towson's  artillery,  met  them  on  the  plain,  in  front  of  the  American  encampment,  and 
was  directly  engaged  in  close  action  with  the  main  body.  General  Porter's  command  gave 
way,  and  fled  in  every  direction,  by  which  Scott's  left  flank  was  entirely  uncovered.  Cap. 
toin  Harris,  with  his  dragoons,  was  ordered  to  stop  the  fugitives,  at  the  ravine,  and  form 
them  in  front  of  the  cainp.  The  reserve  were  now  ordered  up,  and  General  Ripley  passed 
to  the  woods  in  left  of  the  line  to  gain  the  rear  of  the  enemy;  but  before  this  was  effected. 
General  Scott  had  compeilBd  the  British  to  retire.  Their  whole  line  now  fell  back,  and 
were  eageriy  pursued  by  the  Americans.  As  soon  as  they  reached  the  sloping  ground  de- 
scending towards  the  village,  their  lines  broke,  and  they  regained  their  works  in  disorder, 
"he  American  troops  pursued  until  within  reach  of  the  guns  from  the  works;  when  they 
desisted  and  returned  to  their  camp.  The  British  left  two  hundred  dead  on  the  grouhd, 
nmety.four  wounded,  beside  those  in  the  early  part  of  the  action,  who  were  removed  Ijick 
to  the  camp,  and  fourteen  prisoners.  The  American  loss  was  sixty  killed,  and  two  hun- 
dred and  sixty-eight  wounded  and  missing."— Per*i«'«  Hi»t.  of  the  Late  War.     -     » 

The  battle  of  Bridgewater  or  Lundt/'s  Lane,  was  fought  on  the 
25th  of  July.  The  principal  scene  of  this  bloody  action,  was  at  an 
obscure  road,  called  Lundy's  Lane,  about  half  a  mile  westward  from 
the  Niagara  cataract.  '*  The  thunder  of  the  cannon,  the*  roaring  of 
the  falls,  the  incessant  discharge  of  musketry,  the  groans  h\'  the  dying 
and  wounded,  during  the  six  hours  in  which  the  parties  were  engaged 
ill  close  combat,  heightened  by  the  circumstajK^res  pf  its  being  in  the 
night,  afforded  such  a  scene  as  is  rarely  to  JWTmet  with  in  the  annals 
of  slaughter.  The  evening  was  calm,  and  $he  moon  shone  with 
lustre  when  not  enveloped  m  clouds  of  smoke  from  *he  firing  of  the 
contending  armies."  Since  the  retreat  of  the  enemy  from  Chippewa, 
they  had  received  reinforcements  oY  troops  from  Lord  Wellington's 
army  in  Spain ;  and  on  the  25th  of  July,  encamped  on  a  hill,  with 
the  design  of  attacking  the  Americans  the  next  morning. 

"  On  the  25th  ult.,  the  army  under  the  command  of  Major  Gen.  Brown  encamped  above 
Chippewa,  near  the  battle  grouhd  of  the  5th.  At  4  P.  M.,  information  was  received  that 
the  enemy  had  thrown  a  body  of  trbops  across  the  Niagara,  at  the  five.mile  meadows ;  but 
our  commanding  general  was  not  diverted  by  this  movement.  The  Ist  brigade,  under  Brig. 
Trcn.  Scott,  moved  past  Chippewa  and  halted  at  Bridgewater,  a  mile  below  Chippewa,  in 
plain  view  of  Niagara  Falls.  Gen.  Scott  learnt  that  the  enemy,  under  Gen.  Riall,  was  ap. 
pronching  him.  Battle  was  immediately  given  'he  enemy,  near  Mr.  Wilson's,  at  half  past 
4  P.  M. ;  their  cannon  were  planted  about  200  rods  from  this  position  on  an  eminence. 
The  enemy's  numerical  force  was  much  superior  to  Gen.  Scott's ;  his  Ime  was  far  extended, 
and  ho  showed  a  disposition  to  flank.— In  order  to  counteract  these  views  of  Gen.  Riall,  he 
vfosfoug/il  in  detachment*— he  tea*  charged  in  column;  Gen.  Scott  being  at  the  head  of 
li;s  troops  in  nlinost  every  charge.— Capt.  Towson,  with  his  company  of  lutillery,  attached 
to  Scott's  brigade,  kept  up  his  fire  with  great  vigor  and  effect.  The  action  was  continued, 
and  the  ground  maintained  by  Gen.  Scott,  for  more  than  an  hour,  before  the  reserve  under 
Gen.  Ripley,  and  the  volunteers  under  Gen.  Porter,  were  successfully  brought  into  action. 

"  The  ground  was  obstinately  contested  until  past  9  o'clock,  in  the  evening,  when  Gen. 
Hrown  perceiving  that  the  enemy's  nrlillory  was  most  destructive,  decided  to  storm  the 
liuttery.    Col.  Millor,»  the  hero  of  Magagua,  was  ordered  to  this  enterprise ;  he  approached 

•  On  receiving  this  order  from  Gen.  Brown,  Col.  Miller  calmly  surveyed  the  position,  and 


::'*! 


'! 


86» 


NIAGARA    COUNTY. 


the  enemy'f  etamm  with  a  quick  step,  and  dehvered  his  fire  within  a  few  paces  of  tho 

enemy's  line ;  who,  after  receiving  two  or  three  rounds  and  a  vigorous  charge,  retired  to  the 

bottOTii  of  the  hin,  and  abandoned  his  cannon.    Only  one  piece  was  brought  off  the  field 

for  want  of  horses.    The  enemy  now  gave  way  and  retreated ;  they  were  followed  some 

distance.    Our  army  was  now  employed  in  securing  the  prisoners  and  bringing  off  the 

wounded.— The  cessation  however  was  short:  Lieut.  General  Drummond  is  supposed  to 

have  arrived  at  this  interval  with  a  reinforcement.    The  enemy  renewed  the  action  whilst 

our  troops  were  busily  employed  in  clearing  the  ground  of  the  wounded ;  but  the  gallant 

Americans  formed  with  alacrity,  and  after  a  close  engagement  of  20  minutes,  the  enemy 

wore  repulsed.    The  army  now  effected  the  removal  of  neariy  if  not  all  of  the  wounded 

and  retired  from  the  ground,  it  being  neariy  12  o'clock  at  night ;  they  returned  to  their  en' 

canipment  in  good  order.    On  the  morning  of  tho  28th,  our  <brces  under  Generals  Ripley 

and  Porter,  reconnoitred  the  enemy  near  the  battle  ground,  returned  and  burnt  tho  Bridge 

water  mills,  and  all  the  enemy's  barracks,  and  the  bridge  at  Chippewa,  and  passed  up  the 

nver  to  Fort  Ene,  where  they  made  a  stand.    The  enemy's  force  engaged  must  have  been 

neariy  5,000 ;  ours  short  of  that  number.    Major-Gen.  Riall  was  wounded,  and  taken  in 

.  'iSr"""- " Vl*^  """''  ^y  ^°'"*  Ketchum,  together  with  one  of  his  aids,  the  other  being  killed. 

_       Major-Gcn.  Brown  was  severely  wounded  in  the  thigh  (besides  a  contusion  on  his  body) 

m  the  hottest  of  the  action,  but  continued  to  command  until  the  enemy  retreated.    Brig. 

Oen.  Scott  was  also  severely  wounded  by  a  grape  in  the  shoulder,  besides  a  severe  bruise 

occasioned  by  a  shell  or  cannon  shot,  having  lost  2  horses,  killed.    Col.  Brady  22d  infan. 

try;  Majors  Jessup  25th,  Leavenworth  9th,  M'Niel  Uth;  Brigadc-mujor  Smith:  Lieuts. 

Campbell  and  binouck,  artillery;  Lieut.  Worth, aid  to  Gen.  Scott;  Lieut.  Camp  11th;  together 

with  many  others,  whose  names  we  have  not  learnt,  were  wounded,  gome  badly.— The 

1;^  of  the  enemy  in  killed  and  wounded,  was  rising  800,  exclusive  of  200  rer'ulars  and  20 

^SP^,  PI'??„"'"'?.-     O"""  '""^  '"  "^i'led.  wounded,  and  missing,  is  from  6  to  700.    Major 

M  l-arland  23d,Capt.  Ritchie,  artillery,  Capts.  Kinney  and  Goodrich,  Lieut.  Bigelow,  infan. 

try,  and  several  other  officers,  killed ;  Capt.  Spencer,  aid  to  Major-Gen.  Brown,  supposed  to 

be  mortally  wounded ;  Major  Stanton,  of  the  New  York  volunteers.  Adj.  Pew,  of  tlie  Penn- 

eylvania  volunteers,  killed.    Major  Camp,  of  the  staff;  lost  two  horses  on  the  field,  but  es- 

capedawound.    The  9th,  11th,  and  25th,  suffered  very  severely." 


View  of  Schhsser  Landing,  Niagara. 

The  above  is  a  northern  view  of  the  steamboat  landing  at  Porter'.-! 
storehouse,  commonly  called  Schlosser  Landing,  upwards  of  two 

Zrji"h!,T'"'?K' *''■•'>'''?.''  ""P/e^^l""  ««»  "forward  the  motto  of  his  regiment. 
v"u.A  ^  1  .  r?  "*«  •''"'"'"*^'  ^"P'-  Ambrose  Spencer,  son  of  the  chief.justice  of  New 
,il;.  ^  V  to  Gen.  Brown,  was  despatched  with  orders  to  one  of  the  regiments;  when 
about  to  deliver  them,  ho  suddenly  found  himself  in  contact  with  a  British  .oms ;  with  Xt 
000  iiess  and  a  firm  air,  ho  innuirnd  what  regiment  is  this?    On  being answorod,  l/w  Koyal 

cori  ■  s  inr.'ni";{"''  7'""''  "  ^?^"'  f"'"^  '""'""  ""  •'/»«  "'•-"  Th"  commandant  of  -.he 
corps,  supposing  tlu,  orders  camo  Ironi  hm  commanding  general,  immc.liniely  halted  his  re- 

fn      'nUnn  ,.H "'  r'^""'!;  '"^'^  "'['     ^"''"""  *^'"""^'''-  ^"^  ■''''«'>^""'  '""""""y  Wounded, 

?r„  w„»  „^  TV  ^T-  ^'^'■'"K'.""'  ''id  of  ««n-  Drummond,  was  also  taken  prisoner 

lio  was  exchanged  for  the  corpie  of  Copt.  Spencer. 


MAOARA   COUNTy. 


357 


m  fhlw  tl^'i  ^"i^'-    ^■^''  '^^  ""^  ^'^  f°''t  Schlosser  is  nearly  a 

,-n?T  ?-ui  ^^''''^  ^^}^  P'^'"'  The  steamboat  Caroline,  the  burn- 
l?ll  /  u^'  ""^"'^"^  '''  "'"^'^  sensation  on  the  frontiers,  lay  be- 
side  the  store-house  represented  in  the  engraving.  Part  of  the  village 
of  Chippewa,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Niagara  river,  is  seen  on  the 

JrLnJf  Tl^''  '^f''"^^-  ^^^y  ^^^'^"^' ««  celebrated  as  a  place 
JjuT-  .  Canadian  patriots,  or  rebels,  as  they  are  alternately 

etStid  tz  "^^^^^j^^:^^'  ^'^  ^«"-^^'  - 

M  irZn?fnnTn„/J,T-  "'"'^'^'"""^  ^^  ""^  month,  and  then,  at  thoir  own  choice, 
men  ci"rn 'of  Rntl  IZ  ?PP*'^«"*-  ^PP^ ^f  »»  *em,  were  assembled  five  thousand 
RnnlJ?  ^         i'"''  "^f  e^'ai^.  incorporated  militia,  and  a  body  of  Indians  and  Nejrroes 

S  S  were  7nT^'  T'^- ''""'  ""''  f  f  ^  ^«^«'  "'  '"'•'^'''«'  «=««'  upon  the  isK^The 
iSlvi^turnroTrr  ^1^  '""'  "^  ''l"^"'"  ""I*  "'"""  y«'  they  would,  at  times,  pr(^ 
h»ni    f  "    u  "■^'^ '  *  '"  '''"y  ""emamed  unattacked.    For  a  month,  a  raw.  undisciolined 

band  of  men  in  the  severity  of  winter,  with  no  shelter  but  such  as  fheyS  coScted 

nirShtV'';''''''^r''""'^  '""F*'^'*  "'  the  overwhelming  Lt.wWriaT8o 
..  rp?  "'^'"  '""'  "'''y  frequently  conversed  together,  ^ 

Div  as  a^ff^vll.^ l^.''°""V m"  "■*""  P^**'"'  °"  *«  29th  of  December,  it  was  said,  to 
sevrrni  .,&     i ,  T^""  ^?,''''^"''  ""''  ^""^  ^^'''"'J-     ^^  P-^^^d,  that  day  forth  «p^  hick 

for  the  niXt''  "S  ^h  /"  ,'""-^.7"  "'"'  ^'■""^'"  '".'"  ''^'^  ^'^''rf'  •'^  ^chlo^'er,  and    .Jed 

lor  tlie  night.    At  that  place,  there  w.is  but  one  house,  and  that  a  tavern.    The  warlike 

,    movements  between  the  patriots  and  British,  had  drawn  o  the  frontier,  through  moSo? 

obS"  "  "^H  "  """^''  °^  P*^"?"^-    '^'•°  "'^''^"  *««  crowded-lodgiS  co'^d  n^t  be 

boml  iTwlf'""'  ^t'^T'  t'"^??  ""^  ^'^''•"boat,  sought  for  accommodations  on 

Rfonrnhn  ,   ^       T'!''*"^-    ^"  ^^  '"'''•"•'  "'^  •f'^  "'gl".  the  watch,  for  a  watch  on  board 

ho  nn,?M    •"  ?v.'"'"r  ""'P''  f'T  «°"«"l""g  advancing  on  the  vater.    He  hailed?  bu"  before 

II  Zll^r^'  "''"■.";^  t  ^','^y  i  """^^  '"^"  '"^hed  on  board,  shot  at  the  seminol  a.^ 

1  they  met,  crying-*  Cut  them  down ."  •  Give  no  quarter."    No  arms  were  on  board  of 

he  boat;  no  attack  was  expected  ;  and  no  resistance  was  made.    s"got  on  shore  un 

hrwhiirf  Sr  r  ''"'"'''  ••^"'  ""'  .'^r^r^^^y  "•'""'l^'l-    0"«  manw!^  shot  dead  on 

owrTi  t^  n  h^        ?'•'"'  7"*^  '""""?•  *'"'"^'"  '''"«'^'  "'  ''"""  ""'l  «"nk  with  the  boat.    They 

l7tn      °  °"'  'r"  "'"  r^'^'"'  ""'*  «"'  "  °"  fif" ;  *e  flames  burst  forth ;  it  drifted  slowly 

and  Its  blaze  shone  far  and  wide  over  the  water  and  adjacent  shores.    On  the  cia  sTdc* 

ttexu  dition  "rn^rr,"'"""  bumlngalarge  light,  as  a  signal  to  those  ewdt 
w„„  f  "^  .u  ^"  "  *'r"  '™^'  ""  "««ound>ng  shout  came  booming  over  the  water- 

was  for  the  success  and  return  of  those  who  had  performed  this  deed.  The  hereon  w,^ 
extinguished.  The  Caroline  still  moved  on,  and  cast  its  lurid  light  far  and  wide  clothZ 
nl  ?"  m"  e'Tu"'"'  ^'?"°''  ""'•  J"*'  •'"'"^  "'«  point  of  Iris  Island/suddenlv  dS 

Pendleton,  taken  from  Niagara  in  1827;  from  Albany  284  miles. 
1  cndleton  is  a  small  village,  7  miles  SW.  from  Lockport,  at  the  June- 
tion  ot  tho  Erie  canal  with  the  Tonawanta  creek.    Pop.  1,098 
P  "^^^^l^^Kf"  ^™"'  Cambria  in  1812;  from  Albany  304  miles, 
lop.  ^176.     Youngstown,  port  of  delivery  on  the  Niagara  river,  1 

40  dwdlhf  s      ""  ''*'  ^^  ""^"^  ^^'  ^'■°"'  L'^^^P^^t'  '"»«  about 

The  following  is  a  distant  view  of  Fort  Niagara  as  seen  from  near 

the  lighthouse  on  the  British  side.     The  engraving  from  which  the 

above  was  copied,  was  published  during  the  last  war,  and  shows  its 


V 


■»a*.ii»*iiil»n.iiiMui|<<l«H 


B^i'wiwiMiiiiinwi 


356 


NIAGARA   COUNTY. 


Distant  view  of  Fort  Niagara. 

appearance  at  that  period.  On  the  19th  of  Dec,  1813,  a  British  force 
of  more  than  1,200  men  crossed  over  and  took  the  fort  by  surprise. 
The  garrison  consisted  of  but  370,  and  the  commander  was  absent, 
and  the  gates  of  the  fort  were  open  and  unguarded.  The  result  of  the 
attack  was  as  might  have  been  expectad— sixty-five  of  the  garrison 
were  killed ;  twenty-seven  pieces  of  ordnance  and  large  quantities 


of  militarjr  stores  were  taken.     The  following  interesting  historical 

taken  from  «  De  Veaux's  Falls  of  Niagara," 


account  of  this  place,  is 
published  in  1839. 


This  fortress  w  ,n  latitude  43  deg.  14  sec.  N.  In  1679,  a  small  spot  was  enclosed  by 
palisades,  by  M.  De  Salle,  an  officer  in  the  service  of  France.  In  1725,  the  fort  was 
built.  In  1759,  it  was  taken  by  the  British,  under  Sir  William  Johnson.  The  capture  has 
been  ascnbed  to  treachery,  though  there  is  not  known  to  be  any  existing  authority  to  prove 
i  Qi  l-l^^'  ^"  ^■'^^^•."  ""^  surrendered  to  the  United  States.  On  the  19th  of  December. 
A  1 !  T'  a"^"'"  '*''*"  r^y  *''  ^"''^•''  ^y  surprise ;  and  in  March,  1815,  again  surren- 
dered  to  the  Amencans.  This  old  fort  is  as  much  noted  for  enormity  and  crime,  as  for  any 
good  ever  derived  from  it  by  the  nation  in  occupation.  While  in  the  hands  of  the  French 
there  is  no  doubt  of  its  having  been,  at  times,  used  as  a  prison ;  its  close  and  impremablo 
dungeons,  where  light  was  not  admitted,  and  where  remained,  for  many  years  after!  clear 
traces,  and  a  part  of  the  ready  instruments  for  execution,  or  for  murder.  During  the  Amen 
can  revoluaon,  it  was  the  head-quarters  of  all  that  was  barbarous,  unrelenting,  and  cruel. 
1  here,  were  conpcgated  the  leaders  and  chiefs  of  those  bands  of  murderers  and  miscreants. 
Hiat  earned  death  and  destruction  into  the  remote  American  settlements.  There,  civilized 
t.urope  revelled  with  savage  America;  and  ladies  of  education  and  refinement  mingled  in 
the  society  of  those  whose  only  disUnction  was  to  wield  the  bloody  tomahawk  and  scalping. 
Kniie.  I  here,  the  squaws  of  the  forest  were  raised  to  eminence,  and  the  most  unholy 
iimons  between  them  and  officers  of  the  highest  rank,  smiled  upon  and  countenanced. 
1  here,  in  their  stronghold,  like  a  nest  of  vultures,  securely,  for  seven  years,  they  sallied 
torth  and  preyed  upon  the  distant  settlements  of  the  Mohawks  and  Susquehannahs.  It  waa 
the  depot  of  their  plunder ;  there  they  planned  their  forays,  and  there  they  relumed  to  feast, 
until  the  hour  of  action  came  again. 

r'.'/"i!j'- ''*''*''"  '•  '"  '''^  ■'"'*  of  New  York,  and  stands  on  a  point  of  land  at  the  mouth 
ot  the  JNingara  nyer.  It  is  a  traditionary  story,  that  the  mess-house,  which  is  a  very  strong 
building  and  the  largest  in  the  fort,  was  erected  by  stratagem.  A  considerable,  though  not 
powerful  body  of  French  troops,  had  arrived  at  the  point.  Their  force  was  inferior  to  the 
surrounding  Indians,  of  whom  they  were  under  some  apprehensions.  They  obtained  con- 
sent  01  the  Indians  to  build  a  wigwam,  and  induced  them,  with  some  of  their  officers,  to 
engage  in  an  extensive  hunt.  The  materials  hod  been  made  ready,  and,  while  the  Indians 
were  absent,  the  French  built.  When  the  parties  returned,  at  night,  they  had  advanced 
so  lar  with  the  work,  as  to  cover  their  faces,  and  to  defend  themselves  agninst  the  savages, 
in  case  ol  on  attack.    In  progresi  of  time,  it  became  a  place  of  considerable  strength.    It  had 


NIAGARA  COUNTY. 


359 


its  bastions,  ravines ;  its  ditch  and  pickets ;  its  curtains  and  countRrscarp ;  its  covered  way, 
drawbridge,  raking-batteries ;  its  stone  towers,  laboratory,  and  magazine ;  its  mess-house, 
barracks,  bakery,  and  hlacksmith  shop ;  and,  for  worsMp,  a  chapel,  with  a  large  ancient 
dial  over  the  door,  to  mark  the  hourly  course  of  the  sun.  It  was,  indeed,  a  Uttle  city  of 
itself,  and  for  a  long  period  the  greatest  place  south  of  Montreal,  or  west  of  Albany.  The 
fortifications  originally  covered  a  space  of  about  eight  acres.  At  a  few  rods  from  the  barrier 
gate,  was  the  burying  ground  ;  it  was  filled  with  memorials  of  the  mutability  of  human  lifn ; 
and  over  the  portals  of  the  entrance  was  painted,  in  large  and  emphatic  characters,  the 
word  *  REST.' 

"  It  is  generally  believed,  that  some  of  the  distant  fortresses  of  France  were  often  con- 
verted  into  state  prisons,  as  well  as  for  defensive  purposes.  There  was  much  about  Fort 
Niagara,  to  establish  the  belief  that  it  had  been  used  as  such.  The  dungeon  of  the  mess, 
house,  called  the  black-hole,  wos  a  strong,  dark,  and  dismal  place ;  and  in  one  comer  of 
the  room  was  fixed  the  apparatus  for  strangling  such  unhappy  wretches  as  fell  under  the 
displeasure  of  the  despotic  rulers  of  those  days.  The  walls  of  this  dungeon,  from  top  to 
bottom,  had  engraved  upon  them  French  names,  and  mementos  in  that  language.  That 
the  prisoners  were  no  common  persons  was  clear,  as  the  letters  and  emblems  were  chiselled 
out  in  good  style.  In  June,  1812,  when  an  attack  was  momentarily  expected  upon  the  fort 
by  a  superior  British  force,  a  merchant,  resident  at  Fort  Niagara,  deposited  some  valuable 
articles  in  this  dungeon.  He  took  occasion,  one  night,  to  visit  it  with  a  light ;  he  examined 
the  walls,  and  there,  among  hundreds  of  French  names,  he  saw  his  own  family  name  en- 
graved in  large  letters.  He  took  no  notes,  and  has  no  recollection  of  the  other  names  and 
memorials ;  he  intended  to  repeat  his  visit,  and  to  extend  his  examination,  but  other  avoca 
tions  caused  the  subject  to  be  neglected ;  and  it  was  not  brought  to  mind  again  until  of  late 
years,  when  all  was  changed.  In  further  corroboration  that  Fort  Niagara  had  witnessed 
scenes  of  guilt  and  foul  murder,  was  the  fact  that,  in  1805,  it  became  necessary  to  clear  out 
an  old  sink  attached  to  the  mess-house.  The  bones  of  a  female  were  found  therein,  evi- 
dently, from  the  place  where  discovered,  the  victim  of  some  atrocious  crime. 

"  There  were  many  legendary  stories  about  the  fort.  In  the  centre  of  the  meas-house 
was  a  well  of  water,  but,  it  having  b^en  poisoned  by  some  of  the  former  occupants,  in  lat- 
tcr  years  the  water  was  not  used ;  and  it  was  a  story  with  the  soldiers,  and  beUeved  by 
the  superstitious,  that  at  midnight  the  headless  trunk  of  a  French  general  officer  was  often 
seen  sitting  on  the  curb  of  the  old  well,  where  he  had  been  murdered,  and  his  body  thrown 
in ;  and,  according  to  dreamers  and  money-diggers,  large  treasures,  both  in  gold  and  silver, 
have  been  buried  in  many  of  the  nooks  and  corners  of  the  old  fort.  Many  applications 
used  to  be  made  to  the  American  officers,  to  dig  for  money,  and  persons  have  been  known 
to  come  from  a  considerable  distance  for  that  purpose.  The  requests  were,  of  course, 
refused." 

RoYALTON,  taken  from  Hartland  in  1817;  from  Albany  268  miles. 
Middleport  12,  Gasport  6,  and  Reynales  Basin  7^  miles  E.  from 
Lockport,  are  all  small  villages  on  the  canal.  Royalton  Centre  is  a 
small  village  centrally  located.     Pop.  3,557. 

Somerset,  taken  from  Hartland  m  1823 ;  from  Albany  280,  from 
Lockport,  NE.,  14  miles.  Somerset  is  a  small  settlement  near  the 
lake  shore.     Pop.  1,741. 

Wheatfield,  recently  taken  from  Niagara.  The  village  of  Toaa- 
wanda,  in  Erie  county,  is  partially  on  the  SW.  an^le  of  the  town  on 
both  sides  of  the  Tonawanda  creek,  and  on  the  hnes  of  the  Buffalo 
and  Niagara  Falls  railroad  and  Erie  canal.    Pop.  1,048. 

Wilson,  taken  from  Porter  in  1818;  from  Albany  294  miles. 
Wilson  is  a  small  village,  13  miles  NW.  from  Lockport,  and  1^  miles 
from  Lake  Ontario,  upon  the  lake  road.    Pop.  1,753. 


J 


■' 


iimiiMaliitoi  nnijiii'iittiwiii* 


360 


ONEIDA    COUNTY. 


ONEIDA  COUNTY. 

Oneida  county  was  taken  from  Herkimer  in  1789 ;  since  much  re- 
duced by  the  formation  of  other  counties.  Oneida  is  a  corruption  of 
the  Indian  word  Oneiyuta,  signifying  upright  or  standing  stone. 
Greatest  length  N.  and  S.  47,  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W.  40  miles 
From  New  York  NW.  262,  from  Albany  107  miles.  The  surface 
has  just  diversity  and  unevenness  enough  to  form  a  pleasing  variety, 
and  to  supply  brisk  streams  of  pure  water,  and  a  salubrious  atmos- 
phere. Hardly  a  farm  is  without  perpetual  streams  and  brooks. 
The  northeast  and  southern  parts  approach  a  hilly  character,  a  wa- 
ving surface  with  an  easy  swell ;  the  northwest  part  is  tolerably  level, 
and  the  central  richly  variegated  with  easy  undulations.  The  soil  is 
of  various  qualities,  but  everywhere  rich  and  productive.  The  cot 
ton  and  woollen  manufactures  are  carried  on  here  more  extensively 
than  in  any  other  county  in  the  state.  The  Eric  canal  crosses  this 
county,  following  the  south  side  of  the  Mohawk  river  to  Rome,  and 
there  turns  southwestward  into  Madison  county.  This  section  of  the 
canal  is  part  of  the  long  level  69^  miles  in  length,  extending  from 
\  rankfort  in  Herkimer  county  to  Syracuse  in  Onondaga.  The  route 
of  the  Chenango  canal,  which  unites  the  Susquehannah  river  with  the 
Erie  canal,  leaves  the  latter  at  Utica,  passing  thence  into  the  valley 
of  the  Oriskany,  and  thence  follows  the  same  into  the  county  of  Macl- 
ison.  Another  canal  is  also  commenced,  uniting  the  Black  river  with 
the  Erie  canal ;  it  leaves  the  latter  at  Rome,  and  follows  thence  up 
the  valley  of  the  Mohawk,  and  crosses  the  dividing  ridge  between 
the  waters  of  the  same  and  the  Black  river  in  the  town  of  Boonville. 
Parts  of  the  Utica  and  Schenectady,  and  Utica  and  Syracuse  railroads, 
are  in  this  county.  The  county  buildings  are  located  at  Whitesbo- 
rough,  Utica,  and  Rome.  The  county  is  divided  into  25  towns  and 
the  city  of  Utica.     Pop.  85,345. 

Annsville,  taken  from  Lee,  Florence,  Camden,  and  Vienna,  in 
1823;  from  Albany  112,  from  Rome  NW.  10  miles.  Pop.  1,765. 
Taberg  is  a  small  post  village. 

Augusta,  organized  in  1798,  and  settled  in  1794  ;  Oriskany  Falls 
or  Casety  Hollow,  21  miles,  and  Augusta  18  miles  SW.  from  Utica, 
are  small  villages.  The  Oriskany  Falls,  a  cascade  of  50  or  60  feet, 
are  at  Casety  Hollow.  The  Chenango  canal  passes  through  the  vil- 
la^.   Knox's  Comers  is  a  small  settlement.    Pop.  2,175. 

Boonville,  taken  from  Leyden  of  Lewis  county  in  1805 ;  NW. 
from  Albany  110  miles.  Boonville,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town 
on  the  Black  river  road,  26  miles  N.  from  Utica,  contains  about  40 
dwellmgs.    Ava  is  a  post-office.    Pop.  5,519. 

Bridgewater,  organized  in  1797  as  part  of  Herkimer  county ;  from 
Albany  81  miles.  Bridgewater,  an  incorporated  village  upon  the 
Unadilla  river,  18  miles  S.  from  Utica,  has  about  40  dwellings.  Pop. 


ONEIDA   COPNTY. 


861 


Camden,  taken  from  Mexico  in  Oswego  county  in  1799-  from  A\ 
bany  127  miles    This  town  was  settled  Sbout  1808  by  New  EnSand 
farmers    Camden.  17  miles  NW.  of  Rome,  was  incor^S  in  fSi 
Pop.  Sr'        "'  ''  '^^'"'"«^-    ^^^*  ^'^^'^  i?a  i^st"office: 

Deerfield,  organized  in  1798 ;  from  Albany  100  miles.  Deerfield 
village  IS  connected  with  Utica  by  a  causeway  a  mUe  in  length  td 
a  bridge  across  the  Mohawk  £nh  Gage  I  a  postS  'p?p^ 
3,120.  The  soil  on  the  river  flats  in  this  town  is  o/great  fertility 
in  i^nTT  '^l^^-  f  ^'V  ^^  the  county,  was  take^n  from  Camden 
Pop  ?f259  "^^  '^''  ^'^"^  ^"'"^  ^^'  "^^  fr^-"  Utica  43  Ss 

Floyd,  taken  from  Steuben  as  part  of  Herkimer  county  in  1796- 

mrs  mHrormi'  r  tW^  '^"'"^"  \^  smanSemit  fa 
miles  i\vv.  rom  Utica.    This  town  was  named  after  William  Flovd 

one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence     Pop.  I,?Ji: 


Distant  view  of  Hamilton  College,  Kirkland. 

Kirkland  was  taken  from  Paris  in  1827.     It  was  settled  by  Moset 
Foote,  Esq.,  m  company  with  ten  families,  in  1787.      thasaS 
sol,  and  Its  surface  is  diversified  with  hills  and  valleys     Pon  2984 
Clinton  the  principal  settlement  in  this  town,  is  9  Ss  from  ufica* 
on  the  Chenango  canal.     The  village  consists  of  aboufsHwemSs' 
1  Congregational  1  Baptist,  and  1  tjniversalist  church,  2  acrdemifs 
itjcTTZ'i''  %r^'\  '^^l  ^""-^^^  engraving  sLwstTp 
Eon  viN^..  n^^T''*°"  CO  lege  buildings  as  seen  from  the  canal  S 
on  a  romm«^J  about  one  mile  and  a  half  distant,  beautifully  situated 
on  a  commanding  eminence  westward  of  the  Oriskany  valley,  over- 
ooking  the  village,  having  a  delightful  distant  pros^ctThe  lol 
lege  buildings  consist  of  tliree  stone  buildings  Lr  Kes  S  for 

ngs  was  about  S^O  Soo"^'«  Tu^°^*  f  '^'.  ^°"^««  grounds  and  build- 
ings  was  about  »80,000.       The  college  in  1834  raised  by  subscrip- 


1 


I 


ONEIDA    COUNTY. 

tion  the  sum  of  $50,000 ;  forming  a  fund  for  the  payment  of  the  sal- 
aries of  the  officers.  William  H.  Maynard,  who  died  in  Sept.  1832, 
bequeathed  to  it  «20,000,  to  endow  a  professorship  of  law ;  and  S. 
N.  Dexter,  Esq.,  of  Whitestown,  in  1836,  gave  « 15,000  for  endowing 

a  professorship."  ,  t     .       »  •     l 

The  annexed  is  a  view  of  the  "  Chnton  Liberal  Institute"  in  the 
village  of  Clinton.    This  building  is  built  of  gray  stone  96  by  52  feet, 


Clinton  Liberal  Institute,  Kirkland. 

four  stories  in  height  besides  the  basement.  The  building  for  the  fe- 
male  department  is  of  wood,  40  by  25  feet,  2  stories.  This  institu- 
tion was  incorporated  in  1834,  and  placed  under  the  visitation  of  the 
Regents  of  the  University  in  1836. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Kirkland,  from  whom  this  town  derives  its  name, 
was  the  son  of  Rev.  Mr.  Kirkland,  of  Norwich,  Connecticut.     This 
devoted  missionary  was  for  a  time  a  member  of  Mr.  Wheelock's 
school,  and  afterward  finished  his  education  at  the  college  m  New 
Jersey,  where  he  graduated  in  1765.     The  next  year,  (1766,)  he 
commenced  his  mission  among  the  Oneidas,  laboring  and  kying  with 
them  and  endearing  himself  to  them  by  his  attention  and  efforts  to  do 
them  good.    Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  revolutionary  war,  the 
Six  Nations,  with  the  exception  of  the  Oneidas,  who  were  mostly  un- 
der the  influence  of  Mr.  Kirkland,  joined  the  British  cause.     The  in- 
testine war  which  now  took  place  forced  Mr.  Kirkland  to  remove 
his  family  from  this  region,  but  he  himself  continued  his  labors  among 
the  Oneidas  as  opportunities  offered,  and  by  his  influence  a  firm  friend- 
ship was  maintained  between  them  and  the  Americans.     During  a 
portion  of  the  war  he  officiated  as  chaplain  to  the  American  forces 
in  the  vicinity ;  he  also  accompanied  the  expedition  of  Gen.  Sullivan, 
in  1779,  through  the  western  part  of  the  state. 

After  the  conclusion  of  the  war,  the  state  of  New  York,  m  con- 
sideration of  his  valuable  services  during  the  revolution,  granted  to 
him  the  lands  lying  in  the  town  of  Kirkland,  known  as  Kirkland  s 
patent,  upon  a  portion  of  which,  Hamilton  College  stands.  To  these 
lands  he  removed  his  family  in  1792,  and  fixed  his  residence  near  the 


th 
th 


w 

01 

re 


^- 


? 


ONEIDA    COUNTY. 

village  of  Clinton,  where  he  continued  till  his  death,  March  28th, 
1808,  in  the  "ixty-seventh  ye?ir  of  his  age.  The  labors  of  Mr.  Kirk- 
land  among  the  Oneidas,  were  in  many  instances  attended  with  hap- 
py consequences  ;  a  large  portion  of  the  nation  ultimately  professed 
to  believe  m  the  Chnstian  religion,  and  many  of  them  appeared  de- 
voted Christians,  among  whom  was  the  venerable  chief  Skenandoa. 
About  the  year  1791,  Mr.  Kirkland  conceived  the  project  of  estab- 
hshing  a  seminary  which  should  be  accessible  to  the  Indian  youth 
as  well  as  the  whites.  Through  his  exertions  a  charter  of  incorpo- 
ration was  obtained  for  the  institution  in  1793,  under  the  name  of 
"  P^""']^^"  Oneida  Academy."  In  1794  a  building  was  erected, 
which  for  many  years  afterward  continued  to  be  known  as  Oneida 
Hall,  till  the  seminary  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  a  college,  with  the 
stvle  of  Hamilton  college.  Mr.  Kirkland  was  a  generous  benefactor 
of  this  institution,  and  expended  much  of  his  time  and  means  in  pro- 
moting its  interests. 

The  following  account  of  the  death  of  Skenandoa,  the  Oneida 
chief;  and  the  «  white  man's  friend,"  was  published  in  the  Utica  Pa- 
triot, March  19th,  1816.     In  a  few  particulars  it  is  abridged. 

"  Died  at  his  residence,  near  Oneida  Castle,  on  Monday,  11th  inst.,  Skenandoa,  the  eel- 
cbrated  Oneida  chief,  aged  110  years  :  well  known  in  the  wars  which  occurred  whUe  we 
were  British  colonies,  and  in  the  contest  which  issued  in  our  independence,  as  the  undevi- 
ating:  friend  of  the  people  of  the  United  States.  He  was  very  savage  and  addicted  to 
drunkenness*  in  his  youth,  but  by  his  own  reflections  and  the  benevolent  instruction  of  the 
late  Rev.  Mr.  Kirkland,  missionary  to  his  tribe,  he  lived  a  reformed  man  for  more  than 
«xty  years,  and  died  in  Christian  hope.  From  attachment  to  Mr.  Kirkland  he  had  always 
expressed  a  strong  desire  to  be  buried  near  his  minister  and  father,  that  he  might  (to  use 
hw  own  expression,)  •  Go  up  with  him  at  the  great  resurrection.'  At  the  approach  of  death, 
after  listenmg  to  the  prayers  which  were  read  at  his  bed-side  by  his  great-granddaughter, 
he  agam  repeated  the  request.  Accordingly,  the  family  of  Mr.  Kirkland  having  received 
information  by  a  runner  that  Skenandoa  was  dead,  in  compliance  with  a  previous  promise, 
sent  assistance  to  the  Indians  that  the  corpse  might  be  carried  to  the  village  of  Clinton  for 
burial.  Divine  service  was  attended  at  the  meeting-house  in  Clinton  on  Wednesday  at  2 
o'clock,  P.  M.  An  address  was  made  to  the  Indians  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Backus,  President  of 
Hamilton  college,  which  was  interpreted  by  .Judge  Deane,  of  Westmoreland.  Prayer  was 
then  offered  and  appropriate  psalms  sung.  After  service,  the  concourse  which  had  assem. 
bled  from  respect  to  the  deceased  chief,  or  from  the  singularity  of  the  occasion,  moved  to 
the  grave  in  the  following  order : — 

Studentii  of  Hamilton  College, 

CORPSE, 

Indians, 

Mrs.  Kirkland  and  family, 

Judge  Deane,— Rev.  Dr.  Norton— Rev.  Mr.  Ayre, 

Officers  of  Hamilton  College, 

'  Citizens. 

"  After  interment,  the  only  surviving  son  of  the  deceased,  self-moved,  returned  thanks, 
through  Judge  Deane  as  interpreter,  to  the  people  for  the  respect  shown  to  his  father  on 
the  occasion,  and  to  Mrs.  Kirliland  and  family  for  their  kind  and  friendly  attention. 

"  Skenandoa's  person  was  tall,  well  mode,  and  robust.    His  countenance  was  intelligent, 

•In  the  year  1755  Skenandoa  w«s  present  at  a  treaty  made  in  Albany.  At  night  he 
was  excessively  drunk,  and  in  the  morning  found  himself  in  the  street,  stripped  of  all  hia 
ornaments  and  every  article  of  clothing.  His  pride  revolted  at  his  self-degradation,  and  Iw 
resolved  that  he  would  never  again  deliver  himself  over  to  the  power  of  ttnmg  water. 


:j^ 


IH<.W<my 


'"■^i 


304 


ONBtDA  COUNTY. 


and  duplajred  all  the  peculiar  dignity  of  an  Indian  chief.  In  his  youth  he  waa  a  brave  and 
intrepid  warrior,  and  in  his  riper  years  one  of  the  noblest  counsellorB  among  the  North 
American  tribes ;  he  poseeased  a  vigorous  mind,  and  was  alike  sagacious,  active,  and  perse, 
vering.  As  an  enemy,  he  waa  terrible.  As  a  friend  and  ally,  he  was  mild  and  gentle  in 
his  disposition,  and  taithful  to  his  engagements.  His  vigila.ice  once  preserved  iirom  massa. 
ere  the  inhabitants  of  the  little  settlement  at  German  Flats.  In  the  revolutionary  war  his 
influence  induced  the  Oneidas  to  take  up  arms  in  favor  of  the  Americans.  Among  the  In- 
dians he  was  distinguished  by  the  appellation  of  the  '  white  man's  friend.' 

"  Although  he  could  speak  but  little  English,  and  in  his  extreme  old  age  was  blind,  yet 
hia  company  wae  sought.  In  conversation  he  was  highly  decorous ;  evincing  tliat  he  had 
profited  by  seeing  civilized  and  polished  society,  and  by  mingling  with  good  company  in 
his  better  days. 

"  To  a  friend  who  called  on  him  a  short  time  since,  he  thus  expressed  himself  by  an  in. 
terpreter;  'I  am  an  aged  hemlock.  The  winds  of  an  hundred  winters  have  whistled 
through  my  branches ;  I  am  dead  at  the  top.  The  generation  to  which  I  belonged  have 
run  away  and  left  me :  why  I  live,  the  Great  Good  Spirit  only  knows.  Pray  to  my  Jesus 
that  I  may  have  patience  to  wait  for  my  appointed  time  to  die.* 

"  Honored  Chief!  His  prayer  was  answered ;  he  was  cheerful  and  resigned  to  the  last. 
For  several  years  he  kept  his  dress  for  the  grave  prepared.  Once  and  again,  and  again,  he 
came  to  Clinton  to  die :  longing  that  his  soul  might  be  with  Christ,  and  his  body  in  the 
narrow  house  near  his  beloved  Christian  teacher.  While  the  ambitious  but  vulgar  great, 
look  principally  to  sculptured  monuments  and  to  riches  in  the  temple  of  earthly  fame ; 
Skenandoa,  in  the  spirit  of  the  only  real  nobility,  stood  with  his  loins  girded,  waiting  the 
coming  of  the  Lord." 

The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  in  the 
Hamilton  College  grave-yard : — 

"  Skenamsoa.  This  monument  is  erected  by  the  Nobthern  Missionary  Society,  in 
testimony  of  their  respect  for  the  memory  of  Skenandoa,  who  died  in  the  peace  and  hope 
of  the  gospel,  on  the  11th  of  March,  1816.  Wise,  eloquent,  and  brave,  he  long  swayed 
the  councils  of  his  tribe,  whose  confidence  and  affection  he  eminently  enjoyed.  In  the 
war  which  placed  the  Canadas  under  the  crown  of  Great  Britain  he  was  actively  engaged 
against  the  French :  in  that  of  the  revolution,  he  espoused  that  of  the  colonies,  and  ever 
afterward  remained  a  fiim  friend  to  the  United  States.  Under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Kirkland  he  embraced  the  doctrines  of  the  goepel,  and  having  exhibited  their  power  in 
a  long  life  adorned  by  every  Christian  virtue,  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  at  the  advanced  age  of 
one  hundred  years." 


*'  H.  S.  E.  Azel  Backus,  STD.,  vir  pietate  insignis  omni  doctrina  excultus,  Evangelii 
minister  fervidua  et  prBclarua  Collegii  Hamiltonensis  fuit  Freses  semper  dilligentissimus 
et  alumnis  carissimus.  In  eo,  summa  in  homines  benevolentia,  misericordia  incorrupta 
fides,  nudaque  Veritas :  coi^jux  superstes  dolet.  £t  omnes  quibus  vivens  ille  fuit  natus. 
Lugent  et  plorant. — Memorice  Presidis  dilectissimi  et  venerandi,  curatores  Collegii  Hamil- 
tonensis :  Hoc  monumentum  prosuerunt.^ — Ecclesiae  apud  Bethlem,  Conn.,  Pastor  Annos 
xxii.  Coll.  Ham.  Prsses  iv. — De  vita  decessit  Die  Dec.  duodetricesimo,  Anno  Domini, 
MDCCCXVI.    iEt.LII." 

[Here  lies  buried,  Azel  Backus,  DD.,  a  man  of  remarkable  piety  and  learning,  a  zealous 
minister  of  the  gospel,  a  distinguished  President  of  Hamilton  College  ;  a  man  of  extraor- 
dinary diligence,  and  greatly  endeared  to  the  members  of  the  institution.  In  him  were 
conspicuous  the  highest  benevolence  towards  his  fellow  men,  uncorruptible  integrity,  and 
uncompromising  truth.  His  wife  survives  to  lament  his  loss  :  and  all  who  knew  him  mourn 
also.  The  corporation  of  Hamilton  College  have  erected  this  monument  to  the  memory  of 
their  beloved  and  venerated  President.  He  was  pastor  of  the  church  in  Bethlem,  Conn., 
93  years.  President  of  Hamilton  College,  4.  He  departed  this  life  December  28th,  AD. 
1816,  aged  52  years.] 


"  H.  S.  Quod  potuit  mori  Sethi  Norton,  A.M.,  Linguarum  Professoris  in  CoUegio  Ham. 
iltonensi ;  Sui  brevem  vite  cursum  Literis  deditus  cuni  magno  studio  Prsceptoris  Peritissi. 
mui  et  carissimus  cucurrit.  Et  in  mediis  laboribua  maumo  sui  desiderio  subitie  morti  sue 
CHbuit  Dec.  7th,  1818,  ^tatis  Anno  40.  Linguarum  fuit  Professor  Annos  6.  Curatores 
CoUegii  Hamiltonensia  Hoc  monumentum  ponendum  curavenmt." 


i 


ONEIDA   COUNTY. 


365 


HL?t^^  ri  ^*V  J"  T"^  "^  ^*  Norton,  M.A.,  Profe«or  of  Languages  in 
Srtr.r.t^^^f*^'j  ^""*1  ^  '^"^"«'  •>«  ""»  ^  »»rief  career  with  great  xeaUalr  i™ 
d^  dea'th  t?fh^\"n '*"^'"  •"•   ,^°u'''*  •"'*"  "f  ^  '•'«'"'  he  wafovertaKen  b^m^S 

in  "he  40th  yei  ofSu  It^T'T*'"  °^i'*T  *''°  h**  ^^-  ««  '''^'^  I^«««°'''"  7.  1818. 
in  me  wtn  j^ar  ot  hm  age.  He  was  Professor  of  Languages  duriwr  six  vcars  The  cor 
poratioB  of  Hamilton  College  have  erected  this  monument!^]  ' 

Lee,  taken  from  Western  in  1811 ;  from  Albany  115,  from  Rome 

T  '  in  u^^""^^^  ^  ^'^^^'^  C*^'^^"  and  Portage  are  villages, 
I^ee  and  Delta  post-offices.     Pop.  2,936.  ^ 

Mabcy,  taken  from  Deerfield  in  1832 ;  from  Utica  NW.  centrally 
distant  7  miles.     Pop.  1,799.  ^ 

RnmlT1«'"  ^t^""  ^l?""  J^i^kland  in  1819 ;  from  Albany  110,  from 
Sr.  %i  w  ^f  .?f «"*^a»'  Canning,  and  Deansville  are  post  vil- 
n^  •^'  J  r  ^a^r'"®  ^^'^^^  **^  *he  Oriskany  falls  here  within  half 
a  mile  50  feet.  There  is  in  the  valley  a  remnant  of  the  Brothertown 
Indians,  some  of  whom  are  comparatively  civilized  and  wealthy. 

,_^^^Haetford,  taken  from  Whitestown  in  1827;  from  Albany 
100  miles.  New  Hartford,  a  substantial  village  near  the  line  of  the 
Chenango  canal,  4  miles  SW.  from  Utica,  contains  about  100  dwel- 
nngs,  a  number  of  mills  and  manufacturing  establishments.  Middle 
settlement,  6J  miles  from  Utica,  is  a  small  settlement.     Pop.  3,819. 

Jedediah  Sanger,  Esq.,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  village 
ot  J\ew  Hartford.    "He  possessed  an  active,  vigorous,  and  enter- 
prismg  mind,  governed  and  controlled  by  unimpeachable  integrity 
and  a  high  sense  of  moral  obligation,  placed  him  at  once  in  a  con- 
spicuous  station  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  vicinity.     Immediately 
alter  his  estabUshment,  he  erected  a  grist-mill  on  the  site  of  the  pres- 
ent  paper-mill  in  the  village  of  New  Hartford,  then  the  second  mill 
established  in  the  vicinity.    By  a  judicious  and  liberal  encourage- 
ment to  emigrants,  and  particulariy  mechanics,  he  succeeded  in  build, 
ing  up  a  village,  which,  for  many  years,  contested  the  palm  of  supe- 
riority and  importance  with  any  of  her  neighbors.     The  office  of 
first  judge  of  Oneida  county  he  continued  to  hold  from  its  organiza- 
tion until  the  year  1810.    He  several  times  occupied  a  seat  in  the 
legislature,  and  in  the  various  offices  m  which  he  was  called  to  act, 
^rved  with  equal  credit  to  himself  and  usefulness  to  the  community. 
1  o  his  beneficence  the  Episcopal  church  in  New  Hartford  is  indebted 
lor  a  valuable  permanent  fund  to  aid  in  the  support  of  its  minister." 
t,^n,       J  ^*    .      Bradley  was  settled  as  a  pastor  in  this  place  in 
1791,  and  continued  his  care  of  the  church  for  several  years.    He 
was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Johnson ;  and  in  honor  of  the  occa- 
sion ot  his  mduction  to  the  pastoral  office,  according  to  a  custom 
which  sounds  singular  in  our  ears,  but  which  was  introduced  from 
r^u    ?^l     .'  *"®  exercises  were  concluded  by  an  ordination  hall 
Ihe  lollowing  anecdote,  having  a  connection  with  the  first  court 
Virn'"  ^  m  c°""iy'  's  taken  from  a  publication  in  a  pamphlet  form  by 
William  Tracy,  Esq.,  entitled  "Notices  of  Men  and  Evwits,  connect- 
ed  with  the  eariy  history  of  Oneida  county  :"— 


«  ij 


ONEIDA   COUNTY. 

"On  the  19th  of  January,  1793,  an  act  was  possed  authorizing  every  alternate  term  of 
the  court  of  common  pleas  of  Herkimer  county  to  be  held  at  such  place  in  Whitestown, 
as  should  by  the  courts  be  directed  by  orders  to  be  entered  in  the  minutes.    The  hrat  court 
held  in  this  county  under  this  provision  was  held  in  a  barn,  in  New  Hartford,  belongmg  to 
the  late  Judge  Sanger,  (New  Hartford  then  forming  a  part  of  the  town  of  Whitestown,)  m 
the  month  of  October,  in  the  year  1793,  Judge  Staring  presidmg,  and  the  late  Judge  Flatt, 
then  clerk  of  the  county  of  Oneida,  officiating  as  clerk.    The  sheriff  of  Herkimer  county 
at  that  day  was  a  Colonel  Colbraith— an  Irishman,  who,  in  the  war,  had  done  some  service 
to  his  adopted  country,  and  had  acquired  his  title  as  a  miHtia  officer  since  die  peace.    His 
education  had  not  been  conducted  with  especial  reference  to  the  usages  of  what  is  techni- 
cally  called  good  society ;  -^nd  indeed,  his  manners  bore  uneqmvocal  evidence  that  they 
originated  from  a  native  mind  of  genuine  good  humor  and  a  most  capacious  soul,  rather 
than  from  the  arbitrary  rules  of  a  professor  of  polite  breeding.    A  gentleman  who  attended 
the  court  aa  a  spectator  inforinc.'  me  that  the  day  was  one  of  the  damp,  chilly  days  wo  tre- 
fiuenUy  have  in  October,  and  that  in  the  afternoon  and  when  it  was  nearly  night,  in  order 
to  comfort  themselves  in  their  by  no  means  very  well  appointed  court-rooin,  and  to  keep 
their  vital  blood  at  a  temperature  at  which  it  would  contir  «  to  circulate,  some  of  the  gen- 
tlemen  of  the  bar  had  induced  the  sheriff  to  procure  ft,    .  u  neighboring  inn  a  jug  of  spir. 
its     This,  it  must  be  remembered,  was  before  the  invention  of  temperance  societies,  and 
wa  may  not,  therefore,  pass  too  hasty  an  opinion  upon  the  propriety  of  the  measure.    Upon 
the  jug  appearing  in  court,  it  was  passed  around  the  bar  table,  and  each  of  the  learned 
counsellors  in  hi^  turn  upraUed  the  elegant  vessel  and  decanted  into  his  mouth,  by  the  sim- 
Xst  process  imaginable:  so  much  as  he  deemed  a  sufficient  dose  of  the  delicious  fluid. 
While  the  operation  was  going  on,  the  dignitaries  on  the  beiich,  who  were  no  doubt  suf- 
ferine  quite  as  much  from  the  elalliness  of  the  weather  as  their  brethren  of  the  bar,  had  a 
Uttle  consultation,  when  the  first  Judge  announced  to  the  audience  that  the  court  saw  no 
reason  why  they  should  continue  to  hold  open  there  any  longer  and  freeze  o  death,  and 
desired  the  crier  forthwith  to  adjourn  the  court.    Before,  however,  this  functionary  could 
commence  with  a  single, '  Hear  ye,'  Colonel  Colbraith  jumped  up,  catching,  as  he  rose,  the 
lug  from  thrlawyer  who  w.«  complimenting  its  contents,  and  holding  it  up  towards  the 
bench,  hastily  ejaculated-' Oh  no,  no,  no,  Judge-don't  atijourn  yet-take  »  l'«le  8'". 
Judgel-that  Will  keep  you  warm-'tant  time  to  adjourn  yet;'  and  smting  the  action  to  the 
word,  he  handed  his  Honor  the  jug.    It  appeared  that  there  was  force  in  the  SherifTs  ad- 
vice ;  for  the  order  to  adjourn  was  revoked,  and  the  busmess  went  on. 

Paris  was  taken  from  Whitestown  in  1792  ;  from  Albany  85  miles. 
This  town  was  named  by  the  inhabitants  in  grateful  acknowledg- 
ment of  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Isaac  Paris,  a  merchant  of  Fort  Plam, 
who  in  the  year  of  scarcity,  1789,  supplied  them  with  Virginia  corn 
on  a  liberal  credit,  and  finally  accepted  payment  in  such  produce  as 
thev  were  enabled  to  supply.  Famine  is  now  the  least  dreaded  here 
of  all  evils.  Paris  Hill  has  about  30  dwellings.  Pans  Furnace  and 
Paris  Hollow  are  small  villages.  Sauquoit,  on  the  creek  9  miles  south 
from  Utica,  is  a  manufacturing  village,  contaming  about  100  dwel- 
lings. Near  this  village  is  a  burning  spring.  Large  quanUties  ol 
limestone  are  obtained  here,  and  used  for  building  materials  at  Utica 
and  elsewhere.     Pop.  2,844.  u       .     r 

Remsen,  taken  from  Norway  in  1798  ;  bounds  smce  altered ;  Irom 
Albany  100  miles.  Settlements  were  made  in  this  town  in  1798  by 
22  taniilics.  Remsen  village,  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town,  is  17 
miles  north  from  Utica.     Pop.  1,648.  . 

Rome,  one  of  the  shiretowns  of  Oneida  county,  was  incorporated  m 
1790.  The  surface  of  the  township  is  level  or  gently  undulating, 
and  watered  bv  the  Mohawk  river,  and  by  Wood  and  Fish  creeks. 
The  village  of 'Rome,  occupying  the  site  of  old  Fort  Stanwix,  was 
incorporated  in  1819.  The  two  first  white  families  who  located 
themselves  at  this  spot,  were  those  of  two  men  from  Uerman  IMats, 


1^ 


i' 


ONEIDA   COUNTY. 


M7 


named  Roof  and  Brodock,  who  settled  at  the  landing  place  on  the 
Mohawk  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Stanwix,  to  gain  a  livelihood  by 
assisting  m  the  transportation  of  goods  destined  for  the  Indian  trade, 
across  the  carrying  place  from  the  river  to  Wood  creek.  They  held 
no  title  to  their  lands,  but  occupied  them  under  a  contract  for  their 
purchase  from  Oliver  Delancy,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Oriskany 
patent,  who  was  afterward  attainted  of  treason.  This  little  outpost, 
however,  was  broken  up  during  the  revolutionary  war.  The  first 
regular  settlement  of  Rome  was  by  emigrants  from  the  New  England 
states.  " 


Southern  view  of  Rome. 

The  above  is  a  southern  view  of  part  of  the  village  as  viewed  from 
the  railroad  track.  The  building  seen  on  the  right  having  four  chim- 
neys is  but  a  few  yards  distant  from  the  central  part  of  the  fortifica- 
tions of  the  old  fort,  the  cellar  of  which  is  still  to  be  seen.  The 
Black  river  cana)  passes  a  few  rods  this  side  of  the  buildings  seen  in 
the  engraving ;  th'?  Erie  canal  is  about  half  a  mile  westward  of  the 
village.  Mohawk  river  and  Wood  creek,  at  this  place,  approach 
within  a  mile  ol  each  other ;  in  1797,  a  canal  was  completed  between 
the  two  streams,  thus  connecting  the  waters  of  the  Mohawk  with 
those  of  Lake  Ontario.  The  village  consists  of  upwards  of  300 
dwellings,  2  Presbyterian,  2  Baptist,  1  Episcopal,  and  1  Methodist 
church,  an  academy  incorporated  in  1835,  a  bank,  printing  oflSce, 
and  a  number  of  select  schools.  The  United  States  arsenal  and 
barracks,  sufficient  for  a  regiment,  were  erected  here  in  1813,  under 
the  direction  of  Maj.  James  Dalliba.  Rome  is  siluated  on  the  sum- 
mit level  between  the  ocean  and  Lake  Ontario,  four  hundred  and 
thirty-five  feet  above  tide  at  Albany ;  lat.  43°  12' ;  long.  1°  27'  W. 
from  New  York.  Distant  from  Albany  112,  from  Utica  12  miles. 
Pon.  5,680. 

Fort  Stanwix,  named  from  Gen.  Stanwix,  was  originally  erected 
in  the  year  1768,  during  the  French  war.  It  oc(;upied  a  p<isition 
commanding  the  carrying  place  between  the  navigable  waters  of  the 
Mohawk  and  Wood  creek,  and  was  regarded  as  the  key  to  the  com- 


ill. jiiiii »!»;!' 


--.r 


368 


ONEIDA   COUNTY. 


I 


munication  between  Canada  and  the  settlements  on  the  Mohawk. 
« It  was  originally  a  square  fort,  having  four  bastions  surmounted  by 
a  broad  ajid  deep  ditch,  with  a  covert  way  and  glacis.    In  the  centre 
of  the  ditch  a  row  of  perpendicular  pickets  was  planted,  and  another 
horizontal  row  fixed  around  the  ramparts.     But  although  the  princi- 
pal fortress  had  been  erected  at  the  enormous  expense  for  those  times 
of  8266,400,  yet  at  the  commencement  of  the  revolutionary  war  the 
whole  was  in  ruins.    On  the  incursion  of  Burgoyne  from  Montreal 
towards  Albany,  a  detachment  of  the  invading  lorces,  under  the  com- 
mand  of  Col.  St.  Leger,  consisting  of  200  British  troops,  a  regiment 
of  loyalists,  and  a  large  body  of  Indians  under  B'^^^J'tJe  great  cap- 
tain of  the  Six  Nations,  went  up  the  St.  Lawrence,  then  to  Oswego, 
and  from  thence  to  Fort  Stanwix.    From  this^mt  it  was  intended 
Tpass  down  the  Mohawk  and  join  the  forces  of  ^urgoyne  at  Albany. 
Gen  Schuyler,  who  had  the  command  of  the  northwestern  frontier, 
S"Col  oTyton  to  repair  the  works  at  Fort  Stanwix.    He  seems  to 
have  done  little  towards  effecting  this  object ;  he  however  thought 
proper  to  change  its  name  to  Fort  Schuyler,  which  name  it  retained 
durine  the  wa?.     Gen.  Peter  Gansevoort  was  afterward  sent  to 
supp  ?  his  pTace.    On  the  3d  of  August,  Col.  St.  Leger  arrived  be- 
fore the  fort  with  his  whole  force,  consisting  of  a  motley  collection 
S^-  B^Si^h  reV«.  Hessians,  Tories,  and  about  one  thousand  I^d^^^ 
The  carrison,  under  Col.  Gansevoort,  consisted  of  about  750  men. 
SoonK  his'  arrival,  St.  Leger  sent  a  flag  f-^^^J-^'^^^l^^: 
festo.  advising  submission  to  the  mercy  of  the  king,  and  denouncing 
sevSe  vengeance  against  those  who  should  continue  m  their    unnatu- 
ra^rebeS^    This  manifesto  produced  no  effect  on  the  brave  garri- 
son  who  had  determined  to  defend  the  fortress  to  the  last  extremity. 
At  thTtime  of  the  battle  of  Oriskany,  [see  Whitestown,   when  Gen. 
He  khnTwas  advancing  to  the  re\ie\  of  the  fort,  a  diversion  was 
madeThir  favor,  by  a  tortie  of  250  men,  under  the  command  of 
Col  Wallet     Such  4s  the  impetuosity  of  Willet's  movements  that 
s'r  John  Johnson  and  his  regiment,  who  lay  near  the  fort  wiUi  his 
Indian  a'  ies,  sought  safety  in  flight.    The  amount  of  spoil  found  in 
he  enemy's  camp  was  so  great  tLt  Willet  sent  hastily  for  wagons 
to  convey  it  away.     Thelpoil  thus  captured,  twenty  wagon  loads, 
oonsUtJof  cam'p   equipa^   clothing,  bl-^e^s    ^tor^    f^^^ 
British  standards,  and  the  baggage  and  papers  of  J«tM^t  the  offiu^rs 
For  this  brilliant  exploit,  congress  directed  that  CI.  Wi  e   should  be 
n-esentcd  with  an  elegant  sword  in  the  name  of  the  United  States. 
P  The  sieJe  of  the  fo^rt  stif  continued,  and  the  situation  of  the  gar  - 
son  though  not  desperate,  began  to  be  somewhat  critical.    Col.  Wil- 
kt  and  £i  Stockwell  rcadiJy  undertook  the  hazardous  mission  of 
passhig  through  the  enemy's  liSes  to  arouse  their  countrymen  to  their 
IcS^  After  creeping  on  their  hands  and  knees  through  the  enemy  s 
nipm^t  .r  Rting  varbus  arts  of  concealment,  t  ey  pursued 
their  wav  through  swamps  and  pathless  woods,  until  they  an  nod 
sSy  aTSn  Flats,Ld  froli.  thence  to  the  i-ad-qua^n  ol 
Gen.  Schuyler,  then  commanding  the  American  army  at  Stillwater. 


OWEIDt   COUNTY. 


369 


he  captured  a  tory  by  the  name  of  Hon  I'^T^' 1?  '?  ^''^  ^"^awk. 
spy,  was  condemned  to  derth  Ho^vnJ?''  ^'^"y^"'';  ^*^°  ^'^^S  a 
and  most  ignorant  men  in  the  vallev  Tn^  ^^'  °"^  ""{ ^*»«  ««^r«e«t 
from  Idiocy;  and  yet  there  wis  t^^^  'fT  ^"^^  ^«"^«^«d 

character."  He  was  promised  his  Jifr  if  h""  ^f/^rewdness  in  his 
particularly  the  Indians,  and  alarm  thtm  K  "^^"'^  ^^  *°  ^^e  enemy, 
army  of  the  Americans  was  in  full  rnilT  .^^/""^"ncing  that  a  lar/e 
yost  being  acquainted™  manv^AliV''^'''^  '^'^'  ^^'  Hoi 
offer ;  one  of  lis  brothlrsw^s  d^pi^n  5  "'^'"u''  ^'^^^^  '^^^^Pted  the 
and  was  to  be  hungT  he  Droved  r^.^f"  ^  ^""''^^^  ^^'^  hi«  fidelity, 
Indian  was  let  into  the  secrrandph.^^^^^^^^^  ^  ^'^"dly  Oneida 

Upon  Hon-yost's  arrivaTTe  tr^/^f^""^  ^(^^^''^^d  in  the  design^ 

taken  by  Arnold,  and  of^s  esclne  trlT'^^t  ''°7  ^^  ^^^  l>«'»g 
them  also  several  shot-holes  ZhF.J^T  u-""^ t^'^'S^'^'  ^^^  showed 
bullets  fired  at  him  wLn  makb^  h;,T'  ^^'^^jiesaid  were  made  by 
of  the  Indians,  he  cZZ^St;Zu^'-  ^"^^^"g  the  character 
ous  and  imposing  mannT  mi  a'Slt^^  ^^em  in  a  mysteri- 

nold  had,  he  shook  his  head  mlft  ^^^^^/^«  "r^^*'  ^^'"en  which  Ar- 
jeaves  of  the  trees.  These  rcpSr'nS  ^"'i- P^^J^^  "P^^^^  to  the 
Meantime  the  friendly  0?eidaSvrwl?h''r^7"^^.'^«  ^"'P^- 
Hon-yost  had  said,  hintingThat  a  Wrd  hnH  ^^^^'^  t"\^«"fi™ed  wiat 
of  great  moment.  On  his  way  to  the  cal  0?';^ \'''"^  intelligence 
fallen  m  with  two  or  three  Indians  of  hTl  •  ?  ^^«^«g«^-s  he  had 
pngaged  in  furthering  his  des"^n  tLc!  ^^^r"ta«9«.  who  readily 
nto  tlie  camp  as  if  bf  a^cident^  ih  J  t  sagacious  fellows  dropped 
bers  rapidly^advanciL  agaS'tLer^'^T^^^^  ""'"- 

some  ,„„e  revived,  and  perceivkrhiJ  me„  w^re  ki  llV'r  '^^."r'^"".''-    '^'"'  '^"Ptai"  aZr 
suffering  extreme  agony  from  his  m  mr,^,.  K'Hed,  himself  robbed  of  his  scaln  anH 

Weeding  head  on  ole  o'f  the  dead  bZsZZlZiV'''''^'  ''"  *'«'""  '"  "'ovrandTay  his 
accompanied  him  manifested  gtenr^L^Z    T^^  ?""""'  ^^P'^"-    A  faithful  dog  who 
wounds  which  afforded  him  grearrlien'rom^l        .''V'''''  *""''*"'««'  "'^"ner  hcked  his 
as.  if  a  human  being,  to  go  in  search  of  soTn     '"''''"  ^'''''"'-    ««  '^en  directed  the  doc 
w.th  every  appearance  of  an"  iety  ran  abo-r„  ^T"  u    ?""«  '"  '"«  "^"ef-     Tlie  aniS 
tl>e  nycr,  and  endeavored  in  ti^^'  most  m^v    ""'"'  '^'''"  '"" '""'  ^'^  '^o  men  fisK  in 
prevail  on  them  .0  follow  him  into  the IX   f  t'n T"""*,  ''^1. "''''"'"^  «"^  piteo^  Ses^  " 
they  were  induced  to  follow  him  part  oT  the  w«vh^  ^'"-  "'*'  ''"»"'"  '^°"d"'=t  "f  'he  dog 
were  about  to  return,  when  the  do^fit  nl  1^  '^^  """^  '^."""ff  «'""«  '^ccoy,  o.  dangor  Zj 
cries,  and  taking  hold  of  theircffis  w"^ ,  "',??u*  ""  them  renewed  his'^'entreaaL  l^y  hi^ 
fatal  spot.    Such  was  the  remarkaWa  fi,  L 1  j  ""'  P'"'  '*'''"*  °"  "lem  to  follow  him  to  the 

immediately  carried  to  tlie  forwh^r«  I.  »^  ""''  !'*'"=">'  "^"^'^  ""^al.  CapuTellt 
wSon""'  ''-PitaLand  put"  tmt  my  care"' h:?  '"''"'*'.'"'  "'"'  '"eri'fdr 
whole  of  his  scalp  was  removed  ;  in  two^L«.  .?  7"^  "  '"""  *"«''"'"1  spectacle,  the 
had  penetrated  through  the  skull"  ZJ  ""  ^^  ^"'^  P""  of  liis  head,  the  tomahawk 
mont,  besides  a  wound  in  his  side '«n  I  "^u  "  ^'''''''^  ""  '"•  l^ck  with  the  samT  in^tn. 
unfortunate  man,  after  suffering  ex.^eirj'J't'"" .""""?''  ''1?  ""»  ^y  a  musket  Wl  S 
to  be  well  satisfied  in  havinKscaTnL^  ^'""^  .*!'""• '^«">' "covered,  and  ^^^^ 
Thac/ur;  Military  JourtJ?'^        "calp  restored  to  him,  though  uncovered  with  hai??'!. 

47 


JP^ 


370 


ONBIDA   COUNTY. 


British  they  must  all  share  one  common  fate.  The  Indians  were 
thoroughly  alarmed,  and  determined  on  an  immediate  flight,  being 
already  disgusted  with  the  British  service.  Col.  St.  Lcger  exhorted, 
argued,  and  made  enticing  offers  to  the  Indians  to  remain,  but  all  in 
vain.  He  attempted  to  get  them  drunk,  but  they  refused  to  drink. 
When  he  found  them  determined  to  go,  he  urged  them  to  move  in 
the  rear  of  his  army ;  but  they  charged  him  with  a  design  to  sacri- 
fice them  to  his  safety.  In  a  mixture  of  rage  and  despair,  he  broke 
up  his  encampment  with  such  haste,  that  he  left  his  tents,  cannon,  and 
stores  to  the  besieged.  The  friendly  Oneida  accompanied  the  flying 
army,  and  being  naturally  a  wag,  he  engaged  his  companions  who 
were  in  the  secret,  to  repeat  at  proper  intervals  the  cry,  "  They  are 
coming !  they  are  coming !"  This  appalling  cry  quickened  the  flight 
of  the  fugitives  wherever  it  was  heard.  The  soldiers  threw  away 
their  packs ;  and  the  commanders  took  care  not  to  be  in  the  rear. 
After  much  fatigue  and  mortification,  they  finally  reached  Oneida 
Lake ;  and  there  probably,  for  the  first  time,  felt  secure  from  the 
pursuit  of  their  enemies.  From  this  place  St.  Leger  hastened  with 
his  scattered  forces  back  to  Oswego,  and  thence  to  Montreal. 

Hon-yost,  after  accompanying  the  flying  army  as  far  as  the  estuary 
of  Wood  creek,  left  them  and  returned  to  Fort  Schuyler,  and  gave 
the  first  information  to  Colonel  Gansevoort  of  the  approach  ot  Ar- 
nold. From  thence  he  proceeded  to  German  Flats,  and  on  presenting 
himself  at  Fort  Dayton  his  brother  was  discharged.  He  soon  after 
rejoined  the  British  standard,  attaching  himself  to  the  forces  under 
Sir  Jolm  Johnson. 

The  following  inscriptions  arc  copied  from  monuments  in  the  vil- 
lage graveyard. 

"  In  memory  of  tho  Hon.  Joshua  Hathaway,  more  than  40  years  a  resident  of  this  town. 
He  was  born  at  Suffield,  Ct.,  Aug.  13,  1761 ;  gradimled  nt  Yuh)  college  in  1787,  and  died 
at  Rome,  Den.  8,  1836.—*  Requiescat  in  pace.'— As  a  husband  and  lather,  ever  worthy, 
loved,  and  venerated.  As  a  man  and  Christian,  upright  und  exemplary ;  a  friend  to  the 
needy  and  the  injured ;  and  a  father  in  the  church.  As  a  magistrate  and  judge,  by  the 
grace  of  God,  an  executor  of  justice,  and  maintainer  of  the  truth, '  o  terror  to  evil-doers,  and 
praise  to  awh  as  did  well.'  As  a  patriot,  he  bore  arms  in  two  wars  for  lus  country ;  and 
sustained  kt  all  times  the  cause  of  the  people  with  zeal  and  fidelity.  As  a  citizen,  ever 
active  and  enterprising  for  the  benefit  of  our  common  country,  and  among  the  foremost  for 
the  improvement  of  this  favored  portion  of  it ;  to  him  was  assigned  the  honor  of  breaking 
ground  on  commencing  that  great  and  beneficial  work,  the  Erie  canal,  .luly  4th,  1817.  In 
the  various  relations  of  life,  he  fulfilled  its  duties  as  in  the  fear  of  God,  with  faithlulness, 
ability,  and  honesty  of  purpose.    lie  died  lamented—'  the  memory  of  Uie  just  is  blessed.'  '• 

•'  To  the  memory  of  Capt.  Samttel  Perkins,  who  departed  this  life  at  the  United  States 
arscnnl,  Rome,  Dec,  30, 1837,  in  the  75th  year  of  his  age.  He  entered  the  service  of  hia 
country  during  the  war  of  the  revolution,  when  ho  was  but  14  years  old,  and  served  till  ite 
independence  was  gained.  Ho  was  actively  engaged  in  the  Indian  campaign  of  1795, 
under  Gen.  Wayne.  He  also  participated  in,  and  rendered  valuable  services  during  the 
late  war  with  Great  Britain.  After  which,  retiring  from  active  duties,  he  held  for  18  years 
the  station  of  onlnance  storekeeper,  and  died  in  the  public  service.  In  every  situation 
of  hi*  life  was  remarkably  exemplified  that  just  sentiment,  '  an  honest  man  is  tho  noblest 
work  of  God.' " 

Sangerfield,  taken  from  Paris  in  1795 ;  from  Albany  94,  SW.  from 
Utica  18  miles.    It  was  settled  in  1793,  and  named  after  Judge  Jede- 


ONEIDA    COUNTY. 


871 


port  of  the  town,  contains  about  whS-    ^'"''"f"''' !"  ""^  """h 
L<.o.e  public' s,uarr  8^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

1 10  fro.  Utica  A  C;;  f^^o^.i'iTorSSk  11  X^' OoY 
Stclt  rhTA^:^^^^^^^^  ^Tf '^  bytr;ta/e?o  Sn 

Lore  on  his  farm  untinus  dS    "^^  "«  ^««'d«d 

green  he  had  selected  to  overldow  hr^rave"'  1^"'^  7  ''"'- 
road  was  laid  over  the  snot TnTh;/  ^^  Afterward  a  new 
neighboring  grove  in  thi^  tow„  *  .  7T'''  "^^'■'^  "^^'""^^d  to  a 
Trenton  pflls  "'  ''^"'''^'*  ^^°"^  ^  »""««  NW.  of  the 


Grat'.^  o/  Baron  Steuben. 


His  grave  is  protected  by  a  neat  monument  erected  in  iRoa  h. 
tKwo/'-^'''-P'-^*"';?^^'^*^^^"  '"  t''«  abovrengravinfr     On  it^^ 

quarter  of  a  -iirrouth^o'fls  b  Sjla^ ^i'hv'eil '""f  ^'^^ 

01  h.H  aids,  and  hud  hel.l  ,he  ra"  roH  o.Uciantc.rar  "h?'*'''^"";''.  "«' «roa,,  was  one 
from  MarBcillcs  in  November  1777  Ji.i,  lil    ^  ,      ""''^'^'^  '»  New  Hampshire 

no  rank,  and  only  reauLTd'pJJLro^^^tlirra"'' >'''"'''''"  "i  *=''"«''"«•  ««  «'»''"'^ 
the  American  army.  He  ySToZZZntediSh^ 2^'^'T''^'''  ''«"i':«s  ho  could  to 
rank  of  major-general.  He  catnSed  an  unffol  Ivl^  r"*^  """Pector.fireneral.  with  the 
and  persevering  industry  cffecied/Zing  "he  conZZr  °/ ."""'""'vres,  and  by  his  skill 
mosf  nnportant  i.nprovement  in  a  1  ranks  of  the  arm v  V  ""'  ""'T  "'  ^"""y  *""•««.  « 
at  Monmonih,  and  commanded  in  the  trenches  of  Ynrt,  '^"''  1  ^"J""""''  "'  "'«  «"«'"' 
|l.o  «(n.gglowi.h  Great  Britain  He  d'ed  r^Sn  T"  ""  "ft*""'''^'' ^"'"''''d'"! 
He  w.«  an  accomplished  gcntlemar  and  a  vi  tuouscitiz™"! /"';'' '  ^"'7'"'"^  ^8.  1795. 
sound  judgment.    An  abstract  of  liis  «™7em  nr^'    •  r     '  °^  "xtensive  knowledge  and 

1784  he  published  a  letter  on  the  suE  of  1  ^Sl'  T  P"''"''''^'' '"  "'9' '"'J  "• 
menta."  "UDjeci  oi  on  Mtabluhed  nuhua  and  military  arrange. 


I 


:1 


373 


ONEIDA   COUNTY. 


4(^ 


The  annexed  inscription  to  the  memory  of  Baron  Steuben,  adorns 
an  elegant  tablet  on  the  wall  of  the  German  Lutheran  church  in  the 
city  of  New  York. 

"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Frederick  William  Augustus  Baron  Steuben,  a  German ; 
knight  of  the  order  of  Fidelity ;  aid-de.camp  to  Frederick  the  Great,  king  of  Prussia ;  major, 
general  and  inspector-general  in  the  revolutionary  war ;  esteemed,  respected,  and  supported 
by  Washington.  He  gave  military  skill  and  discipline  to  the  citizen  soldiers,  who,  fulfilling 
the  decrees  of  heaven,  achieved  the  indepei'  lence  of  the  United  States.  The  highly  polished 
manners  of  the  baron  were  graced  by  the  most  noble  feelings  of  the  heart.  His  hand,  open 
as  day  for  melting  charity,  closed  only  in  the  strong  grasp  of  death.  This  memorial  is 
inscribed  by  an  American,  who  had  the  honor  to  be  his  aid.de-camp,  the  happiness  to  be 
his  friend.    Ob.  1795. 

The  baron  was  a  man  of  strong  feelings,  subject  to  sudden  bursts 
of  passion,  but  ever  ready  to  atone  for  an  injury.  The  following 
anecdotes  are  illustrative  of  the  generosity  of  his  disposition.  At  a 
review,  he  directed  an  officer  to  be  arrested  for  a  fault  which  he 
thought  he  had  been  guilty  of.  On  being  infornicd  of  his  innocence, 
he  directed  him  to  be  brought  forward,  and  in  the  presence  of  all  the 
troops,  and  with  the  rain  pouring  upon  his  uncovered  head,  asked 
his  forgiveness  in  the  following  words.  "  Sir,  the  mistake  which  was 
made,  might,  by  throwing  the  line  into  confusion,  have  been  fatal  in 
the  presence  of  an  enemy.  I  arrested  you  as  its  author,  but  I  have 
reason  to  believe  I  was  mistaken ;  and  that  in  this  instance  you  were 
blameless.  I  ask  your  pardon.  Return  to  your  command ;  I  would 
not  deal  unjustly  by  any ;  much  less  by  one  whose  character  as  an 
officer  is  so  respectable." — '*  After  the  capture  at  Yorktown,  the  su- 
perior officers  of  the  American  army,  together  with  their  allies,  vied 
with  each  other  in  acts  of  civility  and  attention  to  the  captive  Brit- 
ons. Entertainments  were  given  by  all  the  major-generals,  except 
Baron  Steuben.     He  was  above  prejudice  or  meanness,  but  poverty 

Erevented  him  from  displaying  that  liberality  towards  them  which 
ad  been  shown  by  others.  Such  was  his  situation,  when,  calling  on 
Col.  Stewart,  and  informing  him  of  his  intention  to  entertain  Lord 
Cornwallis,  he  requested  that  he  would  advance  a  sum  of  money,  as 
the  price  of  his  tavorite  charger.  *  'Tis  a  good  beast,'  said  the  baron, 
'  and  has  proved  a  faithful  servant  through  all  the  dangers  of  the 
war  ;  but,  though  painful  to  my  heart,  we  must  part.  Col.  Stewart 
immediately  tendered  his  purse,  recommending  the  sale  or  pledge  of 
his  watch,  should  the  sum  it  contained  prove  insufficient.  '  My  dear 
friend,'  replied  the  baron,  '  'tis  already  sold.  Poor  North  was  sick, 
and  wanted  necessaries.  Ho  is^a  brave  fellow,  and  possesses  the 
best  of  hearts.  The  trifle  it  brought  is  set  apart  for  his  use.  My 
horse  must  go — so  no  more.  I  beseech  you  not  to  turn  me  from  my 
purpose.  I  am  a  major-general  in  the  service  of  the  United  States ; 
and  my  private  convenience  must  not  be  put  in  a  scale  with  the  duty 
which  my  rank  imperiously  calls  upon  me  to  perform.' " 

Tkenton  was  organized  in  1797,  as  part  of  Herkimer  county; 
NW.  from  New  York  238,  from  Albany  93,  from  Utica  N.  13,  from 
Rome  20  miles.  The  inhabitants  are  principally  of  New  Engl^ind 
descent,  though  there  are  some  of  the  ancient  Dutch  from  Holland, 


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ONEIDA   COUNTY. 


378 


the  original  purchasers  from  the  state.  Trenton,  an  incorporated 
village  on  the  road  to  Martinsburg,  and  2  miles  SW.  from  the  falls, 
South  Trenton,  9  miles  from  Utica,  Holland  Patent,  and  Prospect, 
16  miles  from  Utica,  are  all  small  villages.    Pop.  3,178. 


Trenton  Falls,  at  Trenton. 

The  Trenton  Falls  on  the  West  Canada  creek,  on  the  east  line  of 
the  town  and  county,  are  highly  picturesque  and  sublime.  The  river 
descends  in  a  high,  narrow,  and  rocky  dell  by  a  succession  of  cata- 
racts, the  most  magnificent  of  which  are  the  High  Falls,  2  miles  NW. 
from  the  village  of  Trenton.  This  cataract  is  one  hundred  and  nine 
feet  in  height,  descending  by  three  different  sheets,  respectively  thirty- 
seven,  eleven,  and  forty-eight  feet  fall,  besides  a  connecting  slope  or 
rapids  between.  The  rocks  that  bind  the  stream  below,  rise  perpen- 
dicularly from  100  to  130  feet,  capped  by  evergreens  of  spruce,  fir, 
hemlock,  and  sublimely  finish  a  landscape  of  uncommon  beauties.  The 
rocks  are  of  a  dark  Iffnestone,  and  contain  large  quantities  of  petrified 
marine  shells,  «&c.  &c.  these  falls  are  much  visited,  being  within  two 
or  three  hours'  ride  from  the  city  of  Utica,  and  there  is  here  a  hotel 
for  the  accommodation  of  visiters. 

Utica  city  comprehends  the  former  town  and  village  of  that 
name,  taken  from  Whitcstown  in  1817.  It  was  incorporated  a  city 
in  1832,  and  divided  into  four  wards.  Its  population  in  1830,  was 
8,323 ;  in  1840,  12,810.  The  land  on  which  the  city  is  situated 
is  a  rich  alluvion,  rising  gently  from  the  south  side  of  the  Mohawk 
river,  and  was  formerly  covered  with  a  gigantic  growth  of  forest 
trees.  It  is  quite  a  "Central  point  for  roads,  canals,  &c.,  to  various 
parts  of  the  state.    Distance  from  Albany  96  miles,  from  New 


f1 


i 


,  ;h~1»>fc^-**'^*'a*'i''li^j'J 


374 


ONETDA    COUNTY. 


York  241,  from  Buffalo  202,  from  Rocliester  140,  from  Oswego  76, 
from  Sacketts  Harbor  94,  from  Ithaca  90,  and  from  Ogdensburg 
146  miles.  It  contains  14  churches — 3  Presbyterian,  2  Methodist,  2 
Baptist,  1  Episcopal,  1  Dutch  Reformed,  1  Welsh  Presbyterian,  1 
Catholic,  1  Friends,  1  Bethel,  and  1  Universalist.  There  are  3  banks, 
with  an  aggregate  capital  of  one  million  and  a  half  of  dollars.  The 
buildings  are  generally  very  good,  the  stores  large  and  splendid. 
There  are  nine  periodical  publications,  including  newspapers,  4 
academies  or  high  schools,  and  numerous  moral,  religious,  benevolent, 
and  scientific  associations. 

The  first  building  erected  within  the  limits  of  Utica  was  a  mud 
fort,  ponstructed  during  the  old  French  war.  It  was  situated  between 
Main-street  and  the  banks  of  the  river,  a  little  eastward  of  Second- 
street,  and  named  Fort  Schuyler,*  in  honor  of  Col.  Schuyler,  an 
uncle  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  of  the  revolution. 

"  The  settlement  of  Utica  commenced  at  an  early  period,  but  was 
not  prosecuted  with  the  vigor  that  the  neighboring  settlements  were. 
Whitestown  was  regarded  as  the  great  central  point  of  the  whole 
region  up  to  the  years  1793  or  1794.  At  this  period  quite  a  village 
had  grown  up  there,  while  Utica,  or  old  Fort  Schuyler,  as  its  site 
was  then  called,  could  boast  of  but  three  houses.  About  this  time 
the  public  attention  was  directed  to  Rome,  as  the  probable  future 
metropolis  of  the  state.  Its  local  position  favored  the  idea.  It  occu- 
pied the  portage  or  carrying  place  between  the  Mohawk  and  Wood 
creek,  which  discharging  through  Oneida  lake  into  Lake  Ontario, 
formed  a  channel  of  communication  between  the  Hudson  and  the 
whole  chain  of  western  lakes.  The  connecting  the  two  streams  by 
a  navigable  canal,  which  was  projected  at  a  very  early  day,  and 
was  accomplished  by  the  Western  Inland  Lock  Navigation  Com- 
pany, which  was  chartered  in  1792,  encouraged  the  belief,  that  that 
site  must  become  the  focus  of  the  business  of  the  country.  And  for 
several  years  the  growth  of  Rome  warranted  the  expectation.  The 
location  of  the  Seneca  turnpike  road  first  operated  to  change  the 
current  of  business  and  divert  it  to  this  location.  This  event  took 
place  in  the  year  1800,  and  the  crossing  of  the  river  at  this  point 
rendered  it  immediately  important  as  a  place  of  deposit  and  of  trade. 
A  steady  and  healthful  growth  ensued,  and  the  aid  and  influence  of 
enlightened  and  enterprising  men  in  the  various  walks  of  life,  con- 
tributed very  shortly  to  render  it  the  leading  place  of  business  in  the 
neighborhood.  Its  present  name  was  given  to  it  in  1798,  when  it 
was  incorporated  as  a  village,  and  it  has  since  then  continued  its 
municipal  capacity  until  the  present  day.  The  first  church  gathered 
in  this  city  was  organized  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Bethuel  Dodd, 
as  a  branch  of  the  church  at  Whitestown,  in  the  year  1794.  The 
style  of  the  corporation  was — "  The  United  Presbyterian  Societies  of 
Whitestown  and  old  Fort  Schuyler."    Previous  to  that  time,  although 

II   II  I.I  II  I  ■  -     ■-       ,  —  I        i  ■ 

*  Fort  Stanwix,  at  Rome,  during  the  revolutionary  war  Aid  its  name  changed  to  Fort 
Schuyler ;  these  two  are  sometinies  confounded  in  history. 


^ 


i 


( 

f 
I 

r 

i\ 
ii 
I 
ii 
ii 

A 
k 
b 

ai 


ONEDIA   COUNTY. 


875 


the  people  of  Whitestown  had  employed  a  clergyman,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
^ir^'  ll!r    '}\  i  ^^""^  ''''■^^^y  mentioned,  they  had  not  settled  a 

C  nnln^'"'n???''  ^^"^  f  ^T*^^  P^^^^*"  '^^  ^^c  United  Societies. 

I  he  union  of  the  two  churches  continued  for  more  than  twenty 
years,  under  the  pastorates  of  Mr.  Dodd  and  his  successor,  the  Rev. 
L>r  Camahan     They  were  the  first  Presbyterian  churches  organ- 

zed  west  of  the  city  of  Albany,  those  at  Ciinton  and  New  Hartford 
being  Congregational  in  the:-  forms  of  government.  The  Episcopal 
church  m  this  city  was  gathered  in  1798,  and  its  present  church 
edifice  erected  in  1803."— Tracy's  Lectures. 

Jdltv^-^^^^  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  in  the  grave- 

EaA^rSi^'i'.."'''!  lodge  Oneida  chapter  and  Utica  encampment,  in  memory  of 
fjut  vi*  y°^^\^^-  An  "Pngh'  niagistrate,  a  kind-hearted  friendi  an  honest  man.  He 
?is~32:i:i477er."  '''  --«  «f '>-volence  during  the  Epidemic  choler.;  17* 


of"h?United  sL«l''.K^  ''"•  fT  Cochrane  director-general  of  the  military  hospitals 
fn  An^i  "  .u  **  2„'i'*.  revoluuonary  war,  and  Gektrudk,  his  wife.  The  former  died 
isitt  AT'  ^^^y  i"  *'  '^*Ju^."  °^^^  »««• '"''  '»»<"''«'''  i"  March.  inTe  ye!r 
wijt'erL  Cochrl!^'"  age^-This  monument  is  erected  by  their  sons,  James  wd 


Mewn  rhyfel  bu'fe  yma'n  hir 
Yn  colli  ac  yn  ennill  tir ; 
Ond'  nawr  gorphenodd  ar  ei  waith, 
Acaeth  yn  deg  i  ben  ei  daith." 

Vernon,  taken  from  Westmoreland  in  1802;  from  Albany  116 
miles.    This  town  was  settled  in  1797.    About  one  fifth  of  the  town 
belongs  to  the  Oneida  Indians,  forming  part  of  their  reservation,  and 
comprising  their  principal  settlements  near  the  Oneida  village  on  the 
Uneida  creek.    Oneida  Castleton,  22  miles  SW.  from  Utica  and  16 
trom  Kome,  has  about  25  dwellings,  and  a  church  belonging  to  the 
Indians,  who  number  about  200.    On  the  south  side  of  the  turnpike 
road,  at  the  entrance  of  the  village,  is  the  ancient  council  grove  of 
the  feix  JNations,  consisting  of  about  50  large  white  walnut-trees,  still 
m  lull  vigor.    Vernon,  upon  the  Skanandoa  creek,  17  miles  SW.  from 
utica,  contains  an  academy,  a  female  seminary,  and  about  80  dwell- 
ings.    Vernon  Centre,  2  miles  S.  from  Vernon,  has  about  25  dw^ll- 
ings.    Pop.  3,043. 

Verona,  taken  from  Westmoreland  and  Augusta  in  1802;  from 
Albany  113,  from  Rome  centrally  distant  SW.  9  miles.  The  town 
lormed  part  of  the  Oneida  reservation,  but  was  purchased  in  1796, 
by  the  state  from  the  Indians.  Pop.  4,504.  DurhamvUle,  New 
London,  Verona,  Verona  Centre,  Skanandoa,  and  Andover,  are  villa- 
ges.     1  he  sulphur  springs  near  Andover  are  in  high  repute. 

Vienna,  originallf  Wmed  Orange,  afterward  changed  to  Bengal, 
and  finally  to  ITieMaT  faken  from  Camden  in  18077  from  Albwiy 


'%. 


%' 


876 


ONEIOA    COUNTY. 


i. 


125,  from  Rome  W.  17  miles.    Settled  in  1802,  by  New  Englanders 
Vienna,  McConnelsville,  and  Pine,  are  post-offices.     Pop.  2,530. 

Western,  taken  from  Steuben,  as  part  of  Herkimer  county  in 
1797;  from  Albany  109,  from  Rome  NE.  8  miles.  Western  and 
Big  Brook  are  post-offices.     Pop.  3,488. 

Westmoreland,  taken  from  Whitestown  in  1792 ;  from  Albany 
105  miles.  Rock  iron  ore  is  here  found  in  abundance,  and  is  exten- 
sively wrought.  Hampton,  9  miles  W.  from  Utica  and  7  S.  from 
Rome,  contains  about  30  dwellings.  Lairdsville  is  a  small  village, 
and  Republican  the  name  of  a  post-office.    Pop.  3,105. 

The  first  settlement  of  this  town  was  commenced  in  178G,  by 
James  Dean,  Esq.,  a  name  distinguished  in  the  history  of  Oneida 
county.  He  was  a  native  of  New  England,  the  child  of  religious 
parents,  who  educated  him  for  the  purpose  of  being  a  missionary 
among  the  Indians.  At  the  age  of  eleven  he  was  sent  amo«ig  the 
Indians  on  the  Susquehannah,  in  order  to  acquire  their  language,  and 
gain  a  knowledge  of  their  habits  and  manners :  he  afterward  was  a 
student  in  Dartmouth  college.  On  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities  in 
1775,  Mr.  Dean  was  appointed  to  the  office  of  Indian  agent,  with  the 
rank  of  a  major  in  the  army,  and  during  the  revolutionary  war  con- 
tinued his  services.  For  most  of  the  time,  his  duties  were  performed 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Oneida.  At  the  close  of  the  war  the  Oneidas 
granted  him  a  tract  of  land,  two  miles  square,  near  Rome,  where  he 
removed  in  1784  and  commenced  its  improvement.  He  afterward 
effected  an  exchange  with  the  nation  for  a  tract  in  Westmoreland, 
where  he  removed  in  1786,  and  resided  till  his  death,  in  1832.  Ho 
was  appointed  a  judge  in  the  county  courts,  and  filled  various  other 
public  offices.  Two  or  three  years  after  the  removal  of  Mr.  Dean 
to  Westmoreland,  an  incident  occurred,  which  furnishes  a  parallel  to 
the  rescue  of  Capt.  Smith  by  Pocahontas  in  the  early  days  of  Vir- 
ginia. 

"  An  institution  existed  among  the  Indians  for  the  punishment  of  a  murderer,  answering 
in  some  respects  to  the  Jewish  code.  It  became  the  duty  of  the  nearest  relative  of  the  de- 
ceased to  pursue  him,  and  avenge  his  brother's  death.  In  case  the  murder  was  perpetrated 
by  a  member  of  a  different  tribe,  the  offence  demanded  that  the  tribe  of  the  murdered  man 
should  require  the  blood  of  some  member  of  the  offending  tribe.  This  was  regarded  as  a 
necessary  atonement,  and  as  absolutely  requisite  to  the  happiness  of  the  deceased  in  the 
world  of  spirits,  and  a  religious  duty,  and  not  as  a  mere  matter  of  vengeful  gratification. 
At  the  period  to  which  I  have  referred,  an  Indian  had  been  murdered  by  some  unknown 
white  man,  who  had  escaped.  The  chiefs  thereupon  held  a  consultation  at  Oneida  to  de- 
termine wnat  was  to  be  done.  Their  deliberations  were  held  in  secret,  but  through  the 
friendship  of  one  of  the  number,  Mr.  Dean  was  advised  of  what  was  going  on.  From  the 
office  that  he  had  held,  and  the  high  standing  he  maintained  amon";  the  white  men,  it  was 
urged  in  the  council  that  he  was  the  proper  person  to  sacrifice  in  atonement  for  the  offence 
committed.  The  question  was,  however,  a  very  difficult  one  to  dispose  of  He  had  been 
adopted  into  the  tribe,  and  was  held  to  be  a  son,  and  it  was  argued  by  many  of  the  chiefe 
that  he  could  now  be  no  more  responsible  for  the  offence  than  one  of  the  natives  of  the 
tribe,  and  that  his  sacrifice  would  not  furnish  the  proper  atonement.  For  several  days  the 
matter  was  debated  and  no  decision  was  arrived  at.  While  it  was  undetermined,  he  con- 
tinued to  hope  for  the  best,  nnd  his  friendly  informant  kept  him  constantly  advised  of  all 
that  was  done.  At  first  he  reflected  upon  the  propriety  of  his  '  aving  the  country  and  es. 
caping  from  the  danger.  But  his  circumstances,  together  wit!  hope  of  a  favorable  issue 
of  the  question  in  the  council,  rnd  b>;  nim  to  remain.  He  hW'  ected  asmall  house  which 
he  was  occupying  with  hk  vtik  v'     two  children,  one  an  infant,  and  it  was  idle  to  think 


•r 


# 


ONXIDA   COUNTY. 


377 


ofremoving  them  without  excjtin*  obmrviirion  .„j      j. 

the  council  continued  it.  M«io„7or  i^v7«^  w  '^''.  .P**"!*  ""^"g  »  wcrifice  of  all.    A. 
ened.    He  however  keptT  whSe  man"  to  W^'^T  °'^"  ''^"""^'^  ''•'='^°"  ^'^ 
and  prepared  himwlf  for  ,ny  cmeZ„";  which  m^fv^'.fT  """"""'"»  "  »»  hi«  wife, 
retired  to  bed,  he  wa.  awoke  byTaoLd  of  thf  ?„!  *'?"  •"■"■    ^^  "'«'''  »««'  he  had 
house     He  then  for  the  fi«t  ^ecomZ^i^A  tt^  ''v  "J!'' '.'  »  '^°«  **^'«°«=«  fr"""  hi. 
proaching  to  take  hi.  life.    He^^STu^n  L„  f  "^"^^  ^  ^''"'  '^"  *  P"'^  *•«  •?• 
Je  room  where  they  .lept,  whileTe  would  Trivt^^    """","•  '"^**  T*  ''"  «=*»"<•"•»  »« 
deavor  to  avert  their  determination,  SL  to  Pr!,^H      ""f '^ "?  *"  '^i^i^m  one  and  en. 
d.«i.  at  the  door,  and  wated  them  h,Te  "utw  r^m     T^^!  ^"^  '*"  '**'!}'•    ""  ""'  '^^  I"- 
or  head  men  of  the  naUon.    The  Jnior  rWf  f„f        j  I-^^'l  ''"*  eW»>teen,  and  all  chief. 
h.n.  for  the  murder  of  the";  ht^a,T,^d\^t'u^^,f  •"""  '^'  "^"^  ^  «°'»''  '<>  -"rifice 
them  at  lengd,,  clain.ing  that  he  wm"  afold  .^^nfT  f.'^^T  ^  '*'*•    ««  '"P^'d  «<> 
require  his  blood  for  tJ.e.  wronrcr^nhLd  hv  a  J^L/  ^u-  ®°*"^"  '  ^'  »'  ^"»  '»'^»«'  '* 
to  die,  and  th«t  he  rouid  nat  ifaveT.  i^fo  -n5  7^t^^  "**"'*  """" '  *«  he  wa.  not  ready 
tened  to  hi ..  wi<h  Profo.  J  Sy  .nd^tti  111  wk''"^"^''*^  '■°'-    '^'>  ««'««="  "^ 
replied  to  1 ,, ,.    He  rejoinedfand  used  ele^^^^tTw"-      "•  '*''*"•  *"•"  "^ *»"'  "hief, 
to  reverse  thnir  sen rence.    The  debate  con^nlT^i      ^.■'  >"««°?''y  <=°"ld  devise  in  order 
fainter  and  fainter  .,  it  proceeded.    It  C3»h!  fe  '""'■""I  *!  hopeof  ewape  grew 
doom  ,hey  had  resolved  upon,  when  hThea^d  thl  „«,^n  '"'/  •'^"<*°"<'d  himself  to  the 
A'l  . . ,  s  were  fixed  upon  Ihe  door!    It  ooened  JnH^.  In     *^  of  a  footstep  without  the  door, 
the  senior  chief,  and  at  the  time  of  Mr  dZ-«  »Hnm-^  -"^  ''T'^'    ^^^  ^"^  'he  wife  of 
had  taken  him  L)  her  son.    The  enirance^-  !?  '^ '°"  '""'  '^^  ^^  '"  his  boyhood,  she 
dian  etiquette,  at  war  wiA  all  proprieT  Sh« T  """*  '"'^'jolemn  council,  was,  b^  In! 
aU  looked  on  in  «Ience.    A  mStSfler  Jn^S^^rriJ,''^''  ^"J^"'.'  "«"  '^^  «''^'.  •"<» 
woman  entered  the  council.    TWs  wm  a  sister  of  .St™"  '^'^  ^^"i^'  '^^  '^"*"  ^n^ian 
a  chief  then  present.    Another  pause^nsueTnni  llt™^''  "1^  "i"  ^  ^^  'he  wife  of 
wrapped  closely  in  her  blank^^Csa^d  noln^     A^ll^n""    E.^1'' °f 'h^ three  stood 
them,  telling  them  to  begone  aid  leave  the  cWefe  tn  1T*    •  u*  presiding  chief  addressed 
replied,  that  the  council  must  chan^lthplrj^!       ■  *  ■  "  ""'^^  '*'*"  husinese.    The  wife 
their  friend-herowndo^ted8onTon?i?I^'"''''°5  ""^  '''  the  good  white  miT- 
each  of  the  Indian  women  ^6^0^  her  M«nT!  ""T'u'"^  ?  ^  «°"«  ^"^  "P^'ted.  when 
and  declared  that  if  o„?h  Jr  of  the  wL  ws  Z,f  """'I  "  H"'!f  '1?  •»«'  ""'"'^^d  hand" 
their  knives  in  their  own  hea^?.  SoJS     The  a^J/enerof  ?h"« '"''h' i'^"''  ^"^^  «"=•»  ""^ 
with  amazement  each  member  of  the  coimril  «^H®,  Ti°  '^t^hole  scene  overwhelmed 
the  women  to  interfere  in  the  matter  «^-Lf  '^^^j'"^  .the  unbeard^f  resolution  of 

e/o  canfeoh'n  ^^'  ^'7  '^'}^'  ^«'^^  I°««t"t«'  a«  »een  from  the 
"  ( -P  drincTi  ?  Pf  o^?  ""  '^^'■*  '^'^^^"^^e  from  these  buildings.  The 
inco'^ora   ?^^^^^^^^^  -as  foundedTlsi'l 

means  to  obvLtS'evilsresufSr^^  *°  "»»> 

cation  to  a  couvJnf  Zif  ^^?""'?g  to  students  from  the  usual  appli- 

tion  of  bodily  rerde^tSrn?'  T^\^^  '^'  ^"^'^^^^  **«P"^«- 
to  effect  th  s  is  to  SlnH  3^3  ^1"^°  ^''^^  the  Semmary  has  established 

study  Tt^rhojSlboTr^^^^^^^^  -"""^""^  ^!;^"?  ^'^  ^^  ^^'^^^  °f 
young  men's  deoartmintL^     ^  is  required  of  each  student  in  the 

Jepaftmen^  'ffirm^^^nfTh^i^irL^  ^^^^ 


48 


on  the  left  ,bank  of  the 


898 


ONEIDA   COUNTY. 


;  I' 


Southwest  view  of  Oneida  Institute,  Whitestown. 

Sauquoit,  and  contains  114  acres.  The  chief  building  upon  it  when 
purchased,  was  a  large  two  story  wood  house  to  which  a  wing  has 
been  appended,  and  which  is  now  occupied  by  the  juvenile  depart- 
ment. The  other  principal  buildings,  which  are  all  of  wood,  with 
stone  basements,  are  as  follows :  two  of  82  by  32  feet,  and  one  48 
by  48  feet,  all  of  three  stories,  including  the  basements.  The  latter 
includes  the  ch^el,  with  seats  for  250  persons.  The  library  con- 
tams  upwards  of  1,000  volumes ;  and  in  the  reading-room  are  files 
of  newspapers  from  various  parts  of  the  United  States.     The  ex- 

E3nse  for  instruction,  room  rent,  fuel,  and  contingences  per  year,  $28. 
oard  at  f  1,05  per  week,  $54,60  per  year.  Total  #82,60. 
Immediately  after  the  revolutionary  war,  Hugh  White,  a  native  of 
Middletown,  Conn.,  Zephaniah  Piatt,  Ezra  L'Hommedieu,  and  Me- 
lancthon  Smith,  became  joint  proprietors  of  Sadaquada  Patent.  It 
was  agreed  among  the  proprietors,  that  they  should  meet  on  the  land 
in  the  summer  of  1784,  and  make  a  survey  and  partition  of  it.  Judge 
White,  having  determined  to  make  this  place  his  home,  he  accord- 
ingly, in  the  month  of  May  in  that  year,  left  his  native  place,  accom- 
panied by  his  four  sons,  all  of  whom  had  arrived  at  manhood,  a 
daughter,  and  daughter-in-law.  The  party  sailed  to  Albany,  there 
crossed  the  carrying  place  to  Schenectady,  and  procuring  a  batteau, 
ascended  the  Mohawk,  and  arrived  in  June  at  the  mouth  of  the  Sau- 
quoit creek.  They  there  erected  a  shanty  for  their  temporary  accom- 
modation, while  surveying  and  dividing  the  lands.  Upon  obtaining  the 
partition  Judge  White  proceeded  to  the  erection  of  a  log  house :  the 
site  fixed  upon  was  upon  the  bank  which  forms  the  eastern  boundary 
of  the  village  green  in  Whitesborough,  just  on  the  right  of  the  Indian 
path  which  led  from  old  Fort  Schuyler  to  Fort  Stanwix.  He  re- 
mained at  this  house  with  his  sons  until  winter,  cutting  awuy  the 
forest  and  making  preparations  for  the  ensuing  season.  In  January, 
he  returned  to  Connecticut,  and  brought  his  wife  and  the  remainder 
of  his  family.  Four  years  after  this,  he  erected  the  house  still  standing 
on  the  southeastern  corner  of  the  village  green  of  which  the  annexed 
is  a  representation.    He  continued  to  occupy  it  until  a  year  or  two 


ONEIDA   COUNTY. 


879 


House  of  Judge  White,  Whitestown. 

previous  to  his  death,  when  he  removed  to  the  dwelling  owned  by 
him  upon  tlie  h.il,  where  he  died  April  16th,  1812.     At  tL  organiza- 
tionot  Herkimer  county,  he  was  appointed  a  judge,  and  afterward 
performed  the  duties  of  the  same  office  in  Oneida  county, 
rn,,  uM"''     '^  two  years  of  Judge  White's  residence  at  Whitesbo- 
rough,  the  nearest  mill  was  situated  at  Palatine,  a  distance  of  about  forty 
miles.     Ihis  distance  was  traversed  by  an  Indian  path  impassable  to 
a  wheel-carriage.     The  want  of  animal  food  induced  the  first  settlers 
to  salt  down  a  barrel  or  two  of  the  breasts  of  pigeons,  which  they  sepa- 
rated  from  the  remamderof  these  birds,  which  were  here  caught  in  great 
numbers.    In  the  year  1786,  the  settlement  of  Whitestown  hid  so  far  in- 
creased,  that  its  inhabitants  formed  a  religious  society,  and  employed 
as  a  minister  the  Rev.  Dr.  HiUyer.  of  Omnge.  New  Jersey,  aKr- 
ganized  the  first  Presbyterian  church  formed  in  the  state  west  of  Al- 
I  ■'J^'fl-u    ^''i®^'  ""^^^  Whitestown  was  organized,  its  limits  were 
laid  off  by  a  line  crossing  the  Mohawk  at  a  small  log  cabin  which 
stood  upon  the  site  occupied  by  the  railroad  depot  in  Utica,  and  run- 
nmg  north  and  south  to  the  boundaries  of  the  state,  and  comprehend- 
•"^  S  i  .   ^^""^^  ^^'^^  westward— a  territory  which  at  present  is 
inhabited  by  more  than  a  million  of  inhabitants.     The  first  town 
meeting  was  held  in  a  barn  ov;ned  by  Needham  Maynard,  Esq.,  on 
the  road  leading  from  Whitesborough  to  Middlo  Settlement 

I'or  a  number  of  years  after  Judge  Whitens  arrival  quite  a  number 
of  the  Oneida  Indians  resided  in  his  vicinity.     The  following  interest- 

Tmc^^s  LecC  ^^     '"^'^  ^''''^^  ''"'"'"^  ^^'^  P^^'°^'  ^^  *^°P'^*^  ^^""^ 

anil  mm°'riiHiH^rn  "l"""  "^*T'  '"!"'• ''"""«  "'^  *"•  •'»''  »'"«"J  *'"»  «he  royal  party. 
back  o7.h«  hnl"'  ^"f '"'^'  'V  '•'»  ^i^"""  '^hich  stood  on  thi.  aide  cf  the  creek,  j« 

WMtoi  i^h  r  4  f  !;'"'■'""]'•  °""P''"'  "Jy  ^'-  C'"'''*"'  G"«".  "n"  day  called  at  Judge 
Whito 8  with  ha  wife  and  a  mulatto  woman  who  belonged  to  him  and  who  acted  m  M. 

ST"yc«^  irir^wlll'^  ''""•!."'.''•'  r*"'"'  the^ndl'^keTwrn-lCjou  my 
Yea  Han  V«:,^^  v' A  ^^^\  uT'  """^  ""'  ^'"*'''"'  '^'^  ^^  '>«"''V«  »  «"«  your  friend  7 
arc  mv  fh  JH'J  '    'f  ^r'  ^'"''"'^''  J"*"  '^«-    '^^'^  I"'''"'  then  rejoined-Well,  if  you 

«holl  know  whether  you  speuk  true  words.    And  what  is  it  that  you  want  7  said  Mr.  Wh"« 


380 


OirilDA  COUNTT. 


\k 


The  Indian  then  pointed  to  a  little  grandchild,  the  daughter  of  one  of  hie  ions,  then  be> 
tween  two  and  three  years  old,  and  said, — My  aquaw  wanta  to  take  this  pappoose  home 
with  us  to  stay  one  night,  and  bring  her  home  to-morrow :  if  you  are  my  friend,  you  will 
now  show  me.  The  foelinga  of  we  grandfather  at  once  uprose  in  his  bosom,  and  the 
child's  mother  started  with  horror  and  alarm  at  the  thought  of  innrusting  her  darting  prat, 
tier  with  the  rude  tenants  of  the  forest.  The  question  was  full  of  interest.  On  the  one 
hand,  the  necessity  of  placing  unlimited  confidence  in  the  savage,  and  intrusting  the  wel- 
fare and  the  life  of  his  grandchild  with  him ;  on  the  other,  the  certain  enmity  of  a  man  of 
influence  and  consequence  in  his  nation,  and  one  who  had  been  the  open  enemy  of  his 
countrymen  in  their  recent  atruggle.  But  he  made  the  decision  with  a  sagacity  that 
showed  that  he  properly  estimated  the  character  of  the  person  he  was  dealing  with.  He 
believed  that  by  placing  impli'iit  confidence  in  him,  he  should  command  the  sense  of  honor 
which  seems  peculiar  to  the  uncontAminated  Indian.  Ho  told  him  to  take  the  child ;  and 
V  as  the  mother,  scarcely  suffering  it  to  be  parted  from  hi',    relinquished  it  into  the  hands  of 

he  old  man's  yt,  ife,  he  soothed  her  feara  with  his  assurances  of  confidence  in  their  promises. 
That  night,  however,  was  a  long  one ;  and  during  the  whole  of  the  next  moi-ning  many  and 
often  were  the  anxious  glances  cast  up  the  pathway  leading  from  Oriskany,  if  poseible  to 
discover  the  Indians  and  their  little  charge,  upon  thoir  return  to  its  home.  But  no  Indians 
came  in  sight.  It  at  length  became  high  noon :  all  a  mother's  fears  were  aroused :  she 
could  scarcely  be  restrained  from  rushing  in  pursuit  of  her  loved  one.  But  her  father  re- 
presented to  her  the  groea  indignity  which  a  suspicion  of  their  intentions  would  arouse  in 
the  breast  of  the  chief;  and  half  frantic  though  she  was,  she  was  restrained.  The  after- 
noon slowly  wore  away,  and  still  nothing  was  seen  of  her  child.  The  sun  had  nearly 
reached  the  horizon,  and  the  mother's  heart  had  swollen  beyond  further  endurance,  when 
the  forms  of  the  friendly  chief  and  his  wife,  bearing  upon  her  shoulders  their  little  visiter, 
greeted  its  mother's  vision.  The  dress  which  the  child  had  worn  from  home  had  been  re- 
moved, end  in  its  place  its  Indian  friends  had  substituted  a  complete  suit  of  Indian  gar- 
ments, so  as  completely  to  metamorphose  it  into  a  little  squaw.  The  sequel  of  this  adven- 
ture was  the  establishment  of  a  most  ardent  attachment  and  regard  on  the  part  of  the  In- 
dian and  his  friends  for  the  white  settlers.  The  child,  now  Mrs.  Eells  of  Missouri,  the 
widow  of  the  late  Nathaniel  Eclls  of  Whitesboro,  still  remembers  some  incidents  occurring 
on  the  night  of  her  stay  in  the  wigwam,  and  the  kindness  of  her  Indian  hostess." 

Oriskany  village  is  about  3  miles  NE.  from  Whitesborough,  at  the 
confluence  of  Oriskany  creek  with  the  Mohawk :  it  has  about  60 
dwellings,  a  number  of  mills,  and  2  woollen  factories,  viz.  the  Oris- 
kany, first  incorporated  in  1804,  and  the  Dexter.  The  Erie  canal 
and  the  railroad  between  Utica  and  Syracuse  pass  through  this  vil- 
lage. The  battle  of  Oriskany,  in  which  Gen.  Herkimer  received  a 
mortal  wound,  was  fought  about  two  miles  in  a  western  direction 
from  the  village. 

On  the  advance  of  the  British  forces  under  Lieut.  Col.  St.  Leger 
to  the  siege  of  Fort  Schuyler,  (Stanwix,)  at  Rome,  General  Herkimer 
summoned  the  militia  of  Tryon  countjr  to  the  field  to  march  to  the 
succor  of  the  garrison.  On  the  5th  ot  Aug.,  1777,  he  arrived  near 
Oriskany  with  a  body  of  upwards  of  800  men,  all  eager  to  meet  the 
enemy.  On  the  morning  of  the  6th  of  August,  Gen.  Herkimer  de- 
termined to  halt  till  he  had  received  reinforcements,  or  at  least  until 
the  signal  of  a  sortie  should  be  received  from  the  fort.  His  officers, 
however,  were  eager  to  press  forward ;  high  words  ensued  :  during 
which  his  two  colonels  and  other  officers  denounced  their  commander 
to  his  face  as  a  tory  and  a  coward.  "  The  brave  old  man  calmly 
replied  that  he  considered  himself  placed  over  them  as  a  father,  and 
that  it  was  not  his  wish  to  lead  them  into  any  difficulty  from  which 
he  could  not  extricate  them.  Burning  as  they  now  seemed  to  meet 
the  enemy,  he  told  them  roundly  that  they  would  run  at  his  first  ap- 
pearance.   But  his  remonstrances  were  unavailing.    Their  clamor 


\ 


,» 

» 


ONEIDA   COUNTY. 


381 


increased,  and  their  reproaches  were  repeated,  until,  stung  by  impu- 
tations of  cowardice  and  a  want  of  fidelity  to  the  cause,  and  some- 
what irritated  withal,  the  general  immediately  gave  the  order— 
•  march  on  I'    The  words  were  no  sooner  heard  than  the  troops  gave 
a  shout,  and  moved,  or  rather  rushed  forward."    Col.  St.  Leger 
having  heard  of  the  advance  of  Gen.  Herkimer,  determined  to  attack 
him  in  an  ambuscade.    The  spot  chosen  favored  the  design.     There 
was  a  deep  ravine  crossing  the  path  which  Herkimer  was  traversing, 
"  sweeping  towards  the  east  in  a  semi-circular  form,  and  bearing  a 
northern  and  southern  direction.     The  bottom  of  this  ravine  was 
marshy,  and  the  road  crossed  it  by  means  of  a  causeway.    The 
ground,  thus  partly  enclosed  by  the  ravine,  was  elevated  and  level. 
The  ambuscade  was  laid  upon  the  high  ground  west  of  the  ravine." 
The  British  troops,  with  a  large  body  of  Indians  under  Brant,  disposed 
themselves  in  a  circle,  leaving  only  a  narrow  segment  open  for  the 
admission  of  Herkimer's  troops.     Unconscious  ot  the  presence  of  the 
enemy.  Gen.  Herkimer  with  his  whole  force,  with  the  exception  of 
the  rear-guard,  found  themselves  encompassed  at  the  onset — the 
foe  closing  up  the  gap  on  their  first  fire.    Those  on  the  outside  fled 
as  their  commander  had  predicted;  those  within  the  circle  were 
thrown  into  disorder  by  the  sudden  and  murderous  fire  now  poured 
in  upon  them  on  all  sides.    Gen.  Herkimer  fell  wounded  in  the  early 
part  of  the  action,  and  was  placed  on  his  saddle  against  the  trunk  of 
a  tree  for  his  support,  and  thus  continued  to  order  the  battle.    The 
action  having  lasted  more  than  half  an  hour,  in  great  disorder,  Her- 
kimer's men  formed  themselves  into  circles  to  repel  the  attacks  of  the 
enemy,  who  were  now  closing  in  upon  them  from  all  sides.     From 
this  moment  their  resistance  was  more  eflfective.    The  firing  in  a 
great  measure  ceased ;  and  the  conflict  was  carried  on  with  knives, 
bayonets,  and  the  butt-ends  of  muskets.    A  heavy  shower  of  rain 
now  arrested  the  work  of  death ;  the  storm  raged  for  an  hour*  and 
the  enemy  retired  among  the  trees,  at  a  respectful  distance,  having 
suffered  severely,  notwithstanding  the  advantages  in  their  favor. 
During  this  suspension  of  the  conflict.  Gen.  Herkimer's  men,  by  his 
direction,  formed  themselves  into  a  circle  and  awaited  the  movements 
of  the  enemy.     In  the  early  part  of  the  battle,  whenever  a  gun  was 
fired  by  a  militiaman  from  behind  a  tree,  an  Indian  rushed  up  and 
tomahawked  him  before  he  could  reload.     To  counteract  this,  two 
men  were  stationed  behind  a  single  tree,  one  only  to  fire  at  a  time — 
the  other  to  reserve  his  fire  till  the  Indian  ran  up  as  before     The  fight 
was  soon  renewed,  but  by  this  new  arrangement  the  Indians  suflfered 
so  severely  that  they  began  to  give  way.     A  reinforcement  of  the 
enemy  now  came  up,  called  Johnson's  Greens.    'These  men  were 
mostly  royalist,  who  having  fled  from  Tryon  county,  now  returned 
in  arms  against  their  former  neighbors.     Many  of  the  militia  and  the 
Greens  knew  each  other,  and  as  soon  as  they  advanced  near  enough 
for  recognition,  mutual  feelings  of  hate  and  revenge  raged  in  their 
bosoms.    The  militia  fired  upon  them  as  they  advanced,  and  then 
springing  like  tigers  from  their  covers,  attacked  them  with  their  bay= 


« 


■,  f 


888 


ONEIDA   COUNTY. 


H-    i 


onets  and  butts  of  their  muskpts  •  nr  Kr.fi,  «„«*•      •      • 

throttled  earh  nth^r  Ln!^  A        }u  '•    .    •     "  P^'^*'^^  '»  closer  contact 

This  murderous  conflict  did  not  contimip  Innrr .  tUr,  t  j- 
v,i.h  wha.  resolution  .he  ™ili  JcoZSeTu^Xhf aJdtXS 
own  number  ^aly  diminished,  now  raised  ti  re°^a«„T!„  of 

alee  tm  to  fort^T//  '"'"='':,  W*  «™8  ™  "-"^  i»  toX 
lance  irom  the  tort :  the  Greens  and  Rangers  now  deemed  ihtt  th^ir 

presence  was  necessary  elsewhere,  and  rftreated  p'eS 
ng    he  victorious  mihtia  of  Tryon  county  masters  of  the  fi'eld- 
Thus  ended,;  (says  Col.  Stone  in  his  Life  of  Brant    « one  of  thZ 

tTero'?  tl'"^'  ^rj^'  ""'"^^^f  ^"^^g^*^'  °««  -f  the  moVt  bbody  bat- 
tles of  the  revolutionary  war."    The  loss  of  the  militia,  accordfnrto 
the  American  account  was  two  hur,u.  d  killed,  exclusive  of  woSd 
and  prisoners.    The  British  claimed  that  four  hundred  of  thrAmeri 
cans  were  killed  and  two  hundred  taken  prisoners!    "The  loTsof 

ans'"TerH:r"^^lr*r^^  severe,^than  that  of  the  Ameri- 
cans.      Gen  Herkimer,  though  wounded  in  the  onset,  bore  himself 
durmg  the  six  hours  of  conflict,  under  the  most  trying  circumstances 
with  a  degree  of  fortitude  and  composure  wor^  of  admSon 

upon  a  littS' hitK^'  ^'''}''-  ^>"^  ^^"'"S  "P°"  ^'^  saddle  rled 
Kn^il?  a  n  ^^^'"?  advised  to  select  a  less  exposed  situation, 
he  replied-.'  I  w,ll  face  the  enemy.'  Thus  surrounded  by  a  few  men 
he  continued  to  issue  his  orders  with  firmness.  In  this  situatbl  a^d 
m  the  heat  of  the  onslaught,  he  deliberately  took  his  inder  box  fr^m 
his  pocket,  ht  his  pipe,  and  smoked  with  great  composure."  Af?e7 
the  battle  was  over,  he  was  removed  from  the  field  on  a  litter  and 
was  conveyed  to  his  house,  below  the  Little  Falls  on  the  Mohawk 

wItL^:!^::^kir^:^!^r'  ^^^  ^'^^^  ^^^  — -^s  in  the 

the  affectionate  partner  of  liis  joys  and  his  sorrows,  May  15.  1826."  '"scribed  by 

.!  "'^°/,^f,'"*""°''y  "'■  ''•«  I^ev.  Bethuel  Dodd,  first  pastor  of  the  United  Presbyterian  So 
red'l''82r'lnr"  ""^V^^^-u  B°™.1767,died  1804;  and  of  Sa2 his S,  born  JtS" 
Mr  n„iL  ^."/^^y""  17?4.  they  emigrated  from  Orange,  New  Jersey,  to  this  village 
r«l  !.     '''^""ed  'n  forming  the  fii«t  Presbyterian  church  West  of  Albany,  and  spent  the 
Sdom"  "^  "  '"'°"  '"'  "''^^"'  *="«"•"  '"«  "Pbuildingof  thia  branch^  Ws  C  ?• 


'■'W 


ONONDAGA   COUNTY. 


383 


ONONDAGA  COUNTY. 

Onondaga  couNry  was  taken  from  Herkimer  in  1704;  bounds 
smce  altered  by  the  formation  of  other  counties  from  it.    Greatest 
ength  N   and  S.  36,  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W.  28  miles.    Cen- 
^ally  distant  from  New  York  280  miles,  from  Albany  135  miles. 
1  his  county,  though  not  extensive,  embraces  a  most  important  portion 
of  the  territory  of  this  state.    Here  are  the  salt  springs,  an  inex- 
haustibie  source  of  immense  wealth;  beds  of  gypsum  or  plaster,  of 
vast  extrat,  hydraulic  lime  and  common  limestone.    Surface  is  diver- 
sihed.     1  he  northern  portion  of  the  county  is  level ;  the  centre  and 
southern  rolling,  and  rising  in  some  places  into  hills.     The  soil  is 
generally  good,  and  m  some  portions  excellent,  and  under  high  culti- 
vation.     Large  crops  of  wheat  and  Indian  corn  are  annually  raised. 
Both  are  greatly  aided  by  the  use  of  plaster.     The  principal  lakes 
are  Oneida,  Skaneateles,  Onondaga,  and  Otisco.    The  Rome  sum- 
mit, or  long  level  of  the  Erie  canaf,  60i  miles  in  length,  has  its  west- 
em  extremity  near  Syracuse.    The  county  forms  part  of  the  military 
tract,  and  settlements  were  first  made  here  in  the  spring  of  1788. 
whilst  composing  part  of  Whitestown,  Oneida  county.    The  county 
IS  divided  into  18  towns,  of  which  Lysander,  Manlius,  Marcellus, 
unondaga,  and  Pompey  were  organized  by  general  sessions  in  1780. 
rop.  67,915. 

Camillus,  organized  in  1789:  from  Albany  141  miles.  Camillus 
has  about  60  dwellings.  This  village  is  connected  with  the  Erie 
canal  by  a  feeder.  Belleisle,  on  the  canal  6  miles  W.,  and  Amboy  7 
miles  W.  from  Syracuse,  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  3,957. 

Cicero,  organized  in  1807;  fron»  Albany  143,  from  Syracuse  NE. 
10  miles.  Cicero  is  a  small  village.  On  the  bank  of  the  Seneca  river, 
opposite  Brewerton  post-office,  in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  are  the 
remains  of  an  old  French  fort.     Pop.  2,464. 

Clay,  taken  from  Cicero  in  1827;  from  Albany  151,  from  Syra- 
cuse  N.  11  miles.    Clay  and  Euclid  are  names  of  post-offices.    Pop. 

De  Witt,  taken  from  Manlius  in  1835;  from  Albany  1128  miles. 
JamesviUe,  7  m-les  SE.  from  Syracuse,  has  about  45  dwellings.  Or- 
viile  IS  a  small  village.    Pop.  2,802. 

Elbridge  taken  from  Camillus  in  1829;  from  Albany  169  miles, 
iilbridge,  15  miles  W.  from  Syracuse,  has  about  60  dwellings.  Near 
this  village  are  Indian  remains,  the  largest  of  which,  upon  a  hill,  has 
an  area  of  about  three  acres,  surrounded  by  a  ditch  and  wall  of  earth. 
It  IS  said  that  a  large  limestone  was  found  here,  having  writing  upon 
It  m  an  unknown  character,  and  that  from  a  well  within  the  wall. 
mShy  mouldering  human  bones  have  been  taken.  Jordan,  on  the 
^  : ,  r«"!,  ^^•  ^^^^  Syracuse,  ia  an  incorporated  village  havinir 
about  1.50  dwellings.  Elbridge  has  about  60  dwellings.  T>eru  and 
Wellington  are  small  settlements.    Pop.  4,647. 


Jl 


9Ui 


ONONDAOA   COUNTY. 


m 


^i 


Fabius,  organized  in  1798 ;  from  Albany  125,  from  Syracuse  SE. 
18  miles.  The  remains  of  ancient  forts  are  found  here,  and  beneath 
the  earth  human  bones.  Franklinville  is  a  large  village,  and  Apulia 
has  about  40  dwellings.     Pop.  2,562. 

Lafayette,  taken  from  Pompey  and  Onondaga  in  1825;  from 
Albany  134,  from  Syracuse  S.  11  miles.  Lafayette  and  Cardiff  are 
small  post  villages.     Pop.  2,600. 

Lysandeh,  from  Albany  152  miles.  Baldwins ville,  on  the  Seneca 
river,  12  miles  NW.  from  Syracuse,  is  a  manufacturing  village  con- 
taining 80  or  100  dwellings.  Plainville,  Lysander,  Betts  Corners, 
and  Little  Utica,  are  villages.     Pop.  4,036. 

Manlius,*  in  common  with  many  other  towns  in  this  section,  was 
originally  divided  by  the  surveyor-general  into  lots  one  mile  square, 
which  were  drawn  as  bounty  lands  by  revolutionary  soldiers ;  and 
hence  its  name,  after  a  celebrated  Roman  general,  is  very  appropriate. 
1  he  town  throughout  is  fertile,  the  southern  part  being  uneven,  the 
northern  level ;  and  is  crossed  both  by  the  canal  and  railroad.  It  is 
well  watered  by  the  Limestone  and  Butternut  creeks,  the  former  of 
which  runs  through  nearly  its  whole  length.  Its  principal  exports 
are  grain,  plaster  of  Paris,  and  water  lime.    Pop.  5,509. 

About  100  rods  south,  and  about  a  mile  NW.  of  the  village  of 
Manlius,  are  found  mineral  springs,  which  are  much  resorted  to  by 
people  living  near  them.  At  the  latter  place  there  are  three  foun- 
tains, within  a  few  feet  of  each  other,  the  waters  of  which  differ  very 
decidedly  in  their  sensible  properties.  A  boarding-house  for  the  re- 
ception of  guests  was  kept  here  by  its  former  proprietor,  connected 
with  which  were  bathing  places,  swings,  &c.  At  both  these  springs, 
but  more  particularly  than  at  either,  upon  the  bank  of  the  Limestone 
creek  about  100  rods  NW.  of  the  latter,  are  found  specimens  of  cal- 
careous  tufa,  petrified  leaves,  and  fragments  of  wood,  some  of  which, 
for  their  perfection,  have  been  deposited  in  the  cabinet  of  Yale  col- 
lege. New  Haven,  Connecticut. 

The  first  white  inhabitant  of  this  town  was  David  Tripp,  who 
moved  here  with  his  family  about  the  year  1790.  He  Kved  in  a  loo 
cabin  nearly  a  mile  NW.  of  the  present  village  of  Manlius,  his  near- 
est  neighbor  being  probably  Gen.  A.  Danforth,  at  Onondaga,  10 
miles  distant.  When  he  settled  here,  being  surrounded  with  wilder- 
ness, it  was  with  great  difficulty  that  he  could  procure  the  food 
necessary  for  the  subsistence  of  his  family,  until  he  could  raise  it 
from  the  soil  by  his  own  labor.  At  one  time,  the  only  article  of 
food  which  they  had  for  three  months,  with  the  exception  of  wild 
roots  and  milk,  was  a  bushel  of  corn,  which  he  brought  from  Herki- 
mer, 55  miles,  on  his  back.  Soon  after  Mr.  Tripp  became  located  in 
this  town,  several  persons  formed  a  settlement  at  Eagle  village,  a 
mile  E.  of  the  present  village  of  Manlius.  The  first  wedding  in  town 
was  celebrated  about  the  1st  of  July,  1794,  in  the  open  yard  in  friht 
ot  Mr.  Foster's  tavern  in  this  settlement.    It  was  on  "  a  training  day," 

•  For  the  account  of  this  town  the  authors  are  indebted  to  Azariab  Smith,  M.  D. 


# 


ONONDAGA  COUNTY. 


Seneca 


#   ^^ 


and  the  soldiers  of  the  company  who  met  there  for  parade,  formed  a 
hollow  square,  m  the  centre  of  which  Cyrus  Kinne  Esq    rniiSrf  in 
"wedlock's  holy  bonds"  Mr.  Billy  McKeeVMi^sJe^  K  ,^^^ 
ilnntTT*"^^  remarkable  that  this  couple  met  with  violen?  dS^ 
about  twelve  years  ago,  and  but  a  few  months  from  each  other 
Trinnl  h^r    ""^w  d^ellmg  erected  in  town   was  built  near  Mr. 
frnKl«?  ^^'^'•^/^J^ow.er,  in  1792.     He  brought  the  floor  boards 
from  Palatine,  and  the  other  boards  from  Danforth's  mill,  which  was 
erected  on  Butternut  creek  the  same  season.    Not  having  a  sufficSn 
quantity  of  nails,  his  son  was  sent  to  Oriskany,  33  miles,  after  some 
and  returned  with  46  pounds  on  his  back.    The  hZe  bS  t  by  hTm 
constitutes  part  o  the  dwelling  now  occupied  by  SaCn  Sherwood 

Limpftoi'f  n"'"K"pu'^'  present  town  was  erected  at  the  eastern 
Limestone  falls,  by  Phmeas  Stevens  in  1793,  and  the  first  grist-mill  by 
William  Ward,  near  the  western  extremity  of  the  present  viuTge  o? 
Manhus,  m  the  summer  and  fall  of  1794.  ^ 


View  in  the  central  part  of  Manlius. 

The  lot  assigned,  at  the  time  of  the  original  division  of  this  town 
by  the  surveyor-general,  for  the  support  of  the  gospel  and  of  com- 
^'liu  Mn  i'',"^?^  '?  T'^  ^^^^^'  *°^  ^^'^  the  latter  object,  and  was 
M  ,^  ^.?'  V®*^'  ^*"'  *i^'^  ^'^■^^'  When  De  Witt  was  set  off  from 
Manhus,  this  fund  was  divided,  and  the  present  town  of  Manlius  re- 
ceived for  Its  share  $7,752.42.  This  fund  is  invested  in  bonds  and 
mortgages  paying  7  per  cent,  interest;  and  the  annual  income,  #642.67, 
IS  divided  among  the  school  districts,  in  addition  to  the  proper  share 
ot  money  which  the  town  receives  from  the  state. 

..-fj.  /^'"''T'''  S"T'.  """"l^^  Manlius  after  the  name  of  the  town,  is 
situated  3  miles  S.  of  the  Erie  canal  at  Hulls  landing,  and  about  6 
miles  from  the  railroad.  It  is  10  miles  from  Syrarn-^e,  and  134  from 
Albany,  and  contained,  in  1830,  472  male,  and  617  female  inhabit- 
ants. Its  present  population  is  estimated  at  between  11  and  12 
hundred.  Annexed  is  a  cut  of  the  village ;  the  building  with  an  attic 
and  cupola  is  the  academy,  the  church  to  the  right  of  it  is  the  Pres- 
bytenan,  and  the  one  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street  the  Episcopa- 

49 


ii 


386 


ONONDAGA   COUNTY. 


han.    This  church  is  the  oldest  in  the  place,  and  formerly  stood  on 
yiff'top  of  the  steep  hill  east  of  the  academy,  (not  seen  in  the  view,) 
from  whence  it  was  removed  on  wheels  to  its  present  location  a  few 
years  smce,  with  its  steeple,  bell,  orcan,  &c.,  without  jarring  it  so 
much  as  to  remove  a  square  foot  ot  plastering.     The  Baptist  and 
Methodist  churches  are  not  seen  from  this  point.     The  latter  was 
originally  ornamented  with  a  spire,  but  as  it  was  thought  by  some  of 
the  congregation  to  betoken  spiritual  pride,  it  was  torn  down  soon 
alter  it  was  built,  and  in  its  place  was  substituted  the  present  low  tower 
The  two  story  and  a  half  building  near  and  to  the  right  of  the  acade- 
my, was  formerly  a  tavern,  and  is  made  up  in  part  of  the  oldest  frame 
in  the  village.    The  cupolas  in  the  distance  belong  to  cotton  mills,  of 
which  there  are  3  in  the  place,  known  as  the  Limestone,  Manlius, 
^carried  on  by  an  incorporated  company,)  and  Cold  Spring  factories. 
1  he  hrst  of  them—owned  by  Azariah  Smith,  who  moved  to  this  place 
from  Middlefield,  Mass.,  June  2,  1807,  and  has  traded  in  the  three 
story  building  on  the  right  side  of  the  street  in  the  above  cut  since 
July  4,  1816— IS  the  largest,  having  2,004  spindles,  and  manufactures 
annually  about  500,000  yards  of  brown  sheetings   and  shirtings. 
There  are  also  in  this  village  3  flouring  mills,  3  coach  factories,  2 
lumaces,  &c. 

The  Manlius  academy  was  incorporated  April  13,  1836,  with  nine 
trustees,  who  are  authorized  to  fill  vacancies  in  their  number.  It  has 
already  attained  the  rank  of  fifth  in  the  literary  institutions  of  this 
senate  district,  and  received  in  1840  from  the  regents  of  the  univer- 
sity e316.65,  as  its  portion  of  the  state  literature  fund.  The  number 
of  students  during  that  year  was  274, 62  of  whom  studied  languages. 

The  following  ministere  have  filled  the  pulpits  in  this  place  in  order,  viz:  Rev.  Messra. 
Clark  Davis,  Pardee,  Wm.  J.  Bulkeley  Dyer,  Burton,  H.  Hickox,  James  Selkrigg,  A.  S. 
Hollister  Jesse  Pound,  Appleton,  and  Davis,  the  Episcopalian;  Rev.  Messrs.  Reed,  Olds. 

TTn?  ??  r' ^"^''''''1.  ^""'^■'t'f' "."'P''  Cushman,  Hiram  Kellogg.  John  Inge«oll 
Talcott  Bates,  Carlos  Smnh,  Amzi  Benedict,  and  John  J.  Slocum,  the  Presbyterian  ;  Rev 
Messrs.  Charles  Morton,  D.  Bellamy  and  McCarthy,  the  Baptist.  The  Methodist  ministers, 
as  they  biennially  change,  are  not  mentioned. 

The  first  newspaper  printed  in  the  county  of  Onondaga,  was  published  in  this  village  by 
Mr.  Abraham  Remain,  under  the  tide  of  the  "Derne  Gazette."  The  first  number  waa 
issued  in  the  spring  of  1806,  and  a  contemporaneous  effort  was  made  to  change  the  name 
ot  he  village  to  Dome ;  this  effort  however  failed,  and  the  paper  was  discontinued  after  a 
little  more  than  a  year,  for  want  of  sufficient  support.  Since  that  time  there  have  been 
published  here  several  newspapers.  The  Manlius  Times,  Manlius  Republican,  Onondaga 
Republican,  Manlius  Repository,  and  Onondaga  Flagg.  The  Manlius  Repository  com- 
menced  m  1830,  and  reached  its  fifth  volume, 

James  0.  Rockwell,  a  young  man  of  considerable  reputation,  author  of  a  prize  poem,  in 
one  of  the  annuals,  formerly  associate  editor  of  a  newspaper  in  Boston,  and  afterward  of  one 
m  Providence,  in  which  city  he  died,  was  a  native  of  this  place.  His  parents  being  in 
indigent  circumstances,  he  was  employed  when  a  small  lad  in  the  Manlius  factory  at  which 
time  his  happy  genius  for  rhyming  was  first  observed.  While  employed  in  tending  a  pick- 
ing  machine,  he  made  a  small  book,  on  each  right  hand  page  of  which  was  a  picture  of 
mnerent  parts  of  the  factory,  and  on  the  opposite  page  a  verse  describing  it.  On  the  ouu 
side  was  a  front  view  of  the  factory  with  an  overseer  on  the  foreground,  dragRine  a  boy 
towards  the  door,  and  under  it  this  verae —  -oe    b  / 


The  factory  life 
Is  full  of  strife : 
I  own  I  hate  it  dearly ; 


And  every  boy 
That  they  employ 
Will  own  tile  same,  or  nearly. 


^ 
4 


:¥ 


ONONDAGA    COUNTV.  387 

mr 

Fayetteville,  2i  miles  N.  of  Manlius  village,  is  situat^l  on  a  feeder 
to  the  Erie  canal,  and  contains  about  100  houses.  It  has  4  churches, 
1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Episcopalian.  It  has 
an  incorporated  academy,  which  received  from  the  literature  fund  of 
the  state  in  1840,  «183.39.  The  principal  business  men  are  engaged 
m  the  purchase  and  forwarding  of  produce  brought  from  the  country 
south  of  the  canal  to  this  place. 

The  other  settlements  are  Kirkville  and  Manlius  Centre,  on  the 
canal.  Eagle  village,  referred  to  in  the  above  history  of  the  town, 
Hartsville,  and  Matthews  Mills. 

Marcellus  has  a  hilly  surface  with  a  soil  of  fertile  loam ;  centrally 
situated  from  Albany  157,  and  from  Syracuse  SW.14  miles.  The  vil- 
lage  of  Marcellus  has  about  75  dwellings,  3  churches,  and  a  number 
of  mills  of  various  kinds.     Clintonville  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  2,727. 

Perhaps  the  most  remarkable  case  on  record  of  devotional  somni- 
urn,  so  called,  is  that  of  Miss  Rachel  Baker  of  this  town.  A  full  his- 
tory of  her  case  may  be  found  in  the  Transactions  of  the  Physico- 
Medical  Society  of  New  York,  vol.  I.  p.  395.  Rachel  Baker  was 
born  at  Pelham,  Massachusetts,  May  29,  1794.  Her  parents  were 
pious  persons,  and  early  taught  her  the  importance  of  religion.  From 
childhood  she  appeared  to  possess  a  contemplative  disposition ;  but 
her  mind  was  not  vigorous,  nor  was  she  much  disposed  to  improve 
it  by  reading.  At  the  age  of  nine  years  she  removed  with  her  pa- 
rents to  the  town  of  Marcellus  in  the  state  of  New  York.  From 
that  time  she  said  "  she  had  frequently  strong  convictions  of  the  im- 
portance of  eternal  things,  and  the  thoughts  of  God  and  eternity 
would  make  her  tremble."— In  June,  1811,  while  on  a  visit  to  the 
town  of  Scipio,  she  was  deeply  affected  in  witnessing  ihe  baptism  of 
a  young  lady,  and  from  that  period  was  impressed  with  a  stronger 
conviction  of  her  own  sinfulness.  On  her  return  to  Marcellus,  she 
endeavored  to  suppress  her  religious  anxiety,  but  in  vain  ;  her  anguish 
of  mind  was  fully  depicted  in  her  countenance. 

On  the  evening  of  the  28th  of  November,  while  she  was  sitting  in 
a  chair,  apparently  asleep,  she  began  to  sigh  and  groan  as  if  in  ex- 
cessive pain.  She  had  said  a  short  time  before  that  she  would  live 
only  a  little  while,  and  as  she  now  repeated  the  expression,  her  parents 
were  apprehensive  that  she  was  dying.  This  evening  she  talked 
mcoherently ;  but  manifested  in  what  she  said  much  religious  concern. 
She  continued  almost  every  night  talking  in  her  sleep  tUl  the  27  Jan., 
1812.  On  that  evening,  soon  after  she  had  fallen  asleep,  she  was 
seized  with  a  fit  of  trembling,  shrieked  aloud  and  awoke  in  great 
terror.  Horror  and  despondency  overwhelmed  her  with  the  dread 
ot  a  miserable  eternity,  and  of  her  speedy  and  inevitable  doom.  But 
these  agonizing  feelings  were  soon  succeeded  by  a  calm ;  her  mind 
became  tranquil,  and  in  her  nightly  devotions,  which  were  now  regu- 
lar and  coherent,  she  poured  forth  a  spirit  of  meekness,  gratitude,  and 
love.  From  this  time  the  whole  tenor  of  her  soul  seemed  to  be 
changed.  She  was  incapable  of  expressing  her  sentiments  clearly 
when  awake ;  but  her  sleeping  exercises  were  so  solemn  and  im* 


%: 


ill 


■ 


9^ 


ONONUAOA    COUNTY. 


pressive,  thatfew  who  heard  them  doubted  that  they  were  the  irenuine 
^    iraaa  of  repentance,  piety,  and  peace.  ^  genuine 

Dr.  Mitchell,  in  describing  Miss  Baker's  case,  says.  « the  latter 
ofihesr  remarkable  affections  of  the  human  mi^d  &««?««  cl 
rehgione,)  i.  e  sleep  with  religion,  belongs  to  Miss  Rachel  Baker 
who  for  several  years  has  been  seized  with  somi  of  a  reS 
kind  once  a  day  with  great  regularity.     These  daily  paroxS 
recur  with  wonderfd  exactness,  aSd  from  long  prevalence^  now 
become  habitual.     They  invade  her  at  earfy  bedtime   S  a  fil 
usually  lasts  about  three  quarters  of  an  hour.     A  paroxysm^as  been 
known  to  end  m  35  minutes,  and  to  continue  98.     The  tr^sition 
from  the  waking  state  to  that  of  somnium  is  very  quick,  frequSyln 
quarter  of  an  hour,  and  sometimes  even  less.    After  she  rSS>m 
company  m  the  parlor,  she  is  discovered  to  be  occupied  in  prasTng 
God  with  a  distmct  and  sonorous  voice.    Her  discourses  are  usuallf 
KZlf  V"  ^  private  chamber,  for  the  purpose  of  delivering  them 

S  h^^r^r,  "Sh""!.  ""^  t''  ^'^J'  P^'i  ^^  ^'^  g'-^^t^'-  satisfaction  to 
nlrhTh-  .  ^^f}^^^  advised  to  take  the  recumbent  posture. 
Her  face  beina  turned  towards  the  heavens,  she  performs  her  nightly 
devotions  witK  a  consistency  and  fervor  wholly  unexampled  in  a 

t^oS^^,  fh"^  '?•  ^  ''^^^  ""^  ^""1""^-     ^''  body  and  limbs  are  mo- 
tionless,  they  stir  no  more  than  the  trunk  and  extremities  of  a  statue : 
the  only  motion  the  spectator  perceives  is  that  of  her  organs  of  speech, 
and  an  oratorical  mchnation  of  the  head  and  neck,  as  if  she  was  intenti; 
engaged  m  performing  an  academic  or  theological  exercise.    Ac- 
cording  to  the  tenor  and  solemnity  of  the  address,  the  attendants  are 
affected  with  seriousness.     She  commences  and  ends  with  an  address 
to  the  throne  of  grace,  consisting  of  proper  topics  of  submission  and 
fZlTTv:     kP'T  f  ^  thanksgiving,  and  of  prayer  for  herself,  her 
;^n^    i  ^b^pf  "^^'^'  ^he  nation,  for  enemies,  and  the  human  race  in 
general.    Between  these  ,s  her  sermon  or  exhortation.    She  begins 
without  a  text,  and  proceeds  with  an  even  course  to  the  end,  embel- 
lishingit  sometimes  with  fine  metaphors,  vivid  descriptions,  and  poeti. 
cal  quotations.     There  is  a  state  of  the  body  felt  like  groaning!  sob- 
bing,  or  moaning,  and  the  distressful  sound  continues  from  two 
minutes  to  quarter  of  an  hour.     This  agitation,  however,  does  not 
wake  her;  it  gradually  subsides,  and  she  passes  into  a  sound  and 
natural  sleep,  which  continues  during  the  remainder  of  the  night.    In 
the  morning  she  wakes  as  if  nothing  had  happened,  and  entirely  igno- 
rant  of  the  scenes  m  which  she  has  acted.    She  declares  she  knows 
nothing  of  her  nightly  exercises  except  from  the  information  of  others. 
With  the  exception  of  the  before-mentioned  agitation  of  body  and 
exercise  of  mmd,  she  enjoys  perfect  health.     In  October,  1814;  Miss 
Baker  was  brought  to  New  York  by  her  friends,  in  hopes  that  her 
somnial  exercises,  (which  were   considered   by  some   of  them  as 
owing  to  disease,)  might  by  the  exercise  of  a  journey  and  the  novelty 
ot  a  large  city  be  removed.     But  none  of  these  means  produced  the 
desired  ettect.    Her  acquaintances  stated  that  her  somnial  exercises 
took  place  every  night  regularly,  except  in  a  few  instances  when 


..^i^Ksssfet^r^'* 


OirONDAOA   COUNTY. 


389 


interrupted  by  severe  sickness,  from  the  time  they  commenced  in 
1812.  In  September,  1816,  Dr.  Sears,  by  a  course  of  medical  treat- 
ment, particularly  by  the  use  of  opium,  prevented  a  recurrence  of 
her  nightly  exercises. 

Onondaoa  is  from  Albany  135  miles.  Onondaga  West  Hill,  a 
village  and  formerly  the  county  seat,  4  miles  SW.  of  Syracuse,  con- 
tains about  60  dwellings.  Onondaga*  Hollow,  an  incorporated  vil- 
lage, has  about  60  dwellings.  South  Onondaga  and  Navarino 
are  small  villages.  Pop.  6,662.  The  Onondaga  castle,  or  the  coun- 
cil-house of  the  remnant  of  the  Onondagas,  is  in  a  rich  tract  in 


Council-house  of  the  Onondagas. 

the  Hollow,  3  miles  S.  of  the  village  of  Onondaga  Hollow,  on  a 
small  reservation  of  theirs,  and  contains  about  60  houses  on  a  street 
of  a  mile  or  more  in  length.  Their  dwellings  are  built  of  hewn  logs, 
the  spaces  of  which  are  filled  with  masoned  mortar  work,  andtare 
quite  comfortable.  The  above  view  represents  a  portion  of  their 
village  with  their  new  council-house,  which  is  the  building  seen  on 
the  right  with  three  chimneys.  The  old  council-house,  now  in  ruins, 
is  seen  on  the  left.  There  are  at  present  remaining  not  far  from  300 
souls.  The  first  white  settler  in  this  county  was  a  Mr.  Webster, 
who  came  here  in  1786,  and  settled  in  the  Hollow  among  the  Indians. 
They  gave  him  a  tract  of  a  mile  square.  He  then  opened  a  small 
shop,  married  a  squaw,  and  became  domesticated  among  the  savages. 
In  1788,  he  obtained  permission  of  the  Onondagas  for  Messrs.  Asa 
Danforth  and  Comfort  Tyler  to  establish  themselves  at  Onondaga 
Hollow. 

"  It  waa  in  this  '  hollow'  that  the  principal  town  and  castle  of  the  Onondaga  Indians,  in 
the  prouder  days  of  that  nation  stood ;  and  the  poor  remains  of  that  once  warlike  and 
haughty  member  of  the  Oquanuacliioni,  or  the  amphyctionic  league  of  the  Five  Nations, 
numbering  a  few  hundred  souls,  are  yet  dragging  out  their  lingering  existence  in  the  same 
valley  a  short  distance  to  the  south  of  the  village  I  have  just  mentioned. 

"  The  history  of  the  Onondaga  nation,  to  say  nothing  of  their  own  legends  antecedent  to 
the  discovery  and  settlement  of  the  country  by  the  '  pale  faces,'  is  full  of  interest.  It  was 
the  central  nation  of  the  great  confederacy,  the  terror  of  whose  arms  was  almost  co-exten. 

*  Onondaga  is  an  Indian  word,  signifying  a  swamp  tinder  or  at  the  foot  of  a  hill  or 
mountain. 


i- 

it 


390 


ONONDAQA    COUNTY. 


■ive  with  the  northern  and  eutem  diviaion  of  the  continent,  and  whose  actual  domain  .t 
one  time  extended  from  the  Sorel.  south  of  the  «eat  lake,  tn  T°  ???<»«  "ctuai  domain  at 
eaa,  to  the  Santee  and  coastwise  back  U, le  Hu^"  '*The''g^:.'^rg^^^^^^^^^ 
federacy  was  m  the  special  keeping  of  the  Onondagaa.  and  byTm  woS^wavs  keot  bum" 
mg.  The  temtory  proper  of  the  confederacy  exteXd  from  Albwy  To  li?Erie  L  wm 
caUed  the  Long  House  The  Mohawka  kept  the  eastern  door,  and  the  Senecw  Ihe  wesT 
tern.     Onthearnval  of  ambassadors  from  either  direction,  the  kee^™  of^h^  H„n«  H« 

whl^^.h"''"  k""'"^-  ^^  "^  ■"'""'  °'  '"«^  consequenc'e.  a  coundrof  he  ^b"  t 
whom  the  ambassadors  were  received,  disposed  of  the  matter.  But  f  by  suchTounS 
judged  to  be  of  sufficient  weight  and  importance  to  demand  the  consideration  of  a  naUond 
council,  the  messengers  were  conducted  to  the  great  council-fire  aToZdZa  XT S 
Congress  of  the  confederacy  was  convoked.  ""unaaga,  wncre  me 

"  The  Onondagas  have  been  disUnguishod  both  as  oratore  and  warriors  In  their  Pnrlv 
mercourse  with  the  'pale  faces.'  they  brought  forward  orators  of  greS  y :  and someS 
IIS'thT"*''  '^n'"'""  ^'^  P'r^'^dof  Indian  eloquence,  fell  from  i;  L  of  Gar 
tX!h  I*'"'«"««™>  J^«canesora.  and  Sadckanaghtie,  all  chiefs  of  the  Onondaga  naUon 
inl696  n^^S"^,  "^f^  century  subsequent  to  the  invasion  of  Onondaga  by  the  F?"nch 
m  1696.  Red  Jacket  and  Farmer's  Brother  only  have  equalled  the  oratorical  efforta  of  (1,p 

cTnfederv\tn  "*';'"  '  '"''"  ""•"f'^J  ^^  •'■^  """«"'  unwritJSTonstiSo  th 
confederacy,  the  Onondagas  were  entiUed  to  furnish  the  grand  sachem  or  orincioal  c  vil 
chief,  while  the  principal  war  chiefs  were  to  be  supplied  by  the  Mohawks  Burthe  «La 
m^k'/fl^"'"'t^'i^'\"''l"^  '*'«  •^'''^  °f  *«»' th  centurj.waironondaga  named 
ScSS'SchulrfnSqn^''"'*'  ^"TT"  ^^  Chaudierekre.  He  led  1^^ 
i^lri  „n  1  ^f'^Y^^  'J?  K^^"'  ^'"*'  ""'  ^'^'"'^  settlements  on  the  north  of  Lake  Cham- 
yJam,  and  repulsed  De  Calheres,  the  governor  of  Montreal,  who  came  againsrh  m  w  th  a 

aratNZra  ««  "-"'"^*=''P'^  »"'!  ^/f-'^''  «  F^n-^h  expedition  senTSstThendi- 
ase  ?ofhe  FrpA.h  ^"''««1"«n1y  "^amed  the  war  into  Canada,  with  immense  loss  and  dam. 
pfnnl  h  j*""^'"^"'*-,    ^""^^i  at  ihe  success  of  Black  KetUe,  the  French  kov 

iZ;^  7art£l'"r''''l  r^.  i  ^  "''"*°"'  P"'  ^^  »°  ^'-'^  by'the  mrhorribL 
ZZ      ■       i-      ''^P'""'  w«>«'o«<l  the  most  exquisite  tortures  with  the  utmost  iirmness— 

S  rTdZtlnXS  SnCherdV'  ""^"^  '  '^'  *°  '="«^'^'  ''^  ^'P  was  torn' off. 
and  SiXnTJ!"^''^*''  !5^  '''""'^'^  'V^"  "S"'"  w-nwakened  the  vengeance  of  Black  Kettle. 

A  demchLent  o!%Z^^^  r'*  '°  '■""?'  ^'*'  '^^  '^^^P*"*  •>'««'"««  their  own  a^oc  J 
K.utl  J^  Senecas  being  soon  afterward  in  the  neighborhood  of  Quebec  Black 

SS&nT  nf  ^'"".P''?  "^  0"°"'l«g««'  placed  himself  at  their  head.  In  1692  he  fell  upon 
the  Bhnd  of  Montreal,  carrying  his  arms  to  the  gates  of  the  citadel      Th^  brav«  nM»f 

teToTf  h'*"'  ^r  ""'''  '^'  '''"  ^«»''  *'«'"'  »>«"'«  decoyeTinto  Canada  undeThe  pre 
S  en^ed  forlat^n?'*''  °  P^"'  ^'  ^"^  treacherously  murdered  by  a  party  of  !£: 
rf,Tv!!f^f  u-  5  PV^P*^^-.  "'^  country,  however,  had  been  ravaged  by  the  French 
Hf2^i^^"''*^''* '.,?"''  •"  *«  ^^''''y  »♦'  thi«  fin,t  known  inv<iion  of  OnondS 
Sp  r,f  ;5'"'«"""S'  ^  Will  give  it  in  detail.  In  the  year  1696,  Count  Frontenac  one  d^ 
CanT„,f '"?'/"**  r""'u'  ""  well  perhaps  as  the  most  cruel  of  the  French  governor  in 
andtgo^eTstratfSe.''^  ^'^^  ^"'^""^  f- the  friendship  of  the  EnSTofo 'J 

the'Enflo  clT:  'ilTf  '*'"  agency  of  the  Jesuits,  the  count  succeeded  in  persuading 
wLhhe  dV«na,^h  H^  councd  of  their  chiefs  at  the  old  council.fire  in  Onondaga,  to 
Tml  L     '^^^P.^tched  messengers  with  his  proposals.     There  were  eighty  sachems  oresent 

ily  to  accolrh°,r "'''  '"  Sagdekanaghtie  The  French  commiSo'nr.  labo  cdaS 
"  „„  *^  f  accomplish  their  purpose,  and  the  conference  continued  several  days  But  a  mel 
sejer  from  Albany  informed  the  chiefs  that  a  separate  peace  would  Zplease  the  EnZh 
and  the  proposals  were  thereupon  promptly  rejected.  Shortly  afterwTrd.re  count  dfter' 
mined  to  avenge  hmjself  upon  the  Five  Nations,  for  having  preferred  the  preservation  of 
emhlfd  «1M  ^r**  ^T'  '"  '^«  P^""  which  he  had  proLred.  X  tWsTZe  he  ^ 
Ifind  tr  t'.^P-'^-We  troops  amounting  to  four  battalions,  with  the  IndianTrhfs  s^ 
d itfon  o  Zf  n  "  'T°^'  '^1'*  •^"P"'^'*  fr"™  Montreal  on  th;  9th  of  July,  1696  In  ad 
o  gTenadeT&r'Aft'^  "^^  ^''^'^'"'  'T  "ghtpieces  of  cannon,  two  mortars,  a  suppfy 
r..mf!    r    •     ^-    ^^^^'^  "  wearisome  march  of  twelve  days,  during  which  the  utmnst  ril 

^S''^o7l2T^y^r'^  -"T^'  '^^  counVreacTe'dThe  foJ^of^Lake  c" 
weco  river  winhfl  °"'*"''')  »nd  crossed  thence  in  canoes  to  the  estuary  of  the  Osh- 
Onond^^  flnw  ""*'  ['"•"  ^^  """''^"^  extremity  of  the  Onondaga,  or  Salt  Lake-Uie 
Srcend^KVh'  '"""'T  '"''  near  the  great  salt  licks.  *  The  expeS  cau! 
uousjy  ascended  Uie  Oshwego,  and  crossed  the  Salt  Lake,  keeping  strong  scouts  on  the 


1 
J 


ONONDAGA   COUNTY. 


891 


Unnllf:,'*  •'"**"*  '"''  1^'^'^  *"  '"«''»  ^  attempted  by  a  crafty  enemy.    Thia  wecau 

tn  u,i;nKT  K         I    Ojiondagas  was  situated  in  the  midst  of  the  deep  and  beautiful  vallev 
o.T«?«\       r'""'',.""'''"'^'""'''""'*  '•'"'"Kh  ^hich  the  Onondaja  ?"ver  S  i»  way 

sodrrn^^VhtTIX'r^'"  °"°"^-'  '^  -Hose^a^lstcfndtW     "^^^^ 
rtTma"„'\?d  givTba^e''^  ""'''  ""  """''''"'  ''"'^^'"'^  "^  *«  French,  that  they  dared 

£c^rtreXruSrp.raf53^^^^^^^^^^^ 

tr7/'^^'"lu''^^'',^^''^"^  ^EP"^*^  the  brand  to  their  dwellings,  re- 
S  f  J)^"*  ^^"^  Wilderness,  ^he  Count  Frontenac.  astonished  at  the 
sight  of  the  ascending  columns  of  smoke,  as  they  rose  in  curling  folds 
towards  the  sky,  moved  rapidly  forward.  But  it  was  to  obtlin  an 
empty  conquest.  The  huts  and  rude  works  of  the  Indians  were  al- 
whSn^/l  /k  ^"  ""^^  venerable-looking  chief,  whose  head  had  been 
Whitened  by  the  snows  of  more  than  a  hundred  winters,  by  his  own 
desire  was  left  behind.  He  was  found  seated  by  the  trmk  of  a  we- 
amore,  and  was  tortured  in  a  horrible  manner  by  Frontenac's  Indians. 
He  bore  their  inflictions  with  stoical  indifference,  and  died  as  became 
an  Indian  warrior. 

ful'vSev  an7'r'Jhn'.r''.i!^'  ^""""^  "5"  Onondagas  repossesaed  themselves  of  their  beauti. 

James  ClfnLThv"^:^'!'^'!;*"'""*'^^'^'^  ^^^''^  '^^  """"^^^  ^V  'he  direction  of  General 
S  Van  Schick  t  tn  ,h  *"'  °^  7^"'';  ''""'^  ""''*''  ">«  '""»«''''"«  """""^"d  of  Cd- 
rior  nSe™  and'thi  M  "T  V^^  fomier  invasion,  the  Indians  retired  before  supe- 
shedTe  Indian  oJvhiZt''M'^/'"''*,'^r  T"  '^^'''°y^'^  ^y  fire.  But  little  blood  was 
warrio™  whnfni.  '^  T^  ^'^^^''  ""^  '^at  little  was  sorely  avenged  by  the  Onondaga 
rXr^  of  neac?  LT"  "'«.r«>«'"«nt  «f  Coble«kUI,  in  a  few  weeks  fhereifter.    Whh  Ae 

Stire;a?;TEnln;°"''"n\''='''"'  '^'  '""*"'*«  of  the  United  States,  and 
Amerir.n»  in  ,h.  v^      England,  aome  of  their  warnors  were  engaged  on  the  side  of  the 

telndi^  in  he  SXnf  rr""*"'  1?"''  ^"'"''P'''  ^'''"'"'  ^e  Fort,  was  the  leader  of 
sides  w^nhTr«m»^^ifK'''''7''-  ?'^  '""•  ""  '"^'"="'«'l  «»d  respectable  man,  yet  re. 
verZT  P'^P'"  '"  *"''  "■"''"  valley."-iVc«,  For*  Ctomwier^iii  il 


•  The  name  by  which  the  Five  Nations  designated  the  French  governor. 


%■ 


392 


ONONDAGA   COUNTV. 


.  |i 


Ijl 


Otxsco,  taken  from  Pompey,  Tully,  and  Marcellus  in  1806 ;  from 
Albany  140,  from  Syracuse  SW.  14  miles.  Otisco  Lake  in  this  town 
derives  its  name  from  the  Indian  word  Otisco,  signifying  "  decreased 
vaters."    Amber  and  Otisco  Centre  are  post  villages.    Population, 

Pompey  has  a  hilly  surface  and  a  fertile  sandy  clay  loam  ;  it  is  cen- 
trally situated  from  Albany  146,  and  SE.  from  Syracuse  14  miles. 
Pop.  4,371.  Pompey,  Pompey  Hill,  Oran,  and  Delphi,  are  post  villa- 
ges. Pompey  Hill,  on  an  eminence  which  overlooks  the  country 
for  a  great  distance,  contains  about  70  dwellings,  a  Baptist  and  Pres- 
byterian church,  and  an  academy.  "  About  two  miles  south  of  Man- 
lius  square  in  the  town  of  Pompey,  are  the  remains  of  a  town,  which 
extended  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  north  to  south,  and  half  a  mile 
from  east  to  west.  Large  spots  of  black  mould  in  regular  intervals, 
and  a  few  paces  apart  in  which  are  ashes,  mark  out  the  sites  of  the 
houses."  Here  were  three  forts  of  circular  or  elliptical  forms,  form- 
ing a  triangle  which  protected  the  approaches.  Near  Delphi,  in  the 
southeast  part  of  the  town,  are  two  falls  70  feet  perpendicular ;  near 
this  place  are  the  remains  of  three  ancient  works.  The  largest  con- 
tains six  acres,  and  has  a  triangular  form.  It  had  a  ditch,  rampart, 
and  gateway ;  the  others  also  have  ramparts,  ditches,  and  entrances. 
There  were  many  graves  within  the  largest  fort,  over  and  around 
•which  were  trees  200  years  old.  With  human  bones  were  found 
axes,  brass  kettles,  gun-barrels,  Spanish  coins,  &c. 

The  following  account  of  a  French  colony  located  in  this  town  in 
the  year  1666,  is  from  a  memoir  by  De  Witt  Clinton,  on  the  antiqui- 
ties of  western  New  York.  He  derived  the  account  partly  from  a 
manuscript  journal  of  one  of  the  Jesuits,  and  partly  from  the  sachems 
of  the  Six  Nations : — 

"From  the  Jesuit's  journal  it  appears  that  in  the  year  1666,  at  the  request  of  Karakontio, 
an  Onondaga  chieftain,  a  French  colony  was  directed  to  repair  to  his  village  for  the  purpose 
of  teaching  the  Indians  the  arts  and  sciences,  and  endeavor  if  practicable  to  civilize  and 
Christianize  them.  We  learn  from  the  sachems  iliat  at  this  time  the  Indians  had  a  fort,  a 
short  distance  above  the  village  of  Janiesville,  on  the  banks  of  a  small  stream  near ;  a  little 
above  which,  it  seems  the  Chief  Karakontie  would  have  his  new  friends  »et  down.  Ac. 
cordingly  they  repaired  thither,  and  conmienced  the  labor,  in  which  being  greatly  aided  by  the 
aavBges,  a  few  months  only  were  necessary  to  the  building  of  a  small  village. 

"  This  little  colony  remained  for  three  years  in  a  very  peaceable  and  flourishing  situation, 
during  which  time  much  addition  was  made  to  the  establishment,  and  among  othere  a  small 
chapel,  in  which  the  Jesuit  used  to  collect  the  barbarians  and  perform  the  rites  and  cere. 
monies  of  his  church.  About  this  time,  (1669,)  a  party  of  Spaniards,  consisting  of  twenty, 
three  persons,  arrived  at  the  village,  having  for  guides  some  of  die  Iroquois,  who  had  been 
taken  captives  by  some  of  the  southern  tribes.  It  appears  evident  that  this  party  came  up 
the  Mississippi,  passed  Pittsburg,  and  on  to  Olcan  Point,  where,  leaving  their  canoes,  they 
travelled  by  land.  They  had  been  informed  that  there  was  a  lake  to  the  north  whose  bot. 
torn  was  covered  with  a  substance  sliining  and  white,  which  they  took  from  the  Indians* 
description  to  be  silver. 

"  Having  arrived  at  Onondaga  Lake  and  the  French  village,  and  finding  no  silver,  they 
•eemed  bent  on  a  quarrel  with  the  French,  whom  they  charged  with  having  bribed  the  In. 
dians,  so  that  they  would  not  tell  them  where  the  silver  might  be  found.  A  compromise  waa 
finally  eflected,  they  ajgreed  that  an  equal  number  of  Spaniards  and  French  tjhould  be  sent 
on  an  exploring  expedition.  The  Indians  seeing  these  strangers  prowling  the  woods,  with 
various  instruments,  suspected  soi.'e  design  to  be  in  operation  to  deprive  them  of  their 
country.  This  jealousy  was  much  increased  by  the  accusation  of  the  Europeans  themselves. 


ONONDAGA  COUNTY. 


393 


806;  from 
n  this  town 
'  decreased 
Population, 

;  it  is  cen- 
3  14  miles, 
post  villa- 
le  country 
t  and  Pres- 
th  of  Man- 
iwn,  which 
half  a  mile 
r  intervals, 
ites  of  the 
rms,  form- 
Iphi,  in  the 
jlar;  near 
irgest  con- 
1,  rampart, 
entrances, 
nd  around 
'ere  found 

lis  town  in 
he  antiqui- 
tly  from  a 
>e  sachems 


f  Karakontie, 
jr  the  purpose 

0  civilize  and 

1  had  a  fort,  a 
near;  ahttle 

t  down,  Ac. 
y  aided  by  the 

ling  situation, 
)ther8  a  small 
ites  and  cere, 
ng  of  twenty. 
vho  had  been 
arty  came  up 
canues,  they 
h  whose  bot. 
I  thd  Indians' 

o  silver,  they 
•ribed  the  In. 
ipruiiiise  was 
lould  be  sent 
woods,  with 
lieni  of  their 
9  themselves. 


' 


ridZtekesTf  Se^elnSd.^ '"h"^  J''"'-"*  f  ••?*•  determined  in  private  councU  to 
™d  cTuJL  thPv«lrl3  .V  """"«  ^"""^^y  °''t«»ed  the  assistance  of  the  Oneidas 

on  Aiffi^;  tlfifiQ  T"!-  .'!"'"?•' '"'''  '"»?"•"  °^  ""««''•  A  »i"l«  before  daybreak 
their  slumhP^  Iw  fh  ^^.^^•."«' ''"'«  ^ol^ny.  ^gether  with  the  Spaniards,  were  aroused  fr«m 
their  slumbers  by  the  discharge  of  fiie-arms  and  the  ww-whoon  of  the  Bava^M     P™^ 

trsrerkldTv'^heTotb't''"  T"-  """  -«=^  aXi'trc^peVrom  h^ 

«nl^'t  I'v^'^T  accounts,  in  the  opinion  of  its  author,  for  the  appear- 
ance at  Ijhis  place  of  a  small  village,  the  evident  remains  of  afck- 
Mr  AdlTin  V  '^"^^'^^  other  places  in  the  county,  says  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Adams,  m  his  manuscript  history,  the  remains  of  blacksmiths' 
shops  have  been  discovered,  and  in  some  instances  the  tools  used  by 
the  trade.    A  blacksmith's  vice  was  found  buried  deep  in  the  irround 
on  a  farm  m  Onondaga  Hollow,  about  three-fourths  of  a  mill  south 
ol  the  turnpike.    But  the  existence  of  a  fort  near  this  spot,  every  ves- 
tige of  which  is  nearly  obliterated,  readily  accounts  ^r  these  rdics 
ot  civilization.     In  the  cultivation  of  the  lands  lying  upon  the  Onon- 
daga creek,  innumerable  implements  of  war  and  of  husbandry  have 
been  found,  scattered  over  a  territory  of  four  or  five  miles  in  length, 
bwords,  gun-barrels,  gun-locks,  bayonets,  balls,  axes,  hoes,  &c.,  have 
been  iound.    A  stone  was  found  in  the  town  of  Pompey,  (now  in  the 
Albany  museum)  about  fourteen  inches  long  by  twelve  broad  and 
eight  inches  in  thickness.    It  has  in  the  centre  a  figure  of  a  tree  with 
a  serpent  climbing  it,  with  the  following  inscription  on  each  side:— 

Leo  X  De  ^  LS 
VIx  1520  I  t  ^ 
'  We  have  here  the  true  chronology  of  the  Pontificate  of  Leo  X., 
and  probably  the  year  m  which  the  inscriptions  were  made.  The  in- 
scription may  be  thus  translated,  "Leo  X.,  by  the  grace  of  God : 
sixth  year  of  his  Pont  ficate,  1520."  The  stone  was^doubtlessde- 
S  ^f.l  '^P"'^^':^'  monument.  LS.,  signified  the  initials  of  the 
name  of  the  person  buried;  the  cross,  that  he  was  a  Catholic;  and 
ellrZ  M  VJ"^^  otlier  emblem  which  is  now  in  a  great  measure 
enlaced.  Mr  Adams  considers  that  it  is  not  incredible  that  this  stone 
was  carved  by  a  Spaniard,  on  or  near  the  spot  where  it  was  found. 
J^lorida  was  discovered  by  the  Spaniards  as  early  as  1502.  Possibly 
some  adventurers  of  this  nation,  allured  by  the  story  of  a  lake  at  the 
north  whose  bottom  was  lined  with  silver fthe  salt  at  Salina  springs,! 
l^^  A  ■  "  rS^^'V  P""uit  of  their  darling  object ;  one  of  the 
number  dying  here,  the  survivor  or  survivors  may  We  placed  this 
monument  over  his  remains.  ^ 

Sauna  was  taken  from  Manlius  and  Onondaga  in  1809.     The 
ownshm  consists  ot  th?  land  reserved  by  the  law  of  the  state  for  the 

mJLI  n  V^'  T^  ^  "'.  ^  '°*'  «*■  ^^^  •^"g'"^'  township  of 
Manlius.  Onondaga  Lake.  6  miles  long,  with  an  average  widtli  of 
one  mile,  extends  into  the  central  nnrt  «T*»^:~  * mi_°     .     . 


50 


tnv/n.   The  water 


c 

I  rum 


\ 


% 


394 


ONONDAGA   COUNTY. 


which  the  salt  is  made  rises  in  the  marshes  around  its  borders,  or  in 
the  margin  of  the  lake.  The  population  of  the  town,  including  Syra- 
cuse and  the  other  villages  in  its  vicinity,  is  11,012. 


!    I 


Southeastern  view  of  Salina  village. 

The  above  is  a  southeastern  view  of  the  village  of  Salina  and  salt- 
works, as  viewed  from  an  elevation  called  Prospect  Hill,  which  rises 
on  the  eastern  side  of  Syracuse  village.  The  Oswego  canal,  which 
forms  a  junction  with  the  Erie  canal  at  Syracuse,  is  seen  on  the  left. 
The  lake  is  seen  in  the  distance.  The  central  part  of  Salina  is  one 
and  a  half  miles  north  of  Syracuse.  It  is  probable  that  the  two  vil- 
lages in  the  course  of  a  few  years,  by  the  increase  of  population,  will 
be  blended  into  one.  Salina  village  lies  upon  a  plain  rising  near  the 
centre  of  the  marsh.  It  contains  3  churches,  a  bank,  and  86  salt 
manufactories.  In  1839  the  amount  of  salt  inspected  in  this  village 
was  1,283,204  bushels.  The  village  of  Liverpool  is  about  4  J  miles 
north  of  Syracuse,  on  the  lake  and  Oswego  canal,  consisting  of  about 
00  dwellings ;  the  amount  of  salt  inspected  here  in  1839,  was  859,733 
bushels.  Geddes  village  was  incorporated  in  1832  ;  it  is  pleasantly 
situated  2  miles  west  from  Syracuse,  at  the  head  of  the  lake.  The 
amount  of  salt  inspected  here  in  1839,  was  249,245  bushels.  The 
amount  inspected  at  Syracuse,  was  472,558  bushels. 

The  annexed  is  a  western  view  in  the  central  part  of  Syracuse,* 

*  Syracuse  is  a  remarkable  instance  of  the  rnpidity  of  growth  of  some  of  our  western 
villages.  The  foUowing,  from  the  pen  of  the  editor  o'.'  the  N.  Y.  Commercial  Advertiser, 
who  visited  the  place  in  1820,  and  sRain  in  1840,  is  \/ell  worthy  of  perusal : — 

"It  was  only  in  the  autumn  of  18!20,  the  year  in  which  the  middle  and  firsUconstrucU 
ed  section  of  the  Erie  canol  was  opene''  for  navigation,  that  your  humble  servant  made  the 
passage  from  Utica  to  this  place,  in  a  rude  boat,  alone  with  Mr.  Forman,  a  distance  of 
sixty  miles.  The  country  at  that  time,  from  Rome  to  Salina,  was  wild.  The  canal  pierced 
the  wilderness  at  Rome  only  to  emerge  therefrom  at  this  place.  The  land  almost  the  en- 
tire distance  was  low,  marshy,  and  cold.  The  forests,  must  of  the  distance  evergreen, 
were  deep  and  dank  ;  and  the  advancing  settlers  had  eschewed  the  region  as  unfit  for  cul. 
tivation.  But  the  clearing  for  the  canal  let  in  a  stretch  of  daylight,  which  ciinliled  people 
to  see  more  distinctly.  The  marshes  and  swamps  were  to  a  considerable  extent  drained 
by  the  canal ;  and  ita  banks,  instead  of  the  ahadca  of  a  gloomy  forest,  now  for  the  moat 


ONONDAGA    COUNTY. 


395 


Western  view  in  the  central  part  of  Syracuse. 

showing  the  Erie  canal,  the  Syracuse  House,  and  some  other  build- 
ings in  the  vicinity.  This  village,  which  now  has  a  city-like  appear- 
ance, was  incorporated  in  1825,  contains  about  700  houses,  the  county 
buildings,  1  Episcopal,  1  Presbyterian,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Baptist 
church,  a  bank,  and  2  newspaper  establishments.     The  Syracuse 

part  refresh  the  sight  by  the  prospect  of  a  well-settled  country,  smiling  under  the  hand  of 
well-rewarded  industry. 

"  Mr.  P'orman  was  in  one  sense  the  father  of  the  canal.  That  is,  being  n  member  of  the 
legislature  in  1807,  (I  think  that  was  the  year,  but  have  not  the  journals  by  me,)  he  movfld 
the  (irst  resolution  of  inquiry  upon  the  subject  of  opening  a  channel  of  artificial  navigation 
from  the  Hudson  river  to  the  great  lakes.  And  from  that  day  until  the  completion  of  that 
stupendous  work,  in  1825,  his  exertions  were  unremitting  and  powerful  in  the  cause.  Pass- 
ing as  the  canal  does,  close  by  the  head  of  Onondaga  lake,  within  the  toss  of  a  biscuit  of 
some  of  the  salt  springs,  and  within  two  miles  of  the  principal  and  strongest  fountain,  at 
Salina,  Mr.  Forman  saw  the  immense  advantages  which  the  site  of  this  place  presented  for 
a  town ;  with  the  completion  of  the  middle  section  of  the  canal,  Syracuse  was  begun.  At 
the  period  of  my  first  visit,  but  a  few  scattered  and  indifferent  wooden  houses  had  been 
erected,  amid  tiie  stumps  of  the  recently  felled  trees.  I  lodged  fur  a  night  at  a  miserable 
tavern,  thronged  by  a  company  of  salt-boilers  from  Salina,  forming  o  group  of  about  oa 
rough-looking  specimens  of  humanity  as  I  hod  ever  seen.  Their  wild  visages,  beards  thick 
and  long,  and  mntted  hair,  even  now  rise  up  in  dork,  distant,  and  picturesque  perspective 
before  me.  I  passed  a  resdess  night,  disturbed  by  strange  fancies,  as  I  yet  well  remember. 
It  was  in  October,  and  a  flurry  of  snow  during  the  night  had  rendered  the  morning  aspect 
of  the  country  more  dreary  than  the  evening  before.  The  few  houses  I  have  already  de- 
Bcribed,  standing  upon  low  and  almost  marshy  ground,  and  surrounded  by  trees  and  en- 
tangled thickets,  presented  a  very  uninviting  scene.  •  Mr.  Forman,'  siiid  I, '  do  you  call 
this  a  village  ?  It  would  make  an  ouil  weep  to  fly  over  it ."  '  iVe»er  mind,'  said  he  in  re. 
ply, '  you  will  live  to  nee  it  a  city  yet.' 

"  Tnese  words  were  prophetical.  The  contrast  between  the  appearance  of  the  town  then 
ond  now,  is  wonderful.  A  city  it  now  is,  in  extent,  and  the  magnitude  and  durability  of 
its  buildings,  albeit  it  may  not  boast  of  a  mayor  and  common  council  to  oppress  the  people 
by  insupportable  assessnionts,  and  partake  of  turtle  and  champagne  for  the  benefit  of  the 
poor.  But  as  I  glanced  upword,  and  around,  upon  splendid  hotsls,  ond  rows  of  massive 
buildings  in  all  directions,  and  the  lofty  spires  of  churches  glittering  in  the  sim,  and  tra- 
versed the  extended  and  well-built  streets,  thronged  with  people  full  of  life  and  activity — 
vho  raiinl  basins  crowded  with  boats  lading  and  unlading  at  the  lorgo  and  lofty  stone  warc- 
bouaes  upon  the  wharves — tlio  change  seemed  like  one  of  enchantment." 


396 


ONONPAOA   COUNTY. 


academy  is  a  fine  bnck  edifice  4  stories  high,  with  an  observatory, 
spacious  grounds,  &c.     The  Syracuse  House  is  of  brick,  4  stories 
high,  and  is  one  of  the  most  splendid  establishments  of  the  kind  in  the 
state.   Syracuse  is  133  miles  from  Albany,  by  the  canal  171,  278  from 
New  York,  99  from  Rochester,  and  from  Utica  61  miles.    This  town 
embraces  the  principal  salt  springs  and  salt-works  of  the  state,  with 
the  Onondaga  or  salt  lake.    «  These  salt  springs  were  known  to  the 
abonginai  inhabitants,  who  communicated  their  knowledge  to  the 
white  settlers.     One  of  the  latter  about  50  years  since,  with  an  Indi- 
an  guide  m  a  canoe,  descended  the  Onondaga  creek,  and  by  the  lake 
approached  the  spring  on  mud  creek.    Salt  water  was  at  that  time 
obtained  by  lowering  to  the  bottom,  four  or  five  feet  below  the  sur- 
lace  ot  the  tresh  water  of  the  lake,  an  iron  vessel ;  which  filling  in- 
stantly with  the  heavier  fluid,  was  then  drawn  up.    In  this  way,  by 
boiling  the  brine,  a  small  quantity  of  brownish-colored  and  very  im- 
pure salt  was  obtained.     With  the  settlement  of  the  country  the  vi- 
cinity was  explored  and  many  other  sources  of  brine  discovered. 
Wells  were  then  sunk,  generally  to  the  depth  of  18  feet.    There  was 
a  great  difference  m  the  strength  of  water  which  they  afforded,  va- 
rying with  seasons,  and  diminishing  in  draught  nearly  one  third. 
With  the  introduction  of  hydraulic  machinery  for  pumping  in  1822 
a  more  rapid  influx  of  brine  was  produced,  and  a  new  era  in  the  man- 
utacture.    A  difference  of  opinion  prevails  as  to  the  source  of  the 
brme.     The  general  opinion  is,  that  beds  of  rock  salt  exist  here  as  at 
other  salt  springs.     Borings  have  been  made  at  several  points ;  in 
one  mstance  to  the  depth  of  250  feet,  without  finding  fossil  salt.    But 
the  very  important  fact  was  elicited,  that  the  strength  of  the  brine 
increased  with  the  depth  of  the  well.     The  salt  beds  in  Cheshire 
iingland,  were  discovered  about  160  years  since,  in  boring  for  coal 
at  about  125  feet  below  the  surface ;  and  since  have  been  penetrated 
to  twice  that  depth.    But  the  salt  mines  of  Wilielska,  near  Cravocia 
in  l-oland,  are  worked  at  the  depth  of  750  feet;  and  those  at  Epe- 
ries  at  950  feet.     The  failure  therefore  to  discover  salt  beds  here 
should  not  discourage  further  efforts.     Should  beds  of  rock  salt  be 
discovered  and  rendered  accessible,  this  source  of  wealth  must  be 
greatly  enlarged.     The  salt  beds  near  Norwich,  England,  produce 
more  than  150,000  tons  annually— nearly  three  times  as  much  as  the 
annual  products  of  the  Onondaga  springs.    The  salt  at  Salina  is 
nrianulactured  by  evaporation  by  the  sun,  or  artificially.    By  the 
slower  process  of  the  former,  the  coarse  salt  is  made,  and  the  fine  bv 
the  rapid  evaporation  produced  by  fire." 

The  following  cut  is  a  representation  of  a  field  of  salt  vats  near 
Syracuse  for  the  manufacture  of  coarse  salt.  In  the  distance  is  seen 
a  pump  house,  from  which  the  brine  is  conducted  to  each  of  the  vats 
by  a  succession  of  bored  logs.  The  vats  are  about  16  feet  in  length, 
by  7  m  width,  and  are  arranged  in  continuous  rows  for  a  great  dis- 
tance, as  above  represented.  Between  the  rows  alleys  run  sufficiently 
wide  to  admit  the  passage  of  a  horse  and  cart.  On  each  side  and 
parallel  with  the  vats,  there  is  a  line  of  light  roofs  which  can  h« 


.SiSB&'sK^***''*'**' 


ONONDAGA   COliNTT. 


397 


shoved  off  and  on  at  pleasure,  to  permit  the  rays  of  the  sun  to  act 
upon  the  waters  or  to  avert  the  rain.  As  the  salt  precipitates,  it  as- 
sumes the  form  of  beautiful  crystals,  like  the  various  trinkets  fre- 
quently made  for  the  ladies'  fairs,  &c. ;  the  action  of  shovelling  the 
salt  into  carts  destroys  the  crystals,  when  of  course  the  elegance  of 
form  vanishes.  These  vats  with  their  sheds  cover  enough  ground  in 
the  vicinity  to  make  several  moderate  sized  farms,  and  the  beams 
of  the  sun  reflecting  from  their  roofs  cause  them  to  appear  in  the  dis- 
tance not  unlike  the  surface  of  a  lake. 

The  fine  salt  requires  more  skill  in  the  manufacture.  For  this  pur- 
pose rough  wooden  structures  are  erected  about  70  feet  in  length, 
and  25  feet  in  breadth.  The  annexed  view  of  the  inside  of  one  of 
these  salt  manufactories  was  taken  at  the  entrance,  and  shows  imme- 


View  of  afield  of  salt-vats,  Salina. 

diately  in  front  the  commencement  of  the  oven  which  runs  the  remain- 
mg  length  of  the  building.  On  top  of  it  are  the  boilers,  arranged  in  two 
parallel  rows,  generally  numbering  from  15  to  25  boilers  in  each  row, 
which  are  supplied  with  the  brine  by  a  cylindrical  hollow  log  with 
faucets.  This  log  leads  from  a  reservoir  in  the  rear  of  the  building, 
which  m  its  turn  is  filled  by  tubular  logs,  connecting  with  the  pump 
house,  which  in  some  cases  is  a  mile  or  more  distant.  There  are  in 
the  whole  many  miles  of  aqueduct  logs,  which  are  generally  con- 
structed of  pine.  On  entering  one  of  these  works  at  night  the  view 
IS  mteresting.  Clouds  of  vapor  are  continually  ascending  from  the 
numerous  boilers,  and  partially  obscuring  the  forms  of  the  attendants. 
Huge  piles  of  salt  of  snowy  whiteness  in  the  bins  each  side  of  the 
building  are  beheld  laying  in  contact  with  the  rough,  dingy  walls, 
while  the  fire  from  the  furnace,  shedding  a  partial  light  over  the 
whole,  renders  it  a  striking  scene. 

"  There  are,  however,  various  modes  of  applying  artificial  heat  in 
the  manufacture  of  salt,  other  than  that  employed  in  the  ordinary 
process  of  boiling  in  kettles.  In  one  arrangement,  tubes  heated  by 
steam  pass  through  a  vat  or  vats  of  considerable  extent,  the  brine 
Jiaving  been  previously  freed  from,  its  insoluble  impurities,  h"  heinp 


a^i 


18 


ONONDAGA    COUNTY. 


i 


I'll 


Internal  view  of  a  salt  manufactory,  Salina. 

allowed  to  remain  for  some  time  in  the  cistern,  or  by  the  addition  of 
lime.  This  furnishes  salt  in  fine  cubic  crystals  of  great  purity,  es- 
pecially in  those  parts  of  the  vats  which  are  at  some  distance  from 
the  immediate  source  of  heat." 

The  springs  from  wliich  the  works  are  supplied  are  pierced  through 
the  alluvial  and  terminate  on  gravel.  The  strength  of  the  brine  is 
graduated  on  the  following  standard :  fresh  water  being  placed  at  0°, 
and  water  perfectly  saturated  with  salt  at  100°.  According  to  this, 
the  "  old  spring"  stands  at  50",  and  the  "  new"  at  70°.  In  each  cubic 
foot  of  water  there  is  about  2J  ounces  of  "  bitterns,"  or  impure  de- 
posit composed  of  lime,  iron,  &c.  Fourteen  pounds  of  salt  are  man- 
ufactured from  a  cubic  foot  of  the  water  from  the  strongest  spring. 

The  salt-works  ai'e  quite  a  source  of  revenue  to  the  state,  as  it  re- 
ceives 2  mills  a  bushel  for  pumping  the  water,  and  6  cents  duty  on 
the  salt  made.  The  amount  annually  manufactured  is  three  millions 
of  bushels ;  and  the  number  of  men  employed  in  the  four  villages  of 
Geddes,  Liverpool,  Salina,  and  Syracuse,  about  three  thousand. 


Account  of  a  French  Colony  tttahlUhed  at  Onondaga,  in  1656,  under  the  autpiett  of 

Le  Sieur  Dupuys.* 

"  The  Jesuit  Dablon  had  established  himself  at  Onondaga  in  the  character  of  a  mission- 
ary. He  arrived  here  in  the  month  of  September,  1655.  In  March  of  the  following  year, 
he  in  company  with  a  numerous  escort  of  savages,  made  the  voyage  to  Quebec  for  the  pur- 
pose of  persuading  M.  de  Lauson  to  establish  a  French  colony  at  Onondaga.  He  arrived 
there  in  the  beginning  of  April,  and  had  no  difficulty  in  getting  M.  De  Lauson  to  enter  into 
his  views.  Fifty  Frenchmen  were  selected  to  go  and  form  the  proposed  establishment,  and 
the  Sieur  Dupuys,  an  officer  of  the  garrison,  was  appointed  their  commandant.  Father 
Francis  Le  Mercier,  Superior  General  of  the  Catholic  Missions,  was  desirous  of  conducting 
in  person  those  whom  he  had  destined  to  establish  the  first  Iroquois  church,  who  were 
Fathers  Freemen,  Mesnard,  and  Dablon.  Their  departure  was  fixed  for  the  7th  of  May, 
and  although  the  crop  had  been  lighter  than  usual,  they  gave  Dupuys  provisions  sufficient 
to  last  him  a  whole  year,  with  grain  enough  to  enable  him  to  sow  the  land. 

"  The  news  of  this  enterprise  being  spread  all  around,  gave  the  Mohawks  much  concern, 

•  Copied  from  a  MS.  History,  by  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Adams,  of  Syracuse. 


ONONDAaA  COUNTY. 


3ita 


and  revived  their  jealousy  towards  the  Oriondagaa.  A  general  council  of  all  the  trib6  was 
called  to  deliberate  upon  this  aiTair,  which  seemed  to  them  of  great  importance,  and  the 
conclusion  wasj  that  all  their  resources  must  be  put  in  requisition  to  oppose  the  new  estab. 
lishment.  A  party  of  400  men  was  immediately  raised,  and  orders  were  given  them  either 
to  disperse  or  cut  to  pieces  the  company  of  M.  Dupuys.  They  failed,  however,  to  accom- 
plish their  object,  and  only  revenged  themselves  upon  some  straggUng  canoes,  which  were 
pillaged,  and  a  part  of  those  who  conducted  them  were  wounded.  After  a  short  stay  at 
Three  Rivers  and  at  Montreal,  M.  Dupuys  left  the  latter  place  on  the  8th  of  June,  and  the 
same  day  fell  in  with  a  party  of  Mohawks,  whom  he  pillaged  as  a  reprisal  for  the  outrage 
related  above. 

"  On  the  29th  of  the  same  month,  towards  9  o'clock  in  the  evening,  they  heard  in  the 
camp  the  voice  of  a  man  groaning.  The  commandant  ordered  the  drum  to  be  beat,  and  im- 
mediately they  perceived  a  savage  approaching  in  great  distress.  He  was  a  Huron,  who 
had  escaped  after  the  expedition  of  tlie  isle  of  Orleans.  The  skin  of  his  body  wag  half 
roasted,  and  for  seventeen  days  he  had  taken  no  nourishment,  except  some  wild  fruits 
which  he  had  gathered.  The  Onondagas  who  accompanied  the  French,  made  him  a  drink 
which  soon  restored  the  tone  of  his  stomach.  They  then  gave  him  some  provisions  and 
sent  him  on  to  Quebec. 

,  "  The  remainder  of  the  voyage  was  prosperous,  except  that  they  suifered  from  a  scarcity 
of  provisions,  which  had  been  very  badly  managed.  They  had  calculated  as  usual  upon  find, 
ing  an  abundance  of  fish  and  game.  Both  however  failed,  and  the  French,  who  were  unac- 
customed to  fasting  like  the  Indians,  would  have  perished  with  hunger,  had  not  the  Onon- 
daga sachems  sent  to  meet  them  some  canoes  loaded  with  provisions.  They  learnt  from 
these  Indians,  that  a  great  number  of  the  Iroquois  of  all  the  tribes,  were  awaiting  their  ar. 
rival  on  the  shores  of  the  Lake  Gannentaha.  M.  Dupuys,  therefore,  prepared  himself  to 
make  his  entrance  into  the  lake  as  imposing  as  possible.  Before  arriving  at  the  place 
where  the  savages  were  stationed,  he  put  ashore  5  small  pieces  of  ordnance,  and  had  them 
discharged.  He  then  re-embarked,  and  rowing  in  beautiful  order,  entered  the  lakf ,  where 
in  less  than  an  hour  he  made  two  discharges  of  all  his  musketry.  He  was  received  by  the 
sachems  and  such  as  were  with  them  awaiting  his  arrival  with  the  greatest  apparent  cor- 
diality and  respect.  They  were  welcomed  with  harangues,  feasts,  songs,  and  dances,  and 
with  every  demonstration  of  joy  which  the  savages  were  capable  of  giving.  On  the  follow- 
ing day,  which  was  the  12th  of  July,  a  solemn  mass  was  offered  and  the  Te  Deum  sung. 
The  sachems  then  made  presents,  as  they  were  accustomed  to  do  in  treaties  of  alliance,  and 
on  the  16th  the  French  all  united  in  celebrating  the  Eucharist.  On  the  day  following  they 
commenced  building  huts,  and  Father  Mercier  went  to  visit  the  village  of  the  Onondagas, 
where  he  was  received  with  great  ceremony.  On  the  24th  a  general  council  was  held,  at 
which  the  Jesuits,  Mercier  and  Chaumont,  explained  the  views  of  the  French  and  solicited 
their  kind  regards  to  their  new  neighbors.  They  also  endeavored  to  enlighten  their  minds 
on  the  subject  of  religion,  and  produced  so  great  an  impression  as  to  render  it  necessary  to 
enlarge  the  chapel  which  had  been  built  nearly  a  year  before,  more  than  one  half.  They 
experienced  in  the  month  of  August  excessive  heat,  which  produced  much  sickness  {  but 
by  the  kind  attention  of  the  savages  all  the  disorders  were  eased  in  a  short  time. 

"  This  last  mark  of  afliection  from  these  people  persuaded  the  more  credulous  of  them  to 
believe  that  they  might  rely  upon  them  in  all  cases ;  but  the  more  prudent  of  them  Aought 
it  necessary  to  make  use  of  precaution  at  least  against  their  inconstancy ;  and  these  were 
found  in  the  end  to  have  pursued  the  wisest  course,  for  two  years  had  not  elapsed  before 
they  were  compelled  by  the  perfidy  of  the  savages  to  abandon  their  settlement  and  return 
to  Montreal.  A  conspiracy  which  extended  itself  through  the  Iroquois  cantons  was  formed 
against  them,  and  unequivocal  indications  of  hostility  were  soon  given.  Three  Frenchmen 
were  scalped  near  Montreal  by  the  confederates,  and  other  hostilities  committed,  which  left 
no  doubt  in  the  minds  of  the  French  of  their  intention  to  destroy  the  new  colony<  In  the 
month  of  Feb.,  1658,  numerous  bands  of  Mohawks,  Oncidas,  and  Onondagas,  had  taken 
the  field  equipped  for  war.  Dupnys  was  informed  of  all  that  transpired  by  a  converted  In- 
dian. He  found  himself  greatly  embarrassed,  and  indeed  saw  no  means  of  extricating 
himself  from  the  difficulty  without  much  trouble  and  at  great  hazard.  To  fortify  himself 
and  sustain  a  siege  would  be  only  to  put  off  his  ruin  and  not  prevent  it,  for  he  had  no  sue. 
cor  to  hope  for  from  Quebec,  or  it  would  not  be  able  to  reach  him  in  time.  It  would  be- 
come necessary  sooner  or  later  to  yield  or  die  fighting,  or  at  length  to  perish  of  hunger  and 
misery. 

"  To  effect  his  escape  M.  Dupuys  required  first  to  construct  some  canoes,  for  they  had 
not  taken  the  precaution  to  reserve  any.  But  to  work  at  tliem  publicly  would  be  to  an- 
nounce  his  retreat,  and  thereby  render  it  impossible.  Something  must  bo  resolved  on  im.. 
mediately,  and  tht  conunandaut  adopted  the  following  plan.    He  inmiediately  sent  an 


400 


ONONDAGA    COUNTY. 


1  r  L, 
I  ii9 


express  to  M.  D'Aillebout  to  inform  him  of  the  conspiracy.  Ho  then  gave  orders  for  the 
construction  of  some  small  light  batteaux ;  and  to  prevent  the  Iroquois  from  getting  wind  of 
it,  he  made  his  people  work  in  the  garret  of  the  Jesuit's  house,  which  was  larger  and  more 
retired  than  the  others. 

"  This  done,  he  warned  all  his  people  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  depart  on  the 
d«y  which  he  named  to  them,  and  he  supplied  each  one  with  provisions  sufficient  for  the 
voyage,  and  charged  them  to  do  nothing  in  the  mean  time  to  excite  the  suspicions  of  the 
Iroquois.  It  only  remained  now  to  concert  measures  for  embarking  so  secretly  that  the 
savages  should  have  no  knowledge  of  their  retreat  until  they  should  have  advanced  so  far 
as  not  to  fear  pursuit,  and  tills  they  accomplished  by  a  stratagem  singular  enough. 

"  A  certain  young  Frenchman  who  had  acquired  great  influence  with  the  Indians,  had 
been  adopted  into  one  of  their  most  respectable  families.  According  to  the  custom  of  the 
Indians,  whoever  was  adopted  by  them  became  entitled  to  all  the  privileges  that  belonged 
to  native  members  of  the  family.  This  young  man  went  one  day  to  his  adopted  father,  and 
told  him  that  he  had  on  the  night  before  dreamed  of  one  of  those  feasts  where  the  guests 
eat  every  thing  that  is  served,  and  that  he  desired  to  have  one  of  the  kind  made  for  the  vil- 
lage ;  and  he  added,  that  it  was  deeply  impressed  upon  his  mind  he  should  die  if  a  single 
thing  were  wanting  to  render  the  feast  just  such  a  one  as  he  described.  The  Indian  gravely 
replied  thot  he  should  be  exceedingly  sorry  to  have  him  die,  and  would  therefore  order  the 
repast  himself  and  take  care  to  make  the  invitations,  and  he  assured  him  that  nothing  should 
be  wanting  to  render  the  entertainment  every  way  such  an  one  as  he  wished.  The  young 
man  having  obtained  these  assurances,  appointed  for  his  feast  the  19th  of  March,  which 
was  the  day  fixed  upon  for  the  departure  of  the  French.  All  the  provisions  which  the 
families  through  the  village  could  spare  were  contributed  for  the  feaat,  and  all  the  Indiana 
were  invited  to  attend. 

"  The  entertainment  began  in  the  evening,  and  to  give  the  French  an  opportunity  to  put 
their  boats  into  the  water  and  to  load  them  for  the  voyage  without  being  observed,  the 
drums  and  tnimpets  ceased  not  to  sound  around  the  scene  of  festivity. 

"  The  boats  having  now  been  launched  and  every  thing  put  in  readiness  for  a  departure, 
the  young  man,  at  the  signal  agreed  upon,  went  to  his  adopted  father  and  said  to  him,  that 
he  pitied  the  guests,  who  had  for  the  most  part  asked  quarter,  that  they  might  cease  eating, 
and  give  themselves  to  repose,  and  adding,  that  he  meant  to  procure  for  every  one  a  good 
night's  sleep.  He  began  playing  «n  the  guitar,  and  in  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour  every 
Indian  was  laid  soundly  to  sleep.  The  young  Frenchman  immediately  sallied  forth  to  join 
his  companions,  who  were  ready  at  the  instant  to  push  from  the  shore. 

"  The  next  morning  a  number  of  the  Indians  went,  according  to  their  custom  on  awaking, 
to  see  the  French,  and  found  all  the  doors  of  their  houses  shut  and.  locked.  This  strange 
circunistance,  joined  to  the  profound  silence  which  everywhere  reigned  through  the  French 
settlement,  surprised  them.  They  imagined  at  first  that  the  French  were  saying  mass,  or 
that  they  were  in  secret  council ;  but  after  having  in  vain  waited  for  many  hours  to  have 
the  mystery  solved,  they  went  and  knocked  at  some  of  the  doors.  The  dogs  who  had  been 
left  in  the  houses  replied  to  them  by  barking.  They  perceived  some  fowls  also  through 
the  palings,  but  no  person  could  be  seen  or  heard.  At  length,  having  waited  until  evening, 
they  forced  open  the  doors,  and  to  their  utter  astonishment  found  every  house  empty. 

"  The  savages  could  not  explain  this  movement.  They  could  not  comprehend  how  the 
French,  whom  they  knew  to  have  no  canoes,  had  got  away,  and  there  was  no  idl>  fancy 
that  did  not  enter  into  their  heads  rather  than  imagine  in  what  manner  the  thing  hud  hap. 
pened.  This  was  the  first  time  in  which  boats  had  been  used  for  such  voyages.  But  had 
the  French  possessed  canoes,  it  would  not  have  been  possible  to  use  them,  as  the  rivers 
were  still  covered  with  ice,  and  firom  this  cause  the  Indians  were  prevented  from  success, 
fully  pursuing  them.  M.  Dupuys  took  care  however  to  leave  nothing  to  fear  from  a  pur. 
suit.  He  used  such  diligence,  dtat  in  spite  of  contrary  winds  which  detained  him  a  long 
time  on  Lake  Ontario,  he  arrived  at  Montreal  in  fifteen  days.  The  pleasure  of  finding  him. 
self  delivered  from  such  imminent  danger,  could  not  however  prevent  him  from  feeling  sen. 
sibly,  that  so  precipitate  a  flight  was  disgraceful  to  his  nation,  and  from  regretting  that  for 
the  want  of  a  trifling  aid,  he  had  been  unable  to  sustain  an  establishment  of  so  much  im. 
portance,  and  of  giving  law  to  a  people  who  drew  their  strength  and  the  n^ht  of  insulting 
them  from  their  weakness. 

"  The  Iroquois  after  this  carried  war  into  Canada,  and  in  16G0,  the  colony  was  reduced 
to  extreme  distress  by  sicknese  and  the  incursions  of  the  savages.  In  the  year  following  it 
was  ascertained  that  there  was  not  less  than  twenty  Frenchmen  in  Onondaga.  "They  had 
been  taken  prisoners,  but  were  suffered  to  eiyoy  a  considerable  degree  of  liberty.  "These 
men  had  converted  a  wigwam  into  a  chapel,  where,  in  connection  with  many  of  the  Hu. 
rons  and  some  of  the  Onondagas,  they  regularly  assembled  to  say  mass.    It  was  reported 


ONONDAGA   COUNTY. 


401 


fir.„^„n^,.  •  T  ^•''^  '  nondaga  village,  who  are  the  principal  corp,  d^Etat,  had 
taken  no  part  in  the  conspiracy  which  had  obliged  Dupuys  lo  retire,  and  that  for  seven  dav^ 
successively  they  had  wept  with  their  children  for  the  Iocs  of  the  French  priests  This  T 
rm»t7r„7  r  •""  '«""'1'"'°"  if  '™*.  The  credulity  of  the  Jesuit  could  not  disti^ui  h, 
were  Sy  L  "'^*'"'  ^"^       ''^  ^^  only  desired  might  be  true  and  those  which 

Location  of  the  colonies  of  Dupuys.— li  will  be  very  natural  to 
conclude  from  the  account  which  we  have  now  given  of  the  colony 
ot  Dupuys,  that  its  location  was  contiguous  to  the  Onondaga  village, 
buch  however  was  not  the  fact,  if  by  the  village  of  Onondaga  be 
meant  their  principal  village.    From  some  incidental  allusions  made 
m  history  to  the  relative  position  of  this  colony,  it  is  to  be  inferred 
that  It  was  established  upon  grounds  now  occupied  by  the  village  of 
balina.     In  a  passage  of  the  history  written  by  Francis  Creuxius, 
which  we  have  already  had  occasion  to  quote,  it  is  stated  that  the 
place  agreed  upon  for  the  residence  of  the  French  was  distant  from 
the  Indian  village  about  four  French  leagues,  and  that  this  place  was 
distmguished  for  two  remarkable  springs,  issuing  from  the  same  hill, 
the  one  affording  an  abundance  of  salt  water,  the  other  of  fresh.     He 
states,  also,  that  at  this  place  there  was  an  extensive  meadow,  or 
spacious  open  grounds  which  reached  down  to  the  bank  of  the  Lake 
Orannentaha.     It  appears  also  from  the  circumstances  connected  with 
the  departure  of  the  colony,  that  they  must  have  been  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity  of  the  lake,  as  their  batteaux  were  constructed  in  the 
Jesuit's  house,  and  launched  and  freighted  without  any  allusion  from 
the  historians  to  the  time  that  must  have  been  occupied  or  the  diffi- 
culties that  must  have  been  encountered  in  transporting  them  to  the 
place  of  debarkation.     The  reason  why  the  narrative  proceeds  as 
though  the  Onondaga  village  and  the  French  settlement  occupied  the 
same  grounds,  or  were  in  (adjacent  juxtaposition)  to  each  other,  is 
this— that  the  Indians  were  distributed  into  different  villages  or  en- 
campments, one  of  which  was  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  place 
where  Salina  now  stands.     The  main  village  was  at  Onondaga,  but 
a  constant  intercourse  was  kept  up  between  the  different  encamp- 
ments, and  the  French  settlement  was  now  a  point  of  attraction 
around  which  the  Indians  rallied ;  and  this  explains  the  facility  of 
intercourse  which  existed  between  the  French  at  Salina  and  the 
Indians  at  Onondaga. 

Skaneateles  was  taken  from  Marcellus  in  1830.  Pop.  3,981. 
The  village  of  Skaneateles  is  situated  at  the  outlet  or  northern  ter- 
mination of  the  lake  of  that  name,  18  miles  SE.  from  Syracuse,  and 
has  about  1,500  inhabitants.  It  is  one  of  the  most  delightful  and  pic- 
turesque villages  in  v*restern  New  York.  The  following  shows  the 
appearance  of  the  village  of  Skaneateles  as  viewed  from  the  residence 
of  Mr.  Joseph  Barber,  on  the  western  Lake  road  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
outlet  of  the  lake,  seen  on  the  left ;  the  Episcopal  and  Presbyterian 
churches  are  seen  on  the  right.  From  this  village  the  eye  measures 
about  half  the  distance  of  the  lake,  which  is  16  miles  in  length  by  an 
average  width  of  one  mile.  There  is  no  marshy  land  on  either  shore 
of  this  lake.    The  soil,  is  of  the  best  limestone  quality,  and  the  " 


51 


finely 


402 


ONONDAGA   COUNTY. 


■m 


#'■ 


Southwestern  view  of  Skaneateles. 

cultivated  fields  (mostly  fenced  with  cedar  posts  and  hemlock  boards) 
make  a  gradual  descent  for  a  considerable  distance  to  the  margin  of 
the  lake.  A  railroad,  5  miles  in  length,  has  lately  been  constructed  from 
this  village  north  to  Elbridge,  where  it  intersects  the  railroad  from  Al- 
bany to  Buffalo.  A  charter  was  obtained  during  the  session  of  the  legis- 
lature in  1841,  for  extending  this  lateral  road  3  miles  further  north  to 
the  village  of  Jordan,  on  the  Erie  canal,  where  that  canal  receives  a 
feeder  from  the  Skaneateles  lake,  after  its  waters  have  afforded  an 
immense  power  for  milling  and  manufacturing  purposes,  the  descent 
of  the  8  miles  from  Skaneateles  to  Jordan  being  about  600  feet.  The 
railroad  between  these  two  villages  will  run  near  the  margin  of  this 
stream,  affording  important  facilities  to  flouring  mills  and  manufac- 
turers. Goods  will  hereafter  be  carried  on  this  road  from  Jordan 
to  Skaneateles,  and  thence  through  the  lake  to  Cortland  county. 
Should  a  railroad  be  constructed  from  the  head  of  the  lake  through 
Homer  south  to  the  Susquehannah,  (and  such  an  enterprise  is  much 
talked  of,)  Skaneateles  and  Jordan  will  become  places  of  exten- 
sive business.  Among  the  important  items  of  transportation,  will  be 
that  of  coal  from  Pennsylvania,  to  be  more  particularly  distributed  at 
Jordan  to  various  points.  Previous  to  the  making  of  the  Erie  canal, 
the  great  thoroughfare  for  merchandise  and  emigration  to  the  west 
was  through  Skaneateles.  Since  the  completion  of  that  work,  this 
village  has  not  kept  pace  with  some  new  towns  which  have  grown 
into  Targe  cities  in  a  few  years,  under  the  peculiar  advantages  afford- 
ed by  the  great  internal  improvements ;  but  from  its  unsurpassed 
beauty  of  location,  and  its  great  facilities  for  manufacturing  purposes, 
it  cannot  but  experience  a  steady  and  healthful  growth,  until  at  some 
future  day  it  will  become  a  place  of  no  ordinary  importance.  The 
stranger  who  visits  this  beautiful  village,  often  expresses  surprise  that 
it  has  not  long  since  been  selected  as  the  site  of  an  extensive  semina- 
ry of  learning,  or  some  public  benevolent  institution.    In  the  village 


•(*HBa 


ONTARIO    COUNTY. 


403 


are  9  or  10  stores,  tliree  carriage-making  establishments,  an  extensive 
woollen  factory,  flouring  mill,  iron  foundry,  machine  shop,  and  va- 
rious mechanics.  The  first  grist-mill  was  erected  in  the  village  in 
1795.  About  the  same  time  the  first  merchant,  Winston  Day,  estab- 
lished himself  here.  Bricks  were  first  made  here  in  1797;  the  first 
tavern  was  erected  the  same  year,  and  only  two  houses  besides  (of 
logs)  in  what  is  now  called  the  village.  The  town  had  been  first 
settled  a  few  years  eariier  on  the  old  Genesee  road.  The  first  bridge 
across  near  the  outlet  of  the  lake,  was  built  about  1800.  The  first 
church  in  the  place  was  organized  July  20th,  1801,  and  then  styled 
"  The  First  Church  of  Christ  in  Marcellus."  It  was  organized  a  Con- 
gregational church,  but  subsequently  changed  to  the  Presbyterian 
form  of  government.  At  its  organization  it  consisted  of  but  six 
members.  In  the  course  of  about  three  months  it  increased  to  19. 
It  is  believed  to  be  the  first  church  of  any  denomination  that  was 
formed  in  the  old  and  formerly  extensive  town  of  Marcellus.  There 
have  been  for  many  years  past  in  the  village  a  Baptist,  Episcopal, 
and  Methodist  church,  now  flourishing  societies. 

Sf'AFFORD  was  named  after  Horatio  Gates  Spaffbrd,  LL.  D.,  author 
of  the  Gazetteer  of  New  York.  It  was  taken  from  Tully,  in  1811 ; 
since  which  a  portion  has  been  added  from  Marcellus ;  from  Albany 
157  miles.  It  was  settled  in  1806,  by  New  England  farmers.  It 
is  bounded  on  the  W.  by  the  Skaneateles  lake.  Spaffbrd,  20  miles 
SW.  from  Syracuse,  and  Borodino,  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  1,873. 

TuiLY,  taken  from  Fabius  in  1803;  bounds  since  altered;  from 
Albany  128  miles.  Tully,  18  miles  S.  of  Syracuse,  contains  about  30 
dwellings.  TuUey,  TuUey  Valley,  and  Vesper,  are  villages.  Pop. 
1,663. 

Van  Buren,  taken  fromCamillus  in  1829;  from  Syracuse,  NW.  14 
miles.     Macksville  and  Canton  are  small  villages.    Pop.  3,021. 


ONTARIO  COUNTY. 

Ontario  county  was  taken  from  Montgomery  in  1789,  and  in- 
cluded all  the  land  of  which  the  pre-emptive  right  had  been  ceded  to 
the  state  of  Massachusetts,  which  that  state  afterward  sold  to 
Phelps  and  Gorham,  and  which  afterward  chiefly  passed  into  the 
possession  of  the  Holland  Land  Company  and  the  rulteney  estate. 
Ontario  county  then  extended  from  the  pre-emption  line  a  mile  east- 
ward of  Geneva,  so  as  to  include  within  its  limits  all  the  territory 
within  the  bounds  of  this  state  west  of  that  line.  This  was  commonly 
known  as  the  "  Genesee  country,"  although  the  title  was  occasionally 
more  extensively  applied,  and  from  it  has  been  formed  the  counties 
of  Steuben,  Allegany,  Cattaraugus,  Chatauque,  Erie,  Niagara,  Genesee, 
Wyoming,  Orleans,  Monroe,  Livingston,  Yates,  Wayne,  in  part,  leav- 


liilill 


illi! 


'>^\ 


tj  lii- 
lill 

^  III 


404 


ONTARIO   COUNTY. 


ing  to  a  tract  around  the  former  chief  town,  (Canandaigua,)  the  name 
of  Ontario.  In  1790,  this  extensive  territory  had  only  1,075  inhabitants. 
The  surface  is  agreeably  diversified,  waving  in  gentle  swells  and 
valleys  of  ample  area,  with  tracts  of  champaign,  and  in  the  southern 
part  more  or  less  hilly.  The  soil  partakes  of  a  considerable  variety, 
but  a  warm  and  rich  mould  forms  the  greater  proportion,  while  along 
the  borders  of  Lake  Ontario  there  are  tracts  of  clayey  loam,  with 
but  a  slight  admixture  of  mould.  The  principal  streams  are  Flint 
cretk,  Canandaigua  outlet,  and  Mud  creek.  The  lakes  are  Canan- 
daigua, Honeoye,  Caneadea,  and  Hemlock.  The  county  has  15 
towns,  all  of  which,  not  otherwise  noted,  were  organized  in  1789. 
Pop.  43,501.  • 

Bristol,  from  Albany  203  miles.  North  Bristol,  8  miles  SW. 
from  Canandaigua,  and  Bristol  Centre,  are  small  villages.    Pop.  1,953. 

Canadice,  taken  from  Richmond  in  1829;  from  Albany  216,  from 
Canandaigua  SW.  24  miles.  Canadice  and  Coyken  Falls  Corners 
are  post-offices.     Pop.  1,341. 


Southwest  view  of  the  central  part  of  Canandaigua. 

Canandaigua  lies  principally  on  the  western  side  of  Canandaigua 
lake ;  it  has  a  fertile  soil,  and  its  surface  is  diversified  with  gentle 
undulations  and  fine  level  tracts.  Pop.  5,652.  Canandaigua  village, 
the  capital  of  Ontario  county,  is  situated  in  N.  lat.  42°  48'  41",  and 
3°  20'  W.  long,  from  New  York.  Distant  from  Albany  195  miles, 
from  Buffalo  88,  from  Rochester  28,  from  Utica  111,  from  Sodus 
Bay  on  Lake  Ontario  30,  from  the  Erie  canal  at  Palmyra  12,  and 
from  Washington  city  365  miles.  The  principal  part  of  the  village 
is  built  on  a  single  street  upwards  of  a  mile  in  length,  rising  by  a 
gentle  ascent  from  the  lake.  The  annexed  engraving  shows  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  central  part  of  the  village  as  seen  from  the  Genesee 
road,  about  half  a  mile  to  the  southwest.  In  the  central  part  of  the 
street,  (north  and  south,)  is  an  open  square,  on  the  western  side  of 
which  are  seen  the  courthouse,  town-house  and  post-office.  Blos- 
som's hotel  stands  on  the  opposite  side.  The  railroad  passes  a  few 
yards  westward  of  the  courthouse.  There  are  4  churches — 1  Pres- 
byterian, 1  Baptist,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Episcopal — 2  banks,  2  print- 
ing offices,  a  state  arsenal  and  academy,  and  a  female  seminary. 


mmam 


ONTARIO   COUNTY. 


405 


The  residences  of  the  inhabitants,  and  the  tasteful  manner  in  which 
their  grounds  are  laid  out,  are,  it  is  believed,  not  exceeded  in  beauty 
in  any  village  in  this  country.  Many  of  their  mansions  are  large, 
sjplendidly  mmished,  surrounded  by  trees,  commodious  walks,  odor- 
iferous shrubberies,  beautiful  gardens  and  orchards  adorned  with 
flowers  and  fruits  of  various  kinds,  giving  an  air  of  wealth  and  re- 
finement to  this  village  rarely  elsewhere  to  be  found.  The  Ontario 
Female  Seminary,  founded  by  the  subscriptions  of  the  inhabitants, 
and  incorporated  in  1825,  is  an  institution  of  high  reputation.  The 
number  of  pupils  in  1839  was  174.  The  Canandaigua  academy  was 
founded  by  the  liberal  donations  of  Messrs.  Gornam  and  Phelps. 
"  The  plan  of  this  school  embraces  a  thorough  and  extended  course  of 
English  and  mathematical  study,  instruction  in  the  Latin  and  Greek 
classics,  to  an  advanced  standing  of  one  or  two  years  in  our  colleges, 
the  teaching  of  the  French  language,  and  a  department  for  the  edu- 
cation of  common  school  teachers.  A  course  of  mathematical  study, 
as  extensive  and  as  practical  as  is  usually  pursued  in  our  colleges,  is 
taught  in  this  academy.  Surveying  and  civil  engineering  are  ably 
and  practically  taught." 


South  view  of  Canandaigua  academy. 

The  academy  building,  of  which  the  annexed  is  a  representation, 
is  130  feet  long;  it  has  3  schoolrooms,  2  recitation,  and  42  rooms 
for  students,  and  apartments  for  the  principal  and  his  family.  This 
institution  has  been  selected  by  the  regents  of  the  university  as  one 
of  the  academies  for  the  education  of  school  teachers,  and  a  depart- 
ment for  this  purpose  has  been  organized.  The  course  adopted  will 
probably  require  three  years,  allowing  the  student  to  teach  school 
four  months  each  year.  The  annual  expenses  of  a  student,  for  board, 
tuition,  room  rent,  and  washing,  are  about  $100.  Many  pupils,  by 
adopting  an  economical  mode  of  board,  reduce  their  expenses  to  #60 
a  year.     The  principal  of  the  institution  is  Henry  Howe,  A.  M. 

In  the  summer  of  1788,  the  year  after  the  purchase  of  western 
New  York  by  Messrs.  Phelps  and  Gorhani,  Oliver  Phelps  left  Gran- 
ville, Mass.,  with  men  and  means  for  the  purpose  of  exploring  and 
surveying  this  extensive  territory.    The  wilderness  was  penetrated 


406 


ONTARIO   COUNTY. 


as  far  as  Canandaigua,  about  130  miles  west  of  the  German  Flats, 
then  considered  on  the  frontiers  of  civilization.  By  the  assistance  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Kirkland,  the  missionary  among  the  Six  Nations,  and  a 
commissioner  on  behalf  of  Massachusetts,  Mr.  Phelps  succeeded  in 
collecting  the  chiefs  and  warriors  of  those  tribes  whose  warlike  spirit 
still  rankled,  on  account  of  the  chastisement  inllicted  by  Sullivan's 
expedition.  This  conference  with  the  Indians  was  held  on  a  beauti- 
ful elevation  overlooking  Canandaigua  lake. 

"  Two  days  hod  passed  away  in  negotiation  with  the  Indians  for  a  cession  of  thoir  lands. 
The  contract  was  supposed  to  be  nearly  completed,  when  Red  Jacket  arose.  With  the 
grace  and  dignity  of  a  Roman  senator,  ho  drew  his  blanket  around  him,  and  with  a  piercing 
eye  surveyed  the  multitude.  All  was  hushed.  Nothing  interposed  to  break  the  silence, 
save  the  rustling  of  the  tree-tops,  under  whose  shade  they  were  gathered.  After  a  long 
and  solentn,  but  not  unmeaning  pause,  he  commenced  his  speech  in  a  low  voice  and  sen- 
tentious  style.  Rising  gradually  with  his  subject,  he  depicted  the  primitive  simplicity  and 
liappinesa  of  his  nation,  and  the  wrongs  they  had  sustained  from  the  usurpations  of  the 
white  man,  with  such  a  bold  but  faithful  pencil,  that  the  Indian  auditors  were  soon  roused 
to  vengeance  or  melted  into  tears. 

"  The  effect  was  inexpressible.  But,  ere  tho  emotions  of  admiration  and  sympathy  had 
subsided,  the  white  nwn  became  alarmed.  They  were  in  the  heart  of  an  Indian  country, 
surrounded  by  more  than  ten  times  their  number,  who  were  inflamed  by  the  remembrance 
of  their  injuries,  and  excited  to  indignation  by  the  eloquence  of  a  favorite  chief.  Appalled 
and  terrified,  the  white  men  cast  a  cheerless  gaze  upon  the  hordes  around  them.  A  nod 
from  the  chiefs  might  bo  the  onset  of  destruction.  At  that  portentous  moment.  Farmer's 
Brother  interposed.  He  replied  not  to  his  brother  chief;  but,  with  the  sagacity  truly  abo. 
riginal,  he  caused  a  cessation  of  the  council,  introduced  good  cheer,  commended  the  elu. 
qucnce  of  Red  Jacket,  and,  before  the  meeting  had  reassembled,  with  the  aid  of  other 
prudent  chiefs,  he  had  moderated  the  fury  of  his  nation  to  a  more  salutary  review  of  tho 
question  before  them." 

The  reassemblage  of  the  council  in  cooler  blood  was  followed  by 
the  satisfactory  arrangement  of  the  treaty,  whereby  the  Indian  title 
to  more  than  two  millions  of  acres  was  extinguished.  The  following 
ajcount  of  facts  connected  with  the  operations  of  Phelps  and  Gorham, 
are  from  the  Rochester  Directory,  published  in  1827. 

"  After  the  treaty,  Mr.  Phelps  surveyed  tho  land  into  tracts,  denominated  RangeK,  run. 
ning  north  and  south,  and  subdivided  the  ranges  into  tracts  of  six  miles  square,  denominated 
T\)wnshiM,  and  designated  each  by  numbers,  beginning  to  number  both  rangtis  and  town- 
ships  at  the  82d  mile-stone,  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  tract,  [now  tho  southeast  corner 
of  Steuben  county,]  numbering  the  townships  northwardly  to  the  lake  from  one  to  fourteen, 
and  the  ranges  westwardly  from  one  to  seven.  Thus,  Bath  is  designated  as  township 
number  four,  in  the  third  range  ;  Canandaigua  as  township  number  ten,  in  tho  third  range  ; 
Pittsford  as  number  twelve,  in  the  fifth  range ;  and  Brighton  os  number  thirteen,  in  the 
seventh  range  of  townships,  in  Gorham  and  Phelps'  purchase. 

"  As  tho  Genesee  river  runs  about  twenty.four  degrees  east  of  north  below  Avon,  and 
Mr.  Phelps  continued  his  seventh  range  of  townships  to  tho  lake,  the  fifth  range  wan  left  to 
contain  but  twelve,  and  tlie  sixth  range  but  ten  townships ;  and,  in  order  to  square  the 
tract  lying  west  of  Genesee  river,  he  set  ofl'  two  townships  near  the  lake,  which  ho  colled 
the  Short  Range,  now  comprising  the  towns  of  Gates  and  Greece,  [and  part  of  Rochester;] 
and  the  present  town«  of  Caledonia,  Wheatland,  Chili,  Riga,  Ogden,  and  Parma,  being  then 
four  townships,  he  called  the  first  range  of  townships  xeest  of  Genesee  river,  in  Gorham 
and  Phelps'  purchase. 

"  This  tract  formed  tho  counties  of  Ontario  and  Steuben  for  many  years,  until  1821, 
wheii  Monroe  and  Livingston  counties  wore  formed,  except  that  part  of  it  lying  west  of 
the  river,  which  was  annexed  to  the  county  of  Genesee  at  its  organization  in  1808,  and  the 
■outli  part  of  the  seventh  range  set  off  from  Steuben  to  Allegany. 

"  In  1789,  Oliver  Phelps  opened  a  land.oftice  in  Canondaigua— this  was  the  first  land, 
office  in  America  for  the  sale  of  her  forest-lands  to  settlers ;  ond  the  system  which  ho 
adopted  for  tlie  Hurvey  of  his  lands,  by  townthips  and  ranges  became  a  model  for  the  man. 


mmm 


ONTARIO   COUNTY. 


407 


ner  of  Burveying  all  the  new  lande  in  the  United  States ;  and  the  method  of  making  hia 
retail  soles  to  settlers  by  article*  has  also  been  adopted  by  all  the  other  land-offices  of  indi. 
vidual  proprietorships  that  have  followed  after  him. 

"  The  Article  was  a  new  device,  of  American  origin,  unknown  in  the  English  system 
of  conveyancing;  granting  the  possession,  but  not  the  fee  of  the  land;  facilitating  the  fre. 
quent  changes  among  now  settlers,  enabling  them  to  sell  out  their  improvements  and  trans, 
fer  their  possession  by  assignment,  and  securing  the  reversion  of  the  possession  to  the 
proprietor  where  they  abandoned  the  premises.  His  land-sales  were  allodial ;  and  the  other 
iand.offices  following  his  example,  have  rendered  the  Genesee  farmers  all  fee-simple  land, 
holders,  which  has  increased  the  value  of  the  soil  and  the  enterprise  of  the  people. 

"  Oliver  Phelps  may  be  considered  the  Ceeropt  of  the  Genesee  country.  Its  inhabitants 
owe  a  mausoleum  to  his  memory,  in  gratitude  for  his  having  pioneered  for  them  the  wil. 
dorness  of  this  Canaan  of  the  West." 

Mr.  Maude,  who  travelled  through  this  part  of  the  country  in 
1800,  says  :  "  Canandaigua,  in  1792,  was  not  further  advanced  in  im- 
provement than  Geneva,  as  it  then  consisted  of  only  two  frame  houses, 
and  a  few  log  houses.  It  is  now  one  third  larger  than  Geneva,  con- 
taining 90  families,  and  is  the  county  town.  Canandaigua  consists 
of  one  street ;  from  this  street  are  laid  off  sixty  lots,  thirty  on  each 
side.  Each  lot  contains  forty  acres,  having  only  22  perches,  or  121 
yards  in  front ;  thirty  lots  consequently  extend  the  town  upwards  of 
two  miles  ;  but  the  extremities  of  the  present  town  are  not  more  than 
a  mile  and  half  apart.  These  lots  are  valued  in  their  unimproved 
state  at  #600  or  81,000  each. — The  principal  inhabitants  of  Canan- 
daigua are,  Thomas  Morris,  Esq.,  Mr.  Phelps,  Mr.  Gorham,  (who 
are  the  greatest  land-owners  in  Canandaigua  and  its  neighborhood,) 
<ind  Judge  Atwater.  I  was  introduced  also  to  Mr.  Greig,  from  Mor- 
peth, in  England — a  gentleman  reading  law  with  Mr.  Morris." 

"  The  settlement  of  this  town,"  (Canandaigua,)  says  Mr.  Spaffijrd  in 
his  Gazetteer,  "commenced  in  1790,  and  in  1797  I  found  it  but 
feeble,  contending  with  innumerable  embarrassments  and  difficulties. 
The  spring  of  that  year  was  uncommonly  wet  and  cold.  Besides  a 
good  deal  of  sickness,  mud  knee-deep,  musquitoes  and  gnats  so  thick 
that  you  could  hardly  breathe  without  swallowing  them,  rattle-snakes, 
and  the  ten  thousand  discouragements  everywhere  incident  to  new 
settlements, — surrounded  by  these,  in  June  of  that  year  I  saw  with 
wonder  that  these  people,  all  Yankees  from  Massachusetts,  Connec- 
ticut, and  Vermont,  were  perfectly  undismayed,  '  looking  forward  in 
hope,  sure  and  steadfast.*  They  talked  to  me  of  what  the  country 
would  be,  by  and  by,  as  it  were  history,  and  I  recei"ed  it  as  all  fable. 
In  order  to  see  the  whole  power  of  the  county,  a  militia  muster  of 
all  the  men  capable  of  bearing  arms,  I  waited  a  day  or  two  to  attend 
the  training.  Major  Wadsworth  was  the  commanding  officer,  and, 
including  the  men  who  had  guns  and  those  who  had  not,  the  boys, 
women,  and  children,  it  was  supposed  that  near  200  persons  were 
collected.  This  training,  one  of  the  first,  was  held  at  Capt.  Pitts's, 
on  the  Honeoye,  and  lasted  all  day  and  all  night." 

The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  in  the  grave- 
yard in  this  place. 

"  Gideon  Granokb,  died  Dec.  31,  1823,  aged  55  years.  Mr.  Granger  was  bom  at  Suf. 
field,  Cunnecticut,  on  the  19th  of  July,  1767.    Having  completed  his  education  at  Yale 


408 


ONTARIO   COUNTY. 


college,  he  soon  appeared  at  the  bar,  where  he  sustained  a  high  character.  He  earlv  min 
SmP  Zr'  1;?'"''='^ '«'^fl^?'»  «f  h«  country,  in  whose  service  he  was  engaged  Snn"  a  sZi 
mL^  A  ^1"  ^Tt-  "."  I".*^^^  """«  ^'"  '«"«  ^member  him  es  one  rf  the  earl  est  and 
^J^lrn^T'^!'^ '"'''  "^••'r'  '^"."'^  -y'*"''  ^o'  'hirteen  years  he  presided  over  the  general 
posuoffice  department,  w.th  zeal  and  usefulness.  Fold  in  design  and  ardenUn  execu"fon 
wfitl  W  IT"^'  ""d  I'beral  to  his  adve«aries.  warm  in  his  attachment  and  sociaT"nhta 
habits,  his  life  was  endeared  to  his  associates  and  valuable  to  mankind 


"  In  memory  of  Nathaniel  Gorham,  who  died  Oct.  21st,  1826,  aged  63  yeare." 

Feb'^180./''in^!lho'fin,i''  **  Tu'^^'y  "'■  *«  "'"'•  Oi-i^^"  P'"=i'»«.  Esq..  who  died  2l8t  of 
teb.  180J  in  the  60th  year  of  his  age.    He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Windsor  in  the  Statn 
of  Connecticut,  and  at  the  age  of  7  yea«  he  removed  to  Suffield.    And  at  the  age  of  22 
hnnn^H     T""^  '^•"'  "'*""=''  '"  G^^nville,  in  tlio  State  of  Massachusett^  where  he  waa 
honored  with  many  important  trusts  under  the  government  of  that  commonwraldi     AtZ 
commencement  of  the  revolutionary  war,  he  took  an  active  part  in  the  defence  of  his  coin 
BLin  w!.".  '""""n  'f'''  r**  r'''''°"«'  '«'""'"««1  '^•'h  the  Amerkan  army  unU  Gre"; 
?f  A^ril T78«T''^'^  '°  »f  ?''^''^'Jg«  the  Independence  of  the  United  States.^   On  he  Is 
rfd^e  CommonwltTM' '"  ««"'?'»»>'«"''  the  Hon.  Nathaniel  Gorham,  Esq.,  purchased 
fh»  l.     .       ?^    '^  of  Massachusetts,  its  pre.emprive  right  to  the  lands  now  comprised  in 
&,lv"„n  "^  ^""'"'''  ^If "''^"'  ^"'''^^'  Ni^S"".  Cattaraugus,  Chatau.,ue,ld  Argany 
fh«  .nf  f  "'«/r?  y.«"  he  extinguished  Uie  Indian  title  in^at  part  of  i  comprehended  h 
he  coun  les  of  Ontario  and  Steuben,  and  immediately  thereafter  opened  the  settlement  of 

n  MarcriSOa  her.„^r"f  "r,"-^  !^"T"  ""'  l^'  "PP""""""  "^  ">«  Gbneskk  "hv- 
H«^o.  '  •  •  5  u*"i°'^^x  'y'"'  '"*  *"""'y  '°  »'"«  Pl^ce,  where  he  resided  till  his  death 
?n„J„.  "jPP"'"'*-!;  he  fi«t  Judge  of  the  county  of  Ontario,  and  elected  a  representative  in 
congress  for  die  distnct._Enterpri8e.  Industry,  and  Temperance,  cannot  alwavs  eZ  o 
success,  but  the  fruit  of  these  virtues  will  be  felt  by  society!-'  ^ 

»«i?'''T^wT*'"n°'  ^^T  ^'^^y  2^3  '"•'^s-  ^'^st  Bloomfield,  9 
mi^s  NW.  Irom  Canandaigua,  has  about  35  dvvellines.  Pop.  1,986  • 
Farmington,  from  Albany  205,  from  Canandaigua  N.  8  miles.* 
This  town  IS  mhabited  by  Friends,  noted,  like  all  that  sect,  for  their 
honesty,  mdustry,  and  neatness.     Pop.  2,122.     New  Salpm   12 

fraHnts'" '"'"  ''^'  ^'  ^^"^"^' '^-'  -^  ^--S-'  - 

rnnrr" '  ^T  ^J^^"L^'  ^?.^  '"'•««•  ^^thcl,  10  miles  SE.  from 
Canandaigua,  has  about  40  dwellings.  Rushville,  10  miles  SE.  from 
Canandaigua,  partly  m  Yates  county,  has  about  70  dwcllinirs.    Cen- 

fe^lemtr '  ^2^79^  °'  '  P^^^"^"^^^'  ^"'  '"^^*^  ^^^^^^  ^  -^" 

HOPEWELL,  taken  from  Gorham  in  1822;  W.  from  Albany  190 

miles.    Chapinsville,  on  the  outlet  of  Canandaigua  lake,  3  miles  NE., 

"E?"  Pop^i,S76  ""'"^"''  '"'  ''^P^"'"  ^^"^^•«'  ^-  ^-^'l 
ATanchkbter,  originally  named  Burt,  and  taken  from  Farmington 
m  1821 ;  from  Albany  201  miles.  Manchester,  7  miles  NE.  from 
Canandaigua,  has  about  45  dwellings.  Port  Gibson,  on  the  Erie 
SC^!.!^'^'  ^f^''""  Canandaigu'a,  has  from  40  to' 50  dwelling^ 
Shortsvil le  6,  and  Coonsville  9  miles  NE.  from  Canandaigua,  are 
smaller  villages.     Pop.  2,912.  auuuifeua,  are 

AlKit'x^o',','"'"^**'"^^^?'^"'*  originally  named  Middlctown ;  from 
Albany  211  miles.    Naples,  near  tTie  head  of  Canandaigua  lake  on 

Jngs      ivt345."  •  ''"'"  ^""^"'^^'g"^'  has  abo^ut  45  dwdl" 


OWTARIO   COUNTV. 


409 


E.  from 
E.  from 
.  Cen- 
a  small 


Phelpb,  185  miles  W.  from  Albany,  is  one  of  the  best  wheat-^ow 
jn^  towns  m  the  state.    Pop.  6,563.'  The  village  of  Vie^ri^lZ 
til^lly  situated  at  the  junction  of  Flint  creek  ancf  the  ouk^  of  Cana^ 
da.gua  lake,  on  the  line  of  the  Auburn  and  Rochester  Sad  6  S 

Kolce'mX'fol'Jh    ''  ^-^^--'^-gua.     It  iste  pr^d^: 
proauce  market  tor  the  surroundmg  country.     There  are  hprp  2 

STiirv^'r,'':,''"''  ","''  '  J^P»2P«l  church  an"lpl'rp5 
I  emaie  bemmary,  15  stores,  1  pnntmg  office,  5  flourine  mills  whiVh 
manufacture  37.300  barrels  of  flSur  annually,  2  JZJZ  5  aw  min^ 

estemtts'  '  Viera'll''  '  '"™T  ^'^'^  T"'  o^*-  -nurtutn^ 
esiapiishments.     Vienna  has  a  population  of  1,400.     In  the  vicinitv 

mond  Co„,r»,  and  PUU  Flat,,  arc  »lu  vSfagI    p"^'',"^  '  "'"'" 

I '  "- m 1 1 


Northeastern  view  of  Geneva. 


Seneca  has  an  undulating  surface  and  good  soil.     Pon   7  07S 
The  vjUugo  of  Geneva  in  this  town,  one  of  ti  most  beautXllyS 
atcd  places  m  the  state,  was  founded  in  1794,  by'Messrs  Annin  nml 
Ballon,  and  incorporated  in  1812.    Distant  fro^/Sny  Y?9  m Jes 
98  from  Utica,  23  from  Auburn,  106  from  Buffalo  16  from  r^nln 
daigua  and  58  N.  of  Elmira.     The  Cayuga  and  SenecacTnSZ^ 
nccts  Geneva  with  the  Erie  canal  at  Montezuma,  a  distance  of  2o" 
miles,  one  half  canal  and  one  half  slack- water  naviga  ion    T^^^^^^^ 
18  situated  at  the  NW.  comer  of  Seneca  lake,  on  tlie  s^d;  and  suS 
of  an  eminence  120  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  lake     The  S 
pal  street  runs  parallel  with  the  lake  shore  ;  the  mansion  houses fnTe' 
eastern  su  e  m  the  southern  part  of  the  village  have  terraced  gardens 
reachmg  down  to  the  lake.     Few,  if  any  pTaces  in   h  s  counfrJ^^^^^^ 

bLLtfir'^l^^rcnV"^^^^^  '°''  P^"^  ^«^'""«  ^"- 

-.  ..—  5.V  cnj..jmciu3  ui  u  country  liie,  combined  iivith 

68 


410 


> 


ONTARIO  COUNTY. 


the  advantages  of  social  intercourse.  The  village  contains  about 
480  dwellings,  1  Episcopal,  1  Presbyterian,  2  Methodist,  1  Baptist, 
1  Associate  Reformed,  1  Reformed  Dutch,  1  Catholic,  and  1  Univer- 
sahst  church,  a  bank,  with  a  capital  of  $400,000,  and  2  newspaper 
printing  offices.  ^  ^ 

The  Geneva  college,  in  this  place,  was  founded  by  the  inhabitants 
and  mcorporated  m  1825,  having  a  president,  a  professor  of  mathe- 
matics and  natural  philosophy,  a  professor  of  the  Latin  and  Greek 
languages  and  literature,  a  professor  of  statistics  and  civil  engineer- 
ing, a  professor  of  modem  languages,  history,  and  belle-letters,  a  profes- 
sor ot  chemistry  and  mineralogy.  There  is  also  a  medical  depart- 
ment, having  four  professors.  "  This  college  was  one  of  the  first,  if 
not  the  very  first,  to  adopt  those  liberal  improvements  which  afford 
the  advantages  of  a  scientific  and  literary  education  to  young  men, 
who,  from  the  want  of  time  or  inclination,  are  averse  to  entering  on 
the  study  of  the  classics,  and  who,  were  no  provision  made  to  meet 
the  exigency,  would  be  deprived  of  many  advantages  to  be  derived 
Irom  collegiate  instruction."  The  college  buildings  are  situated  on 
the  summit  of  the  elevation  which  rises  from  the  lake  at  the  southern 
extreniitv  of  Main-street,  a  site  rarely,  if  ever,  surpassed  for  beauty 
and  salubrity.  '' 

Tir'''j®/m*'^'"^'  ^^'^tive  to  the  early  history  of  Geneva,  is  from 
Maudes  Travels  through  this  part  of  the  country  in  1800. 

.„!>'  ?*"*™i'  situate  at  the  northwest  extremity  of  Seneca  lake.  It  is  divided  into  Upper 
^  K,!^.°„T'"  u.^^  ^^f,f^}  establishments  were  on  the  margin  of  the  lake,  as  best  adapted 
wi.iT«  '  .1,  ^»PJ- Williamson,  struck  with  the  peculiar  beauty  of  the  elevated  plain 
wbch  crowns  the  h«h  bank  of  the  lake,  and  the  many  advantages  which  it  possessed  as  « 
tI«./  f„  °*"'  ^u**^  •'"^  '"  ''•';  ""'  '''''  •^hiding-lots  parallel  with  and  facing  the  lake, 
isnm  nt  2q?^*  T,  ''";?'*"'  °.^°"  "<"«  ''««P>  ""•!  ^'^f  »n  "C"*  i"  fro"*,  ""d  valued  (in 
hnHH  n^rhnifif"  .  J  "*  ^*"''''  ""  *^  "greement  with  Capt.  WiUiamson  is,  that  no 
kSt3„  Thl*'""!."^  ""i***  *'«.*  "'^^  "^  '^«  «''««'•  »h«  ♦»'«  view  of  the  lake  may  be 
h«,w«Tn^L  Ji  ?  ^1  ^T}"^  '  '"'  '"'^«  "^^  *"  "Pt'""  of  purchasing  such  land  as  lays 
f^«^^.?  Va,^  the  lak^a  convenience  and  advantage  which  I  suppose  few  will 
whifr?-,,  .t!""""  7  "".  ■  ""*  ^^"^  '^'*  consisting  principally  of  the  declivity  of  the  bank, 
*h  cJi,  for  the  most  part,  is  not  so  steep  as  to  unfit  it  for  pasturage  or  gardens. 
h^nnT^i'lf  f"'=°'"?8''ni«'n|  «°  this  settlement,  Capt.  Williamson  built  a  very  largo  and 
eZ  rr  ^Tl'JwT'^^  an  Englishman  of  the  name  of  Powell  to  take  the  "uperintend. 
ITl^Lt  K  Tr  ^'"'»"'«°"  has  two  rooms  in  this  hotel  appropriated  to  himse  f ;  and  as 
JstabTishment  „n!f  f.TJ  """.  °^  t  ^'"'i-^'  ^««  •="«  that  Powell  does  justice  to  the 
Cni  h^r.^H  ,  Kr  T"^-  *?""  .*■""  '=•'"«  ''  "'  ♦''«•'««  i'  respects  provisions, 
tT.^'^.  r.?  .^•'•'T'  '•'T  .'"  /?"*  '"""  '"  A"**""*  «1"'d  to  the  hotel  at  Geneva! 
„„i^  ^V\^,  .r"  7^1'"  u*"  ^*"<S' '"  *""***•' "  '"^'"'ded  for  a  public  square.  At  Mile- 
S  H  ?"'?,  """^  °f  'he  Ao'cl  Capt.  Williamson  has  built  a  handsome  brick  house, 
intended  for  the  residence  of  his  brother,  who  had  an  intention  of  establishing  at  Geneva! 

k.„,^  I  i  ■  ""^^^  *^"^  ""'  ''°"'""  ""<"*  **"  *^^^  "'  four  families;  but  such  is  the 
beauty,  salubrity,  and  convenience  of  the  situation,  that  it  now  consists  of  at  least  sixty 
taraihes,  and  is  rapidly  receiving  accessions  as  the  new  buildings  get  finished  for  their  re- 

John^no  H^^f  .'^p'  "'  «""  "•""•  ^^®r?°'^  '*"''"'  "  ^"""="''  ^r  and  M«.  Colt,  Messn,. 
Johnstone,  Hallef,  Rees,  Bogart,  and  Beekman;  three  of  these  gentlemen  were  lawyew. 
Here  were  also  two  doctors,  two  storekeeper*,  a  blacksmith,  shoemaker,  tailor,  hatter,  hair. 
SZ:rifso^£:fo'rK"'  "'"•"™'^"'  '"'  '^'""-'■"•■^-  A  hat  made  «„Wwy 
hu'liifr^W"  ''"P{'''«d  with  water  conveyed  in  pipes  from  a  neighboring  spring,  and  also 

foh  tnJnTw  ''••'  ^f'r  '^  "'^'?  "  plentifully  «»PPli«d  with  a  great  variety  of  excellent 
nsh.  Seneca  lake  is  forty.four  miles  long,  and  from  four  to  six  miles  wide.  It«  greatest 
aepm  IS  not  known  j  the  water  is  very  clear  and  wholesome ;  the  bottom  is  sand  and  gravel. 


ORANGE   COUNTY. 


411 


^  1^  Ti^r.k  "  •  ^^-  *!.  'T^"?'  ""•''  ««>™«<l>«"»tly.  "ot  inferted  with  musqui- 
^„f^;  T  1  ' l''1  "  "''!?«"'««J  by  a  eloop  of  forty  tons,  which  runs  a.  a  packetTand 
carries  on  a  trade  between  Geneva  and  Catherinetown,  at  the  head  of  the  lake." 

Sou'Mi  Bristol  is  centrally  distant  15  mUes  SW.  from  Canandaieua. 
bouth  Bristol  IS  a  small  village.    Pop.  1,375. 

Victor,  taken  from  Bloomfield  in  1812;  from  Albany  203,  from 
Canandaigua  NW.  11  miles.  Victor  and  East  Victor  are  small 
villages.    Pop.  2,393. 

Webt  Bloomfield  was  formed  in  1833;  from  Canandaieua  W. 
16  miles.  West  Bloomfield,  on  the  outlet  of  the  Honeoye  lake,  16 
mdes  W.  from  Canandaigua,  has  2  Presbyterian,  1  Methodist  church, 
an  academy,  and  about  60  dwellings.  Pop.  2,094.  North  Bloom- 
held  and  Bloomfield  Centre  are  post-offices. 


ORANGE  COUNTY. 

Orange,  an  original  county,  was  organized  in  1683 ;  since  modi- 
fied by  the  subtraction  of  Rockland  county  and  additions  from  Ulster 
county.     Greatest  length  E.  and  W.  37 ;  greatest  breadth  N.  and  S 
30  miles.     Centrally  distant  NW.  from  New  York  65,  from  Albany 
SE.  85  miles.     On  the  east  it  is  bounded  by  the  Hudson,  along 
whose  banks  are  some  of  the  highest  mountains  of  the  Highlands 
Bear  mountain  is  1,350  feet  in  height,  the  Crow's  Nest  1,418,  and 
Butter  Hill  1,530  feet  above  tide.     The  county  is  exceedingly  fertile 
and  agriculture  is  conducted  with  great  skill.    Large  quantities  of 
sheep  and  cattle  are  raised.    Its  butter  is  celebrated.    The  New 
York  and  Erie  railroad  enters  the  SE.  portion  of  the  county  and 
passes  through  the  towns  of  Monroe,  Blooming  Grove,  Goshen,  Mi- 
nismk,  Wallkill,  Mount  Hope,  and  Deer  Park.    It  is  divided  into  14 
towns.     Pop,  50,733. 

Blooming  Grove,  taken  from  Cornwall  in  1799  ;  NW.  from  New 
York  55,  from  Albany,  S.,  96  miles.  Salisbury,  9  miles  SW.  from 
Newburg,  and  11  E.  from  Goshen,  has  about  40  dwellings.  Wash- 
ingtonville,  1 1  miles  from  Newburg,  has  about  45  dwellings.  Bloom- 
ing Grove,  2  miles  SW.  of  Washingtonville,  Craigsvillo,  15  miles  from 
Newburg,  and  Oxford,  16  from  Newburg  and  8  from  Goshen,  are 
small  settlements.     Pop.  2,396. 

Cornwall  was  orr^nnized  in  1788.  It  has  a  mountainous  and  rug- 
ged  surface,  being  chiefly  within  the  limits  of  the  Highlands.  The 
noted  summits  of  the  Crow's  Nest,  1,418  feet,  and  Bears  mountain, 
1,350  feet  m  height,  are  on  the  Hudson.  Pop.  3,919.  Canterbury, 
about  5  miles  S  W.  of  Newburg,  is  a  village  containing  about  1,000  in- 
habitants.  Cornwall  is  a  small  village  on  the  Hudson,  4  miles  S.  of 
Newburg. 

West  Point,  the  site  of  the  U.  S.  Military  Academy,  is  8  milfi«  S. 
of  Newburg,  51  from  New  York,  and  94  from  Albany. 


K 


418 


OBANQB  COUNTT. 


Northern  view  of  West  Point. 

*'  West  Point  is  a  spot  of  peculiar  interest.  It  has  been  hallowed 
by  the  footsteps  of  a  Washington,  a  Kosciusko,  and  a  Lafayette ;  it 
is  consecrated  by  a  nation  to  the  Spartan-like  training  of  a  few  de- 
voted  sons  from  every  state  of  our  wide-spread  union :  nor  less  sa- 
credly secluded  by  nature  as  the  scene  of  retirement  and  study ;  it 
seems  alike  calculated  to  please  the  pensive  sage  and  the  aspiring 
youthful  soldier ;  while  even  female  loveliness  vouchsafes  to  paint  its 
memories  in  lines  of  hope  and  brightness,  as  •  tfie  boast  of  a  glory  hal- 
lowed land:' 

•  Bright  are  the  momente  link'd  with  thee, 
Boast  of  a  glory  hallowed  land ; 
Hope  of  the  valiant  and  the  free, 
Home  of  their  youthful  soldier  band.' 

"  The  view  of  West  Point  as  you  enter  the  Mountain  Gap,  after 
you  leave  Newburg,  is  delightful.  On  the  left  is  Cozzens'  hotel ;  beyond 
it  are  the  academic  halls,  barracks,  chapel,  &c.,  appropriated  to  the 
cadets ;  and  on  the  right,  are  the  comfortable  dwellings  occupied  by 
the  officers  of  the  academy.  On  the  left,  at  the  angle  of  the  plain, 
are  traces  of  Fort  Clinton ;  and  on  the  right,  towering  far  above 
Camptown,  (the  suburb  occupied  by  soldiers  and  citizens,)  stands  Fort 
Putnam,  on  mount  Independence,  venerable  in  its  ruins — '  stern  monu- 
ment of  a  sterner  age,'  which  survived  the  attempts  of  treason  and 
the  assaults  of  bravery,  only  to  yield  its  hallowed  materials  to  the 
desecration  of  a  rapacious  owner.  Of  the  three  monuments  which 
now  meet  your  eye,  the  one  on  the  right  and  nearest  to  you,  on  a 

S rejecting  tongue  of  land  bordered  with  thick  groves,  is  the  Cadet's 
lonument,  erected  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased  officers  and 
cadets  of  the  academy.  It  cost  $12,000.  The  centre  one,  near  the 
flag-Btatf,  is  a  cenotaph,  erected  by  Gen.  Brown  to  the  memory  of 


OHANOB   COUNTY. 


IIS 


Colonel  Eleazer  D.  Wood,  an  early  and  distinguished  graduate  of  the 
academy,  who  fell  at  the  sortie  of  Fort  Ene,  in  1814.  And  the 
monument  on  the  left,  over  the  levelled  redoubt  or  citadel  of  Fort 
Clinton,  is  sacred  to  Kosciusko." 

The  military  academy  was  established  by  act  of  congress,  in  1802. 
It  was  not  however  until  1812,  that  it  was  placed  on  an  efficient 
basis,  sufficient  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  country.  The  number 
of  applicants  for  cadet  appointments  is  very  great.  In  selecting 
these,  the  descendants  of  revolutionary  officers  are  considered  as 
having  peculiar  claims  to  notice.  The  ratio  of  appointments  is  about 
three  for  each  congressional  district  in  four  years,  and  on  an  average 
only  about  one  third  of  those  who  enter  graduate.  The  age  of  ad- 
mission is  limited  from  sixteen  to  twenty-one  years ;  and  the  acquire- 
ments necessary  are  an  acquaintance  with  reading,  writing,  and 
the  elementary  principles  of  arithmetic.  There  are  generally  here 
about  250  cadets  who  are  instructed  by  no  less  than  34  gentlemen, 
themselves  graduates  of  the  institution. 

"  The  months  of  July  and  August  in  each  year  are  devoted  solely 
to  military  exercises ;  for  which  purpose  the  cadets  leave  the  bar- 
racks and  encamp  in  tents  on  the  plain,  under  the  regular  police  and 
discipline  of  an  army  in  time  of  war.  For  this  purpose,  the  cadets 
are  organized  in  a  battalion  of  four  companies,  imder  the  command 
of  the  chief  instructor  of  tactics  and  his  assistants.  The  corporals 
are  cuosen  from  the  third  class,  or  cadets  who  have  been  present  one 
year ;  the  sergeants  from  the  second  class,  who  have  been  present 
two  years  ;  and  the  commissioned  officers,  or  captains,  lieutenants, 
&c.,  are  selected  from  the  first  class,  or  highest  at  the  academy.  All 
the  other  cadets  fill  the  ranks  as  private  soldiers,  though  necessarily 
acquainted  with  the  duties  of  officers.  In  rotation  they  have  to  per- 
form the  duty  of  sentinels,  at  all  times,  day  or  night,  storm  or  sun- 
shine, in  camp,  and  evenings  and  meal-times,  in  barracks.  Cadets 
who  have  been  present  two  encampments,  are  allowed,  if  their  con- 
duct has  been  correct,  to  be  absent  the  third,  on  furlough.  The 
drills  or  military  exercises,  consist  in  the  use  of  the  musket,  rifle,  can- 
non, mortar,  howitzer,  sabre,  and  rapier,  or  broad  and  small  sword ; 
fencing,  firing  at  targets,  &c.,  evolutions  of  troops,  including  those  of 
the  line ;  and  the  preparation  and  preservation  of  all  kinds  of  ammu- 
nition and  materials  for  war.  The  personal  appearance  of  the  corps 
of  cadets  cannot  fail  to  attract  admiration ;  especially  on  parade  or 
review.  The  uniform  is  a  gray  coatee,  with  gray  pantaloons  in 
winter,  and  white  linen  in  summer.  The  dress  cap  is  black,  with 
dark  pompoon.  The  splendid  band  of  music,  which,  under  Willis, 
made  nill  and  valley  ring  with  notes  of '  linked  harmony  long  drawn 
out,'  though  changed,  still  pleases ;  and  under  its  new  leader,  pro- 
mises soon  to  deserve  its  former  renown,  as  the  best  in  our  country. 

"  The  cadets  return  from  camp  to  barracks  on  the  last  of  August, 
and  the  remaining  ten  months  of  the  academic  year  are  devoted  to 
their  arduous  studies.  The  ceremony  of  striking  the  tents  and  march- 
ins  out  of  r.amn  in  an  ImnnBinor.  ng  in  ho  ivwll  wnrtK  an  ofHirt  /-><'  fl>p 


'^ 


414 


ORANGE   COUNTr. 


visiter  to  be  present  on  that  occasion.    On  the  previous  evening,  the 

i'v  t  1  *^^  J«a»tiful  strangers,  presents  quite  a  fairy  scene. 
I'or  the  sake  of  more  full  instruction,  each  class  is  divided  into 
^veral  sections,  each  having  a  separate  instructor.  Thus  each  cadet 
LtS  nfT"'.  ^^""T  ^l^'y  recitation,  to  explain  a  considerable 
portion  of  the  lesson;  for  the  morning  recitations  generally  occupy 
two  hours  each.  The  written  or  delineated  demonstrations^,  are  ex^ 
plauvGd  on  a  black-board  m  the  presence  of  the  whole  section. 

c,.nn!o«      !"•       °*  ^^^  ^""^^  y®^'*  ^'■^  "^S^^^^'  geometry,  descriptive 
geome  ry,  trigonometry,  and  the  FrenclT  language.    Al  the  mathe- 

Se^i?'^':.  'r  P.'""*'^^"y  '^^^S^'  ^"^  ^PP"«^  to  numerouTpJ^ 
blems  not  m  the  books ;  on  the  resolution  of  which  greatly  depends 
Uie  reputation  and  standing  of  each  rival  candidate  fo?  pre-eminence. 
1  he  studies  of  the  second  year,  are  the  theory  of  shades,  shadows, 
and  perspective,  practically  illustrated;  analytic  geometry,  with  its 
apphcation  to  come  sections ;  the  integral  and  differential  Calculus,  or 

tnSfnn^  .K^'T"    T^W  ^d  mensuration;  the  French  lan- 
guage, and  the  elements  of  drawing,  rhetoric,  grammar,  geography, 
and  topography  with  the  pen.     This  completes  the  cours?  of  mathe^ 
matics,  and  also  of  trench,  which  the  cadets  learn  to  translate  freely 
u'it^  }u-  ^'^'^^^y  Pcience,  but  which  few  of  them  speak  fluently. 
Ihe  third  year  is  devoted  to  a  course  of  natural  philosophy,  in- 
wolh^  mechanics,  optics,  electricity,  magnetism,  and  astronomy; 
Tir ^'^^^u''^^?','*''^'  ^""^  sJ^etching  landscapes  with  the  pencil. 
o«^  •  /  ?  ■         ,  y^^^  '^  appropriated  to  the  study  of  artillery 

and  infantry  tactics ;  the  science  of  war,  and  fortification,  or  military 
engineering;  a  complete  course  of  civil  engineering,  embracing  the 
n?oTrnr;^-'"'^'  and  bridges,  railroads^and  ca^;is.  with  Sfe  im! 

SelTlH  "Tr  ^^  ^'''^'''  ^*^-  *• '  ^  '^^"'•^^  «f  mineralogy, 
geology,  and  military  pyrotechny ;  together  with  moral  philosophy 
and  national  and  constitutional  law.  ^^ 

exar^natinli^^^  ^K^''  ""^  ^^^  ^^^^^^  '"  ^^""'^  «t"d'«»'  semi-annual 
exammations  are  held,  commencing  on  the  first  Mondays  of  January 
and  June ;  at  the  latter  of  which  aWrd  of  visiters,  ap,J,inted  by  the 
secretly  of  war,  is  present,  to  make  a  critical  officiu  report  of  the 
State  ot  the  academy.     The  examination  of  all  the  classes  usually 

S!f!h  ?"!  f  ^?'V"f^i.*'.';"'*,^'^^''y««^«^«5  but  still  is  not  con- 
sidered the  full  test  of  individual  proficiency.  Each  instructor  makes 
a  weekly  class  report,  on  which  is  recorded  the  daily  performance 
01  each  cadet;  those  who  excel  being  credited  3,  and  those  who  fail 
entirely  marked  0.  These  marks  are  accessible  to  the  cadets  from 
r^o.  ?u  J  ^^  stimulate  their  exertions :  finally,  they  are  summed 
up  at  the  end  of  the  term,  and  laid  before  the  academic  staff  and 
visiters;  so  that  the  standing  of  each  cadet  is  influenced  not  only  by 
his  examination,  but  by  all  ^is  previous  recitations.    A  certain  pre- 

Zr'rhnTnTfy^f'"^..'"^.*^"''"^^^^***^  c^'l^t^  '»  eaeh  braSch, 
those  who  fall  below  this  limit  are  necessarily  discharged  from  the 
service.    Averaging  the  last  ten  years,  where  a  class  of  one  hundred 


OKANGE   COUNTY. 


415 


rening,  the 
usic,danc- 
^  scene, 
voided  into 
iach  cadet 
tisiderable 
Jy  occupy 
IS,  are  ex- 
on. 

lescriptive 
he  mathe- 
jrous  pro- 
f  depends 
eminence, 
shadows, 
,  with  its 
ilculus,  or 
Jnch  lan- 
iography, 
of  mathe- 
ate  freely 
luently. 
lophy,  in- 
ronomy ; 
pencil. 
■  artillery 
military 
cing  the 
1  the  im- 
leralogy, 
ilosophy, 

ii-annual 
January 
d  by  the 
•t  of  the 
usually 
lot  con- 
'r  makes 
)rmance 
who  fail 
3ts  from 
summed 
tuff  and 
only  by 
ain  pre- 
branch, 
("om  the 
lundred 


enters  the  academy,  it  is  reduced  to  about  seventy  at  the  end  oi  six 
months,  sixty  at  the  end  of  one  year,  fifty  at  the  end  of  two  years, 
and  forty  at  the  end  of  three  years ;  not  more  than  about  thirty-five 
graduating. 

"  There  is  a  general  merit-roll  of  every  class,  made  out  at  the  end 
of  each  academic  year ;  the  merit  of  each  cadet  being  expressed  by 
a  number  denoting  his  proficiency  or  acquirements.  But  the  final 
standing  of  each  cadet,  on  which  depends  his  rank  in  the  army,  is 
determined  by  the  sum  of  his  merit  in  all  the  different  branches  ;  and 
this  depends  not  only  on  his  actual  proficiency  in  any  branch,  but  also 
on  its  relative  importance.  This  latter  is  thus  estimated  at  present  by 
the  academic  staff,  viz  :  Conduct  300  ;  engineering  300 ;  mathematics 
300;  natural  philosophy  300  ;  chemistry  and  mineralogy  200 ;  rheto- 
ric, ethics,  and  law  200 ;  infantry  tactics  200 ;  artillery  100 ;  French 
100 ;  and  drawing  100.  Hence  the  individual  who  should  excel  in  all 
the  branches,  would  be  credited  with  2,100  on  the  final  merit-roll ;  but 
no  more  than  three  or  four  such  instances  have  ever  occurred  at  the 
academy.  The  cadet  in  each  class  having  the  greatest  sum  of  merit 
is  placed  first  on  the  roll,  and  so  onward ;  and  he  who  is  deficient  in 
only  one  single  branch  is  discharged,  or  else  turned  back  another  year 
to  receive  a  second  probation." — Hunts  Letters  about  the  Hudson. 

The  graduates  of  the  military  academy  are  entitled  by  law  to  a 
preference  over  other  applicants  for  commissions  in  the  army.  On 
graduating  they  receive  the  commissions  of  brevet,  second  lieuten- 
ants, and  are  subsequently  promoted  on  the  occurrence  of  vacancies. 

On  the  river  bank  at  the  point 
where  the  Hudson  turns  sud- 
denly to  the  south,  about  30 
rods  east  of  Cozzens'  hotel, 
(seen  in  the  drawing,)  stands 
the  monument  of  Kosciusko. 
It  was  completed  in  1839,  by 
the  corps  of  cadets,  at  an  ex- 
pense of  about  95,000.  In 
the  vicinity  of  the  monument  ia 
Kosciusko's  garden,  "whither 
the  Polish  chieftain  was  accus- 
tomed to  retire  for  study  and 
reflection.  Marks  of  cultivation 
are  perceptible  in  the  disposition 
of  the  walks  and  trees,  and  the 
beautiful  seclusion  of  the  spotstill 
Kiteituka^iMtnummt.    ~'  invite  to  thought  and  repose." 

"  Traddeus  Kosciusko,  an  ofiicei'  in  the  American  revolutionary  war,  was  bom  in  Li. 
thuania,  in  1756,  of  an  ancient  and  noble  family,  and  educated  at  the  military  school  of 
Warsaw.  He  afterward  studied  in  France,  He  came  to  America,  recommended  by 
Franklin  to  Washington,  by  whom  he  was  appointed  an  aid.  He  was  also  appointed  an 
engineer  with  the  rank  of  colonel,  in  Oct.,  1776.  He  fortified  the  oamp  of  Gen.  Gates  in 
his  campaign  against  Burgoyne,  and  was  afterward  sent  to  West  Point,  to  erect  the  works 
there.  He  was  highly  esteemed  both  by  American  and  French  officers.  He  was  admitted 
a  member  of  the  Cincinnati,  and  received  the  thanks  of  congress  for  his  services.  At  tha 
close  of  the  revolutionary  war,  he  returned  to  his  native  country,  and  was  made  major-ge. 
neral  under  Foniatowski.  Ho  fought  several  battles  with  great  bravery,  but  all  his  efforts 
were  destroyed  by  the  miserable  conduct  of  the  Polish  diet.  In  the  month  of  April,  1794, 
on  the  breaking  out  of  a  new  revolution,  he  was  made  generalissimo^  wirh  the  power  of  a 


m 


■*. 


■4 


m 


11 


416 


ORANGE   COUNTY. 


m 


dictator.  Ho  managed  with  great  addrem  and  bravety,  until  tlio  lOih  of  October,  when 
Wng  overpowered  and  wounded,  he  waa  made  prisoner,  and  catriod  to  St.  Petersburg. 
He  was  liept  in  confinement  until  the  death  of  Catherine,  when  he  waa  relieved  by  Paul, 
loaded  with  honors,  and  offered  employment  in  the  Ruwian  service,  which  he  declined.  It 
is  said  that  when  the  emperor  presented  him  with  his  own  sword,  Kosciusko  told  liim,  *  I 
no  longer  need  a  sword— I  have  no  longer  a  country.'  In  1797,  he  visited  the  United 
States,  and  received  a  grant  from  congress  for  his  services.  In  the  latter  part  of  his  life  he 
retired  to  Switzerland,  where  he  died  in  Oct.  16,  1817.  His  remains  were  taken  to  Cra- 
cow.  and  a  public  funeral  made  for  him  at  Warsaw,  where  almost  divine  honorawere  paid 
him." — Encyclopedia  Americana. 


Ancient  view  of  West  Point. 

[The  above  view  of  West  Point  as  it  appeared  during  the  revolution,  is  copied  from  a  plate 
ID  the  New  York  Magazine,  published  in  1790.  Explanation.  A,  Constitution  Island,  on  the 
east  mde  of  the  river.  B,  A  chain,  450  yards  in  length,  reaching  across  the  Hudson.  C,  Fort 
Clinton,  the  principal  fort,  and  intended  for  the  defence  of  the  nver  against  any  naval  force.] 

♦'  After  the  capture  of  forts  Washington  and  Lee,  during  the  revolution,  the  British  as- 
cended the  river  freely  in  their  armed  ships.  But  in  the  execution  of  Washington's  design 
of  shutting  up  the  enemy  in  New  Yorit,  by  the  aasistanoe  of  the  French  naval  and  military 
force*,  it  became  necessary  to  exclude  him  from  the  Hudson.  Skilful  engineers  sent  out 
by  the  French  monarch,  selected  West  Point  as  the  moat  advantageous  position  for  com. 
manding  the  river.  The  hill,  composed  of  huge  craga  and  blocks  of  stone,  fantastically 
heaped  by  nature,  protrudes  to  the  middle  of  the  river,  impelling  its  waters  to  the  opposite 
bank,  and  narrowing  the  channel  to  less  than  half  a  mile  in  width. 

"  The  cliiF  selected  for  the  fortress,  rests  against  a  lofty  ridge  broken  into  small  emi- 
nences, that  form  a  species  of  amphitheatre,  washed  below  by  the  river.  It  rises  in  temu 
ces,  the  first  of  which  is  very  narrow,  and  nearly  level  vrith  the  river ;  Uie  second,  approach- 
able by  a  steep  ascent  of  80  or  90  feet,  and  the  third,  rising  188  feet  above  the  water, 
spreads  into  a  plateau  of  more  than  a  mile  in  circimiference,  on  which  the  principal  works 
were  constructed ;  the  chief  of  which,  was  Fort  Clinton.  The  declivity  is  exceedingly  steep 
nearly  all  around,  and  the  only  side  on  which  the  enceinte  was  accessible,  was  thickly 
palisaded,  and  defended  by  batteries.  An  escalade,  the  sole  mode  of  carrying  the  works, 
was  subjected  to  extreme  hazard.  There  were  several  redoubts  upon  the  eminences,  which 
commanded  Fort  Clinton,  of  which  Fort  Putnam  was  the  most  important.  These  covered 
each  other,  and  the  garrison  and  ammunition  stores  were  under  bomb  proof  casements. 
The  works  partly  hewn  in  the  rock,  and  partly  constructed  of  enormous  tnmks  of  trees, 
felled  on  the  spot,  communicating  by  defiles,  fonned  a  group  of  strongholds,  connected  by 
a  common  system  of  defence.  The  upper  forts  were  secured  from  assault  by  the  rugged, 
ness  of  the  ground,  thick  woods,  and  numerotis  abatit,  which  made  the  transport  of  artiU 
lerjr  impracticable,  whilst  they  gave  full  protection  to  the  lower  ones. 


ORANGE   COUNTY. 


417 


But,  another  work  bosides  these  impregnable  fortifications,  was  necessary  to  the  com- 
mond  of  the  nver.  Constitution  Island  divide*  the  bed  of  the  Hudson  unequally,  at  the 
bend  round  the  Point ;  the  western  branch  being  a  marshy  shallow.  The  island,  a  mass 
of  rock,  was  defended  by  batteries  on  a  level  with  the  water,  and  the  glacis  formed  in  the 
rock,  bade  defiance  to  trenches.  A  heavy  chain  cramped  into  the  rocks  at  either  end,  sup- 
''°»^ri,  '""'y^'  ?"'ctched  across  the  angle  made  by  the  river,  and  formed  an  effectual  bar. 
"  The  great  object  of  the  works  on  both  sides,  was  to  protect  this  chain.  Twenty  pieces 
of  heavy  ordnance,  discharging  grape,  menaced  those  who  should  attempt  to  cut  a  link,  and 
^yould  have  mevitably  sunk  their  boats.  If  a  vessel,  iron  beaked,  impelled  by  wind  and 
tide,  should  attempt  it,  the  chain  moving  on  a  roller  would  grow  slack,  and  the  shock  thus 
broken,  would  be  again  strained  to  its  due  tension,  and  the  vessel  turned  aside,  must  be 
stranded  on  one  or  the  other  shore,  and  remain  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  batteries,  which 
inight  be  poured  upon  all  points  of  the  Strait.  These  forts,  provided  with  necessary  muni, 
tions,  were  defended  by  four  thousand  men.  They  had  been  built  in  the  course  of  a  single 
year,  almost  without  cost ;  the  soldiers  who  labored  at  them  received  no  pay,  and  tho 
French  engineers  superintending,  in  the  minutest  detail,  the  execution  of  their  own  plans, 
had  no  emolument  whatever.  This  post  was  much  desired  by  the  British  commanders, 
and  Its  surrender  was  to  have  been  the  first  fruit  of  Arnold's  treason."  —Cfordon'a  Gazetteer. 

Crawford,  taken  from  Montgomery  in  1823;  from  Albany  92 
miles.  Crawford,  14  N.,  Hopewell  11,  Bullville  9,  and  Searsburg  11 
miles  from  Goshen,  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  2,075. 

Deerpark,  taken  from  Mamakating  in  1798;  from  New  York, 
NW.,  77,  from  Albany,  SW.,  110  miles.  Pop.  1,607.  The  settle- 
ments here,  are  among  the  oldest  of  the  county,  and  were  made  by 
the  Huguenots  from  Holland,  among  whom  were  the  ancestors  of  the 
Do  Wilts  and  other  distinguished  families.  Cuddcbackville,  25  miles 
NW.  from  Goshen,  is  an  agricultural  settlement  extending  from  3  to 
4  miles,  and  has  a  post-office,  in  the  vicinity  of  which  are  20  or  30 
dwellings.  Port  Jarvis,  on  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  canal,  24  miles 
W.  from  Goshen,  has  within  the  compass  of  a  square  mile  about  GO 
dwellings.     Honesville  is  a  small  settlement. 

Goshen  was  organized  in  1788.  It  has  a  hilly  surface  on  the  E. ; 
in  the  western  part  it  is  flat  and  marshy.  A  large  portion  of  the 
"  drowned  lands"  on  the  Wallkill  creek  are  in  this  town.  The  soil 
is  highly  productive  in  grass :  much  butter  is  made  here,  which  is 
widely  celebrated  for  its  superior  quality.  The  town  was  first  set- 
tled in  1703,  and  then  embraced  all  the  county  SE.  of  the  Wallkill, 
now  included  in  the  towns  of  Minisink,  Warwick,  part  of  Wallkill, 
Blooming  Grove,  and  part  of  Cornwall.  Pop.  3,889.  Chester,  on 
the  road  from  Goshen  to  New  York,  is  a  considerable  village  about 
4  miles  SE.  from  Goshen ;  it  is  divided  into  two  sections  known  as 
E.  and  W.  Chester.  Goshen,  the  half-shire  village  of  Orange  county, 
was  founded  in  1722,  and  incorporated  in  1809;  the  first  court  was 
holden  in  1727.  It  is  20  miles  W.  from  Newburg,  60  from  New  York, 
and  100  S.  from  Albany.  It  contains  a  bank,  2  newspaper  printing 
offices,  2  academics  (1  for  males  and  1  for  females,)  and  about  60  or  70 
dwellings.  In  the  annexed  engraving,  the  old  stone  courthouse, 
which  was  built  about  the  commencement  of  the  revolutionary  war, 
is  seen  on  the  left :  about  the  time  of  its  erection  the  king's  arms  were 
affixed  over  the  door,  but  the  revolutionary  excitement  was  so  great 
at  this  place  that  these  royal  emblems  were  destroyed  the  first  night 
after  they  were  set  up.     The  Episcopal  church  and  the  female  aca- 

68 


)4 
1 

m 


M 


418 


ORANGE  COUNTY. 


demy  are  seen  on  the  luit.    The  Presbyterian  church  is  seen  near 
the  central  part  of  the  engraving. 


Western  view  of  the  public  buildings  at  Goshen. 


The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  monuments  standing  in 
the  enclosed  ground  near  the  Presbyterian  church. 

"Erected  by  the  inhabitants  of  Orange  county,  22d  July,  1822.    Sacred  to  the  memory 
of  44  of  their  fellow.citizens,  who  fell  at  the  battle  of  Minisink,  July  22d,  1779. 


Benj.  Tusten,  Col. 
Bezoleel  Tyler,  Capt. 
Samuel  Jones,      " 
John  Little,  " 

John  Duncan,       " 
Benjamin  Vail,     " 
.Tohn  Wood,    Lieut. 
Nathaniel  Finch,  Adj. 
Ephm.  Mastin,  Ens. 
Ephm.  Middaugh,  Ens. 
Gabriel  Wisner,  Esq. 
Stephen  Mead, 
Maths.  Tcrwilliger, 
Joshua  Lockwood, 
Epliraim  Forgerson, 


Roger  Townsend, 
likimuel  Knapp, 
James  Knapp, 
Benjamin  Bennet, 
William  Barker, 
Jonathan  Pierce, 
James  Little, 
Joseph  Norris, 
Gilbert  Vail, 
Abm.  Shepherd, 
Joel  Decker, 
Nathan  Wade, 
Simon  Wait, 

Talmadge, 

Jacob  Dunning, 


John  Carpenter, 
David  Barney, 
Jonathan  Ilasltcll 
Abm.  Williams, 
James  Mosher, 
Isaac  Ward, 
Baltus  Nierpos, 
Galmaticl  Bailey, 
Moses  Thomas, 
Eleazer  Owens, 
Adam  Enibler, 
Samuel  Little, 
Benjamin  Dunning, 
Daniel  Reed. 


"Here  he  the  remains  of  the  Rev.  John  Bradncr,  a  native  of  Scotland,  the  first  paslor 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Goshen.  Settled  A.  D.  1721  and  died  1732;  also  of  Rev 
Nathan  Ker,  his  successor,  who  preached  the  gospel  in  this  place  for  38  years.  Died  Dec 
14,  1804,  aged  G9  years.  Also  of  his  successor.  Rev.  Ezra  Fisk,  DD.,  who  was  born  Jnn" 
10,  1785,  at  Sherburn,  Mass.  Settled  as  pastor  of  the  Goshen  church,  Aug.  13  1813- 
died  Dec.  5,  1833,  aged  49  years.  <=        i  , 

Hamptonburg,  taken  from  Goshen,  Blooming  Grove,  New  Windsor, 
Montgomery,  and  Wallkill,  in  1830;  from  Albany,  S.,  94,  from 
Goshen  centrally  distant  NE.  6  miles.  Hamptonburg,  Horace,  and 
Little  Britain,  arc  post-offices.  The  name  of  Little  Britain  is  given 
to  a  district  of  about  4  miles  square,  in  Hamptonburg  and  New 
Windsor,  settled  in  1722  by  Col.  Charles  Clinton,  (the  progenitor  of 
the  distinguished  family  of  Clinton,)  and  his  associate  emigrants 
from  Ireland.    Pop.  1,379. 


ORANGE  COUNTY. 


419 


I  near 


mg  in 


ncmory 


pnalor 
if  Rpv. 
;d  Doc. 
rii  Jnn. 
,  1813; 

idsor, 
from 
;,  and 
given 
New 
;or  of 
:rant8 


"  Gkokqk  Clintoh,  the 
youngest  son  of  Col.  Charles 
Clin'on,  was  born  in  Orange 
county,  July  15,  1739.  His 
education  was  superintended 
by  his  father,  a  gentleman  of 
a  highly  cultivated  mind,  as. 
siated  by  a  minister  of  the 
gospel,  named  Daniel  Tliain, 
who  had  been  educated  at  the 
university  of  Aberdeen.  He 
evinced  at  an  early  age  that 
spirit  of  activity  and  enter, 
prise  which  marked  his  after 
Fac-aimiU  of  Oeorge  Clinton's  tignatwrt.  life.     During  what  was  called 

the  French  war,  he  left  his  father's  house  and  entered  on  board  of  a  privateer,  which  sailed 
from  the  port  of  New  York ;  and  after  encountering  great  hardships  and  perils,  returned 
home,  and  immediately  accepted  a  lieutenancy  in  a  company  commanded  by  his  brother 
James.  He  was  present  at  the  capture  of  Fort  Frontenac,  now  Kingston,  where  the  com. 
pany  to  which  he  belonged  behaved  with  great  gallantry.  After  the  usual  time  of  study  he 
•was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  practised  with  much  success  in  his  native  county,  until  his 
election  to  the  colonial  assembly,  where  he  became  the  head  of  the  whig  party,  or  minority, 
and  uniformly  opposed  the  arbitrary  course  of  the  government.  He  was  chosen,  April  22d, 
1775,  a  delegate  to  the  continental  congress ;  and  in  1776,  he  was  also  appointed  brigadier 
general  of  Ulster  county,  and  some  time  after,  a  brigadier  in  the  army  of  the  United  States. 
At  the  first  election  under  the  constitution  of  the  state,  which  was  adopted  April  20,  1777, 
he  was  chosen  both  governor  and  heutenant-governor.  Having  accepted  the  former  office, 
the  latter  was  filled  by  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt.  He  continued  in  the  chief  magistracy  of  the 
state  during  six  terms,  or  13  years,  when  he  declined  a  re  election.  In  consequence  of  the 
great  number  of  tories  who  resided  in  the  state  of  New  York,  and  its  distracted  condition, 
the  situation  of  Governor  Clinton  was  more  arduous  and  important  than  any  other  in  the 
Union,  save  that  of  the  commander-in-chief.  He,  however,  behaved  with  the  greatest  en- 
ergy, not  only  as  chief  magistrate,  but  as  an  actual  head  of  the  militia;  and  for  a  long  time 
resisted  the  attacks  of  the  whole  British  army,  commanded  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton.  By  a 
vigorous  exertion  of  authority,  in  the  impressment  of  flour  on  an  important  occasion,  he  pre- 
served the  army  from  dissolution.  His  conduct  at  the  storming  of  the  forts  Montgomery 
and  Clinton,  in  October,  1777,  was  particulariy  praiseworthy.  He  was  greatly  instrumen- 
tal  in  crushing  the  insurrection  under  Shays,  which  took  place  in  Massachusetts,  in  1787. 

"  Governor  Clinton  was  unanimously  chosen  president  of  the  convention  which  assem- 
bled at  Poughkeepsie  June  17,  1788,  to  deliberate  on  the  new  federal  constitution.  After 
remaining  five  years  in  private  life,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  state  legislature,  at  a 
time  when  the  country  was  in  an  agitated  and  critical  condition,  and  it  is  affirmed  that  his 
influence  was  the  principal  cause  of  the  great  political  revolution  which  took  place  in  1801. 
At  that  period  he  was  also  induced  again  to  accept  the  station  of  governor,  and  after  con. 
tinuing  in  that  capacity  for  three  years,  he  was  elevated  to  the  vice-presidency  of  the  U. 
States,  a  dignity  which  he  continued  until  his  demise  at  Washington,  April  20,  1812.  Ho 
married  Cornelia  Tappon,  of  Kingston,  Ulster  county,  by  whom  he  had  one  son  and  five 
daughters.  ,    •        r 

"  The  following  anecdotes  are  related  of  his  energy  and  decision  : — At  the  conclusion  ol 
the  revolutionary  war,  when  violence  against  the  tories  was  the  order  of  the  day,  a  British 
oflkcr  was  placed  on  a  cart  in  the  city  of  New  York,  to  be  tarred  and  feathered.  This 
was  the  signal  of  violence  and  assassination.  Governor  Clinton,  at  this  moment,  rushed  in 
among  the  mob  with  a  drawn  sword,  and  rescued  the  victim  at  the  risk  of  his  life."  '  Some 
years  after,  a  furious  assemblage  of  people  collected,  called  the  doctors'  mob,  and  raged 
through  New  York,  with  the  intention  of  killing  the  citizens  of  that  city,  and  pulling  down 
their  houses,  on  account  of  their  having  dug  up  bodies  for  dissection.  The  violeiice  of  this 
mob  intimidated  the  local  magistrates.  Governor  Clinton  fortunately  appeared  in  person, 
called  out  the  militia,  and  restored  peace  to  the  city.'  He  discharged  the  functions  of  vice- 
president  with  great  dignity.  It  was  by  his  castmg  vote  while  in  that  station,  that  the  re- 
newal of  the  bank  charter  was  negatived.  In  private  life,  he  was  kind  and  amiable,  and 
warm  in  his  friendships ;  as  a  public  man,  he  is  entitled  to  respectful  remembrance." 

Minisink  was  organized  in  1788.     It  has  a  hilly  surface  on  the  W. ; 
on  the  E.  it  is  bounded  by  the  W-allkili,  on  the  borders  of  which  are 


IJ 


420 


ORANGE    COUNTV. 


m 


the  "drowned  lands."  It  is  centrally  situated  W.  from  Goshen  15 
miles,  and  114  SW.  from  Albany.  Pop.  5,093.  Minisink,  Ridge- 
bury,  Slate  Hill,  Unionville,  Wells  Corners,  Graham,  and  Dollens- 
town  are  post-offices.  This  town  was  settled  at  an  early  period.  In 
the  colonial  records  of  1659,  there  is  a  notice  of  the  discovery  of  a 
copper  mine,  which  is  reported  to  have  been  extensively  wrought. 
In  1669,  a  severe  battle  was  fought  between  the  settlers  and  Indians, 
"  the  bloody  horrors  of  which  yet  live  in  the  traditions  of  that  neigh- 
borhood." In  July,  1779,  a  party  of  Indians  and  tories  under  Brant 
made  an  invasion  on  Minisink.  It  appears  that  Count  Pulaski  had 
been  stationed  at  this  place  with  a  battalion  of  cavalry  the  preceding 
winter,  but  in  February  he  was  ordered  to  South  Caroli .  i,  and  the 
place  was  left  unprotected.  The  following  account  of  the  invasion 
and  battle,  is  taken  from  St(  ne's  Life  of  Brant,  vol.  i. 

"  On  the  20tli  of  July,  or  rather  during  the  night  of  the  19th,  the  crafty  Mohawk  stole  upon 
the  shimbering  town,  at  the  iioad  of  sixty  Indians  and  twentyjseven  tory  warriors,  disguis- 
ed  as  Indians — which  was  a  very  common  practice  with  the  loyalists  when  acting  with  the 
savages.  Such  was  the  silence  of  their  approach,  that  several  houses  were  already  in  flames 
when  the  inhabitants  awoke  to  their  situation.  Thus  surprised,  and  wholly  unpropnrod,  all 
who  could  escape  fled  in  consternation,  leaving  the  invaders  to  riot  upon  the  spoil.  Ten 
iiouscs  and  twelve  barns  were  burnt,  together  with  a  small  stockade  fort  and  two  mills. 
Several  persons  were  killed,  and  others  taken  prisoners.  The  farms  of  the  settlement 
were  laid  waste,  the  catde  driven  away,  and  all  the  booty  carried  off"  which  the  invaders 
could  remove.  Having  thus  succeeded  in  his  immediate  object.  Brant  lost  no  time  in  lead- 
iiig  his  party  back  to  the  main  body  of  his  warriors,  whom  he  had  left  at  Grassy  Brook. 

"No  sooner  had  the  fugitives  from  Minisink  arrived  at  Goshen  with  the  intelligence,  than 
Dr.  Tnsten,  the  colonel  of  the  local  militin,  issued  orders  to  the  officers  of  his  conmiund  to 
nioet  him  at  Minisink  on  the  following  day,  with  as  many  volunteers  as  they  could  raise. 
Tlie  order  was  promptly  obeyed,  and  a  body  of  one  hundred  and  forty-nine  men  met  their 
colonel  at  the  designoted  rendezvous,  at  the  time  appointed — including  many  of  the  princi- 
pal  gentlemen  of  the  county.     A  council  of  war  was  held,  to  determine  upon  the  expediency 
<ii  a  pursuit.     Colonel  Tusten  was  himself  opposed  to  the  proposition,  with  so  feeble  a  com. 
maud,  and  with  the  certainly,  if  they  overtook  the  enemy,  of  being  obliged  to  encounter  an 
(ffllcor  combining,  with  his  acknowledged  prowess,  so  much  of  subtlety  as  characterized 
the  movements  of  the  Molr.wk  chief.     His  force,  iTioreover,  was  believed  to  bo  greatly 
superior  to  theirs  in  numbers,  and  to  include  many  tories  os  well  acquainted  wiih  the 
country  as  themselves.     The  colonel,  therefore,  preferred  waiting  for  the  reinforcements 
which  would  be  sure  soon  to  arrive,  the  more  especially  as  the  volunteers  already  with  him 
were  but  ill-provided  with  arms  and  ammunition.    Others,  however,  were  for  inmicdiate 
pursuit.     They  affected  to  hold  the  Indians  in  conlenipt,  insisted  that  lliey  would  not  fight, 
and  maintained  that  a  recaptun!  of  the  plunder  they  had  taken  would  be  un  easy  achieve, 
nient.     Town-ineeting  counsels,  in  the  conduct  of  war,  are  not  usually  tiui  wisest,  as  will 
appear  in  the  sequel.     The  majority  of  Tusteii's  comniaiid   were  evidently  delerinined  to 
pursue  the  enemy;  but  their  deliberalions  were  cut  short  by  Major  Meeker,  who  iiiounled 
his  horse,  nourished  his  sword,  and  vauntingly  called  out — '  Let  ihe  brave  men  follow  me  ; 
the  cowards  may  stay   behind  !'     It  may  readily  be  supposed   that  such  un  a))peal   to  uii 
excited  niultilude  would  decide  the  (piestion,  us  it  did.     The  lino  of  nuirch  was  innnediately 
taken  up,  and  after  proceeding  sevenleen  milee  Mie  same  evcninf,',  ihey  encamped  for  the 
night.     On  Ihe  morning  of  the  2)it\,  ihey  were  joined  by  a  small  reinforcement  undi'r  Col. 
llalhorn,  of  the  Warwick  regimeiil,  who,  as  .iie  senior  of  Col.  Tuslen,  took  ihe  coiumand. 
When  they  had  advanced  a  few  miles,  to  Halfway  Brook,  they  came  ujxin  the  Iiuiian 
encampment  of  the  preceding  night,  and  another  council  was  helil  there.     Cols.  Halliorn 
Tusten,  and  others,  whcse  valor  was  governed  by  prudence,  were  opposed  to  advancing 
further,  as  the  number  if  Indian  fires,  and  the  extent  of  ground  they  had  occupied,  removed 
all  doubt  as  to  the  supjriority  of  their  numbers.     A  scene  sinnhir  to  that  which  had  broken 
up  the  fornu'r  council  was  acted  at  this  place,  and   with  the  sume  result.     The  voice  of 
prudence  was  compelled  to  yield  to  that  of  bravado. 

"  Cap*.  Tyler,  who  had  some  knowledge  of  the  woods,  was  sent  forward  at  the  head  of 
a  small  scouting  party,  to  fohgw  tJio  (roil  of  tho  Indians,  aiid  to  aactriain,  il  possible,  their 


ORANGB   COUNTY. 


421 


movomenU ;  sinco  it  was  evident  that  they  could  not  be  far  in  advance.  The  captain  had 
proceeded  but  a  short  distance  before  he  fell  from  the  fire  of  an  unseen  enemy.  This  cir- 
cumstance occasioned  considerable  alarm ;  but  the  volunteers,  nevertheless,  pressed  eagerly 
forward,  and  it  was  not  long  before  they  emerged  upon  the  hills  of  the  Delaware,  in  iull 
view  of  that  river,  upon  the  eastern  bonk  of  which,  at  the  distance  of  three  fourths  of  a  mile, 
the  Indians  were  seen  deliberately  marching  in  the  direction  of  a  fording-placo  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Lackawaxen.  Thia  discovery  was  mode  at  about  nine  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing. The  intention  of  Drant  to  cross  at  the  fording-place  was  evident ;  and  it  was  afterward 
ascertained  that  his  booty  had  already  been  sent  thither  in  advance. 

"  The  determination  was  immediately  formed  by  Col.  Ilathorn,  to  intercept  the  enemy 
at  the  fording-pluce,  for  which  purpose  instant  dispositions  were  made.  But,  owing  to 
intervening  woods  and  hills,  the  opposing  bodies  soon  lost  sight  of  each  other,  and  an  adroit 
movement  on  the  port  of  Brant  gave  him  on  advantage  which  it  was  impossible  for  the 
Americans  to  regain.  Anticipating  the  design  of  Hathorn,  the  moment  the  Americans 
were  out  of  eight.  Brant  wheeled  to  the  right,  and  by  threading  a  ravine  ocross  which  Ha- 
thorn had  passed,  threw  himself  into  his  rear,  by  which  means  he  was  enabled  deliberately 
to  select  his  ground  for  a  battle  and  form  an  ambuscade.  Disappointed  in  not  finding  the 
enemy,  the  Americans  were  brought  to  a  stand,  when  the  enemy  disclosed  himself  par- 
tially, in  a  quarter  altogether  unexpected.  According  to  the  American  account,  the  first 
shot  was  fired  upon  on  Indian,  who  was  known,  ond  who  wos  mounted  upon  a  horse  stolen 
at  Minisink.  The  Indian  fell,  ond  the  firing  soon  became  general — the  enemy  contriving, 
in  the  early  port  of  the  engagement,  to  cut  off  from  the  moin  body  of  Hothorn's  troops  a 
detachment  comprising  one  third  of  his  whole  number.  The  conflict  was  long  and  obsti- 
nolo.  The  number  of  the  enemy  being  several  times  greater  than  that  of  the  Goshen  mili- 
tia, the  latter  were  surrounded,  and  ultimately  hemmed  within  the  circumference  ,  an  acre 
of  ground.  Being  short  of  amnmnition,  Hothorn's  orders,  in  imitation  of  those  of  Putnam 
at  Bunker  Hill,  were  strict  that  no  man  should  fire  until  very  sure  that  his  powder  would 
not  bo  lost.  The  bottle  commenced  about  eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  was  main- 
tained until  the  giiing  down  of  the  sun;  both  parties  fighting  after  the  Indian  fashion,  every 
man  for  himself,  and  the  whole  keeping  up  on  irregular  fire  from  behind  rocks  and  trees  as 
best  they  could.  About  sunset  the  amnmnition  of  the  militia  was  expended,  and  the  sur- 
vivors attempted  to  retreat,  but  many  of  them  were  cut  down.  Doctor  Tusten  was  eugogcd 
behind  o  clitf  of  rocks  in  dressing  the  wounded  when  the  retreat  commenced.  There  were 
seventeen  disabled  men  under  his  cure  at  the  moment,  whose  cries  for  protection  and  mercy 
were  of  ihr  most  moving  description.  The  Indians  fell  upon  them,  however,  and  they  all, 
together  wiih  the  doctor,  perished  under  the  tomahawk.  Among  the  slain  were  many  of 
the  first  citizens  of  Goshen ;  and  of  the  whole  number  that  went  forth,  only  about  thirty 
returned  to  tell  the  mclonchnly  story.  Severol  of  the  fugitives  were  shot  while  ottempting 
;o  escape  by  swimming  the  Delaware. 

....  "  There  was  one,  (Mojor  Wood,)  who  during  the  battle  saved  himself  by  means 
which  Brant  said  were  dishonoroble.  By  some  process  or  other,  though  not  n  freemason, 
ho  hod  acquired  a  knowledge  of  the  master  mason's  grand  hailing  signal  of  distress ;  and 
having  been  informed  that  Brant  was  o  member  of  the  brotherhood,  he  govc  the  mystic 
sign.  Faithful  to  his  pledge,  the  chieftain  interposed  and  saved  his  life.  Discovering  the 
imposture  afterword,  ho  was  very  indignant.  Still,  ho  spared  his  life,  and  the  prisoner  ulti- 
mately returned  to  his  friends  after  a  long  captivity." 

Monroe  was  taken  from  Cornwall,  and  organized  in  1799.  Its 
orijrinal  name  was  Cheesecocks,  afterward  Southfield,  then  Monroe. 
It  is  19  miles  S.  of  Newburg  and  115  from  Albany:  being  in  the 
Highland  region,  the  surface  of  the  township  is  broken  and  hilly. 
Pop.  .'J,911.  At  the  extreme  easterly  point  of  this  town  upon  the 
Hudson  river,  on  the  S.  side  of  Poplopen's  kill,  stood  Fort  Clinton,  and 
upon  the  opposite  bank  of  the  creek,  in  Cornwall,  stood  Fort  Montgo- 
mery. These  forts  were  erected  for  the  defence  of  the  passttge  of 
the  river.  At  this  place,  the  channel  of  the;  Hudson  was  obstructed 
by  a  chevaux-de-frize,  boom  and  chains,  and  guarded  by  a  number 
of  armed  vessels,  stationed  above  them.  On  the  (Uh  October.  1777, 
Sir  Henry  Clinton,  with  a  force  of  about  3,000  men,  took  the^  forts 
by  storm.     The  garrisun  consisted  of  but  about  000  men.      ^'hcir 


422 


ORANGE  COUNTY. 


loss  was  about  250  ;  that  of  the  British  was  not  less.  The  annexed 
account  relative  to  their  capture  was  written  at  Kingston,  3  days 
afterward,  by  a  gentleman  who  was  in  Fort  Montgomery  when  it 

"  On  Saturday  night  the  M  inst.,  we  had  advice  that  a  large  number  of  shiofl  brics 
armed  vessels,  &c.,  had  arrived  at  Tarrytown.  where  they  had  landed  a  cons  deralleb^J 
of  men,  supposed  to  be  900  or  1,000,  and  had  advanced  towards  the  plains  Co  LutS 
on  bemg  posted  there  wiU.  about  500  militia,  they  sent  in  a  flag  to  him  rcqui^^nK  h  m  fo" 
lay  down  h.3  arms  and  surrender  himself  and  men  prisoners  of  war;  wWlst  he  wm  nX 
.ngw..h  the  flag  they  endeavored  to  surround  him,  which  he  perceiving,  ordered  his  mfn 
to  etreat,  whereupon  they  returned  to  their  shipping,  and  next  morning  we  had  adilce  of 
n  ll/h  ^1  ""t'  '"''•  ""u  ''"'"ins  up  ««  ^"^  '^  ^'"^  f"«'"y-    I"  "'«  "fternoon  they  Cl  "d 

n.  2h  t^  r"  "",  '**"  T  ''^'  ''f  ""'  "^"' '"  '^"'^  ""'  ««""''«"  that  way,  buuhry 
re.embarked  m  the  night,  and  next  morning  landed  on  the  west  side.  ^ 

On  feundny  night  his  Excellency,  Gov.  Clinton,  who  then  commanded  at  Fort  Mont 

tC^k'"".,  ""r^u  P^'^'a?*^  "'"'"'  ^""  ""^"  ""<*«'  "•«  command  of  Major  Logan,  acror.he 
Dunderbergh,  (Thunder  Mountain,)  to  watch  the  motion  of  the  enemy.    The  party  rerned 

tlie  Uunderbcrgh.    The  governor  sent  out  another  small  party  of  about  28  men  under  the 

5  ^  ,?,  r  •  ^  '^'^  'V"}  "  «'"}'=<">''«'  P»''y  of  'he  enemy,  who  ordered  them  to  cZ 
i,  r„  n  .  ?'  Tf  ''""■''"''«',  themselves  prisoners.  They  nmde  no  answer,  but  fired  upon  e 
enemy  and  hastily  retreated ;  they  returned  the  fire  and  pursued  our  people  half  imir 
ut  ,hey  all  got  back  to  the  fort  without  losing  a  man,  though  within  five  r..ds  of  he  e  'iny' 
bdore  .hey  were  discovered      Upon  this  intelligence,  one  hundred  men  were  in  me  la.    y 

in  tL  Ifinr  .1^"'-  ."'■"''"•  ^'"'  '^^"  "'  ^'"^  *^"'  '^°  •""««  '"^°'"  'he  fort,  about  two  o'lck 
.n  the  uf.crnoon,  when  n  smart  engagement  ensued;  but  the  enemy  being  of  much  superior 
force,  our  people  were  forced  to  retreat.  **  suponor 

"  At  the  same  time  it  was  thought  proper  to  send  some  artillery  with  a  field-piere  to  oc 
eupy  an  eminence  that  eoinmands  the  road  that  leads  to  Orange  Furnnce,  with  a  muiy  of 
men  to  delend  .t;  they  were  attacked  soon  after,  and  our  fiel/pieee  did  grei    ex  ?   I.n 
The  field.p.ece  bui^.ing,  our  men  in  their  retreat  kept  up  the  c'lgagemcnf  for  s.une    mo 

SeraTon-bolhV.r^^'Af;"''''"'''^^"'^''""  'heULwork.'an'd  the  a'.aek  b.Vm 
gencrai  on  both  forts.     At  the  same  time  the  enemy's  shipping  came  in  sight,  but  .ho  wind 
being  hgh.,  and  .he  tuie  against  them,  none  of  .heir  vesseL'eame  up  exeepT.he  galleys  md 

Setd'i:'":retm'a°r^' '"'  '''  ""  "^^"''"" '  ^«  "'  -"™  «-^  "P-  "-^  -^ 

ptn'-'J''"  fi"*"'^ '^^"""""^'^ '"''?"'"""^  "'^•^  incessant  attack  upon  the  forts;  but  notwiih 
B.a,  ding  .heir  utmost  eflorts  they  were  many  times  repulsed  and  beatrn  back  f"o  ,  o,.; 
brcos  works  with  great  slaughter.  But  the  smallness  of  our  number  (being  in  bod"  for  s 
but  about  hve  h«n.lred,)  which  required  every  man  to  be  upon  continual  duty  an  1,1  led 
U,em  to  unremitted  exertion  fatigued  our  people  greatly,  while  the  enemy,  who^  r,„ber 
was  supposed  o  be  at  least  lour  thousand,  continued  to  press  us  with  troops 

About  4  o'clock  they  sent  in  a  flag,  demanding  in  5  minutes  a  surrender  of  the  fort  and 

ourselves  jmsoners  of  war,_or  they  would  put  us' all  to  the  sword.     An  answer  was  re 

umed  by  Col.  Livingston,  aciuainting  them  that  we  were  determined  to  defend  the  fort  lo 

.„,;,.  ";i"'i;"'7-i    ^  ''•'  """""  r"^  '«"''^«'l  ^^i"'  fr*-"''  vigor  on  bo.h  sides,  and  con.    i  eJ 

for    wLhi:^    "  """^''  "^"  '}'y  ^"^™""'  °"'  "PP«'  '«^°'>'"  which  command     he 
rt,  which  alter  a  severe  struggle  and  overpowering  us  with  numbew  tliey  got  possession 

of  I  ort  C  11,  on,  in  which  were  none  but  militia,  who  nobly  defended  it  till  they,  like  the  m 
nson  a.  I  ort  Mou.gomery,  w.to  obliged  to  give  way  to  superior  force.  *' 

llio  darkness  of  the  evening  much  favored  the  escape  of  our  people,  the  sroatost  nnrt 

o  whom,  wi,h  almost  all  ,ho  officenigot  off,  and  have  since  joiiied'our    r  .  y  of  remrm.d  ,o 

ir  places  of  residence.      ...  .  We  are  told  .ha.  the  reinforcement  from  IV.ekskil,  which 

vi,;?  ':;'^-"  "feed*  during  .he  day.  arrived  only  in  time  on  the  opposite  side  of   I, 

o^ccmem^  1  ?  '"•  '"'IfT'f  «''"  """"  ""  •""""'"•  of  u«8i..anco  and  even  a  L 

r  vcd       InT  r  '"""'''"'*  u '"  «",''™''"  '?  "'"'""''"  "  ""'"  ""'«"""  «"<^«or  had  ar. 

rivcd.    Uiukr  I  us  misfortune,  wo  have  the  satisfaction  to  bo  assured,  that  all  .ho  officers 

oflhe  gamB.u.  fo»Bht  like  heroes,  dis.inguished  themselves  bo.h  by  thdr  courage  and  con! 

.h'nTxTdu'ZUiLr.lMT.r^l^ny!'''  ""'"  ^"'"  ^""  Mon.gontcry.  purposely  ddaycdT;;;;;! 


ORANGE   COUNTY. 


42a 


duct,  and  that  all  the  privates,  as  well  militia  as  continental,  fought  with  the  utmost  bravery.* 
The  quantity  of  provisions  in  the  fort  was  not  great,  but  the  ammunition  and  stores  which 
fell  into  the  enemy's  hands  were  considerable. 

Dr.  Dwight,  then  a  chaplain  in  the  army,  thus  spcaiis  of  the  ap- 
pearances about  these  forts  a  few  months  after  they  were  taken. 

"  I  went  down  the  river  in  company  with  several  officers,  to  examine  the  forts  Clinton 
and  Montgomery,  built  on  a  point  six  or  eight  miles  below  West  Point,  for  the  defence  of 
the  river.  The  first  object  which  met  our  eyes,  after  we  left  our  bnrgo  and  ascended  the 
bank,  was  the  remains  of  a  fire  kindled  by  the  cottagers  of  this  solitude,  for  the  purpose  of 
consuming  the  bones  of  some  of  the  Americans  who  had  fallen  at  this  place,  and  had  l)cen 
left  unburied.  Some  of  these  bones  were  lying  partially  consumed  round  the  spot  where 
the  fire  had  been  kindled  ;  and  some  had  evidently  been  converted  into  ushcs.  As  wo  went 
onward,  we  were  distressed  by  the  fcetor  of  decayed  human  bodies.  To  me  this  was  a 
novelty ;  and  more  overwhelming  and  dispiriting  than  I  am  able  to  de8C"ibe.  As  wc  were 
attempting  to  discover  the  source  from  which  it  proceeded,  we  found,  at  a  small  distance 
from  Fort  Montgomery,  a  pond  of  a  moderate  size,  in  which  we  saw  the  bodies  of  several 
men,  who  had  been  killed  in  the  assault  upon  the  fort.  They  were  thrown  into  this  pond, 
the  preceding  autumn,  by  the  British,  when  probably  the  water  was  sufficiently  deep  to 
cover  them.  Some  of  them  were  covered  at  this  time  ;  but  a  depth  so  small,  as  to  leave 
them  distinctly  visible.  Others  had  an  arm,  a  leg,  and  a  part  of  the  body  above  the  surface. 
The  clothes  which  they  wore  when  they  were  killed,  were  still  on  them ;  and  proved  that 
they  wore  militia ;  being  the  ordinary  dress  of  farmers.  Their  faces  were  bloated  and  mon. 
strous ;  and  their  postures  were  uncouth,  distorted,  and  in  the  highest  degree  afflictive.  My 
companions  had  been  accustomed  to  the  horrors  of  war,  and  sustained  the  prospect  witli 
some  degree  of  firmness.  To  me,  a  novice  in  scenes  of  this  nature,  it  wos  ovcrwheliriing. 
1  surveyed  it  for  a  moment  and  hastened  away.  From  this  combination  of  piiinful  objects 
we  proceeded  ta  Fort  Clinton,  built  on  a  risin'j  ground,  at  a  small  distance  further  down 
the  river.  Thf;  ruins  of  this  fortress  were  a  mere  counterpart  of  those  of  Fort  Montgomery. 
Every  combustible  in  both  had  been  burnt ;  and  what  was  not,  was  extensively  thrown 
down.  Every  thing  which  remained  was  a  melancholy  picture  of  destruction.  From  this 
place  we  proceeded  to  find  the  grave  of  Count  Grabouski,  a  Polish  nobleman,  who  was 
killed  in  the  assault,  while  acting  as  aid-de-camp  to  the  British  conminndcr.  The  spot  was 
pointed  out  to  us  by  Lieut.  Col.  Livingston,  who  saw  him  fall,  and  informed  us  that  he 
was  buried  in  the  place  whore  he  was  killed.  Here  wo  found  a  grave — in  all  probubility, 
that  in  which  he  was  buried — without  a  *  stone'  to  '  tell  where  ho  lay,'  and  now  forgotten 
and  undiscuverable  :  a  humiliating  termination  of  a  restless,  vain,  ambitious  life." 

Montgomery,  originally  organized  as  part  of  Ulster  county  in 
1788;  from  Albany,  S.,  100,  from  Newburg,  W.,  12,  and  from 
Coshen,  NE.,  10  miles.  Pop.  4,100.  A  tamarac  swamp  near  Mont- 
gomery village,  is  noted  as  a  spot  in  which  the  bones  of  the  mam- 
moth were  first  discovered  in  this  state.  Montgomery  village,  in- 
corporated in  1810.  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Wallkill,  on  the  New- 
burg and  Cohecton  turnpike,  and  having  the  relative  distances  above 
stated,  contains  about  160  dwellings,  2  or  3  churches,  an  academy, 
and  a  seminary  for  young  ladies.  Walden  is  a  largo  manufacturing 
village  on  the  Wallkill,  12  miles  NW.  from  Newburg,  14  NE.  from 
Ct)shen,  and  4  from  Montgomery,  at  the  falls  of  the  river,  where 
there  is  great  hydraulic  power. 

Mount  Hupk,  originally  named  Calhoun,  and  taken  from  Wallkill, 
Minisink,  and  Deer  Park,  in  1825;  from  Albany,  SW.,  121  miles. 
Mount  Hope,  12  miles  NW.  from  Goshen,  Finchville  15,  and  Otisvillc 
14,  are  small  villages.     Pop.  1,505. 


*  The  late  Lieutenant  Timothy  Mix,  who  died  at  New  Ilavcn,  Conn.,  in  1824,  was  one 
of  the  defenders  of  Fort  Montgomery.  While  in  the  act  of  firing  a  piece,  his  rght  hand 
was  carried  away  by  a  shot.  Instantly  seizing  the  match  with  his  left,  he  touched  o(f  the 
cannon ;  hy  which  diaehargs  it  is  said  forty  of  ike  snsmy  were  killed. 


424 


ORANGE   COUNTY. 


Newburg  was  organized  in  1788.  The  township  has  a  hilly  and 
broken  surface,  and  a  good  soil,  much  of  which  is  under  high  culti- 
vation.    Pop.  S.O.SS.  ^ 


South  View  of  Newburg. 


Newburg,  the  half-shire  village  of  Orange  county,  was  originally 
set  led  by  the  Palatines  from  Germany  in  1708 :  it  was  incorporated 
m  1800.    It  lies  upon  the  steep  acclivity  of  a  hill  rising  li-om  the 


Washington's  Head-quarters,  Newburg. 

river  to  the  height  of  about  300  feet.  Being  thus  situated,  the  village 
makes  a  fine  appearance  when  seen  from  the  river.  The  river  mar- 
gin, about  600  feet  wide,  affords  space  for  convenient  quays  and 
docks.  A  large  business  centres  here  from  the  neighboring  counties. 
1  here  are  3  banks,  3  newspaper  printing  offices,  an  incorporated 
academy,  8  churches,  and  about  800  dwellings.  The  village  is  84 
miles  from  Albany,  Gl  from  New  York,  8  from  West  Point,  10  from 
loughkcepsie,  and  30  miles  from  Goshen,  the  other  half-shire  town. 


ORANGE   COUNTY. 


425 


_, 


From  the  upper  terrace  of  the  village  there  is  a  fine  prospect  to  the 
S.  of  West  Point,  the  Crow's  Nest,  Butter  Hill,  and  the  two  Beacon 
mountains  ;  on  the  SE.  Pollopel's  Island ;  on  the  E.  the  picturesque 
valleys  of  the  Matteawan  and  Wappinger's  creeks,  and  the  village  of 
Fiskhill  Landing. 

The  preceding  is  a  northern  view  of  the  old  stone  house  in  the  south 
part  of  Newburg  village,  formerly  the  quarters  of  Washington  when 
the  American  army  were  in  cantonment  in  the  vicinity,  at  the  close 
of  the  revolutionary  war.  In  the  spring  of  1783,  when  the  troops  were 
about  to  be  disbanded  without  their  pay,  there  was  great  discontent 
among  them.  At  this  time  an  anonymous  letter  was  addressed  to 
the  officers,  artfully  calculated  to  excite  passion.  It  was  dated  March 
10th,  1783.  It  was  subsequently  ascertained,  (says  Mr.  Dunlap,)  to 
have  been  written  by  Major  Armstrong,  afterward  secretary  of  war. 

"  The  author  assumes  the  character  of  a  veteran  who  had  suffered  with  those  he  ad- 
dressed. He  tells  them  that  to  be  tame  in  their  present  situation  would  be  more  than 
weakness,  and  must  ruin  them  forever.  He  bids  them  '  suspect  the  man  who  would  advise 
to  more  moderation,  and  longer  forbearance.'  He  then  describes  the  high  state  in  which 
the  country  has  been  placed  by  their  services.  And  says, '  does  this  country  reward  you 
with  tears  of  gratitude  and  smiles  of  admiration,  or  does  she  trample  on  your  rights,  disdain 
your  cries,  and  insult  your  distresses  V  He  advised  them  to  carry  their  appeal  from  tho 
justice,  to  tho  fears  of  government.  'Assume  a  bolder  tone — say,  that  tho  slightest  indig- 
nity from  congress  now  must  operate  like  tho  grave,  and  part  you  from  them  forever.' 
That  if  peace  takes  place, '  nothing  shall  separate  you  from  your  anna  but  death  :  if  war 
continues,  that  you  will  retire  to  some  unsettled  country,  with  Washington  at  your  head, 
and  mock  at  the  distresses  of  government.'  The  insidious  expression  of '  courting  the  aus- 
pices, and  inviting  the  direction  of  their  illustrious  leader,'  was  calculated  to  make  the 
army  believe  that  Washington  would  join  them  in  rebellion  against  his  country,  and  was 
certainly  a  bold  artifice,  coming,  as  it  did,  from  one  in  constant  correspondence  with  Gene- 
ral Gates,  and  attached  to  him  both  by  inclination  and  office. 

"  The  commander-in-chief  noticed  the  anonymous  address  in  orders,  with  pointed  disap- 
probation, and  requested  that  the  general  and  field  officers,  with  a  proper  representation 
from  the  staff  of  the  army,  would  assemble  on  the  15th  mstant,  to  hear  the  report  of  the 
committee  deputed  by  the  army  to  congress.  This  request  was  seized  upon,  and  repre- 
sented in  a  second  paper  as  giving  sanction  to  the  proceedings  of  the  officers,  and  they 
were  called  upon  to  act  with  energy.  On  the  15th  of  March,  the  commander-in-chief  ad- 
dressed  the  convention  of  officers,  (General  Gates  being  the  chairman,)  in  the  language  of 
truth,  feeling,  and  affection.  He  overthrew  all  the  artifices  of  the  anonymous  writer  and 
his  friends,  one  of  the  principal  of  whom  sat  in  the  chair.  Washington  noticed  the  advice 
to  mark  for  »uipicion  the  man  vaho  thould  recommend  moderation.  He  feelingly  spoke  of 
his  own  constant  attention,  from  the  commencement  of  the  war,  to  the  wants  and  suffer, 
ings  of  tlie  army,  and  then  pointed  out  the  dreadful  consequences  of  following  tho  advice 
of  the  anonymous  writer,  either  to  draw  their  swords  against  their  country,  or  retire,  if 
war  continues,  from  the  defence  of  all  they  hold  dear.  lie  calls  to  mind  the  scenes  in  which 
they  had  acted  together,  ond  pledges  himself  to  the  utmost  exertion  for  obtaining  justice  to 
his  fellows  in  arms.  He  requests  them  to  rely  on  the  promise  of  congress.  Ho  said,  '  I 
coiyure  you,  in  the  name  of  our  common  country,  as  you  value  your  own  sacred  honor,  as 
you  respect  the  rights  of  humanity,  to  express  your  utmost  horror  and  detestation  of  the'man 
who  wishes,  under  any  specious  pretences,  to  overturn  the  liberties  of  your  coimtry  ;  and 
who  wickedly  attempts  to  open  the  floodgates  of  civil  discord,  and  deluge  our  rising  empire 
in  blood." 

"  The  convention  resolved,  unanimously,  among  other  things,  that  '  the  anny  have  un. 
shaken  confidence  in  congress,  and  view  with  abhorrence,  and  reject  with  disdain,  the  in. 
famous  propositions  contained  in  a  late  anonymous  address  to  tho  officers  of  the  army.' " — 
Dunlap's  Hist,  of  New  York, 

New  WiNnsoR  was  organized  in  1788.  It  has  an  uneven  surface, 
generally  fertile  and  well  cultivated.  Pop.  2,482.  The  village  of  New 
Windsor,  said  to  be  the  oldest  village  in  the  county,  is  situated  about 

54 


436 


ORANGE   COUNTY. 


2  miles  south  from  Newburg,  and  lies  at  the  confluence  of  Cham- 
bers' creek  with  the  Hudson.  The  head-quarters  of  Washington  was 
for  a  time  here,  in  an  humble  Dutch-like  mansion. 


Birthplace  cf  De  Witt  Clinton,  New  Windsor. 

"Dk  Wjtt  Clinton  waa  bom  in  the  village  of  New  Windsor,  March  2d,  17G9.  His 
patornal  ancestors  were  of  Norinnn  origin.  His  grandfather,  Mr.  Charles  Clinton,  at 
the  head  of  a  company  of  aesociau, ,  -imigrated  from  Ireland  in  1721),  and  settled  in  this 
town.  His  father,  Geiural  James  (Jlmton,  was  a  bravo  and  useful  officer  in  the  French 
and  Indian  wars,  and  in  the  revolutionary  struggle.  A  short  time  previous  to  the  revolu. 
tion  ho  married  Miss  Mnry  Do  Witt,  a  lady  of  Dutch  descent.  Tlie  fruitof  this  union  were 
four  sons,  o)  whom  Do  Wilt  was  the  second.  His  early  education  was  intmstcd  to  the  care 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Moffat,  the  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Little  Britain.  At  the  ago 
of  thirteen  ho  was  transferred  to  an  academy  at  Kingston,  then  conducted  by  Mr.  John 
Addiaon.     Here  he  roinuined  two  years,  when  he  entered  the  junior  class  of  Columbia  col. 


<z 


'y^rt^tz^ 


Fac^mile  of  De  ^Vitt  Clinton'a  signature, 

lege.  At  this  institution  Ite  distinguished  himself  as  a  scholar,  and  closed  his  academic  ca- 
re.^r  in  1786,  when  ho  received  the  usual  degree  of  bachelor  of  arts,  taking,  at  the  com- 
mcncemcnt,  Uic  highest  honor  which  the  institution  could  bestow.  He  thereupon  com- 
mcnccd  the  study  of  the  law  under  Samuel  Jones,  Esq.,  a  celebrated  counsellor.  After  re- 
cciving  the  usual  licences  or  degrees  in  his  profession,  he  was  abruptly  called  from  the  fur. 
ther  cultivation  of  the  pursuit  by  circumstances  arising  from  the  situation  of  political  affairs 
m  the  state.  «•  The  germs  of  the  two  great  parties  which  have  since  divided  the  country, 
wore  at  that  time  beginning  to  appear.  His  uncle,  Oeorgo  Clinton,  then  governor  of  the 
state,  was  assailed  by  a  combination  of  almost  all  the  talents  of  that  section  of  the  country, 
and  pamphlets  and  newspaper  essays  were  jioured  upon  the  public  with  mirestrained  pro- 
lusion.  Mr.  Clinton,  relinquishing  every  other  pursuit,  entered  warmly  and  exclusively  into 
the  vindication  of  the  conduct  and  principles  of  his  uncle  ;  and  it  is  believed  that  tho 
greater  part  of  the  controveraial  politics  on  the  anti.federal  or  democratic  side  was  man- 
aged  by  him  during  this  period  of  turbulence.  He  continued  with  his  uncle  as  his  secrets, 
ry  (luring  his  administration,  which  ended  in  1795.  Mr.  Clinton  had  been  honored  while 
with  his  uncle  with  the  office  of  secretary  of  the  University,  and  of  the  Hoard  of  Fortifica- 
tions  of  New  York.  Upon  the  retirement  of  the  governor  he  also  withdrew  from  public 
lilo.  But  his  efforts  as  an  individual,  in  rallying  and  supporting  the  party  of  which  iit, 
might  then  have  been  considered  the  leader,  were  not  for  u  moment  remitted.  To  do  shi? 
with  eflect,  however,  it  seemed  necessary  that  ho  should  bo  placed  in  a  public  staUon ;  md 
accordingly,  in  1798,  he  was  elected  a  momtier  of  the  assembly  from  the  city  o(  New  V.  >k, 
and  in  1800  was  chosen  a  tcnsior  from  th'i  nouthern  diitrict,  and  a  member  of  tht  .(.nncii 


ORANGE   COUNTY. 


437 


of  appointment    Prom  the  Benato  of  thii  itate,  by  a  joint  ballot  of  both  branchee  of  the 
legislature,  he  waa  elected  to  a  seat  in  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  where  he  took  an 
active  interest  in  the  concerns  of  the  country,  in  relation  to  the  differences  then  exisung 
with  the  Spanish  authorities  at  Now  Orleans.    His  continuance  ir  that  aiigust  body,  how. 
ever,  was  short,  en  on  receiving  the  appointment  of  mayor  of  New  York  in  October,  180J, 
it  became  necessary  that  ho  eliould  resign  it,  the  duties  of  the  two  offices  being  by  law  m- 
compatible.    This  office  lie  held  by  successive  appointment,  with  the  exception  "'  'weiiiy. 
two  months,  until  1815.    Notwithstanding  the  political  change  in  the  state  in  1813,  such 
was  tlie  public  confidence  in  iiim,  that  iie  was  continued  in  office  during  the  oxciiing  pc- 
riod  of  the  late  war.    When  President  Madison  received  a  nomination  for  a  second  term, 
Clinton  was  put  in  opposition,  and  received  89  electoral  votes;  while  Madison  was  elected 
by  128.    Clinton  early  became  a  strong  partisan  in  favor  of  the  Erie  canal,  and  it  la  owing 
to  the  bold  stand  which  he  took  in  favor  of  this  great  enterprise  that  his  populanty  in  a 
measure  was  owing.    In  the  summer  of  1810,  he  went  on  a  tour  with  other  commissionera 
for  exploring  the  route  of  this  work.    ThU  country  was  then  comparatively  a  wildomcse, 
ntid  there  was  not  a  house  where  the  city  of  Rochester  now  stands.    In  the  spring  ot 
lei.'Jlio  was  superseded  in  his  otHue  of  mayor,  and  deprived  of  all  his  public  employmento 
except  that  of  canal  commissioner.    In  1817,  he  was  elected  governor  o»  the  state,  which 
station  he  held  until  tlie  commencement  of  the  year  1823.    In  the  autumn  of  1822,  he  dc. 
clined  another  nomination,  and  returned  to  the  pursuits  of  private  lite,  holding  only  the 
office  of  canal  coimnissionor;  from  which  he  was  removed  in  the  spring  ot  18.i4  by  on 
overwhehning  vote  of  the  legislature.    At  the  time  of  this  vole,  he  had  for  fourteen  years 
been  steadily  engaged  in  promoting  the  cause  of  the  internal  navigation  of  the  state,  and 
whether  in  or  out  of  office,  had  received  no  compensation  for  these  services.    The  news  oj 
his  removal  had  no  sooner  reached  the  principal  towns  in  the  state,  than  large  meetings 
were  held  to  express  the  popular  indignation  at  this  measure.    In  the  city  of  Now  York, 
not  less  than  10,000  persons  assembled  at  the  call,  among  whom  were  some  of  his  strong 
political  opponents.     The  conaociuence  was,  that  the  people  rebuked  this  vote  in  a  most 
emphatic  manner  six  montlis  afterward  by  clecdng  him  their  governor,  and  by  the  largest 
iimiority  ever  previously  known  in  the  state,  in  a  contested  election ;  which  office  he  held 
until  his  death.    When  the  success  of  the  canal  policy  was  made  apparent,  other  states 
eagerly  embarked  in  similar  enterprises,  and  ho  was  invited  to  visit  Pennsylvania  and  Uliio, 
to  give  tlie  aid  of  his  high  authority  to  their  projecU  of  internal  improvement.     When  the 
canal  connecting  the  Ohio  with  Lake  Erie  was  commenced,  to  him  was  assigned  the  com- 
pliment  of  removing  the  first  earth  of  the  excavation.     His  journey  through  that  state,  like 
the  progress  of  Lafayette,  was  one  continued  triumph.    His  popularity  extended  to  all 
classes.     The  merchants  of  New  York  of  all  political  parties,  grateful  for  his  exertions  in 
behalf  of  the  canal,  and  sensible  of  its  influence  upon  their  prosperity,  presented  him  with 
two  large  and  rich  silver  vases.     De  Witt  Clinton  died  suddenly  on  the  11th  of  I-ebruary, 
1828  aired  59  years.    This  event  cast  a  gloom  throughout  the  state,  and  in  puttlic  meeu 
ings  Expressions  were  sent  forth  of  heartfelt  sorrow.    Although  placed  in  circumstances 
where  most  men  would  have  accumulated  unbounded  nches,  he  manifested  an  utter  indit- 
ference  to  money,  and  died  in  honorable  poverty.    Even  the  plate  presented  to  him  by  the 
merchants  of  New  York  was  exposed  to  sale  after  his  death.  .,,,.. 

"  Clinton  was  possessed  of  the  sterner  virtues,  and  would  not  sacrifice  feeling  to  princi- 
pie.  Although  a  prominent  mason,  his  stand  in  relation  to  the  abduction  of  Morgan  is  in 
character.  "The  sheriff  of  one  of  the  frontier  counties  was  accused  of  participation  m 
this  abduction.  The  governor  forthwith  propounded  a  series  of  written  interrogatones  re- 
a  vc  to  his  agency  in  the  transaction,  and  on  his  refusal  to  answer,  issued  a  pruclamat.on 
removing  him  from  office.    This  person,  it  is  to  be  recollected,  was  his  steadfast  fnend  and 

political  supporter;  but  he  would  not  allow  any  P«="°rl 'T'^"Thn '."nir'ttT,^ 
he  public  >  terest.  In  an  interview  which  the  removed  sheriff  sought,  he  »'»''»..  °'f°"f,,'» 
is  m'y  attaclunent  to  you,  I  will,  if  you  are  guilty,  exert  myself  to  have  V""  P^^J^J '"'J" 
extent  of  the  laws.'  To  which  the  trembling  culpnt  replied  in  faltering  "'"«»|.' f  ^^''^^J^^ 
nothing  worthy  of  chains  or  death.'  Unlike  most  ^m^ncan  statesmen,  Clinton  w^^^^^^ 
voted  to  literary  and  scientific  pursuits,  and  was  an  efficient  patron  of  learning.  His  wri- 
tings  place  him  high  in  the  ranks  of  science.  „..„,V,na 

"Clinton's  person,  in  his  youth  and  early  manhood,  was  remarkable  for  its  masculine 
beauty,  and  m  years  advanced  assumed  a  majestic  character.  His  stature  wn*  upwards  of 
six  feet,  straight  and  finely  proportioned.  His  eyes  were  a  ^f  "^^ ''f^^j'  'P^.'S^^^ 
black,  and  highly  expressive ;  his  hair  brown ;  his  complexion  clear,  and  more  florid  than 
Sal  among^Ainerimms;  his  teelh  fine,  giving  a  peculiar  grace  to  his  -'  « >  J^ ;»"" 
sligliily  aquiiino.  HIh  habits  of  reflection  and  close  study  wore  marked  in  the  o^mj^' 
prLioii  of  his  comiteuance.  which,  controUcd  at  an  eariy  period  of  Ins  Ufo  to  the  gmviiy 


428 


ORANGE   COUNTY. 


•olid  and  permanent  advantage  to  pSty.'"  °  ""^  present  generation,  and  of 

dle^wnTmilp?NW  V''  ^?.^\'  ^'■^■'^  ^'^^"^  S.  100  miles.     Mid- 
New  York  Tn^P  •       fr'"i^°«h,«n,  is  a  very  thriving  village  on  the 
PhT   K       ^^  Erie  railroad,  and  contains  about  80  or  100  dwellings. 
Ph  hpsburg  on  the  Wallkill,  4  miles  NW.  from  Goshen,  at  thL  ouT 
mentl    Por4  268     ''   '"'^  ^cotchtown,  6  miles  N.,  ar^  smaH  seuil 

NZYTrkV'ir^''f  '"r.^^^u'  ^'■°'"  ^'^'-^"y  SW.  110,  and  from 

"drowned  lLf»*Th'  .^"  ^^"  T^^"^"  ^°'-^^'-  "«  ^  ^'^^^^  ^^  ^he 
drowned  lands.  *  The  famous  "Sterling  iron  works"  have  been  in 

E?W  Tnf  FH  Vr^'     "^fr^^'  ^™^y'  Florida  bS" 
%J  7n  '  ^^^  Edenville  are  small  villages.     Pop.  5,113. 
itie  lollowing  extract  from  a  newspaper  printed  April  28th  1779 
will  serve  to  show  the  ferocity  of  civil  war :  ^  ' 

number,  the  principal  of  whom  wifpi.U, ?«T''',  ^  "  P""-''  °^  ^"'"'"^  ^^^  »'  «*  *" 
us  Smith,  of  infanrus  memo.^   hZ  R  chard  Sm.th.  oldest  survving  son  of  the  late  Claudi- 

company  with  83  oXr^l'ln^nt  1  '"""/'^  ''"'"  '''°'  ''^'  '^U  «'  Smith's  cove,  in 
them'  These  WooTy  mrscrea^te  k  sPPm^Th'."^-  r'"""'  "5  ^'''''''  «""'  °"' '"  ««»«=»•  °f 
shown  some  activity  atTresoktton  nTn„  h  T**'  '"u""''^*^  !?  '""'''«^  '^^  ">«"  «''"  had 
fested  the  neighborhood    '^'°'""°"  '"  apprehend.ng  these  robbers  and  murderers  who  in- 

fro7K":::d\ren'lo^"him- L^d'n".  ^""'''  "*"  "'^  ''°"-"°*«'  ^''"•"  'hey  dragged 
saying  'Ae  «  Jtllrf  "^Ja  ™/.  shot  himTh'rnll'l '''""'""'  "^  "*)  *"  '"'"•  ""«  "f^^-" 
lived  some  hourB  after,  and  lave  an  acoLZf  ,h  "f  ""  """^T'u"'  ^''•'  """^ '«'"'  f"™-  «« 

to  the  house  of .'  wKa„W  «nm«  n  •   ^t"  ""'"f'  ?"''  ''•'Savior.    They  then  went 

on  his  defence,  with  h  s  gun  and  bavor* %. T  ^'*'  """'"  '"  TJP"'^^^  S"*  up  and  stood 
burst  open  the  doo  butl^ein^  him'^«taH-^i  v  "  •"'"""'  °'  ^''  ""'"  '"»  c«Wn.  They 
proper  to  march  off    TKifo^i™  Xinned  t'cZLrjl^t^'  '"  ^"'"'  ""'^  '^""«'^' 

A  WARNING  TO  THE  REBELS. 

cnlS^asTou^tfflius  SmX'  fi'°  ^'''''  from  hanging  any  more  friends  to  gov- 
FluelHng.  and  William  CoLf  well  In7 olTrZ^fT ■'"''''''%  ^ '''''' ^'^^^''^''^''' 
to  hang  six  for  one,  for  the  blood  of  th«  iZ!  .  •  "^  """f  I-™"''  ^°'  ^^  """^  detennined 
friend  Capt.  Williams  and  his  crew  of  rnM  "'  T'  "'.""'^  ^"^  ^^'^eemcc.  Your  noted 
and  the  bbod  of  ClaudSs  Smi  L  Thai  be  renaid  Tht''"  "'  ^"^  ''' '"  ""^  P°"«'' 
that  belong  to  Col.  Butler's  armv    Ind  am,  /«Tii  u"'^  "^  particular  companies  of  us 

from  New  York,  that  a  e  resolved  to  be  ave^TJn  "'  ""T  "•""•  and  particularly  numbers 
are  to  remind  you  that  you  are  'he  berinne«^«  h""  ^''"  '^'  ''?'  f '"^"y  ""''  """-d^r-  We 
and  bloody  actions  youZve  us  to  i^^Th  s  is  ,Je  frTZT'  ^"^  ^T'  ''•''""J  "PP^^^^i^n^ 
on  your  heads  and  leade.  to  the  la^t-S^  to'r^t-  arrJuX',";.'  '°  P"'^"'' " 

rich  vegetable  mould,  which  produces  ffoodrm^.f^  "^""i'^'  ^'V^^  '"^^«  "  ''^''P  «"''  °f 
and  valuable.  The  tracrso  called  ! v. nn?l.  T  "^''*":'P'  '»"'»  «r«  f""nd  to  be  productive 
10  miles,  being  from  3  ^5  m  Kn  Sf       ''"^"^  "'""^  "''^'  '^'^'  «'"  ">"  '''«''''  "l^^"' 


iiftMnriniiiiriifiiiiiiim 


ORLEANS   COUNTY. 


439 


ORLEANS  COUNTY. 

Orleans  county  was  taken  from  Genesee  in  1824.  Itis  24  miles  long 
E.  and  W.,  and  18  miles  broad  N.  and  S.  It  is  centrally  distant  from 
Albany  257,  and  from  New  York  302  miles.  The  summit  of  the 
mountain  ridge  extends  across  the  county  at  an  elevation  of  about 
340  feet  above  Lake  Ontario.  Parallel  with  this,  on  the  alluvial  way, 
runs  the  ridge  road.  With  these  exceptions,  the  face  of  the  country 
is  generally  level.  The  soil,  mostly  clay  and  argillaceous  loam,  is 
highly  fertile.  Grain  is  raised  in  considerable  quantities.  The  Erie 
canal  passes  centrally  through  the  county.  The  whole  county  was 
included  in  the  grant  to  Massachusetts.  The  towns  of  Barre,  Carl- 
ton, Gaines,  Ridgeway,  Shelby,  and  Yates,  belonged  to  the  Holland 
Land  Company ;  whilst  Murray,  Clarendon,  and  Kendall,  belonged 
to  the  Pulteney  estate.  The  county  was  chiefly  settled  by  New  Eng- 
enders, and  is  divided  into  9  towns.     Pop.  24,995. 


View  of  the  public  buildings  in  Albion. 

Barre,  taken  from  Gaines  in  1818;  from  Albany  260  miles.  Al- 
bion, founded  in  1823  by  Nehemiah  Ingersoll  and  George  btandart, 
Jr.,  the  county  seat  of  justice,  incorporated  in  1828,  lies  near  the 
centre  of  the  county  upon  the  Erie  canal ;  from  Albany,  by  the  canal, 
305,  from  Rochester  35,  from  Buffalo  58,  from  Lockport  28  miles.  1  he 
annexed  view  was  taken  from  the  door  of  the  Baptist  church.  Ihe 
lirst  building  on  the  right,  a  large  brick  structure,  is  the  Albion  i-e- 
male  Seminary  ;*  the  small  building  in  the  centre  of  the  engraving, 

*Underth^  chnrfro  of  Mrs.  Csroline  Achilles  and  Miss  Sophronia  Thipps,  principaU,  and 
numbering  about  two  hundred  pupils. 


430 


ORLEANS   CODNTY. 


IS  the  county  clerk's  office.  The  building  with  a  cupola  is  the  court- 
house,  and  the  one  par'  lly  seen  in  the  rear,  the  jail.  There  are  in 
the  village  1  Presbyteaiui,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Methodist  church,  the 
Orleans  county  bank,  2  weekly  newspaper  offices,  and  about  220 
dwellings,  many  of  them  I;  ■:,:,  -.-ai,  nd  commodious.  The  sur- 
rounding  country*  abounds  •.  ;ruit.  8r,uth  Barre,  6  miles,  and  Barre 
centre,  3  miles  b.  of  AIoicii,  are  ootli  small  villages.     Pop.  5,499. 

Carlton,  originally  named  Oak  Orchard,  and  taken  from  Gaines 
and  Ridgeway  in  1822  ;  from  Albany  265,  from  Albion  centrally  dis- 
tant J\  8  miles.  Carlton  is  a  small  post  village,  and  West  Carlton  a 
post-office.     Pop.  2,242. 

Clarendon,  taken  from  Sweden  in  1821 ;  from  .Alb'-^y  251  miles. 
CJarendon  is  a  small  village  9  miles  SE.  fr.,.n  Albion.  Pop.  i.'.261. 
trAiNEs,  taken  from  Ridgeway  in  1816;  jounds  since  altered  ;  f-rom 
Albany  260  miles.  Pop.  2,431.  Gaines,  3  miles  NW.  from  Albion, 
mcorporated  m  1 832,  has  about  60  dwellings.  Eagle  Harbor,  3  miles 
west  of  Albion,  and  Gaines  Basin,  U  miles  north,  both  on  the  canal, 
are  small  villajj^es.  Fairhaven  is  2i  miles  north  of  Albion.  West 
Gaines  is  a  post-office. 

Kendall,  the  NE.  corner  town,  was  recently  formed  from  Murray ; 
centrally  distant  NE.  from  Albion  10  miles.     Pop.  1,682. 

0  p?o  "'^  u'  }^^^^  ^^""^  ^^*^^  '"  ^®^®  5  fro"!  Albany  245  miles.  Pop. 
-J,b78.  Holley,  10  miles  east  of  Albion  and  25  west  of  Rochester, 
was  founded  m  1823  by  Elisha  Johnson.  It  has  about  350  inhabitants. 
A  short  distance  east  of  the  village  is  the  Holley  embankment,  one 
AT  *u  fr^**^«^  ^n  the  Erie  canal,  elevated  76  feet  above  the  creek. 
J\orth  Murray,  fecio,  and  Sandy  Creek,  are  small  villages. 

KiDGEWAY,  taken  from  Batavia  in  1812  ;  bounds  since  much  alter- 
ed ;  from  Albany  267  miles.  Pop.  3,257.  Medina,  situated  in  a 
nourishing  country  on  the  canal,  incorporated  in  1832,  10  miles  west 
ot  Albion,  IS  a  thriving  place.     There  are  here  1  Baptist,  1  Metho- 

1  nnn  u  1^^*^"^'  ^  ^i^copal,  and  1  Catholic  church,  and  about 
i,OUO  mhabitants.  A  railroad  connects  this  place  with  Richfield, 
A  lu*^  I  '^l''«'  Knowlesville  village,  on  the  canal,  6  miles  west  of 
Albion,  has  1  Presbyterian,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Baptist  church,  and 
about  80  or  100  dwellings.  Oak  Orchard,  9  miles  NW.  from  Albion, 
and  Ridgeway  Corners,  13  miles  NW.  from  Albion,  arc  small  villages. 
Fir"^';"Vn    ?o^''''?  ?;i^,g«way  in  1818;  from  Albany  200  mUes. 

^"^",f  ■^'"''  ^^  '"/''^^  ^^^  ^'^'''^>''«  B'-^^^i"'  «n  the  canal  13  miles  W., 
and  Millvillo,  10  miles  SW.  from  Albion,  are  .mall  villages.     Pop. 

iaJo'''"r^'^"?'u''"y  """"^"^  Northton,  and  taken  from  Ridgeway  in 
1822;  froni  Albany  270jniles.  Lindon,  14  miles  EVW.  from  Albion, 
ana  yatcs  Centre,  are  small  villages.    Pop.  2,248. 


OBWEOO   COUNTY. 


431 


OSWEGO  COUNTY. 

Oswego  county  was  taken  from  Oneida  and  Onondn<Ta  counties  in 
1816  ;  centrally  distant  from  New  York  NW.  295,  and  from  Albany 
150  miles.  Greatest  length  E.  and  W.  37  miles, greatest  breadth  N.  and 
S.  30  miles.  The  surface  is  level  upon  the  west,  south,  and  southeast ; 
in  the  interior  rolling,  and  in  the  north  rising  into  hills.  The  soil 
generally  is  of  a  medium  quality,  some  of  it  highly  fertile,  better 
adapted  to  grass  than  grain.  With  the  exception  of  the  08W(;go 
river,  there  are  no  large  streams.  "  The  towns  west  of  the  Oswego 
river  constituted  a  part  of  the  military  tract.  The  tfiwns  east  of 
the  river  constitute  a  part  of  '  Scriba's  patent.'  These  lands  were 
originally  granted  to  Nicholas  Roosevelt,  of  New  York,  who  not 
complying  with  the  terms  of  sale,  they  were  sold  to  George  Scriba, 
a  native  of  Germany,  and  at  that  time  a  merchant  in  New  York. 
The  town  of  Richland,  a  large  part  of  Volney,  about  one  half  of 
Scriba,  and  the  town  of  Vienna,  in  the  county  of  Oneida,  upon  a  sale 
of  part  of  Mr.  Roosevelt's  interest  by  process  from  chancery,  were 
jointly  purchased  by  Gen.  Alexander  Hamilton,  John  Lawrence,  and 
John  B.  Church."     The  county  has  20  towns.     Pop.  43,820. 

Albion,  taken  from  Richland  in  1825;  from  Albany  150,  centrally 
distant  from  Pulaski  SE.  8  miles.  Sandbank,  Salmon,  and  Spruce 
are  post-offices.     Pop.  1,499. 

Amboy,  taken  from  Williamstown  in  1830  ;  from  Albany  130,  from 
Pulaski  centrally  distant  SE.  22  miles.  Amboy  is  a  small  post  vil- 
lage.    Pop.  1,084. 

BoYLSTON,  taken  from  Orwell  in  1828 ;  from  Albany  140,  from 
Pulaski  NE  10  miles.  Pop.  481.  The  greater  part  of  the  town  is 
still  covered  with  a  forest. 

CoNSTANTiA,  taken  from  Mexico  in  1808  ;  from  Albany  145  mUcs. 
Pop.  1,494.  Constantia  or  Rotterdam,  on  the  Oneida  lake,  36  miles 
E.  from  Oswego,  has  about  30  dwellings.  Here  is  one  of  the  most 
extensive  iron  foundries  in  the  state.  Cleaveland  village  has  about 
25  dwellings. 

Granby,  taken  from  Hannibal  in  1818  ;  from  Albany  W.  158,  cen- 
trally distant  from  Oswego  S.  12  miles.  Pop.  2,386.  Phillips  vd- 
lage  is  a  small  settlement  on  the  Oswego  river  at  the  Oswego  Falls, 
which  are  800  feet  in  width,  and  can  be  made  to  furnish  great  hy- 
draulic power.     Six  Mih  Creek  is  a  post-office. 

Hannibal,  originally  aken  from  Lysander  as  part  of  Onondaga 
county  in  1806 ;  from  Albany  168  miles.  Pop.  2,275.  Hannibal- 
villc,  11  miles  S.  of  Oswego,  and  Kinney's  Corners,  6  miles  from  Os- 
wego, are  small  villages. 

Hastings,  taken  from  Constantia  in  1825;  from  Albany  150,  cen- 
trally distant  from  Pulaski  S.  17  miles.  Pop.  1,989.  Opposite  to 
Brewerton  village,  at  the  head  of  Oneida  river,  are  the  remains  oi  I'ort 
Brewerton.    Central  Square  and  Hastings  are  post-offices. 


/ 


432 


OSWEGO   COUNTY. 


Mrxico,  originally  taken  from  Whitostown,  and  organized  as  part 
of  Herkimer  county  in  1792;  from  Albany  154  miles.  Top.  3,7»!K 
Mexico  village,  10  miles  S.  from  Tulaski,  16  from  Oswego,  has  about 
70  or  80  dwellings,  and  an  academy — 1  I'rcsbyterian,  1  Baptist,  and 
1  Methodist  church.  Prattsviile  U  miles,  Colosse  10,  and  Ufiion 
Square  8  from  Pulaski,  are  small  settlements. 

New  Haven,  taken  from  Mexico  in  1813  ;  from  Albany  1.57  miles. 
Pop.  1,73.').  New  Haven,  10  miles  E.  from  Oswego,  and  12  8W. 
from  Pulaski,  has  about  20  dwellings.     Butterfly  is  a  post-otlicc. 

Orwell,  taken  from  Richland  in  1817  ;  from  Albany  130,  and  from 
Pulaski  centrally  distant  E.  9  miles.  Pop.  809.  The  falls  of  the 
Salmon  river  hero  arc  107  feet  perpendicular,  and  with  a  width  during 
freshets  of  2.50  feet.  Above  them  the  rocky  banks  rise  80  feet — be- 
low, 200  above  th(!  water. 

OswE(!o  was  taken  from  Hannibal  in  1818.  It  has  a  level  surface 
and  a  soil  of  sandy  loam.  Pop.  4,073.  Oswego  village,  post  and 
hali^shire  town,  port  of  entry  and  delivery  for  Oswego  district,  is  4.'> 
miles  W.  from  Sacketts  harbor,  60  from  Kingston,  Upper  (Canada, 

00  from  the  mouth  of  Genesee  river,  140  from  the  mouth  of  Niagara 
river,  and  150  from  Toronto  in  a  straight  line,  and  38  from  Syracuse 
on  the  Erie  canal.  The  village  lies  on  both  sides  of  the  Oswego  river, 
\yith  which  it  is  connected  by  a  bridge  700  feet  in  length.  The  por- 
tion on  the  eastern  side  is  within  the  limits  of  the  town  of  Scriba. 
The  facilities  which  its  situation  givos  for  commerce  and  manufactures 
are  great,  commanding  the  markets  of  the  lakes  and  the  St.  Law- 
rence river,  and  connected  with  the  interior  of  the  state  by  the 
Oswego  and  Erie  canals.  The  water-power  afforded  by  the  canal* 
and  river  is  very  extensive,  and  upon  them  are  many  large  manufac- 
turing establishments.  The  harbor  is  formed  at  the  mouth  of  the 
river  by  a  pier  of  wood,  30  feet  broad,  filled  with  stone,  and  built  by  the 
general  governfnent,  extending  on  the  west  side  1,250  feet,  and  on  the 
east  250,  between  which  there  is  an  opening  for  vessels.  Within 
the  pier  the  water  is  from  10  to  20  feet  deep.  The  cost  of  this  work 
was  $93,000.  There  is  here  an  excellent  marine  railway  constructed 
at  considerable  expense.  The  village  is  laid  out  on  streets  100  feet 
wide,  running  at  right  angles.  The  courthouse  is  of  wood,  on  the 
cast  side  of  the  river.     There  is    also  1   Presbyterian,  1  Episcopal, 

1  Methodist,  1  Baptist,  1  Congregationalist,  and  1  Catholic  church, 
an  incorporated  academy,  the  Bank  of  Oswego,  capital  $150,000, 
the  Commercial  Bank  of  Oswego,  incorporated  in  1836,  capital 
$150,000,  and  about  600  dwellings. 

•  "  About  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  mouth  of  the  ri'cr  was  a  rapid,  oti  which  the 
state  has  erected  a  feeder  dam  seven  and  half  feet  high  tor  supplying  the  canal  with  water. 
On  tlie  east  side  of  the  stream,  the  Oswego  Canal  Company,  pursuant  to  agreement  with 
"•0  commonwealth,  have  a  riglit  to  the  full  use  of  the  waters  of  the  river  from  the  canal, 
and  have,  by  a  subaidiury  canal,  conducted  them  to  the  village,  where  they  have  a  full  of 
nineteen  feet.  Mr.  Abraham  Varick  has  constructed  on  the  west  side,  under  the  direction  of 
Mr.  John  McNair,  civil  engineer,  (183.5,)  on  the  margin  of  the  river,  a  woll  eighteen  feet 
nigh,  fonnmg  a  canal  along  the  bank  seven  feet  deep,  sixty-two  ftel  wide,  at  nii  estimated 
cost  ot  $75,000,  giving  also  u  fall  of  nineteen  feet  at  the  villuge."— OVrfon's  Gaz. 


I 


f 

I 


«1 

• 

wars 
1722 
enIa] 
thet 

OBWEQO   COUNTY. 


435 


**  The  fort  here  was  of  great  military  importance  during  the  colonial 
wars.  A  factory  was  established  by  the  New  York  government  m 
1722 ;  and  a  fort  erected  on  the  west  side  of  the  river  in  1727,  and 
enlarged  in  1755 ;  which,  with  Port  Ontario,  built  on  an  eminence  on 
the  east  in  the  latter  year,  were  on  the  14th  of  August,  1756,  reduced 
by  the  French,  under  Gen.  Montcalm."  The  following  acco  ,t  of 
the  investment  and  surrender  of  these  forts  is  taken  from  the  26th 
number  of  the  London  Magazine,  for  the  year  1757. 

"  The  works  at  Oswego  at  this  time  consisted  of  three  forts— viz,  the  old  fort  on  the  west 
side  of  the  river,  and  two  forts  on  the  east  side,  situated  on  two  eminwices,  which  latter 
were  commenced  the  year  previous,  and  wore  in  an  unfinished  state.    These  worJw  were 
very  weak,  and  the  walU  of  insufficient  strength  to  resist  heavy  artdlery.     Ihe  tngiisn 
reUed  for  a  defence  upon  having  a  superior  naval  force  upon  the  lake.    Unfortunately,  the 
naval  armament  at  that  time  fitting  out  was  incomplete.     On  the  6th  of  August,  Colonel 
Mercer,  commanding  officer  of  the  gptrison,  which  consisted  of  about  1,600  men,  having 
received  inteUigence  of  a  large  encampment  of  French  and  Indians  about  twelve  miles 
distant,  despatched  a  schooner  with  an  account  of  it  to  Capt.  Broadley,  who  was  then  on  a 
cruise  with  a  large  brigantine  and  two  sloops,  at  the  same  time  desiring  hm  to  sail  as  tar 
eastward  aa  he  could,  and  to  endeavor  to  prevent  the  approach  of  the  French  on  the  lake. 
The  next  day  a  violent  gale  of  wind  drove    "      wigantine  ashore  while  attempting  to  get 
into  the  harbor.    The  French  seized  this  op       aniiy  to  transport  their  heavy  cannon  within 
a  mile  and  a  half  of  the  fort,  which  he  wou.a  not  have  been  enabled  to  have  done  had  it 
not  been  for  this  disaster.    On  the  morning  of  the  llth,  some  canoes  were  seen  to  the 
eastward,  and  the  schooner  was  sent  out  to  mal  >  a  discovery  of  what  Uiey  were ;  she  was 
scarce  half  a  mile  distant  before  she  hoisted  a  jack  at  mast  head,  fired  a  gun  to  leeward, 
and  stood  in  again  for  the  harbor,  and  brought  inteUigence  that  they  had  discovered  t  very 
large  encampment,  close  round  the  opposite  point;  on  which  the  two  sloops,  (the  large 
briiantine  being  still  on  shore,)  were  sent  out  with  orders  if  possible  to  annoy  the  enemy. 
They  proceeded  to  within  gun.8hot  of  the  enemy's  camp,  when  Uiey  were  fired  upon  from 
a  battery  of  four  twelve  pounders.    This  fire  was  briskly  returned  from  both  \e8sels,  but  to 
no  purpose,  as  their  shot  fell  short  of  the  shore,  and  the  enemy's  cannon  being  large  and 
well  nianaged,  hulled  the  vessels  almost  every  shot.    After  firing  several  broadsides  the 

vessels  returned.  ...        ««    ■  r  r   _  10 

"  The  same  day  the  French  invested  the  place  with  about  32  pieces  of  cannon,  irora  U 
to  18  poMnders,  besides  several  large  brass  mortars  and  hoyets,  (among  which  artillery  was 
included  that  fktn  fi-om  Gen.  Braddock,)  and  about  5,000  men.  About  noon  they  began 
the  attack  of  Fort  Ontario  with  small-arms,  which  was  briskly  returned  with  small-arms 
and  8  „annon  of  that  fort,  and  shells  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  nver.  The  garrison  on 
the  west  side  of  the  river  was  this  day  employed  in  repairing  the  battery  on  thesouth  side 
of  the  old  fort.  That  night  the  enemy  we.e  engaged  in  approaching  Fort  Ontario,  and 
bringing  up  their  cannon  against  it.  On  the  13th,  the  enemy  renewed  their  fire  of  small, 
arms  on  Fort  Ontario,  which  was  briskly  returned.  The  .-arrison  on  the  west  side  were 
employed  as  the  day  previous.  r»  .    •       w  .    .1 

"  The  French  on  Ihe  east  side  co.ilinued  their  approaches  to  Fort  Ontario.  JMotwitli. 
standing  the  continued  fire  upon  the  enemy  and  the  death  of  Uieir  chief 'Engineer,  by  10 
o'clock  next  morning  they  opened  a  battery  of  cannon  within  60  yards  of  the  fort.  At  14 
o'clock.  Col.  Mercer  sent  the  garrison  word  to  destroy  their  cannon,  ammumlion,  and  pro. 
virions,  and  to  evacuate  the  fort.  About  3  P.  M.,  the  garrison,  consisting  of  about  370  men, 
effected  their  retreat  to  the  west  side  of  the  river  without  the  loss  of  a  man,  and  were  em- 
ploved  on  the  night  of  the  12th  in  completing  the  works  at  the  fort  at  the  West  hill.  t>r. 
this'  night  as  well  as  the  night  before,  parties  of  the  enemy's  irregulars  made  Severn!  unsuc 
cessful  attempts  to  surprise  the  advanced  guards  and  sentries  on  the  west  aide  of  the  nver. 
On  the  night  of  the  13th,  the  enemy  were  employed  en  the  east  side  of  the  nvtr  in  bnnging 
up  their  cannon  and  raising  a  battery  against  the  old  fort.  A  constant  fire  was  kep:  upon 
them  from  the  west  side.  The  cannon  which  most  annoyed  the  enemy  were  four  PJeces, 
which  were  reversed  on  the  platform  of  an  earthen  •I'ork  which  surrounded  the  old  fort, 
and  which  was  entirely  enfiladed  by  the  enemy's  battery  on  the  opposite  shore.  In  tnis 
situation,  without  the  least  cover,  the  train,  assisted  by  a  detachment  of  50  of  Shiriey's  regi. 
ment,  behaved  remarkably  well.  At  daybreak,  the  14th,  the  English  renewed  the  fi«  of 
their  cannon  on  that  part  of  the  shore  where  they  had  the  evening  previous  observed  the 
. .„ ..:_ u.>.....      Tu;.  »•.  »»i,r><ji<l  (rntn  n  hatturv  nf  ten  12  Doundors.     About 


436 


OSWEGO    COUNTV. 


9  A.  M.,  ;>,500  of  the  enemy  crossed  the  river  in  three  columns.  At  this  time  Lievt.  Col. 
Mercer  was  killed  by  a  cannon  ball.  About  10  o'clock,  the  enemy  had  in  readiness  .i  bat. 
tery  of  mortars.  All  the  places  of  defence  were  either  enfiladed  or  ruined  by  the  constant 
fire  of  the  enemy's  cannon ;  2,500  French  and  Indians  wore  in  the  rear  of  the  works  ready 
to  storm,  and  2,000  regulars  were  ready  to  land  in  front  under  cover  of  their  cannon.  At 
this  juncture.  Col.  Litttehales,  upon  whom  the  command  now  devolved,  called  a  council  of 
war,  who  were,  with  the  engineers,  unanimously  of  opinion,  that  the  works  were  no  longer 
tenable,  and  that  it  was  by  no  means  prudent  to  risk  a  storm  with  such  unequal  numbers. 
The  '  ehamade'  was  accordingly  ordered  to  be  beat.  The  soldiers  throughout  the  siege 
showed  great  bravery,  and  it  was  with  difficulty  that  they  could  now  be  restrained  from  con- 
tinuing their  resistance.  On  beating  the  *  ehamade,'  the  firing  ceased  on  both  sides,  and 
two  officers  were  sent  to  the  French  general,  to  know  upon  what  terms  he  would  accept  a 
surrender.  Upon  which  Montcalm  replied,  that  the  English  were  an  enemy  he  esteemed ; 
that  none  but  a  brave  nation  would  have  thought  of  defending  so  weak  a  place  so  long, 
against  such  a  strong  train  of  artillery  and  superior  numbers ;  that  th;y  might  expect  what, 
ever  terms  were  consistent  with  the  service  of  His  Most  Christian  Majesty ;  he  accordingly 
sent  the  following  proposals,  viz : — 

"  '  The  Marquis  of  Moncalm,  army  and  field  marshal,  commander-in-chief  of  His  Most 
Christian  Majesty's  troops,  is  ready  to  receive  a  capitulation  upon  the  most  honorable  con- 
ditions, surrendering  to  him  all  the  forts.  They  shall  be  shown  all  the  regard  the  politest 
nations  can  show ;  I  send  an  aid-de-camp  on  my  i><irt — viz.  Mens.  De  Bougainville,  captain 
of  dragoons;  they  need  only  send  the  capitulation  to  be  signed;  I  require  an  answer  by 
noon ;  I  have  kept  Mr.  Drake  for  an  hostage.  Montcalm. 

"' Aug.  U,  1756.'" 

"The  terms  required  by  the  English  were  honorably  granted. 
The  victors  immediately  dismantled  the  forts  and  carried  off  the  gar- 
rison, 121  pieces  of  cannon,  14  mortars,  great  quantities  of  ammuni- 
tion and  warlike  stores,  two  sloops  of  war,  and  200  boats  and  bat- 
teaux." 


West  view  of  Fort  Oswego. 

The  following  is  the  American  official  account  of  the  attack  upon 
this  place  during  the  late  war,  taken  from  a  ne\\spaper  published  at 
the  time.  Copy  of  a  letter  from  Maj.  Gen.  Brown  to  the  secretary 
of  war,  dated 

"//.  Q.,  Sacketts  Harbor,  May  12,  1814. 
"  StR, — Enclosed  is  an  abstract  from  the  report  of  Lieut.  Col.  Mitchell,  of  the  aflair  at 
Oswego.  Being  well  satisfied  with  the  manner  in  which  the  colonel  executed  my  orders, 
and  with  the  evidence  given  of  steady  discipline  and  gallant  conduct  on  the  part  of  thb 
troops,  J  have  noticed  them  in  the  general  order,  u  copy  of  which  is  enclosed. — The  ene- 
my's  object  was  the  naval  and  miUtarv  stores  denoaited  at  the  falls.  10  miles  in  the  roar  of 


OSWEGO   COUNTY. 


4lg7 


the  fort.    These  were  protected.    The  stores  at  the  fort  and  village  were  not  important. 
I  am,  &.C.  Jacob  Brown,  Maj.  Gen. 

,"Hon.  Secretary  at  War." 

"  Report.— I  informed  you  of  ray  arrival  at  Fort  Oswego  on  the  30th  ult.    This  post 
being  but  occasionally  and  not  recently  occupied  by  regular  troops,  was  in  a  bad  state  of 
defence.    Of  cannon,  we  had  but  five  old  guns,  three  of  which  had  lost  their  trunnions. 
What  could  be  done  in  the  way  of  repair  was  effected— new  platforms  were  laid,  toe  gun 
carriages  put  in  order,  and  decayed  pickets  replaced.    On  the  5th  inst.  the  British  naval 
force,  consisting  of  4  large  ships,  3  brigs,  and  a  number  of  gun  and  other  boats  were  descried 
at  reveille— beating  about  7  miles  from  the  fort.     Information  was  immediately  givon  to 
Capt.  Woolsey  of  the  navy  (who  was  at  Oswego  village)  and  to  the  neighboring  militia.    It 
being  doubtful  on  what  side  of  the  river  the  enemy  would  attempt  to  land,  and  my  force 
(290  effectives)  being  too  small  to  bear  division,  I  ordered  the  tents  in  store  to  be  pitched 
on  the  village  side,  while  I  occupied  the  other  with  my  whole  force.    It  is  probable  that 
this  artifice  had  its  effect  and  determined  the  enemy  to  attack  where  from  appearances  they 
expected  the  least  opposition.    About  1  o'clock,  the  fleet  approached.    Fifteen  boaU,  large 
and  crowded  with  troops,  at  a  given  signal  moved  slowly  to  the  shore.    These  were  pre- 
ceded  by  guii-boats  sent  to  rake  the  woods  and  cover  the  landing,  while  the  larger  vessels 
opened  a  fire  upon  the  fort.    Capt.  Boyle  and  Lieut.  Legate,  (so  sron  as  the  debarking 
boats  got  within  the  range  of  our  shot,)  opened  upon  them  a  very  successful  fire  jron)  •"• 
shore  battery,  and  compelled  them  twice  to  retire.    They  at  length  returned  to  the  ships, 
and  the  whole  stood  off  from  the  shore  for  better  anchorage.    One  of  the  enemy's  boata 
which  had  been  deserted,  was  taken  up  by  us,  and  some  others  by  the  militia.    The  hret 
mentioned  was  60  feet  long,  and  carried  36  oars  and  3  sails,  and  could  accommodate  15U 
men.    She  had  received  a  ball  through  her  bow,  and  was  iieariy  filled  with  water.—Piquet 
guards  were  stationed  at  different  points,  as  we  lay  on  our  arms  during  the  night.— At  day- 
break on  the  6th,  the  fleet  appeared  bearing  up  under  easy  sail.    The  Wolfe,  &c.,  took  a 
position  directly  against  the  fort  and  batteries,  and  for  3  hours  kept  up  a  heavy  tire  ot 
grape,  &c.     Finding  that  the  enemy  had  effected  a  landing,  I  withdrew  my  small  dispose- 
ble  force  into  the  rear  of  the  fort,  and  with  two  companies  (Romayne's  and  Melvm  s)  met 
their  advancin"  columns,  while  the  other  companies  engaged  the  flanks  of  the  enemy. 
Lieut.  Pearco  of  ihij  navy,  and  some  seamen,  joined  in  the  attack,  and  fought  with  their 
characteristic  bravery.    We  maintained  our  ground  about  30  minutes,  and  as  bng  as  con- 
sisted with  my  further  duty  of  defending  the  public  stores  deposited  at  the  falls,  which  no 
doubt  formed  the  principal  object  of  the  expedition  on  the  part  of  the  enemy.    Nor  was  this 
movement  made  precipitately.    I  halted  within  400  yards  of  the  fort.    Capt.  Romaynes 
company  formed  the  rear-guard,  and  remaining  with  it,  I  marched  to  this  place  in  good 
order,  destroying  the  bridges  in  my  rear.    The  enemy  landed  600  of  De  Wattevilles  regi- 
ment, 600  marines,  two  companies  of  the  Glengary  corps,  and  350  seamen.— Gen.  Drum- 
mond  and  Com.  Yeo,  were  the  land  and  naval  commanders.    They  burned  the  old  bar. 
racks  and  evacuated  the  fort  about  3  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  7th.— Our  loss  in  killed 
is  6,  in  wounded  38,  ond  in  missing  25.    That  of  the  enemy  is  much  greater.    Desertera 
and  citizens  of  ours  taken  prisoners  and  afterward  released,  state  their  killed  at  64,  and 
wounded  in  proportion— among  these  are  several  land  and  naval  officers  of  merit.*— I  can- 
not close  this  despatch  without  speaking  of  the  dead  and  the  living  of  njy  detachment. 
Lieut,  Blaney,  a  young  man  of  much  promise,  was  unfortunately  killed.    His  conduct  was 
highly  meritorious.    Capt.  Boyle  and  Lieut.  Legato  merit  my  highest  approbation,  and 
indeed  I  want  language  to  express  my  admiration  of  their  gallant  conduct.    1  he  subalterns, 
M.  Comb,  Ansart,  Ring,  Robb,  Eari,  McClintoek,  and  Nowkirk,  performed  well  their 
several  parts.- It  would  bo  injustice  were  I  not  to  acknowledge  and  report  the  zeal  and 
patriotism  evinced  by  the  militia,  who  arrived  at  short  notice,  and  were  anxious  to  De 
useful. 

"  H.  Q.,  Sacketti  Harhor,  12  May,  1814. 

•' Gknkrai,  oRDERg.-Maj.  Gen.  Brown  has  the  satisfaction  "f  »nn«""'^'"« /^'^.^""''P' 
of  his  division,  that  the  detachment  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Mitchell  ot  uio  corps 


•  Commodore  Chauncey,  in  a  letter  about  this  date  to  Uie  seeretary  of  the  navy,  states— 
"  The  enemy  has  paid  dearly  for  the  little  booty  he  obtained  at  Oswego.  Horn  th.  .. 
information  which  I  can  collect,  both  from  deserters  and  my  agents,  the  ene.ny  lost  7U 
ir.  .  killed,  and  165  wounded,  drowned  and  missing— in  all  236;  nearly  as  many  aa  were 
opposed  to  Uiem.  Cupt.  Mulcastor  is  certainly  mortally  wounded ;  a  captain  ot  mannea 
killed,  and  a  number  of  other  officers  killed  and  wounded." 


d 


I  if 


m 


438 


OSWEOO  COUNTY. 


of  artillery,  havo  by  their  gallant  and  highly  military  conduct  on  the  5th  and  6th  inst.,  gaineA 
B  name  in  arms  worthy  of  the  nation  they  serve  and  the  cause  they  support.  For  nearly 
two  days  they  maintained  an  unequal  contest  against  ten  times  their  number,  and  but 
yielded  their  post  when  the  mterest  of  their  country  made  that  measure  necessary.  The 
companies  composing  this  gallant  detachment  were  Boyle's,  Romayne's,  Mclntire's,  and 
Pierce's,  of  the  heavy  artillery,  and  a  few  seamen  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Pearce  of 
the  navy, — in  all  less  than  three  hundred  men.  The  enemy's  force  by  land  and  water  ex- 
ceeded  three  thousand  men." 

The  following  additional  particulars  are  from  Thomwm's  History  of  the  Late  War. — "  On 
the  .Homing  of  the  7th,  the  enemy  finding  that  the  object  of  the  expedition,  though  prose- 
cuted with  a  force,  including  the  ship's  crew,  of  3,000  men,  had  not  besn  achieved,  evacu- 
ated the  place  after  firing  the  barracks,  spiking  some  and. carrying  off  others  of  the  guns.— 
On  the  9th,  they  returned  to  Oswego,  and  sent  a  flag  into  the  village,  informing  the  inhabi- 
tants of  their  intention  of  landing  a  large  force,  to  proceed  to  the  falls  for  the  execution  of 
their  original  plan ;  but  on  being  assured  by  the  people  that  the  stores  had  been  removed 
from  that  place,  and  that  the  communication  was  cut  off  by  the  destruction  of  the  bridges, 
they  quitted  Oswego  and  stood  for  Kingston." 

Palermo,  taken  from  Volney  in  1832 ;  from  Oswego  centrally  dis- 
tant SE.  14  miles.     Pop.  1,928.     Palermo  is  a  small  post  village. 

Parish,  taken  from  Mexico  in  1828;  NW.  from  Albany  149,  from 
Pulaski  centrally  distant  S.  12  miles.     Pop.  1,543. 

Redfield,  taken  from  Mexico  in  1800;  from  Pulaski  centrally 
distant  E.  15  miles.  Redfield  village  is  in  the  southern  part.  Pop. 
507. 


View  of  Pulaski. 

Richland,  taken  from  Williamstown  in  1807;  NW.  from  Albany 
153  miles.  Pop.  4,046.  Pulaski  village,  hnlf-shirc  town,  was  incor- 
porated in  1833.  Centrally  situated  on  Salmon  river,  4  miles  from 
Its  confluence  with  T  akc  Ontario,  36  N.  of  Salina,  and  60  from  Utica. 
The  river  at  this  place  affords  considerable  water-power,  on  which 
are  a  number  of  grist  and  saw  mills,  and  several  manufacturing  es- 
tablishments. There  arc  about  80  dwellings,  a  number  of  churches, 
a  courthouse  ond  prison.  The  spires  or  cupolas  of  the  courthouse,  the 
Presbyterian  and  Baptist  churches,  and  the  academy,  are  seen  on  the 
left  of  the  annexed  engraving. 

Sandy  Ckekk,  taken  from  Richland  in  13S3;  from  Albany  159 


I 


OTSEGO   COUNTY. 


489 


miles.    Washingtonville,  6  miles  N.  of  Pulaski,  is  a  small  village. 
Pop.  2,431. 

ScHROEPPEL,  taken  from  Volney  in  1832;  from  Oswego  centrally 
distant  SE.  21  miles.  Phoenix,  about  18  miles  from  Oswego,  is  a 
thriving  village  recently  built,  having  2  churches  and  about  50  dwell- 
ings, on  the  Oswego  river  and  canal.  Rosevelt  is  a  post-office.  Pop. 
2,198.  M 

ScRiBA,  taken  from  Fredncksburg,  the  original  name  of  Volney,  m 
1811 ;  from  Albany  167  miles.  Pop.  4,051.  That  part  of  Oswego 
village  which  lies  on  the  right  or  NE.  bank  of  the  Oswego  river  is  m 
this  town,  and  is  called  East  Oswego. 

Volney,  taken  from  Mexico  in;  lb06,  by  the  name  of  Fredricks- 
burg ;  from  Albany  160  miles.  Pop.  3,154.  Fulton,  incorporated 
in  1835,  is  a  flourishing  place  at  the  Oswego  Falls,  10  miles  from 
Oswego.  It  has  4  churches,  an  academy,  about  200  dwellings, 
and  1,400  inhabitants.  The  centre  of  the  village  is  half  a  mile  be- 
low,  or  north  of  the  Oswego  Falls,  on  the  ea-^'  bank  of  the  Oswego 
river,  at  a  point  where  a  dam  is  constructed  for  the  use  of  the  Oswego 
canal.  The  village  limits  extend  above  the  falls,  and  include  the 
state  reservation,  which  has  been  laid  out  as  a  village  and  partly  sold, 
called  "  Oswego  Falls."  The  water-power  is  extensive  and  can  be 
used  on  both  sides  of  the  river  at  the  dam,  and  also  at  the  natural 
falls.    The  fall  is  about  12  feet  at  each  place. 

WiLLiAMSTowN,  takcu  from  Mexico  in  1804 ;  from  Albany  137, 
centrally  distant  from  Osw^o  E.  31  miles.  Williamstown  is  a  small 
post  village.    Pop.  830.    The  greater  part  of  the  town  is  unsettled. 


I 


OTSEGO  COUNTY. 

Otbego  county  was  taken  from  Montgomery  in  1701.  Centrally 
distant  from  New  York  city  NW.  200,  and  from  Albany  W.  66 
miles.  Its  form  is  very  irregular.  Greatest  length  N.  and  S.  about 
40 ;  greatest  breadth  fi.  and  W.  35  miles. 

Thifl  -"unty  is  considerably  elevated,  though  *herc  are  no  distmct 
ranges  of  mountains  of  much  height.  A  lor  r  portion  of  the  soil 
of  the  county,  is  rich  and  productive.  A  larj^o  amount  of  capital  is 
invested  in  agriculture  and  manufactures.  The  Susquehannah  river, 
rising  in  the  Otsego  lake,  flows  southerly  to  the  bounds  of  the  coun- 
ty ;  then  turning  southwesterly,  forms  a  part  of  the  southern  bounda- 
ry. The  Unadilla  bounds  the  rounty  on  t'  e  west.  Otsego  lake,  9 
miles  long  and  from  1  to  3  wide,  and  Schu » ler's  lake,  5  miles  long 
and  from  1  to  2  wide,  are  beai.tiful  aheets  of  water.  Portions  of  this 
county  werd  settled  as  eauy  n.i  1739.  The  mow  of  the  settlers  were 
emigrants  from  the  eastern  states.     The  county  is  divined  mto  22 

tnwnn.      Pqd,  49.403. 


I 


440 


OTSEGO   COUNTY. 


BuRLiNOTON,  taken  from  Otsego  in  1792 ;  from  Albany  78,  (rom 
Cooperstown  W.  12  miles.  Burlington  Flats,  Burlington,  and  West 
Burlington,  are  post  villages ;  the  lirst  contains  about  30,  the  second 
25,  and  the  last  15  or  20  dwellings.     Pop.  2,144. 

Butternuts,  taken  from  Unadilla  in  1796;  from  Albany  87  miles. 
Louisville  or  Butternuts,  and  Gilbertsville,  each  30  miles  SW.  from 
Cooperstown,  are  small  villages.  Maole  Grove  is  a  post-office. 
Pop.  4,017.  " 

Cheirv  Valley,  so  called  by  the  first  settlers  from  its  abundance 
of  wild  cherries,  was  taken  from  Canajoharie  in  1791.  Pop.  3,813. 
Cherry  Valley  village,  upon  the  Cherry  Valley  creek,  incorporated 
in  1812,  lies  13  miles  NE.  from  Cooperstown,  13  S.  from  the  canal 
at  Canajoharie,  and  63  from  Albany.  The  following  view  was  taken 
from  the  residence  of  Joseph  Phelon,  Esq.  The  Presbyterian  church  is 


Southwest  view  of  Cherry  Valley. 

seen  on  the  left,  and  the  Episcopal  and  Methodist  churches  on  the 
right.  There  is  here  a  bank,  a  weekly  newspaper  office,  an  incor- 
porated-«cademy,  and  about  180  dwellings.  The  following  interest- 
ing account  of  the  first  settlement  r-S  this  place  is  from  the  valuable 
work  of  Wm.  W.  Campbell,  Esq.,  entitled  "  Annals  of  Tryon  County." 

"  Mr.  Lindesay,  having  obtained  an  assignment  from  the  three  other  patentees  to  himself 
and  Gov.  Clark,  in  1739  caused  the  patent  to  be  surveyed  and  aubdividud  into  lots,  and 
chose  for  himself  the  farm  afterward  successively  owned  by  Mr.  John  Wells  and  Judge 
Hudson,  and  gave  to  it  the  name  of  Lindesay's  Bush.  In  the  following  summei  he  left 
New  York  with  his  family,  consisting  of  his  wife  and  father-in-la-v,  Mr.  Oongreve,  a  lieu- 
tenant  in  the  British  army,  and  a  few  domestics,  and  settled  upon  his  farm.  He  was  a 
Scotch  gentleman  of  some  fortune  and  distinction,  having  held  several  offices  under  govern- 
ment, and  anticipated  much  pleasure  from  a  residence  in  this  high  and  rolling  country, 
whose  valleys,  and  hills,  and  lakes,  would  constantly  remind  him  of  the  wild  and  romantic 
•cenery  of  his  native  land.  A  luxuriant  growth  of  beech  and  maple,  intcnpcrsed  with  tlie 
wild  cherry,  covered  the  vaUey,  and  extended  along  tip  the  sides  of  thr  hilln,  whose  tops 
were  crowned  with  clusters  of  evergreen  ;  elk  and  deer  were  found  here  in  groat  numbers, 
u  were  bears,  wolves,  beavers,  and  foxes ;  it  was  a  favorite  hunting  g-ound  cf  the  Mo- 
hawk*, who  erected  their  cnbins  near  some  little  spring,  and  hunted  thfir  gar.ie  upon  the 


i^ii;^: 


T'Tf^WBi'f^ffitEa'ewK.-.K 


0TBE60   COUNTY. 


441 


mountaiM.  Mr.  Lindeaay.  oa  well  an  all  the  early  settlen,  found  it  !"^P°'7' *f„f "  "/"^ 
"eir  friendKhip;  he  received  them  into  his  house,  and  treated  V^«'".'f''''.«"'''\»'°«P'''l'''5^  " 
circumBtanceB  would  permit:  this  kindness  was  not  lost  upon  the  high.m.nded  savages  one 
of  whTrn^gave  proof  of  no  ordinary  friendship  during  the  first  wmter  after  h.s  removal  to 
Lindeskyf  Bush.  Whatever  of  happiness  and  independence  Mr.  L.ndesay  may  have  looked 
forwLd  to,  he  knew  little  of  the  privations  of  the  settlera  of  a  new  '=»"n•^^^^^>f,^'SyJ";'^ 
a  country  u  he  had  selected ;  his  farm  was  15  miles  from  any  settlement,  difficult  of  access 
from  that  settlement,  which  was  on  the  Mohawk  river,  by  reason  of  .ts  elevation  above  it . 
and  the  intervening  country  was  i»vewed  only  by  an  Indian  footpath. 

"In  the  winter  of  1740,  the  sno^  fell  to  a  great  depth;  the  PJ'ths  were  filled  up,  all 
communication  with  the  settlers  upon  the  Mohawk  was  stopped;  Mr-  L.ndesay  had^not 
made  sufficient  preparation  for  such  a  winter;  he  had  b«t  a  scanty  supply  of  prov«.ons^ 
these  were  almost  consumed  long  before  spring:  a  wretched  and  lingering  death  was  m 
prospect  for  him  and  bis  family.    At  this  critical  time,  an  Indian  came  I?  h'«  «»"«"•  ^^ 
Iravelled  upon  the  snow  with  snow^hoes;  when  informed  of  their  «''"'"'7' J«  ^"/J Jf 
undertook  to  relieve  them  ;  he  went  to  the  settlements  iipon  the  Mohawk,  and  h^vrng  p  o- 
cured  provisions,  returned  with  them  upon  his  back,  and  d.iring  the  '«7^'"de^  "^^j'j^  .^.'^ 
ter,  this  faithful  child  of  the  forest  thus  continued  to  relieve  them,  and  thus  preserved  the 
lives  of  the  first  inhabitanto  of  our  town  and  county.        .,     .     „       «„„„„i  n,inlon  and 
"  In  New  York,  Mr.  Lindesay  became  acquainted  with  the  Rev.  Samuel  D""'"?'  »"* 
prevaUed Tpon  him  to  visit  his  patent,  offering  him  a  tract  of  land  of  several  hundred  acres 
on  Condition  hat  he  would  settle  upon  it,  and  would  use  his  influence  with  h.s  fnends,  and 
JLuad    th"em  to  accompany  him.     Pleased  with  the  situation  -d  ,^  generous  Propnotor 
nf  thp  nntpnt  he  acrcpted  of  the  proposa  ;  he  was  an  Irishman  by  birth,  but  naa  oeen 
educated  in  ibSrhad  speiu  several  years  in  the  provinces,  havmg  travelled  over 
most  of  thWa  thesoJth;  and  at  the  time  of  his  first  acquaintance  with  Mr.  L.ndesay. 
wL  on  a  trr  Arough  thos^  at  the  north.    He  went  to  Londonderry,  in  New  Hampshire, 
whlre  several  of  h^countrymen  were  settled,  whom  he  persuaded  to  '■«"'°^«'''"^ '"  "  ^• 
navid  Ramsav  WilUam  Galit,  James  Campbell,  William  Dickson,  and  one  or  two  othew, 
Sfth  thdrXmiliel  n^labou't  30  person8,%ame  and  purchased  (-"P^'^^'^ZZSl 
Commenced  miking  improvements  upon  them      They  had  -'S^^-IJ^;- jf^Ju^l^i 
Ireland  several  yean  anterior  to  the.r  removal  here;  some  of  '''f'",  J^^"  ""f'"*"^,^" 

^otofirSr^d^rnXtrar^e"^^^^^^^^^^ 

tdrLmSrtVar;f  they  were  well  calculated  to  sustain  the  labors  necessary  in  clearing 

the  forest,  and  fitting  it  for  the  abode  of  civilized  man. 

"  The  following  circumstance  gave  rise  to  its  name.  Mr.  Dunlop,  «"Kagea  >n  vv  mmg 
some  leue«  inquired  of  Mr.  Lindesay  where  he  should  date  them,  who  proposed  the  name 
ratlwnTnSnd;  Mr.  Dunlop,  pointing  to  some  fine  -W. ^l-^y: -";  «f ylV^ 
v«llpv    renUed    '  Let  us  give  our  place  an  appropriate  name,  and  call  it  ^^^^^y/"^"^/' 

£,"l,      M°  CK  fcri  lid  under  m  mKemonl  of  m,tmgi=  «.*  •  »»"».« 'if  "J 

Ireland,  and  hastening  on  his  journey,  arnyed  the  day  P'^ii"  "' :„*'''.,'^[", :"  .jfc  to  Cherry 
as  it  was  unexpected  ;  ho  was  married   and  returned  jf  J  J^'Vj;  J  ''YlZhon^^  had 

s^^rsz;hS:T!2is.»r^^^^ 

made  present;  to  l.ini  of  th.  productions  of  «'»«';;«""■';;';;'„:„'';£  Tf  feeling  towardi 
aft-ordod  him  a  ooinpctcnt  support.    In  these  early  days,  an  t  <cenent  8i9t«  "•  """    » 
Sch  other  prevailed';  common  danger,  and  common  ...ere.,  "^'qim  "      ^  i:::^; 
.hip  and  observances  they  were  very  a  net.     During  '^e  'en  subsequent  y       , 
than  three  or  four  fan.iUe*  had  come  into  thejieltlement.    Among  them  waa  mr.  Joun 

56 


443 


OTSEGO   COUNTY. 


.elected  for  h^^eluXon^hShe^S^^^^^^^         *"  ''""•  "^'''^  Mr.  Lindesay  had 

hie  enterprise.  The  waXtween  &i  //r  "  l"T'  ^u  ITf  «'on'P''"ed  to  abandon 
to  America,  and  in  1744  our  nor tLmfr,  ^  .1'  Bntain  had  been,  in  part,  transferred 
and  Indians'.  Reinforce^  we  niftnT^w^'"'"""^^  *"''  "V"'"'''  "^  '^e  French 
Independent  Greens,  in  which  Mr  Contr«„«  °  r*"'  ""'^  "T"^  "''^'"'  *«  ^^-^P^ny  "f 
in  favor  of  his  son-in.  aw  Mr  Snde«f  Jk  T  ''«'*'"''«"'  ''^  '«"gned  his  commission 
diedinNew  York,?eai„oSL7'  Mr'wp'r  "'""'  "/^erd  years  in  the  service, 
great  integrity,  befwe  th^r!  was  anv  „ffln.f  V^  .^'  ""  ?^  """"'''«  disposition,  and  of 
arbiter  of  any  htUe  difference-  he  w-^^ft!  "^  j"*""";  *■«  frequently  appealed  to  as  the 
the  town,  and  one  of  the  judires  TrtT""^  ^^''T't  t"  fi"'J"'"»<=«  "f  the  peace  for 
until  the  time  of  his  dea?h  Sll  bef^7,h«  k  .^'  '"'""''  'fu'"'  ''"  '=°"''""««1  to  exercise 
"Mr  nnninr,  K..-        '     ■     ,       .'°'®  '"^  breakmg  out  of  the  revolution. 

of  b?yiS?ai"Z:ThTlariem'^i''  ''^rVn'  ■*  «*=»>-'"-  ^-^^  i-'^'^'io'' 
Albany.  It  is  worthy  oT  rlmark  hat  thu  T\^%  ^°'"''"'''  """^  *''°'"  Schenectady  and 
of  Albany.  The  boys  werrrJcev^d  t^LT  t^^  ^"'  f™"™""  *«''°«'  *"  '^^  state  west 
The  extreme  simpSy  of  the  trmea^av  L.  l"  ''T/  «"'»  ^T"""*"^  "  P""  «<"  ^s  family. 
the  fields,  and  the'^-e   Idted  theT^^^^^^  """  "^^y""''"  ^-"'  """ 

gaged  in  his  usual  avocations  unonTrfn^  ^       ?    *f  '^^"  instructor  about,  while  en- 

massacred  33  ot  the  inhabitants,  mostly  women  and  children  During 
^e  day  they  made  several  attacks  on  the  fort,  but  w  thoui  success^ 
The  following  is  extracted  from  the  "Annals  of  T™county  " 

...;cI^oS:tdtnsTp7„1h:t"ntS  'had"  ""^  T'^^'"  ^T ''-"-  "^  ^^  -peated 
season  so  far  advanced  that  no  hII-T'  ^  u"°*  '^'f  "'^^  '°  "^^'^  '""'"es.  thinking  the 
being  given  to  Co  .  llden.  they  requ^estener,.L"''''?''''"'^'*'-  •°"  "»«  information  aiove 
deposit  their  most  valuable  property  there  '^bX"'"  '•'/'='"«^«  i-to  the  fort,  or  at  least  to 
replied,  that  it  would  be  a  temptation  to  hi,  llH  ^""f  "^J"^  ^T^'^  ''>'  ^ol.  Alden.  He 
bly  unfounded  ;  tlwt  irwas  onfvan  ?nHi-n  -'  f  ?'"".'*"'  ^'"  ">«  ^''P""  ^"^  P^oba. 

would  apprise  'them  In  Te^ "l^"e  Sj^heSV^f  i^^^^^^^^  out  scout«%ho 

accordingly  sent  out,  ,o  traverse  the  country  ™everv  d^remron  t1  "^'V  ^'7*^  ^^ 
Susquehannah  kindled  up  a  fire  on  the  ni^ht  „f  Ik^q?^  ^".1  ^''^  s^out  sent  down  the 
sleep.  The  fire  was  discovered  bv  th«  1.^  f  9th,  and  aU  very  foolishly  lay  down  to 
of  the  10th.  they  wereTS  su  "oundU  a„d  a"**  "  '"'"  "*''""  '^''^"«'"  °"  ">'  •"--"« 

evergr^etSu^ImL'Slfw^FZ^^^ 

moved  from  his  encampment  Towards  the  ftS  Th  "?«  !n°"^'ns  ««  the  11th,  the  enemy 
they  had  taken,  that  the  officers  onheiS'in/H^  had  learned  from  the  scout  which 
fort;  their  forces  were  so  dipped  that™  ^  Ij"  '''"^'^".'  P"^"*'*  ''^"^^^  °"'  »f  the 
officer  lodged  neariy  at  the  sartin.e  whir.?  «'"'."''i  «""0"nd  every  house  in  which  an 
the  mght  the  snow  fell  seve?d  i^che's  ll  h  ""  ''"''^  would  attack  the  fort.  During 
phere  was  thick  and  hazy!  The  who, '  setl^Lrjf"'"?."^"'"''^  '"  "»*"•  ""^  *«  '«'»'«- 
ances  of  Col.  Alden  had  in  « VnnL      uf   j  """*'  ""'"«'"  themselves  secure.     The  assur- 

the  approach  of  the  enl;\VdrS?d  iTVr'^'^^'"  ^^"r?",  ^^«'>'  "^"«  '"""reS 
guard,  lodged  at  Mr.  Wdls's.  A  Mr  SmS^w  "  """^  ^""u"  ^'''-  ^"''='''>  ^i""  «  ^tna" 
aeveral  miles  below,  on  horseback  when  a  !b  T/T'"®  f"P  «>?1  moaning  from  his  house 
fired  upon  a.id  wounded  by  fhe  Indians      wIZa  '"  '^T  ^'-  ^«"'''«  '"""'«  ^^-  ««« 

their  approach,  and  then  hastened  to  "he  fJIt  HmVZ\^'^'^  '°.'"'^™  ^"'-  A''^*'"  »'' 
only  a  stragKlinfl  nartv  hn  orHTrl^   u  j      ?""  ""credulous,  and  believing  them  to  be 

jravo  the  I.?diZ  fim?;o  arrive  'Vh!™  '"^  ^"  '  -J""  '^''"  ''''"^  ^'"^''''^  "^'""^«- 
powder  in  which  having  been  wet  wru,Zrai.fTrrH  '"  "*'""'""'  ""^'^  «^«'°<'''«'  «''« 
rushed  by.     The  advance  body  was  rnmn^lH^"  •  ^-^^^^IT  "nP'-°ving  this  opportunity, 

«t  and  most  ferociotZf  U»e  Si^  NaS     r£   amP""''°^^*"1**='^'  *'  ""'  ""'«  'he  wild- 
we  out  XMauons.    Cd.  Alden  made  his  escape  from  the  house, 


OTSEGO    COUNTY. 


441 


der  he  nerTn^rilv^f    ^'""*  "^T^"  *'"*'  ^?^' '"' ""  ^"'"'^ '  *•>«"  chaUenged  to  surren. 

h  m  „n  .h„  hA^  .  ^  .1"  """?»«"'"«  'ome  distance,  threw  his  tomahawk,  and  s^ick 
h.m  on  the  head,  and  then  rushinflr  up,  scalped  him.    He  thus  '  was  one  of  the  first  victos 

w?reTk"r;er;"t:Lr'^"  "'  '"'^•'    ^'«'"-  ^'"-  ^'-^'^  --  '--'"  P'^--    The~d 

crimi  m^Z'p'^nK'^?'  T'"'^J'l  ']'«  '«'"««•  ^«h  «""«  tories,  commenced  an  indis- 
them  aTinrZ.  R  k  /  w''f.'  T!*  ''''^f°  '•>"  "ngers  arrived,  had  barbarously  murdered 
^bZ  John  inH  l!n  1 1^"""'.'*"' '"°""'''  ""'*  ^'f*-  ""-l  ♦■""'  children,  his  brother  and 
sister,  John  and  Jane  with  three  domestics.    Of  this  interesting  and  excellent  family,  not 

SchenZHv"  fh"'*"'  '^'  '""  ^"^"^  "^f'  °^  ^ew  York  city.     His  father  had  lefrhL  in 

thprP      H«L   L'^r'^T"'"'"*',^"''.*"  aunt,  that  he  might  attend  .he  grammar-school 

h!  !'  •  "%'n'ght  almost  have  exclaimed  with  Logan,  that  not  a  drop  of  his  blood  ran  in 

lish  Joet!      °"^  * !  or  as  it  haa  been  beautifully  expressed  by  an  eminent  Eng- 

"  They 'left  of  all  my  tribe 
Nor  man,  nor  child,  nor  thing  of  living  birth, 
No !  not  the  dog  that  watched  my  household  hearth 
EJscaped,— that '  morn'  of  blood  upon  our  plains 
All  perished !     I  alone  am  left  on  earth ! 
To  whom  nor  relative  nor  blood  remains, 
No  !  not  a  kindred  drop  that  runs  in  human  veins.' 

Tnl^T  ^a'^^^  *•""  ^^  ''"'^•'.  ^J-  '^^"^  ^"^"^  »'  P'oy^f-    The  melancholy  fate  of 
fn^Lr  f" r"'  "  u"""  P,'"''"^"''''  "<"i«-    She  was  a  young  lady,  not  distinguished 

rhri«,L'^'T"v  '"""A'''  •':••  «"l«"«d  to  her  friends  by  her  amiable  disposition,  and  her 
Christian  chanties.  One  'in  whom  the  friendless  found  a  friend,'  and  to  whom  the  poor 
would  always  say, «  God  speed  thee.'  She  fled  from  the  house  to  a  pile  of  wood  near  by. 
behind  which  she  endeavored  to  screen  herself.  Here  she  was  pursued  by  an  Indian,  who 
as  he  approached,  deliberate  y  wiped  his  bloody  knife  upon  his  leggins,  and  then  placed  it 
in  Its  sheath :  then  drawing  his  tomahawk,  he  seized  her  by  the  arm ;  she  possessed  some 
knowledge  of  the  Indian  language,  and  remonstrated  and  supplicated,  though  in  vain, 
feter  bmith,  atory,  who  had  formerly  been  a  domesticln  Mr.  Wells's  family,  now  inter, 
posed,  saying  she  was  his  sister  and  desiring  him  to  spare  her  life.  He  shook  his  toma. 
r  r  w  nil*  defiance,  and  then  turning  round,  with  one  blow  smote  her  to  the  earth. 
John  Wells,  Esq.,  at  this  time  deceased,  and  the  father  of  Robert  Wells,  had  been  one  of 
the  judges  of  the  courts  of  Tryon  county ;  in  that  capacity,  and  as  one  of  the  justices  of  the 
quorum,  he  had  been  on  intimate  terms  with  Sir  William  Johnson  and  family,  who  fre. 
quently  visited  at  his  house,  and  also  with  Col.  John  Butler,  likewise  a  judge.  The  family 
were  not  active  either  for  or  against  the  country;  they  wished  to  remain  neutral,  so  far  as 
they  could,  m  such  turbulent  times ;  they  always  performed  military  duty,  when  called  out 
to  tlelend  the  country.  Col.  John  Butler,  in  a  conversation  relative  to  them,  remarked—'  I 
would  have  gone  miles  on  my  hands  and  knees  to  have  saved  that  family,  and  why  my  son 
did  not  do  it,  God  only  knows.' 

"  Another  party  of  Indians  surrounded  the  house  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Dunlop,  whom  we 
have  Irequfntly  had  occasion  to  mention,  as  the  pioneer  in  education  in  western  New 
York.  His  wife  was  immediately  killed.  The  old  gentleman  and  his  daughter  were  pre- 
served by  Little  Aaron,  a  chief  of  the  Oquago  branch  of  the  Mohawks.  Mrs.  Wells  was 
also  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Dunlop ;  Little  Aaron  led  him  out  from  the  house,  tottcri-"-  with 
age,  and  stood  beside  him  to  protect  him.  An  Indian  passing  by,  pulled  his  hat  f  his 
head,  and  ran  away  with  it ;  the  chief  pursued  him,  and  regained  it ;  on  his  return,  another 
Indian  had  carried  away  his  wig :  the  rain  was  falling  upon  his  bare  head,  while  his  whole 
system  shook  hke  an  aspen,  under  the  combined  influence  of  age,  fear,  and  cold.  He  was 
released  a  few  days  after;  but  the  shock  was  too  violent;  he  died  about  a  year  after:  his 
death  was  hastened  by  Ms  misfortunes,  though  he  could  have  borne  up  but  a  few  years 
longer  under  the  increasing  infirmities  of  old  age. 

"A  Mr.  Mitchell,  who  was  in  his  field,  beheld  a  party  of  Indians  approaching ;  he  could 
not  gam  his  house,  and  was  obliged  to  flee  to  the  woods.  Here  he  evaded  pursuit  and 
escaped.  A  melancholy  spectacle  presented  itself  on  his  return— it  was  the  corpses  of  his 
wife  and  four  children.  His  house  had  been  plundered  and  set  on  fire.  He  extinguished 
the  tire,  and  by  examination  found  life  still  existing  in  one  of  his  children,  a  little  irirl  ten 
or  twelve  years  of  age.  He  raised  her  up  and  placed  her  in  the  door,  and  was  bending 
over  lH3r  when  he  saw  another  party  approaching.  He  had  barely  time  to  hide  himself 
behind  a  log.Jence  near  by,  before  they  were  at  tha  house.    From  this  hidi!'"."!scs.  hs 


444 


OTSEGO   COUNTY. 


beheld  an  infamous  tory  by  the  name  of  Newbury,  extinguiah  the  little  apark  of  life  which 
remained  m  his  child,  with  a  blow  of  his  hatchet.  The  next  day,  without  a  single  human 
being  to  assist  lum,  he  carried  the  remains  of  his  family  down  to  the  fort  on  a  sled,  and 
there  the  soldiers  aided  him  in  d-^poniting  them  in  a  common  grave.  Retributive  justice 
Bomeumes  follows  close  upon  the  heels  of  crime.  This  tory  was  arrested  as  a  spy  the 
following  summer,  by  order  of  Gen.  James  Clinton,  when  he  lay  with  his  army  at  Canaio- 
hane,  on  the  Moluiwk  river.  Mr.  Mitchell  was  called  to  prove  this  act.  He  was  found 
guilty  by  a  court-martial,  and  with  a  companion  suffered  an  ignominious  death. 

'The  party  which  surrounded  the  house  of  Col.  Campbell,  took  Mrs.  Campbell  and  four 
children  prisoners.  Mr.  Campbell  was  nbaont  from  home,  but  hastened  there  on  the  first 
alarm,  which  was  a  cannon  fired  at  the  fort.  He  arrived  only  in  time  to  witness  the  de. 
Btruction  of  hia  property,  and  not  even  to  learn  the  fate  of  his  family ;  tlieir  lives  were 
spared,  but  spared  for  a  long  and  dreadful  captivity. 

"  Many  others  were  killed  ;  somo  few  escaped  to  the  Mohawk  river,  and  the  remainder 
were  made  pnsoners.  Thirty.two  of  the  inhabitants,  principally  women  and  children,  were 
Killed,  and  sixteen  coniincntal  soldiers.  The  terror  of  the  scene  was  increased  by  the  con- 
flagration of  all  the  houses  and  out.houses  in  the  settlement ;  the  barns  were  many  of  them 
hlled  with  hay  and  grain.  Ho  who  fied  to  the  mountains,  saw  as  he  looked  back  the  de- 
Btrucuon  ofhis  home,  and  of  that  little  all  which  he  had  labored  for  years  to  accumulate. 

The  whole  settlement  exhibited  nn  aspect  of  entire  and  complete  desolation.    The 

cocks  crew  from  the  tops  of  the  forest  trees,  and  the  dogs  howled  through  the  fields  and 
woods.  The  inhabitants  who  escaped,  with  the  prisoners  who  were  set  at  hbertv.  aban- 
doned  the  settlement." 

Decatur,  taken  from  Worcester  in  1808 ;  from  Albany  84,  from 
Cooperstown  SE.  12  miles.     Pop.  1,071. 

Edmeston,  named  after  an  extensive  landholder,  was  taken  from 
Uurhngton  in  1808  ;  from  Cooperstown  W.  18  miles.     Pop.  1,907. 

E.\ETER,  taken  from  Richfield  in  1799;  from  Albany  W.  73,  from 
Cooperstown  NW.  10  miles.  Le  Roy,  West  Exeter,  and  Exeter, 
are  small  post  villages.     Pop,  1,423. 

Hartwick,  taken  from  Otsego  in  1802;  from  Albany  70  miles. 
1  op.  2,475.  The  Hartwick  Lutheran  Theological  and  Classical 
feemmarv,  is  pleasantly  situated  on  the  bank  of  the  river.  Weat 
Hartwick,  9  miles  W.  from  Cooperstown,  and  Hartwick,  are  small 
post  villages. 

Laurens,  taken  from  Otego  in  1810;  from  Albany  W.  78  miles, 
l^op.  2,173.  Laurens ville,  an  incorporated  village,  18  miles  SW.  from 
Cooperstown,  contains  about  40  dwellings.  Jackson,  14  miles  from 
Cooperstown,  has  about  20  dwellings. 

Maryland,  taken  from  Worcester  in  1808  ;  from  Albany  66  miles. 
Maryl^and,  14  miles  S.  of  Cooperstown,  Jacksonborough,  and  Mary- 
land Centre,  are  small  post  villages.     2,050. 

MmoLEKiELD,  taken  from  Cherry  Valley  in  1797 ;  from  Albany, 
W ,  63  miles.  Middlefield,  5  miles  E.,  Middlefield  Centre,  7  miles 
IVh.,  and  Phoenix,  3  miles  S.  from  Cooperstown,  are  small  villages. 
Pop.  3,318.  ° 

MiLFORD,  originally  named  Suffrage,  taken  from  Unadilla  in  1796; 
trom  Albany  76  miles.  Milford,  on  the  Susquehannah,  8  miles  S.  of 
Cooperstown,  and  Colliervillc,  are  small  villages.  Milford  Centre 
and  Portlandville  are  post-offices.     Pop.  2,075. 

New  Lisbon,  taken  from  Pittsfield  in  1806  ;  from  Albany,  W ,  76 
miles.  Garretsville  16  miles.  New  Lisbon  18  miles  SW.  from 
Cooperstown,  and  Nobleville,  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  1,909 

Oneonta,  formerly  Otego,  taken  from  Unadilla  in  1796;  from 


OTBEQO   COUNTY. 


44S 


Albany  80  miles.  Oneonta  village,  2?  miles  S.  from  Cooperstown, 
has  about  60  dwellings.  West  Oneonta  is  a  post-oflice.  Pop.  1,936. 
Oteoo,  formerly  Huntsville,  taken  from  Unadiila  and  Franklin  in 
1822;  from  Albany  86  miles.  Otego  village,  31  miles  SW.  from 
Cooperstown,  has  about  40  dwellings.  Otsdawa  is  a  post-office. 
Pop.  1,919.  ^ 

Otseoo,  originally  organized  as  part  of  Montgomery  county  in 
1788 ;  since  altered.  Cooperstown  and  Oaksville  are  post  villages. 
Pop.  4,118.  1-6 

Cooperstown,  the  county  seat,  distant  from  New  York  by  way  of 
Catskill  200  miles,  of  Albany  211 ;  from  Albany  66,  and  from  Utica, 
SE.,  36  miles,  is  beautifully  situated  at  the  southern  end  of  Otsego 
lake,  at  the  head  of  the  Susquehannah  river. 


Western  view  of  Cooperstown. 

The  site  of  the  present  village  is  said  to  have  been  a  favorite  place 
of  resort  with  the  savages  from  a  remote  period,  for  the  purpose  of 
hunting  and  fishing.  The  word  "  Otsego"  is  thought  to  be  a  com- 
pound which  conveys  the  idea  of  a  spot  at  which  meetings  of  the  In- 
dians were  held.  There  is  a  small  rock  near  the  outlet  of  the  lake, 
called  the  "  Otsego  Rock,"  at  which  precise  point  the  savages,  ac- 
cording to  an  early  tradition,  were  accustomed  to  give  each  other 
the  rendezvous. 

"  It  should  alio  be  stated,  that  the  present  site  of  Cooperstown  is  connected  with  an 
event  of  some  interest  that  occurred  during  the  war  of  the  revolution.  An  expedition 
having  been  commanded  to  proceed  under  the  orders  of  Major-general  Sullivan,  against 
the  Indians  who  then  dwelt  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Seneca  laise,  a  brigade  employer'  in  the 
duty,  under  Brigadier.general  James  Clinton,  (the  father  of  the  celebrated  De  Witt  Clin- 
ton,)  marched  from  Albany  for  that  purpose,  After  ascending  the  Mohawk  as  far  as  Fort 
Plain,  this  brigade  cut  a  road  through  the  forest  to  the  head  of  Lake  Otsego,  whither  it 
transported  its  boats.  Traces  of  this  road  exist,  and  it  is  still  known  by  the  name  of  the 
Continental  Road.    Ejmburking  it  ths  h6£d  cf  tl^  l&ke.  the  truo^°  descended  to  the  outlet. 


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446 


OTflBOO  COUNTY. 


where  4ey  encamped  on  4e  aite  of  the  preaent  viULge.  General  Clinton'a  quarten  are 
^tnl^r*^' H»1p  Tf  ^^^-  "'u'^T  '*«'•  ^^^«'^*««  «ood  in  what  we  now  the 
wh^K^  •  L  i?M  V'"**  *'"'!'=''.  "  "  '•"^•^  ^^  *"'*"«"'  ''y  Col.  Croghan,  aa  a  place  in 
ri^ulme™*  n««otiation8  with  the  Indiana,  a.  well  ae  for  alommencement  of 

"Thia  building,  which  waa  about  fifteen  feet  equate  and  intended  for  a  eort  of  block. 
^Tf 'Jr  ""''°"^'f,«^'y  "»'  ««'.  ever  erected  on  thi.  epot.  It  waa  aubaequently  uaed  by 
^,^h1^  iTQT'^f  '*"!  "  "  '««dence,  and  by  Judge  Cooper  aa  a  amoke-houae,  and  it  wm 
etand.ng  m  1797,  .f  not  a  year  hter.  It  waa  then  taken  down,  and  removed  by  Hen? 
hoi^  reaidence  on  the  road  to  Pier's,  where  it  waa  aet  up  again  aa  an  out. 

"There  were  found  the  graves  of  two  white  men  in  the  same  grounds,  which  were  be. 
heved  to  contam  the  bodies  of  deserters,  who  were  shot  during  the  time  theTZ^ere 
here  encamped.  These  graves  are  supposed  to  be  the  first  of  any  civilized  mw^n  tto 
towiwhip  of  Otsego.    All  traces  of  them  have  now  disappeared. 

"As  soon  as  enceraped,  the  troops  of  Gen.  Clinton  commenced  the  construction  of  a 
dam  at  the  cutlet,  and  when  the  water  had  risen  to  a  aufficient  height  in  the  lake,  the  ob. 
smiction  was  removed,  the  cur-ent  clearing  the  bed  of  th<;  river  of  flood.wood.  After  a 
abort  delay,  for  thia  purpose,  the  troops  embarked  and  descended  as  far  as  the  junction 
^^^"J^  where  they  were  met  by  another  brigade,  commanded  by  Genetil  Sull" 
Z^..  J  i"*.!.  ?"  ^  occpf  »n.  the  Suaquehannah,  below  the  dam,  was  aaid  to  be  ao 
much  reduced  that  a  man  could  jump  across  it.  '^  "o  ou 

Af^^C^A"^  ^':f'""  ""^u""'  '»  he  seen,  and  for  many  yean,  they  were  veiy  obvious. 
At  a  later  day,  in  diggmg  the  cellar  of  the  house  fiist  occupied  by  Judge  Coopir,  a  large 
mm  swivel  waa  discovered,  wWch  was  said  to  have  been  buried  by  the  troops,  who  found 
It  iMeless  for  their  service.  This  swivel  was  the  only  piece  of  artillery  used  for  the  Z. 
SZ'.K       .•!.""  ■"''  "?er'y-'?«''""8«,  "?  *e  vicinity  of  Cooperstown,  for  ten  or  twelve  yearn 

Se  c^ck^  'nlir  "'^^  ^''!f?'.  i^'"'  T^  ""•*  »«"e"i»'"'«e'y  remembered  by  the  name  of 
the  cncket,'  and  was  bursted  lately  in  the  same  good  cause  of  rejoicing  on  the  4th  of  July. 
h.v^!  ,"  of  "f  final  disaster,  (for  it  had  met  with  many  vicissitudes  by  field  and  flood, 
havmg  actually  been  once  thrown  into  the  lake,)  it  is  aaid  there  waa  no  very  perceptible 
difference  m  size  between  ita  touch-hole  and  ita  muazle."-CAr<micfc.  ofCooperLwn. 

An  attempt  was  made  to  settle  Cooperstown  about  10  years  before 
the  revolution,  by  Mr.  John  ChristopliLr  Hartwick,  which  however 
proved  abortive ;  and  between  the  years  1761  and  1770,  Col.  Crochan 
with  his  family  resided  for  a  short  time  on  the  spot.  A  final  settle- 
ment was  commenced  in  1786,  under  the  auspices  William  Cooper 
Aisq.,  from  Burlington,  New  Jersey,  who  purchased  the  tract  oii 
which  the  village  now  stands.  The  regular  commencement  cf  the 
village  dates  more  properly  from  1788,  as  at  t.his  time  it  was  regu- 
larly  laid  out.  At  the  formation  of  the  county,  in  1791,  Cooperstown 
was  designated  as  the  county  seat,  Mr.  Cooper  being  appointed  the 
hrst  judge  of  the  county  court. 

Among  the  incidents  of  this  early  day.  the  following  anecdote  is  related  of  an  ex-otficcr 

^h„^  /  uV™'''''  ^T'i"^/''*''''''^''*'  •'^P'  "  bachelor's  hal!"  on  the  western  bank  of 
^e  lake.  Some  wags  fold  Monsieur  Ebbal.  thrt  if  chased  by  a  bear,  the  most  certain 
mode  of  escape,  was  to  throw  away  his  hat,  or  hi.  coat,  to  induce  the  animal  to  stop  and 
smel  at  it,  and  then  to  profit  by  the  occasion,  and  climb  a  sapling  that  waa  too  small  to 
enable  his  enemy  to  fasten  its  claws  in  it,  in  the  way  it  is  known  to  ascend  a  tree.  The 
advice  was  well  enough,  but  the  advised  having  actually  an  occasion  to  follow  it  the  sue. 
ceeding  autumn,  scrambled  up  a  sapling  first,  and  begun  to  throw  away  his  clothes  after. 

rtTluJ.,'  '  *  ""^^.^i"^ ''"'"!  'T  '"  P'*"»  giirment  after  garment,  without  quit, 
nng  the  spot,  keeping  poor  Ebbal  treed,  throughout  a  cool  autumnal  night." 

41,  ^u^^  indication  of  the  intelligence  of  the  inhabitants,  a  newspaper, 
A^fi  ^^^®80  Herald,"  was  issued  here  as  early  as  1795.  The  first 
edifice  constructed  for  religious  worship  was  the  Presbyterian,  erected 
on  the  east  side  of  West-street,  in  1805,  and  is  still  occupied  by  that 
denomination.    There  are  now  in  the  village  1 69  dwellings,  20  stores, 


OTBEOO   COUNT r. 


447 


42  shops,  14  offices,  6  churches,  2  weekly  newspaper  offices,  a  very 
extensive  book  publishing  establishment,  2  female  boarding  schools, 
and  a  bank.  Its  present  population  is  about  1,300.  The  private 
dwellmgs  of  this  place  are  many  of  them  substantial  structures  of 
stone  and  bnck,  some  of  which  are  elegant.  The  society  is  refined 
and  inteUigent.  This,  with  the  uncommon  beautv  of  the  surroundinir 
scenery  and  healthiness  of  the  climate,  will  ere  long  render  it  a  sum- 
mer resort  for  the  elite  of  our  large  cities.  Oaksville,  4  miles  N.  of 
Cooperstown,  is  a  small  manufacturing  village. 

PiTTsPiELD,  taken  from  Burlington  in  1797;  from  Albany,  W..  81, 
from  Cooperstown.  SW.,  18  miles.     Pop.  1,395. 

Plainfield,  taken  from  Richfield  in  1799  ;  from  Albary,  NW.,  77 
miles ;  centrally  distant  NW.  from  Cooperstown  18  miles.  Unadilla 
I'orks  and  Lloydsville  are  small  villages.     Pop.  1,448. 

Richfield,  taken  from  Otsego  in  1792;  since  altered ;  from  Al- 
bany, NW.,  72,  centrally  distant  N.  from  Cooperstown  16  miles. 
Lanaderaga  Springs,  Brighton,  and  Monlicello,  are  small  villages. 
Pop.  1,670.  ^ 

Springfield,  named  from  a  large  deep  spring;  taken  from  Cherry 
Valley  m  1797;  from  Albany,  W.,  58  miles,  centrally  distant  11 
miles  N.  of  Cooperstown.  Some  few  Dutch  who  had  settled  here, 
were  driven  off  during  the  revolution.  Springfield  and  East  Spring- 
field are  small  post  villages.     Pop.  2,382. 

Unadilla,  taken  from  Otsego  in  1792;  from  Albany,  W.,  100 
miles,  from  Cooperstown,  SW.,  40  miles.  Pop.  2,272.  Unadilla, 
pleasantly  situated  on  the  Susquehannah,  has  about  eighty  dwellings. 
An  Indian  monument  stood  in  this  town  about  twenty  rods  west  of 
the  residence  of  Levi  Bigelow,  Esq.  It  was  about  20  feet  in  dia- 
meter,  10  feet  in  height,  and  of  a  conical  form.  It  was  a  landmark 
for  the  early  travellers  in  this  region.  An  Indian  trail  passed  by  it. 
Unadilla  Centre  is  a  small  village. 

In  July,  1777,  a  conference  was  held  in  this  place  between  Gen. 
Herkimer  and  Joseph  Brant,  the  celebrated  Indian  chieftain,  who 
T'"£iT^*^  °^  ^®^"^  threatened  by  Gen.  Schuyler;  and  also,  that 
the  Mohawks  did  not  have  liberty  to  pass  and  repass  as  formerly, 
&c.,  «fec.  The  following  account  of  this  meeting  is  given  in  the  An- 
nals of  Tryon  county. 

"Information  having  been  given,  Gen.  Herkimer  in  July  marched  to  Unadilla  with  380 
miliUa.  He  was  met  here  by  Brant  at  the  head  of  130  warrioni.  Brant  complained  of  the 
same  gnewncea  as  above  set  forth.  To  the  question  whether  he  would  remain  at  peace 
k  V**?® '"•"fi»  ^''''e  rectified,  he  replied ;  •  The  Indians  were  in  concert  wit»«  the  king,  as 
their  lathers  and  grandfathers  had  been.  That  the  king's  bells  were  yet  lodged  with  them, 
and  they  could  not  falsify  their  pledge— That  Gen.  Herkimer  and  the  rest  had  joined  the 
Boston  people  agamst  their  king— That  Boston  people  were  resolute,  but  the  king  would 
humble  them— That  Mr.  Schuyler,  or  General,  or  what  you  please  to  call  him,  was  very 
smart  on  the  Indiana  at  the  treaty  at  German  Flats ;  but  was  not  at  the  same  time  able  to 
afford  them  the  smallest  article  of  clothing— That  the  Indians  had  formerly  mode  war  on 
the  white  people  all  united  ;  and  now  they  were  divided,  the  Indians  were  not  frightened.' 
•J  -e  ""'  declared  his  determination  to  espousd  the  cause  of  the  king,  Col.  Cox 
said,  if  such  was  his  resolution  the  matter  was  ended.  Brant  turned  and  spoke  to  his  war- 
nors,  who  shouted  and  ran  to  their  camp  about  •  mile  distant,  when  seizing  their  arms, 
they  fired  «  number  of  guns,  and  raised  the  Indian  war-whoop.    They  returned  immedi. 


PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

•tely,  when  tien.  HerkliiMr  addroiaing  Brant,  told  him  he  had  not  eomo  to  fight.  Brant 
motioned  to  his  followera  to  remain  in  their  placee.  Then  aaauming  a  threatening  attitude, 
he  mid,  if  their  purpose  was  war,  he  was  ready  for  them.  He  then  proposed  that  Mr/ 
Stewart,  the  missionary  among  the  Mohawks,  (who  was  supposed  friendly  to  the  English,) 
and  the  wife  of  Col.  Butler,  should  be  permitted  to  pass  from  the  lower  to  the  upper  Mo. 
hawk  castle. 

"  Gen.  Horkimer  assented,  but  demanded  that  the  tories  and  deserters  should  be  given 
up  to  him.  This  was  refused  by  Brant,  who  after  some  further  remarks,  added  that  he 
would  go  to  Oswego,  and  hold  a  treaty  with  Col.  Butler.  This  singular  conference  was 
singularly  terminated.  It  was  early  in  July,  and  the  sun  shone  forth  without  a  cloud  to 
obscure  it,  and  as  its  rays  gilded  the  tops  of  the  forest  trees,  or  were  reflected  from  the 
waters  of  die  Susquehannah,  imparted  a  rich  tint  to  the  wild  scenery  with  which  they  were 
surrounded.  The  echo  of  the  war-whoop  had  scarcely  died  away  before  the  heavens  be. 
came  black,  and  a  violent  storm  of  hail  and  rain  obliged  each  party  to  withdraw  and  seek 
the  nearest  shelter.  Men  less  superstitious  than  many  of  the  unlettered  yeomen  who,  lean, 
ing  upon  their  arms,  were  witnesses  of  the  events  of  this  day,  could  not  have  failed  in  after 
times  to  have  looked  back  upon  them,  if  not  as  an  omen,  at  least  as  an  emblem  of  those 
dreadful  massacres  with  which  these  Indians  and  their  associates  afterward  visited  the  in- 
habitants of  this  unfortunate  frontier. 

"  Gen.  Herkimer  appears  to  have  been  unwilling  to  urge  matters  to  extreme,  though  he 
had  sufficient  power  to  have  defeated  the  Indians.  He  no  doubt  entertained  hopes  that 
some  amicable  arrangement  would  eventually  be  made  with  them. 

"  This  is  believed  to  have  been  the  last  conference  held  with  any  of  the  Six  Nations, 
except  the  Oneidas,  in  which  nn  effort  was  made  to  prevent  the  Indians  engaging  in  the 
war." 

Westpord,  taken  from  Worcester  in  1808 ;  from  Albany  56  miles. 
Pop.  1,468.    Westford  and  Westville  are  small  post  villages. 

Worcester,  taken  from  Cherry  Valley  in  1797 ;  area  since  altered ; 
from  Albany,  W.,  66  miles.  Pop.  2,420.  Worcester  and  East 
Worcester  are  post-officea,— the  first  16  miles  SE.,  and  the  last  20 
from  Cooperstown. 


PUTNAM  COUNTY. 

Putnam  county  was  taken  from  Dutchess  in  1812 ;  greatest,  length 
21,  greatest  breadth  12  miles.  The  Highlands  extend  across  the 
western  part.  The  highest  point  is  about  1,580  feet  above  the  Hud- 
son. The  remainder  of  the  county,  though  generally  uneven,  has 
some  handsome  plains,  with  a  soil  various,  and  some  of  it  fertile. 
The  mountains  abound  with  iron  ore  of  good  quality.  Butter,  beef, 
wool,  calves,  lambs,  sheep,  fowls,  and  the  many  other  spcies  of 
*♦  marketing"  are  produced  here  in  great  quantities  for  the  New  York 
market,  and  their  returns  are  rapidly  enriching  the  producer.  The 
evidences  of  prosperity  are  everywhere  visible.  Within  a  few 
years  the  lands  have  doubled  in  value  and  pricte.  The  county  is 
watered  easterly  and  centrally  by  the  main  branches  of  the  Croton. 
It  is  divided  into  six  towns.     Pop.  12,825. 

Carmei.,  taken  from  Fredrickstown  (now  Kent)  in  1796;  centrally 
distant  106  miles  from  New  York,  55  from  Albany,  16  E.  of  the  Hudson 
river  at  West  Point,  and  18  from  Peekskill.    Pop.  2,263.    Carmel, 


1' 


PUTVAM  COUNTY. 


440 


the  county  seat,  is  a  small  villacfe  beautifully  situated  upon  Shaws 
hke.  Red  Mills  is  a  small  village  on  the  Muscoot  river,  8  miles 
&W.  ot  Larmel. 

Kent,  oriLMniilly  named  Frcdricktown  and  organized  in   1788; 
:  from  New  York  (50,  and  from  Albany  101  miles.     Pop,  1,830.     Mill' 
town,  7  miles  NW.,  and  Coles  Mills,  3  miles  N.  from  Carmel,  are 
small  settlements  on  a  branch  of  the  Croton. 

Tj  ^*^7^^«««'''  originally  named  Franklin,  and  organized  in  1795. 
I'op.  1,349.  1  attcrson  or  The  City,  formerly  named  Fredricksburc, 
in  the  valley  of  the  Croton,  is  a  small  village;.  Towners  and  Havt 
iand  s  Hollow  arc  names  of  post-offices. 


View  of  the  West  Point  Foundry  at  Cold  Spring. 


Phiijpstown  was  organized  in  1788  ;  centrally  distant  from  New 
York  53,  from  Albany  95  miles.  Pop.  3,814.  This  town  extends 
the  whole  length  of  the  west  end  of  Putnam  county  on  the  Hudson. 
Some  of  the  most  prominent  peaks  of  the  Highlands  are  in  this  town, 
viz :  Sugar  Loaf,  Bull  Hill,  Break  Neck,  and  Anthony's  Nose.  This 
last  IS  situated  at  the  entrance  of  the  Highlands,  and  is  about  1,000 
feet  in  height.  During  the  revolution,  a  large  boom  and  chain  ex- 
tended across  from  the  foot  of  this  peak  to  Fort  Montgomery,  on  the 
opposite  bank  of  the  Hudson.  The  village  of  Cold  Spring  is  situated 
20  miles  west  of  Carmel,  on  the  bank  of  the  Hudson,  about  one  mile 
and  a  half  above  West  Point.  It  is  principally  inhabited  by  the 
families  of  the  officers  and  workmen  of  the  West  Point  foundry. 
There  is  here  1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist,  1  Episcopal,  1  Methodist, 
and  1  Catholic  church,  171  dwellings,  11  mercantile  stores,  and  1,250 
inhabitants. 

The  West  Point  foundry  is  situated  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile 
SE.  from  the  village  of  Cold  Spring.  It  was  established  in  1816, 
and  is  at  present  the  largest  establishment  of  the  kind  in  the  Union. 

The  festablishmont  employs  400  men,  and  is  divided  into  the  following  branches,  with  a 
foreman  at  the  head  of  each  branch,  viz  :  an  iron  foundry,  a  braaa  foundry,  pattern,  amitha', 

57 


450 


PUTNAM    COUNTY. 


machine,  and  boiler  shops.  There  are  attached  to  the  foundry,  3  air  furnaces,  3  cupolaa. 
In  the  Biniths'  ahop  there  ia  1  trip-hammer  of  seven  tons  weight,  and  2  tilt.hammeni, — one 
of  1,000,  and  the  other  of  500  lbs.  Shafts  of  19  inches  diameter  have  been  forged  here, 
weighing  12  tons,  and  they  are  prepared  to  forge  shafts  of  2  feet  diameter.  The  machine 
shop  contains  28  turning  lathes,  and  3  planing  machines  for  iron.  The  consumption  of  the 
principal  materials  was  as  follows  during  the  year  1840.  Pig  iron,  $140,000 ;  coal, 
933,000;  bar  iron,  $29,000;  boiler  iron  plate,  $14,500;  copper,  $44,640 ;  total  $261,140. 
The  principal  articles  manufactured  during  that  time  were  water  pipes  for  the  Croton  water 
works ;  steam  engines  and  sugar  mills  for  the  West  I  idies ;  steam  engines  and  cotton 
presses  for  the  southern  states ;  flour  mill,  with  2  water  wneela  and  6  run  of  burr  stones,  for 
Austria ;  flour  mill  and  3  run  of  stones  for  Halifax,  N.  B. ;  engines,  boilers,  <Slc.,  fur  the 
steam  frigate  Missouri ;  heavy  wrought  iron  work  for  the  steam  frigate  Mississippi,  Steam 
engines  and  boilers,  both  high  and  low  pressure,  are  manufactured  likewise ;  flour,  rice, 
sugar,  oil,  and  saw.mills,  sugar  kettles,  cotton  presses,  hydrostatic  cylinders,  brass  and  iron 
cannon,  beli<,  shot  and  shells,  heavy  and  light  forged  work  ;  castings  of  all  sizes,  either  of 
composition  or  iron. 


The  Robinson  House. 

This  dwelling,  named  after  the  unfortunate  owner,  Col.  Beverly 
Robinson,  is  romantically  situated  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Hudson, 
about  two  miles  below  West  Point,  near  the  base  of  the  "Sugar 
Loaf,"  one  of  the  lofty  peaks  of  the  Highlands.  Dr.  Dwight,  who 
in  the  year  1778  spent  several  months  at  West  Point,  has  given  the 
annexed  account  of  this  dwelling  and  its  original  possessor. 

"  A  part  of  this  time  I  resided  at  the  head-quarters  of  General  Putnam,  then  command- 
ing at  this  post;  ond  aflerward  of  Oonoral  Parsons,  who  succeeded  him  in  the  command. 
These  gentlemen  lodged  in  the  house  of  Cul.  Beverly  Robinson  ;  a  respectable  native  of 
Scotland,  who  married  a  lady  of  the  Phillips  family,  one  of  the  wealthiest,  and  most  re- 
spectable of  the  province  of  New  York.  With  this  lady  Col.  Robinson  acquired  a  large 
landed  estate  lying  in  Phillipstown,  Fredericktown,  and  Franklin,  as  they  are  now  called  ; 
and  fur  tlie  more  convenient  management  of  it  planted  himself  in  this  spot.  Here  he  had  a 
spacious  and  convenient  mansion,  surrounded  by  valuable  gardens,  fields,  and  orchards, 
yielding  every  thing  which  will  grow  in  this  climate.  The  rents  of  his  estate  were  sufR. 
cient  to  make  life  as  agreeable  as  from  this  source  it  can  be.  Mrs.  Robinson  was  a  fine 
woman ;  and  their  children  promised  every  thing  which  can  be  expected  from  a  very  hope- 
ful family.  His  immediate  friends  were,  at  the  same  time,  persons  of  the  first  consequence 
ill  the  province. 

"  When  the  revolutionary  war  broke  out,  Cul.  Robinson  was  induced,  contrary  as  I  have 
been  informed  to  his  own  judgment  and  inclination,  by  the  importunity  of  some  of  his  con. 
nections  to  take  the  British  side  of  the  question.  To  him  it  appeared  wiser  and  safer  to 
act  a  neutral  part,  and  remain  quietly  on  his  estate.  The  pressure,  however,  from  various 
auurces  was  so  strong  against  him,  that  he  finally  yielded,  and  carried  his  family  with  him 
to  New  York,  vid  thenc«  to  Greet  Britain.    Hia  property  was  confiscated  by  the  legiele- 


PUTNAM   COUNTT. 


461 


tore  of  New  York,  and  his  family  banished  from  their  native  country.  It  was  impossible 
for  any  person,  who  finds  an  interest  in  the  affairs  of  his  fcliow.men,  and  particularly  while 
residing  in  the  very  mansion  where  they  had  so  lately  enjoyed  all  which  this  world  can 
give,  not  vo  feel  deeply  the  misfortunes  of  this  family.  Few  events  in  human  life  strike  the 
mind  more  painfully  than  banishment;  a  calamity  sufficiently  disastrous  in  the  moat 
ordinary  circumstances,  but  peculiarly  aiTecting  when  the  banished  are  brought  before  us 
in  the  narrow  circle  of  a  family ;  a  circle,  the  whole  of  which  the  eye  can  see,  and  whose 
sufferings  the  heart  can  perfectly  realize.  Peculiarly  is  this  true,  when  the  family  in  ques- 
tion is  enlightened,  polished,  amply  possessed  of  enjoyments,  tasting  them  with  moderation, 
and  sharing  them  cheerfully  with  their  friends  and  neighbors,  the  stranger  and  the  poor." 

When  Arnold  had  obtained  the  command  of  West  Point  in  Aug., 
1780,  he  established  his  head-quarters  at  "  Beverly,"  where  was  me- 
ditated that  act  of  treachery  which  has  stamped  his  memory  with 
everlasting  infamy.  At  the  time  the  news  of  the  capture  of  Andre 
was  received  by  Arnold,  General  Washington  and  hi.s  officers,  together 
with  the  traitor,  were  seated  at  breakfast,  in  the  lower  room,  to  the 
left  of  the  small  tree  seen  near  the  centre  of  the  engraving. 

The  annexed,  from  the  pen  of  a  late  visiter,  is  extracted  from  the 
Knickerbocker  for  Sept.,  1840. 

"  The  commander-in-chief,  at  the  time  of  the  capture,  was  on  his  way  from  Hartford,  and 
changing  the  route  which  he  had  first  proposed,  came  by  the  way  of  West  Point.  At 
Fishkill  he  met  the  French  minister,  M.  de  la  Luzerne,  who  had  been  to  visit  Count 
Rochambeau  at  Newport,  and  he  remained  that  night  with  the  minister.  Very  early  next 
morning  he  sent  off  his  luggage,  with  orders  to  the  men  to  go  with  it  as  quickly  as  possible 
to  '  Beverly,'  and  give  Mrs.  ^nold  notice  that  he  would  be  there  at  breakfast.  When  the 
general  and  his  suite  arrived  opposite  West  Point,  he  was  observed  to  turn  his  horse  into 
a  narrow  road  that  led  to  the  river.  La  Fayette  remarked,  '  General,  you  are  going  in  a 
wrong  direction ;  you  know  Mrs.  Arnold  is  waiting  breakfast  for  us.'  Washington  good, 
naturedly  remarked :  *  Ah,  I  know  you  young  men  are  all  in  love  with  Mrs.  Arnold,  and 
wish  to  get  where  she  ia  as  soon  as  possible.  You  may  go  and  take  your  breakfast  with 
her,  and  lell  her  not  to  wait  for  me  :  I  must  ride  down  and  examine  the  redoubts  on  this 
side  of  the  river.'  The  ofKcers,  however,  with  the  exception  of  two  of  the  aids,  remained. 
When  the  aids  arrived  at '  Beverly,'*  they  found  the  family  waiting ;  and  having  commu. 
nicated  the  message  of  General  Washington,  Arnold,  with  his  family  and  the  two  aids,  sat 
down  to  breakfast.  Before  they  had  finished,  a  messenger  arrived  in  great  haste,  and 
handed  General  Arnold  a  letter,  which  he  read  with  deep  and  evident  emotion. 

"  The  self-control  of  the  soldier  enabled  Arnold  to  suppress  the  agony  he  endured  after 
reading  this  letter.  He  rose  hastily  from  the  table ;  told  the  aids  that  his  immediate  pre- 
sence  was  required  at  West  Point ;  and  desired  them  so  to  inform  General  Washington, 
when  he  arrived.  Having  first  ordered  a  horse  to  be  ready,  he  hastened  to  Mrs.  Arnold's 
chamber,  and  there,  with  a  bursting  heart,  disclosed  to  her  his  dreadful  position,  and  that 
they  must  part,  perhaps  for  ever.t  Struck  with  horror  at  the  poinful  intelligence,  this  fond 
and  devoted  wife  swooned,  end  fell  senseless  at  his  feet.  In  this  state  he  left  her,  hurried 
down  stairs,  and  mounting  his  horse,  rode  with  all  possible  speed  to  the  river.  In  doing 
so,  Arnold  did  not  keep  the  main  road,  but  passed  down  the  mountain,  pursuing  a  by-poih 
through  the  woods,  which  Lieutenant  Arden  pointed  out,  and  which  is  now  called  '  Arnold's 
Path.'  Near  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  where  the  path  approaches  the  main  road,  a  weep, 
ing  willow,  planted  there  no  doubt  by  some  patriot  hand,  stands,  in  marked  contrast  with 
the  forest  trees  which  encircle  and  surround  it,  to  point  out  to  the  inquiring  tourist  the  very 
pathway  of  the  traitor. 


•  The  property  now  belongs  to  Richard  D.  Arden,  Esq.,  and  adjoins  his  own  romantic 
and  beautiful  "  Ardenia,"  whence  no  "  visiter"  departs,  who  can  ever  forget  the  generoua 
*'  Highland  welcome."  Mr.  Arden,  with  a  true  patriotism  that  does  him  honor,  has  per. 
mitted  no  alteration  of  the  interior  of  the  house.  The  same  low  ceiling,  large  and  uncov. 
ered  joists,  the  same  polished  tiles  around  the  fire-places,  and  the  absence  of  all  ornament 
which  marks  the  progress  of  modern  architecture,  preserve  complete  the  interost  wbieh 
the  stirring  incidents  of  that  period  have  fli'ng  around  the  "  Robinson  House." 

t  We  also  visited  this  chamber,  which  remains  unaltered.  Over  the  mantel  is  carved  in 
the  wood  work :  "  G.  Wallis,  Lieut.  VI.  Mass.  Regt." 


452 


aUEENS    COUNTY. 


.„j  f^.t"''K"'^'**.''"!i?'"''''.'^®  *'*'■«  accompanied  by  the  superintendent,  Major  Delafield 
!^i  V^A  !!T '""'*'''  u"'"'"*.'*  ^°' °" accommodation,  we  Vere rowed  to  'Beverly  Dock  • 
and  landed  at  the  spot  where  Arnold  took  boat  to  aid  his  escape.  He  was  rowed  to  the 
Z^  r*  f ""''  "'^^"^  H  **^'"  handkerchief,  created  the  impression  that  t  wm  a  Z  boat  h 
was  therefore  suffered  to  pass.  He  made  himself  known  to  Captain  Sutheriand^ihe  Vu 
hl'.?"f  k''*"  Tu-'^  ""  ^"^  ">«  '«««»"  "f  ">e  boatmen  who  had  rowed  hm  off  iSonned 
ham  that  he  and  h»  crew  were  all  prisoner  of  war.  This  disgraceful  and  m^l  unm?nW 
appendix  to  h.8  treason,  was  considered  so  contemptible  by  tKpt^n,  thatT  ^r^S 
tL"!^  H-r  "!1  *•*"'*'  "?  ^  P^ol  of  honor,  to  pr'ocure  clothes  for  Wr^self  and  cSes 
This  he  did  and  returned  the  same  day.  When  they  arrived  in  NeTvork  &^He^ 
CI  nton  holdmg  m  just  contempt  such  a  wanton  act  of  meanness,  sefthem  aU  at  1  bertt^ 

dTl?w  "fp'-^'^*""«"'"  '■"'"=»""^  'B«^«''y''  «"«»  *<«  i"f»™ed  thai  Arnold  haTde 
fh  1,  *?' West  Point,  he  crossed  directly  over,  expecting  to  find  him.  Surarised  to  leam 
that  he  had  not  been  there,  after  examining  the  works  he  returned.  Genei^Klt^nZn 
emained  at  •  Beverly.' and  as  Washington  and  his  suite  rrrWalkZupThrmrnS 

o5n?toJrtL'*"l^*'r!.'''^^^^^^ 

ton  in^  I"  If  Tu  ^  b"ef  "nd  suppressed  conversation  took  place  between  Washing 
t«n.»^h  '/•  ""''  ^^y.  ^"""^^  ""  ™P''''y  '"  "•«  '"'"«'.  >^here  the  papers  tha"  W^S' 

ton's  change  of  route  had  prevented  his  receiving,  had  been  delivered  that  morning- TS 

Jnd  fhe'SZHM'* '"  ^T"r  T  '{  «'■*'''  """^  P^«*'"«  importance  wereVh^o1,;ned 
and  the  dreadful  secret  disclosed.     Instant  measures  were  adopted  to  intercept  Arnold  ami 

Favettc  tfT'"'  ''"i  '°?'"-  u^r'"^  Washington  then  communica  ed  thetaTte  t  lJ 
tZfl^.v  ^^''*',''"'*  «""*  '"  *«  fonn*'-.  *  more  in  sorrow  than  in  anger.'  •  Whom  cm  te 
trust  now  ?•    He  also  went  up  to  see  Mrs.  Arnold  ;  but  even  WashiLton  could  carrv  to 

of  rpn»??  w"''."-  ""■  ^^^^  ^"^  »'""'«'  fr«"««d;  and  in  its  wiSmooT  she  spoke 
of  General  Washington  as  the  murderer  of  her  child.  It  seemed  that  she  h3  n„t  .h«  ,» 
motest  Idea  of  her  husband's  treason ;  and  she  had  even  schooTd  her  hem  to  fee"  more  hr 
TJT  i^T"""'  %Tr  •""'  '.^^"'^  f°'  "«««  ^ho  professed  to  loveT  Her  hXnS 
glory  was  her  dream  of  bliss-the  requiem  chant  for  her  infant's  reoMe  •  Md^a  wJ 
found,  alas !  as  many  a  confiding  heart  has  oft  been  found,  ^      '  "  "^^ 

*  To  cling  like  ivy  round  a  worthless  thing.' " 
Putnam  Valley,  recently  erected  from  Phillipstown,  is  situated  in 

^stamX  T"?  '"T"  ^^  '^^  Highlands;  from  Carmel  centrally 
distant  W.  9  miles.     Iron  ore  is  found  here.     Pop.  1,659 

HinTJrK''"\rT"T^  '"  ^^^^'  ^'•°'"  ^^b^"y  113  miles.  Joes 
Will  is  a  beautifuf  and  romantic  eminence  extending  W.  from  Con- 

S  unH  T.  '^-u  *''^"-  ^?P-  ''^^«-  M"'t«wn,  8  miles  E.  S  Ca?- 
mel,  and  Hatsville,  are  small  settlements. 


QUEENS  COUNTY. 
Queens  COUNTY,  an  original  county,  was  organized  in  1683  and 

l7^Tr  '"/'^'*  P^;*  "f  \°"«  ^^^^"^  -hich^s  bounded  eas'terly 
f  on!  n  ^Z"*""*/'  'T*'^''^  ^y  '^^  At'^tic  ocean,  northerly  by 
Long  Island  sound  and  westerly  by  Kings  county,  including  Lloyds 

Ser  Rl^"'f?  ^'"«gf'  the  islands  called  North  and  South  K 
!:t!  U  ""''^u'^^"?*  '^"^  '^""^  °ther  islands  lying  in  the  sound  oppo- 
site  the  said  bounds  and  southerly  of  the  main  cLnnel.     The  courts 

at  Which  pace  the  governor  on  various  occasions  ordered  meetings  of 

68^ bT4"ich  Thf  ''""r"*  '"T'-   ^y  '^'  actof  the  Assembly  in 
ie«J,  by  which  the  counties  and  towns  upon  Long  Island  were  or- 


II 


OUEENa   COUNTY. 


468 


was 


ganized  and  established,  the  county  courts  were  required  thereafter 
to  be  held  at  the  village  of  Jamaica.  They  were  held  there  for 
about  seven  years  in  the  old  stone  church  which  stood  in  the  middle 
of  the  present  Fulton  street,  opposite  Union  Hall  street.  In  the  year 
1690,  a  courthouse  and  jail  were  erected  upon  the  site  now  occupied 
by  the  female  academy,  and  continued  to  be  used  for  the  purpose  of 
holding  the  courts  of  the  county  until  the  present  courthouse  was 
built  upon  the  north  side  of  Hempstead  plains,  in  the  town  of  North 
Hempstead,  in  the  year  1788.  The  county  is  divided  into  six  towns. 
Pop.  30,324. 

Flushing  has  for  the  most  part  a  level  surface  and  good  soil.  Pop. 
4,124.  The  settlement  of  this  town  was  commenced  in  1644,  prin- 
cipally by  a  company  of  Englishmen,  who  had  been  residents  of 
Vlissengen,  or  Flushing,  in  Holland.  They  came  to  this  place  on  ac- 
count of  the  inducements  held  out  to  them  by  the  government  of  the 
Netherlands.  At  the  revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantes  a  number  of 
French  protestants  fled  from  their  native  country,  and  several  fam- 
ilies came  and  settled  in  Flushing,  most  of  whose  posterity  are  now 
extinct.  About  the  only  memorial  of  them  now  existing  are  a  num- 
ber of  the  lady  apple  and  bell  pear  trees  which  they  planted  in  differ- 
ent places.  They  also  introduced  a  variety  of  other  fruits.  From 
that  time  to  this.  Flushing  has  had  a  high  reputation  for  the  excellence 
and  variety  of  its  fruit.  The  well-known  Linnean  Botanic  Garden 
was  commenced  here  as  early  as  1750,  by  William  Prince.  White- 
stone  and  Clintonville  are  small  settlements  in  this  town. 

Flushing  village,  recently  incorporated,  contains  about  2,000  inhab- 
itants in  a  square  mile.  Its  various  attractions,  with  great  facility  of 
communication  with  New  York,  have  induced  many  wealthy  citizens 
to  locate  in  its  immediate  neighborhood.  Some  of  the  private  resi- 
dences are  among  the  most  imposing  and  splendid  edifices  in  the  state. 
The  village  of  Flushing  lies  at  the  head  of  Flushing  bay,  5  miles 
from  the  sound,  by  water,  9  miles  from  the  centre  of  New  York,  and 
1 1  west  from  North  Hempstead.  St.  Paul's  college,  under  the  di- 
rection of  the  Rev.  Wm.  A.  Muhlenberg,  is  a  flourishing  institution 
on  College  point,  about  3  miles  north  of  Flushing  village.  St.  Thomas* 
Hall,  a  literary  institution  for  young  men,  has  lately  been  established 
at  Flushing,  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  Francis  L.  Hawks,  D.  D.,  prin- 
cipal and  proprietor.  St.  Ann's  Hall  is  a  female  institute,  of  which 
Rev.  John  F.  Schroeder,  D.  D.,  is  the  principal. 

On  the  right  in  the  annexed  view  is  the  Bowne  mansion-house,  sit- 
uated upon  the  elevated  ground  about  half  a  mile  eastward  of  the 
steamboat  landing  in  Flushing.  It  is  believed  to  be  the  oldest  house 
now  standing  on  Long  Island,  having  been  erected  in  1661,  by  John 
Bowne,  of  the  society  of  Friends.  Besides  the  antiquity  of  the  build- 
ing, it  is  one  of  much  historic  interest.  The  celebrated  George  Fox, 
the  founder  of  the  society  of  Friends,  has  lodged  within  the  walls  of 
this  house,  which  was  the  place  for  the  yearly  meeting  for  the  whole 
body  of  Friends  in  the  province  of  New  York,  previous  to  1690. 
On  the  left  of  the  engraving,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street  from 


4M 


QUEENS    COUN'TV. 


1^ 


Bowne  Mansion-house,  Flushing,  L.  I. 

the  house,  are  seen  two  ancient  oaks,  under  which  Fox  preached 
when  in  this  country  in  1672.  Although  differing  in  some  of  his  ten- 
ets from  the  majority  of  those  professing  the  Christian  name,  George 
Fox  had  the  martyr  spirit  within,  and,  had  he  been  called  to  the  trial, 
would  doubtless  have  sealed  his  testimony  with  his  blood.  His  suffer- 
mgs  in  the  cause  of  religious  freedom  entitle  him  to  the  gratitude  of 
mankmd.  Men  of  his  stamp  are  the  true  patriots  and  genuine  nobility 
of  the  human  race.  "  A  nobler  object,"  says  an  eloquent  writer,  "  no 
human  or  angelic  mind  could  ever  propose  to  itself,  than  to  promote 
the  glory  of  the  great  governor  of  the  Universe,  in  studying  and 
labonng  to  diffuse  purity  and  happiness  among  his  unholy  and  mis- 
erable creatures."  Compared  to  a  spirit  like  this,  how  fiendlike  is  the 
mere  warrior  or  conqueror, 

"  Who  wades  through  slaughter  to  a  throne, 
And  shuts  the  gates  of  mercy  on  mankind." 

The  farm  on  which  the  Bowne  house  is  situated  is  now  owned  by 
Mr.  Samuel  Parsons,  and  has  ever  been  in  the  possession  of  some  one 
of  the  Bowne  family.  The  large  and  flourishing  nursery  establish- 
ment of  Messrs.  Parsons  &  Co.  for  fruit  and  ornamental  trees,  is  on 
this  farm. 


Cadwallat>ek  Golden  was  for 
many  years  a  resident  of  Flush, 
ing.    He  was  the  son  of  the  Rev. 


Z^^'/   AFexander  Golden,  of  Dunse,  in 


1/  ^^^  17,  1688.    He  studied  medicine 

at  Edinburgh,  and  in  1708  came 
rac;im(uycad,,att«d.TCoid,„:,if,«itur,.  to  Philadelphia,  and  established 

himself  ns  a  physician.  In  1718,  he  removed  to  New  York,  and  was  soon  appointed  sur. 
veyor-general,  and  afterward  master  in  chancery.  In  1720,  he  was  advanced  to  a  place  in 
me  kings  council  of  the  province,  and  was  for  a  long  time  one  of  the  most  conspicuous 
f^f  M.7  .k  ■  'i!i«^"  J"  ''^*'  l"^  "^"^  appointed  lieutenanUgovernor,  and  held  the  office 
uu  his  aeatn  in  177b.    He  was  a  di8tin;;ui8hed  scholar  as  well  as  a  civilian  ;  was  thoroughly 


\ 


aUEENS    COUNTY. 


456 


Yersed  in  the  knowledge  of  medicine,  botany,  and  astronomy ;  and  corresponded  with 
many  of  the  most  eminent  scholars  both  in  America  and  Europe.  Besides  his  publications 
relating  to  mathematics,  botany,  and  medicine,  he  wrote  a  valuable  history  of  the  Five  In- 
dian  Nations.  While  holding  the  office  of  lieutenant-governor,  he  resided  most  of  the  time 
at  his  farm  in  Flushing,  called  Spring  Hill.  He  died  Sept.  26,  1776,  and  was  buried  in  a 
private  cemetery  on  the  Spring  Hill  farm.  He  had  five  sons  and  five  daughters,  a  part  ol 
whom  only  survived  him.  Three  of  his  sons,  Alexander,  Cadwallader,  and  David,  were 
prominent  men  in  the  colony.  Cadwallader  D.  Colden,  the  only  son  of  David  Golden,  was 
born  at  Spring  Hill  in  Flushing,  April  4,  1769.  He  commenced  his  education  in  the  town 
of  Jamaica,  and  completed  it  in  London.  In  1785,  he  returned  to  the  United  States  and 
commenced  the  study  of  law.  He  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Pough. 
keepsie,  in  1793,  where  he  was  soon  made  district  attorney,  and  laid  the  foundation 
of  his  future  fame.  In  a  few  years  he  stood,  as  a  commercial  lawyer,  at  the  head  of 
his  profession,  and  in  the  other  branches,  among  the  first.  In  1818  he  was  elected  to  the 
New  York  assembly,  and  the  same  year  appointed  mayor  of  New  York.  In  1822  he  was 
chosen  a  representative  in  Congress.  In  1824  he  was  elected  to  the  state  senate,  and  held 
the  office  three  years  in  succession.  The  most  untiring  industry  and  patient  research  were 
peculiar  traits  in  his  professional  character,  and  marked  his  proceedings  in  every  thing  he  un- 
dertook. He  was  among  the  earliest  and  most  efficient  promoters,  in  connection  with  De 
Witt  Clinton,  of  the  system  of  internal  improvements.  At  the  completion  of  the  Erie 
canal,  he  wrote  and  published  the  memoir  upon  the  subject.  He  wrote  also  the  Life  of 
Rjotvit  Fulton.    He  died  universally  esteemed  at  Jersey  City,  Feb.  7, 1834. 


Northern  view  of  Hempstead,  Long  Island. 

Hempstead,  incorporated  in  1784,  was  originally  the  south  part  of 
the  ancient  town  of  Hempstead.  It  has  a  level  surface  and  a  soil  of 
sandy  loam,  much  of  which  is  rendered  quite  productive  by  a  judi- 
cious cultivation.  Pop.  7,619.  The  first  permanent  settlement  in 
the  town  is  supposed  to  have  been  commenced  on  the  site  of  the 
present  village  of  Hempstead,  in  1643,  by  a  few  emigrants  from  New 
England,  who  obtained  a  patent  from  the  Dutch  governor  Kieft. 
These  emigrants  cime  originally  from  a  place  commonly  called 
//ewieZ-Hempstead,  23  miles  from  London.  The  annexed  engraving 
shows  the  appearance  of  Hempstead  village  as  it  is  entered  from  the 
north  by  the  branch  railroad,  two  miles  in  length,  which  connects  the 
village  with  the  Long  Island  railroad.  It  is  pleasantly  situated  on 
the  southern  margin  of  the  ,great  " Hempstead  plains"  21  miles 
from  New  York,  and  three  from  the  courthouse  in  North  Hemp- 
stead. These  plains  consist  of  about  17,000  acres  of  unenclosed 
lands,  which  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  own  in  common.  The 
village  has  within  a  square  mile  200  dwellings,  and  about  1,400  in- 


466 


aUEENa    COUNTT. 


'.■,.' 


habitants ;  there  are  three  churches,  1  Presbyterian,  1  Episcopal,  and 
1  Methodist,  and  the  Hempstead  Seminary,  a  fine  specimen  of  mod- 
ern architecture.  There  is  a  newspaper  printing  office  in  the  village. 
The  village  of  Jerusalem,  upon  the  eastern  border  of  the  town,  con- 
tains about  150  inhabitants.  The  village  of  Near  Rockaway  is  about 
6  miles  SW.  of  Hempstead  village,  at  the  head  of  Rockaway  bay, 
which  can  be  approached  by  vessels  of  60  or  80  tons.  It  is  a  place 
of  some  business :  here  are  several  stores,  a  lumber  and  ship  yard, 
&c.  Far  Rockaway,  about  29  miles  from  New  York,  has  grown 
into  importance  as  a  fashionable  watering  place.  The  "  Marine  Pa- 
vilion," a  splendid  hotel,  was  erected  here  in  1834,  near  the  beach, 
70  rods  from  the  ocean.  Raynortown  is  a  small  village  5  miles  SE. 
from  Hempstead  village. 

The  annexed  engraving  is  a  representation  of  the  monument  erected 
to  commemorate  the  terrible  loss  of  life  by  the  wreck  of  the  Bristol 
and  Mexico,  on  the  south  shore  of  this  town  in  1836-7.  The  grave 
is  about  3  feet  high,  9  wide,  and  100  feet  long,  and  contains  the  bodies 
of  nearly  100  individuals.  It  is  situated  adjoining  the  Methodist 
burial  ground  at  Near  Rockaway,  in  this  town,  4  miles  southeast  of 
Hempstead  village.  This  monument  is  18  feet  in  height  from  the 
bottom  of  the  mound,  and  is  constructed  of  white  marble  from  the 
quarries  of  Westchester  county.     The  following  are  the  inscriptions : 

South  aide. — To  the  memory  of  77  per- 
sons, chiefly  emigrants  from  England  and 
Ireland,  being  the  only  remains  of  100 
souls,  comprising  the  passengers  and  crew 
of  the  American  ship  Brittol,  Captain 
McKown,  wrecked  on  Far  Rockaway 
beach,  November  21, 1836. 

West  side. — All  the  bodies  of  the  Bris- 
tol  and  Mexico,  recovered  from  the  ocean, 
and  decently  interred  near  this  spot,  were 
followed  to  the  grave  by  a  large  concourse 
of  citizens  and  strangers,  and  an  address 
delivered  suited  to  the  occasion. 


# 


North  side, — To  the  memory  of  sixty. 
two  persons,  chiefly  emigrants  from  Eng- 
land  and  Ireland ;  being  the  only  remains 
of  115  souls,  forming  the  passengers  and 
crew  of  the  American  barque  Mexico, 
Capt.  Winslow,  wrecked  on  Hempstead 
beach,  Jan.  2d,  1837. 

East  side, — To  commemorate  the  mel- 
ancholy  fate  of  the  unfortunate  sufferers 
belonging  to  the  Bristol  and  Mexico,  this 
monument  was  erected;  partly  by  the 
nunR-y  found  upon  their  persons,  and  part, 
ly  by  the  contributions  of  the  benevolent 
and  humane  in  the  county  of  Queens. 


JfenimnnlitfJVftif  Rotlimtnyio  ikt  mmOTyof  \npmiimtvh» 
ptrUhtd  w  1A«  »r«ct«  o/  (At  BrUluluKd  Mexico. 


aUEENB   COUNTY. 


467 


including  office™,  and  about  one  hundred  pamengen,  chiefly  emi^ranla.    She  had  a  fak 

80,  wiA  her  lanterna  out  a.  a  mgnai  for  a  pilot;  at  which  time  the  gale  had  jus.  com«en. 

^S'  1,  'S  J  '"'^«*«f>  ^T  ""''  ■'«*  *•  ••''P  ''•«  "''''Ked  'o  -^d  off-  About  fo.w 
o  rtock  on  Sunday  morning,  ahe  struck  on  Far  Rockaway,  and  at  daylight,  though  within 
Halt  a  mile  of  the  shore,  owing  to  the  heavy  sea,  no  reUef  could  be  afforded  to  tha  di». 
treaseu  passengers  and  crew,  who  were  clinging  to  the  shrouds  and  other  parts  of  the  rig. 
ging ;  in  thu  situahon  they  remained  through  the  day.  About  11  o'clock  at  night,  the  sea 
somewhat  abaUng,  some  boate  went  to  her  relief,  and  succeeded  in  taking  off  the  captain, 
a  portion  of  the  crew  and  some  of  the  passengers.  AU  were  rescued  who  remained  on 
tlie  wreck  when  the  boats  reached  it,  but  during  the  day  the  ship  went  to  pieces,  and  the 
next  morning  her  stern-post  was  all  that  remained. 

"Among  the  passengers  lost  was  Mr.  Donnelly,  of  New  York,  who  died  a  ticUm  to  his 
own  philanthropy;  and  Mrs.  Hogan  and  two  daughters.  Mrs.  Donnelly,  her nune  and 
children  were  saved,  and,  with  other  women  and  children,  landed  by  the  first  boat.  Twice 
the  boate  returned  to  the  wreck,  and  twice  Mr.  Donnelly  yielded  his  place  to  others.  In 
the  third  attempt  to  go  off,  the  boats  Were  swamped,  and  the  crew  became  discouraged, 
and  would  not  go  back.  In  the  mean  time  the  storm  increased,  and  Mr.  Donnelly,  with 
the  two  Mr.  Carletons,  took  to  tlie  foremast,  where  the  crew  and  many  steerage  passen. 
gers  had  sought  temporary  safety.  Unhappily,  this  mast  soon  went  by  the  board,  ai^of 
about  twenty  perwns  on  it,  the  only  one  saved  was  Mr.  Briscoe,  a  cabin  passenger,  which 
was  effected  by  his  catching  at  the  bowsprit  rigging,  whence  he  was  taken  by  the  boats. 
Ihe  captain,  and  a  number  of  the  cabin  and  steerage  passengers,  were  on  the  mizenraast ; 
and  whon  that  fell,  they  lashed  themselves  to  the  taffrail,  where  for  four  hours  the  sea  broke 
over  them. 

"Some  twenty  of  the  steerage  passengers,  principally  women  and  children,  perished  al- 
most  immediately  after  the  ship  struck.  Even  before  they  could  leave  their  bertha  the  ahip 
bilged,  filled,  and  all  below  were  drowned.  Not  a  groan  was  heard  to  denote  the  cata» 
trophe — so  awfully  sudden  was  it. 

"  And  to  those  whom  the  waves  and  the  mercy  of  God  had  spared,  what  was  Ihe  con- 
duct  of  their  brother  man  ?  Their  persons,  their  trunks,  were  searched  and  robbed  by  the 
hends  that  gathered  around  the  wreck.  One  hapless  being,  thrown  senseless  but  yet  alive 
on  the  shore,  and  having  about  him  his  all— ten  sovereigns— was  plundered  of  them !" 

Distressing  as  was  the  fate  of  the  Bristol,  the  wreck  of  the  Mexico 
was  still  more  terrible.  This  occurred  in  the  dead  of  winter,  and 
the  sufferings  of  the  unhappy  crew  and  passengers  from  the  cold 
were  mtense.  The  annexed  affecting  description  of  the  appearance 
after  death  of  the  unfortunate  individuals  who  perished  in  her,  is 
given  by  an  eye-witness : — 

"  On  reaching  Hempstead,  I  concluded  to  go  somewhat  off  the  road,  to  look  at  the  place 
where  the  ship  Mexico  was  cast  away.  In  half  an  hour,  we  came  to  Lott's  tavern,  some 
tour  OT  five  miles  this  side  of  the  beach,  where  the  ship  lay;  and  there,  in  his  bam,  had 
heen  deposited  the  bodies  of  the  iU-fated  passengers,  which  had  been  thrown  upon  the 
shore.  I  went  out  to  the  bam.  The  doors  were  open,  and  such  a  scene  as  presented  it 
seu  to  my  view,  I  certamly  never  could  have  contemplated.  It  was  a  dreadful,  a  friKhtftil 
scene  of  horror.  '  .    ^ 

.1,  "a°^  °^f^^^  bodies,  of  all  ages  and  sexes,  were  lying  promiscuously  before  me  over 
the  floor,  all  irozen  and  as  solid  as  marble— and  all,  except  a  few,  in  the  very  dresses  in 
which  they  perished.  Some  with  their  hands  clenched,  as  if  for  warmth,  and  almost  every 
one  with  an  arm  crooked  and  bent,  as  it  would  be  in  clinging  to  the  rigging. 

"  There  were  scattered  about  among  the  number,  four  or  five  beautifiil  little  girls,  from 
BIX  to  sixteen  years  of  age,  their  cheeks  and  lips  as  red  as  roses,  with  their  calm  blue  eyes 
open,  looking  you  in  the  face,  as  if  they  would  speak.  I  could  hardly  realize  that  they 
were  dead.  I  touched  their  cheeks,  and  they  were  frozen  as  hard  and  as  solid  as  a  rock, 
and  not  the  least  indehtation  couW  be  made  by  any  pressure  of  the  hand.  I  could  perceive 
a  resemblance  to  each  other,  and  supposed  them  to  be  the  dau^ters  of  a  passenger  named 
Pepper,  who  perished,  together  with  his  wife  and  all  the  family. 

"  On  the  arms  of  some,  were  seen  the  impressions  of  the  rope  which  they  had  clung  to, 
the  mark  of  the  twist  deeply  sunk  into  the  flesh.  I  saw  one  poor  negro  sailor,  a  tall  man. 
With  his  head  thrown  back,  his  lips  parted,  and  Us  now  sightless  eveJmlla  turned  upwards, 

58 


lit 


IN 


458 


OtIEENS  COUNTY. 


and  his  anns  croned  over  his  breut,  as  if  imploring  heaven  for  aid.  This  poor  fellow  evi. 
dentiy  had  froxen  while  in  the  act  of  fervent  prayer. 

"One  female  had  a  rope  tied  to  her  leg,  which  had  bound  her  to  the  rigging ;  and  anotlu 
er  little  fellow  had  been  crying,  and  was  thus  frozen,  with  the  muscles  of  the  face  just  as 
we  see  children  when  crying.  There  were  a  brother  and  a  sister  dashed  upon  the  beach, 
locked  in  each  other's  arms  ;  but  they  had  been  separated  in  the  bam.  All  the  men  had 
their  lips  firmly  compressed  together,  and  with  the  most  agonizing  expression  on  their 
countenances  I  ever  beheld. 

"  One  little  girl  had  raised  herself  on  tiptoe,  and  thus  was  frozen,  just  in  that  position.  It 
was  an  awful  sight ;  and  such  a  picture  of  horror  was  before  me,  that  I  became  uncon- 
sciously fixed  to  the  spot,  and  found  myself  trying  to  suppress  my  ordinary  breathing,  lest 
I  should  disturb  the  repose  of  those  aroimd  me.  I  was  aroused  fiom  the  tevery  by  the 
entrance  of  a  man — a  coroner. 

"  Aa  I  was  about  to  leave,  my  attention  became  directed  to  a  girl,  who,  I  afterward 
learudd,  had  come  that  morning  from  the  city  to  search  for  her  sister.  She  had  sent  for 
her  to  come  over  from  England,  and  had  received  intelligence  that  she  was  in  this  ship. 
She  came  into  the  bam,  and  :*<e  second  body  she  cast  her  eyes  upon,  was  hers.  She  gave 
way  to  such  a  burst  of  inipr  >>  .led  grief  and  anguish,  that  I  could  not  behold  her  without 
sharing  in  her  feelings.  She  threw  hereelf  upon  the  cold  and  icy  face  and  neck  of  the 
lifeless  body,  and  thus,  with  hsr  arms  around  her,  remained  wailing,  mourning,  and  sob. 
bing,  till  I  came  away ;  and  when  some  distance  off,  I  could  hear  her  calling  her  by  name 
in  the  most  frantic  manner. 

"  So  little  time,  it  appears,  hac*  they  to  prepare  for  their  fate,  that  I  perceived  a  bunch  of 
keys,  and  a  half  eaten  cake,  fall  from  the  bosom  of  a  girl  whom  the  coroner  was  removing. 
The  cake  appeared  as  if  part  of  it  had  just  been  bitten,  and  hastily  thrust  into  her  bosom, 
and  round  her  neck  was  a  riband,  with  a  pair  of  scissors. 

"  And  to  observe  the  stout,  rugged  sailors,  too,  whose  iron  frames  could  endure  so  much 
hardship — here  they  lay  masses  of  ice.  Such  scenes  show  us,  indeed,  how  poweriess  and 
feeble  are  all  human  efforts,  when  contending  against  the  storms  and  tempests,  which  sweep 
with  resistless  violence  over  the  face  of  the  deep.  And  yet  the  vessel  was  so  near  the 
shore,  that  the  shrieks  and  moans  of  the  poor  creatures  were  heard  through  that  bitter, 
dreadfu!  night,  till  towards  morning,  when  the  last  groan  died  away,  and  all  was  hushed  in 
death,  and  tlie  murmur  of  the  raging  billows  was  all  the  sound  that  then  met  the  ear." 

Jamaica  is  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  county.  Pop.  3,782. 
Its  name  is  derived  from  a  small  tribe  or  family  of  Indians,  who 
it  is  believed  dwelt  upon  the  shore  of  the  creek  putting  up  from 
the  bay  south  of  the  present  village  of  Jamaica,  and  called  the  "  Ja- 
maco"  tribe.  In  1656  some  individuals  from  Milford  united  with  a 
few  of  the  inhabitants  from  Hempstead,  and  obtained  from  Gov- 
ernor Stuyvesant  permission  to  settle  the  town.  A  more  formal  and 
extensive  patent  was  granted  to  the  town  in  1660,  in  which  year  it 
was  incorporated  by  the  name  of  Rusdorpe,  from  a  town  of  that 
name  in  Holland,  and  which  it  retained  until  the  conquest,  when  the 
present  appellation  was  adopted.  The  first  house  for  religious  wor- 
ship was  erected  in  1662,  and  the  tov/n  by  a  public  vote  agreed  to 
give  the  Rev.  Zachariah  Walker,  as  their  minister,  a  salary  of  sixty 
pounds  a  year,  payable  in  wheat  and  Indian  com  at  current  prices ; 
he  was  accordingly  settled  here  in  1663. 

The  village  ofJamaica  is  a  beautiful  place.  It  is  located  upon  the 
Long  Island  railroad,  13  miles  from  New  York,  also  upon  the  great 
thoroughfare  from  Brooklyn  to  the  east  end  of  Long  Island,  and  en- 
joys every  desirable  facility  of  intercourse  with  the  surrounding 
country.  Here  are  concentrated  the  different  roads  leading  to  Brook- 
lyn, Williamsburgh,  Rockaway,  Flushing,  Jericho,  and  Hempstead. 
This  village  was  made  the  seat  of  justice  lor  the  north-riding  of  York- 
shire, at  its  organization  in  1665  ;  and  so  continued  after  the  division 


OUEENS  COUNTY. 


459 


oor  fellow  evi. 


Central  part  of  Jamaica  Village,  Long  Island. 

of  Long  Island  into  counties  in  1083,  until  the  erection  of  the  court- 
house on  Hempstead  plains  in  1788.  The  offices  of  surrogate  and 
county  clerk  are  still  required  to  be  kept  here,  and  for  which  a  suit- 
able building  has  been  erected.  The  village  was  incorporated  April 
15,  1814,  and  has  been  gradually  increasing  in  buildings  and  popula- 
tion, till  it  now  contains  about  two  hundred  dwellings  and  fifteen 
hundred  inhabitants.  It  has,  besides  the  academies,  five  places  for 
public  worship,  six  hotels  and  boarding-housest  two  drug-stores,  eight 
drpoods  and  grocery  stores,  two  book  and  stationary  stores,  circu- 
latmg  library,  bindery,  three  carriage-makers,  blind  and  sash  manu- 
factory, cabinet-maker,  locksmith^ianoforte  manufacturer,  and  many 
otiisr  mechanics  and  artisans.  There  are  several  splendid  private 
resic'ences  in  the  village  and  its  immediate  vicinity,  erected  by  gen- 
tl'jmei  of  the  city,  who  find  it  both  convenient  and  agreeable.  Here 
is  the  depot  of  the  Brooklyn  and  Jamaica  railroad  company,  with 
their  large  and  commodious  car-house,  engine-house,  antf  machine- 
shops.  This  company  was  incorporated  April  25,  1832,  to  continue 
for  fifty  years,  with  a  capital  of  #300,000.  In  1836  it  was  leased  for 
a  term  of  years  to  the  Long  Island  railroad  company  at  an  annual 
rent,  and  has  since  been  under  the  direction  of  that  incorporation. 
The  latter  company  commenced  running  cars  upon  their  road  as  far 
as  Hicksville  on  the  1st  of  March,  1837,  from  which  time  it  has  been 
in  constant  operation. 

»  Union  Courte,  where  thouMnda  congregate  at  ■tated  periods  to  witneaa  the  sports  of 
the  turf,  IS  located  upon  the  western  limits  of  the  town.  This  beautiful  course  is  a  few  feet 
over  a  mile  in  length,  on  a  perfectly  level  surface,  with  a  good  track  ;  and  is  universally 
considered  one  of  the  best  in  the  United  States.  Better  time  has  been  made  upon  it,  and 
more  frequently,  than  on  any  other  course  in  the  country.  Connected  widi  it  is  a  Jockey 
Club  of  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  membew,  who  contribute  annually  twenty  dollars 
each  towards  the  Jockey  Club  purses.  There  was  run  ovar  this  course,  the  S7th  of  May 
1833.  one  of  the  most  remarkable  and  besLconteited  nnm  thut  .v»r  tc/.!r  „u».  i„  a~... 


460 


QUEENS   COUNTY. 


ie«;  being  a  match  race  of  four  mile  heats,  for  twenty  thousand  dollar*  aside,  between  the 
North  and  the  South,  upon  their  respective  champions,  Eelipt  and  Henry ;  and  which  was 
won  in  three  heato  by  Eclipse.  The  time  was  as  follows :  first  heat,  7'  37"— eecond  heat, 
7'j49"— ttd  the  third  heat,  8'  24" ;  whole  time,  twenty.three  minutes  and  fifty  seconds." 

Col.  Marihus  Willett  was 

^  bom  of  a  r^pectable  family  at 

^_^^         Jamaica,  July  Slst,  (old  style,) 

^<t,« 1740.    He  commenced  his  mill- 

Ae-rimi{<  tf  QL  MninHt  WiUOC  tignMturt.  ^  ""'?«'  "  »  Ueutenant,  at 

_.       .  .  the  early  aga  of  17,  in  the 

rrenen  war,  and  was  wiUi  Abercrombie  in  his  unfortunate  expedition  against  Ticonderoga. 
He  was  also  at  the  capture  of  Fort  Frontenac.  In  1775,  he  served  as  a  captain  under 
Montgomery,  m  Uje  earlier  portion  of  his  campaign  in  Canada.  In  November,  1776,  he 
received  the  commiaaion  of  lieutenant-colonel.  During  the  investment  of  Fort  Stanwix  in 
August,  1' ''i  by  St.  Leger  with  a  body  of  regulars,  Indians,  and  tones,  he  was  second  in 
command.  (See  p.  367.)  For  his  skill  and  bravery  on  this  occasion,  congress  voted  him 
an  elegant  sword.  He  was  a  volunteer  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  28th  of  June,  1788. 
From  towards  the  close  of  1780,  until  the  end  of  the  war,  he  had  charge  of  the  troops  de- 
fending  the  northwestern  frontier  of  New  York.  While  on  this  duty  he  commanded  at  the 
batde  of  Johnstown.  (See  p.  172.)  In  private  Ufe,  he  was  one  of  the  most  amiable  of 
men,  and  after  the  war,  held  several  civil  offices,  the  last  of  which  was  the  mayoralty  of 
New  York.  He  died  umversaUy  regretted  in  the  city  of  New  York,  August  3d.  1830.  in 
the  91st  year  of  his  age,  and  was  buried  with  military  honors. 


RuFus  Kwa,  minister  of  the  Umted  States  to  Great  Britain,  graduated  at  Harvard  col- 
lege  in  1777.  In  1778,  he  was  an  aid  to  Sullivan  in  an  expedition  against  the  British  in 
Rhode  Island.  He  studied  law  with  Mr.  Parsons,  at  Newburyport,  and  was  admitted  to 
practtce  m  1780.  He  was  a  representative  from  Newburyport  in  the  legislature.  In  1784, 
the  legislature  appomted  him  a  delegate  in  congress.  In  1787,  he  was  selected  as  a  dele- 
gate  from  MaMachusetts  to  the  convention  called  for  devising  a  constitution  for  the  United 
States.  He  afterward  was  a  member  of  the  convention  of  Massachusetts  for  adopting  the 
?22n'''"«  ":  "v^'"*'  removed  to  New  York,  he  was  elected  a  senator  from  that  state  in 
1789.  During  the  violent  discussions  respecting  the  British  treaty  in  1794,  he  co-operated 
with  others  m  its  defence.  Of  the  paper  concerning  this  treaty,  with  the  signature  of  Ca- 
millus,  usually  ascribed  to  Gen.  Hamilton,  all  the  numbera  excepting  the  ten  first  were 
written  by  him.  He  was  one  of  those  who  opposed  with  success  Mr.  Gallatin's  righno  a 
seat  in  the  senate.  In  1796,  he  was  appointed  by  Washington  minister  plenipotentiary  to 
Great  Britain.  He  returned  to  America  in  1803.  In  May,  1806,  he  removed  permanently 
with  his  family  to  Jamaica.  In  1813,  he  was  again  chosen  a  senator  in  congress  and 
although  peraonally  opposed  to  the  declaration  of  war  in  1812  as  impolitic,  yet  no  one  ex- 
hibited  a  higher  degree  of  patriotism  in  supporting  it.  In  1816,  he  was  the  un»uccessftil 
candidate  of  the  anti.administration  party  for  governor  of  the  state.  In  1820,  he  wm  re- 
elected  again  to  the  senate,  where  he  continued  until  1825.  In  1825,  he  was  again 
appointed  minister  to  England,  where  after  remaining  one  year  he  remmed  to  the  United 
States.  He  died  April  27,  1827.  In  person,  Mr.  King  was  above  the  common  size,  and 
somewhat  athletic ;  with  a  countenance,  manly,  dignified,  and  bespeaking  high  intelligence. 
His  manners  were  courteous,  his  disposition  aflitblc,  and  his  conversation  and  writings  re. 
markable  for  conciseness  and  force." 


"  Thomas  Truxton,  whose  achievements  shed  lustre  on  the  infant  navy  of  this  country, 
was  the  son  of  an  eminent  English  lawyer,  and  was  born  at  Jamaica,  Feb.  17th,  1755." 
At  the  age  J  twelve,  ho  made  the  choice  of  the  profession  of  a  sailor.  "  In  1775,  he  com- 
manded  a  vessel,  and  distinguished  himself  by  his  depredations  on  British  commerce  during 
the  revolution.  He  subsequently  engaged  in  commerce,  till  the  year  1794,  when  he  was 
appointed  to  the  frigate  Constitution.  In  1799,  he  captured  the  French  frigate  L'Insur. 
gente  {  and  in  the  following  year  he  obtained  a  victory  over  the  La  Vengeance.  On  the 
close  of  the  French  war  he  reared  from  the  navy,  and  died  at  Philadelphia  in  1822,  in  his 
o7lh  year." 

Newtown,  originally  named  Middlcburgh,  includes  Ricker's  and 
two   other    islands    of  the  sound  opposite  the  town :  distant  from 


QUSENa   CXIUNTY. 


461 


New  York  about  8  miles.  Pop.  5,054.  The  first  white  emigrants  of 
the  town  were  English,  who  came  here  in  1651.  They  were  allow- 
ed many  privileges  by  the  Dutch  appertaining  to  an  independent  com- 
munity. The  village  of  Newtown  is  situated  on  the  Flushing  turn- 
pike, 7  miles  from  Brooklyn.  It  contains  1  Dutch  Reformed,  1  Epis- 
copal, and  1  Presbyterian  church,  and  about  80  dwellings.  In  the 
vicinity  of  Ravenswood  are  the  valuable  farms  of  the  Corporation  of 
New  York,  upon  which  buildings  have  been  constructed  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  more  than  500  children,  maintained  at  the  public  ex- 
pense. 

"  The  first  church  was  erected  in  the  present  village  of  Newtown,  in  the  year  1670,  on 
the  arrival  of  the  Rev.  William  Leverich,  (sometimes  spelled  Leveridge.)  He  hod  been 
the  first  Presbyterian  minister  of  Huntington,  and  was  likewise  one  of  the  original  pur- 
chasers of  the  town  of  Oyster  Bay  in  1653.  Mr.  Leverich  remained  here  till  bis  death  in 
1693,  and  was  a  highly  useful  man,  being  well  acquainted  with  public  business,  and  distin. 
guished  for  great  industry  and  enterprise.  The  most  ancient  Volume  of  records  in  the 
clerk's  office  of  this  town  is  prefaced  by  about  one  hundred  pages,  in  the  hand-writing  of 
this  gentleman,  but  in  abbreviated  characters ;  purporting  to  be  a  commentary  upon  a  por> 
tion  of  the  Old  Testament,  affording  conclusive  evidence  of  his  learning,  patience,  and  in- 
dustry. He  is  characterized  by  Hubbard,  in  his  history  of  New  England,  aa  *  an  able  and 
worthy  minister.'  Many  of  his  descendants  are  at  this  time  residents  of  the  town."  Bt. 
James*  Episcopal  church  in  this  town  was  built  in  1734,  and  a  Dutch  Reformed  church  haa 
been  erected  here  for  more  than  a  century. 

Besides  Newtown  village,  there  are  several  other  smaller  settle- 
ments ;  none  of  which  are  of  much  note  except  Hallet's  Cove,  lately 
incorporated  under  the  name  of  Astoria.  It  is  the  most  important 
place  in  the  town,  and  is  eligibly  situated  on  East  river,  a  short 
distance  above  Blackwell's  Island,  and  opposite  86th  street,  New 
York  city,  where  there  is  a  convenient  steam  ferry.  Two  handsome 
churches  and  several  splendid  private  mansions  have  lately  been 
erected  here.  The  village  itself  is  compactly  built,  and  well  calcu- 
lated for  commercial  ana  manufacturing  purposes.  Of  this  remark- 
able spot,  the  tradition  is,  that  an  English  adventurer,  whose  name 
was  Hallet,  about  the  year  1640,  for  a  barrel  of  beef  and  a  few  trink- 
ets, purchased  from  the  Indians  this  tract  of  land.  Having  taken  to 
himself  in  marriage  a  sturdy  Dutch  lass,  they  settled  down  here,  and  in 
the  process  of  some  twenty  years,  by  their  united  exertions  became 
not  only  independent,  but  the  parents  of  a  numerous  race,  many  of 
whom  are  still  respectable  in  character  and  connections.  There  is 
here  an  extensive  manufactory  of  carpets,  chair  factory,  wool  card 
factory,  bellows  factory,  one  for  chemical  preparations,  and  several 
gardens  and  nurseries  for  the  rearing  of  fruit  and  ornamental  trees. 
The  celebrated  Hell  or  Hurl  gate  is  in  this  vicinity,  where  those, 
says  a  certain  writer,  who  love  to  witness  the  impetuous  stride  of 
angry  currents,  with  cragg^d  and  zigzag  courses  among  the  rocks, 
can  hardly  find  a  better  placo  for  full  gratification.  Vessels  are  some- 
times wrecked  at  this  spot.  During  the  revolution  the  Endish  frig- 
ate Huzza,  in  attempting  to  pass  Hell  Gate  to  get  to  sea  by  the  sound, 
struck  a  rock,  soon  filled,  and  sunk  in  deep  water.  Under  an  impres- 
sion that  there  was  a  rich  military  chest  on  board,  unsuccessfiil  at- 
tempts were  made  to  recover  the  treasure  by  means  of  diving  bells. 


468 


QUEEN!  COUNTr. 


:«  ^'ill'^  I^MMTBAD,  the  county  town,  vras  formed  from  Hempstead 
m  1784.  Thw  town  has  produced  several  eminent  men,  amonir 
whom  was  the  late  Samuel  L  Mitchell.  Professor  of  NaturalHisto^ 

J^kL^  ;;  iZ,  ''i'^^^  ^^  ^^'  ^'"^  ^"«"«*  20, 1764,  and  died  S^b- 
tember  7.  1«81.  Manhasset  is  the  name  lately  subsUtuted  for  Cow 
r^eck,  and  designates  a  rich  and  ferUle  tract  in  this  town.  Sit- 
uated  on  this  tract,  on  the  North  Hempstead  turnpike,  is  a  small  cluster 
oi  buildmgs,  consistmg  of  three  houses  of  public  worship,  a  tavern, 
academv,  and  a  few  private  dwellings.  At  the  most  northerly  part 
of  Manhasset  IS  the  Sands'  point  lighthouse,  in  the  vicinity  of  wfcch 
formerly  was  the  celebrated  Kidd's  Rock,  near  which  it  is  generally 
believed  that  notorious  freebooter  made  valuable  deposits.  Durini 
the  revolution  bands  of  marauders  were  accustomed  to  land  upon 
these  shores  m  the  night,  and  rob  and  cruelly  treat  the  inhabitants. 
In  one  instance  a  Mr.  Jarvis,  aided  by  an  old  lady  living  in  the  same 
house,  succeededmbeatmg  off  one  of  these  gangs,  killing  and  wound- 

churches,  beautifully  located  at  the  head  of  the  bay,  is  the  village  of 
Hempstead  Harbor,  containing  about  40  dwellings.  North  Hemp- 
stead  and  Lakeville  are  small  settlements;  at  the  former  are  the 
county  buildings.    The  first  paper-mill  erected  in  the  state  was  es- 

tnJif  R-^'^^A^"*/  ^^T7  i"*'''  by  Andrew  Onderdonk,  ances- 
tor ot  Bishop  Onderdonk  of  the  Episcopal  church.     Pop.  3,891. 

UT8TER  Bay  embraces  a  larger  extent  of  territory  than  any  other 
town  m  the  county,  and  includes  Lloyds  Neck  or  Queens  village,  and 
Hog  island.  Pop.  5  864.  In  1640,  an  attempt  was  made  by  some 
persons  from  Lynn,  Mass    to  form  a  settlement  upon  the  present  site 

nntJh  "[u^^^  ^^'}^^  ^"^yj  ^"^  '"^^t'^  with  ^position  from  the 
JJutch,  the  settlement  was  abandoned.    The  first  permanent  settle- 

OvlT  ""^-u  '"  *®^!'  ^y  ^^^  ^"^^''^h,  on  the  sitVof  this  village. 
Oyster  Bay  village,  on  the  south  side  of  the  harbor,  is  28  miles  pfe. 
from  New  York  and  contains  about  350  inhabitants.  On  the  hich 
!^1?^'^"^"  *^l  ^*P*''.*  ^^'''''^  ^^^  the  remains  of  a  fortification 
fr:rentll7thtVar'"'°"'  *°  P^^^^"*  ^"^  '^^^"'^  ^^^^  '^^^^ 

rZTZl    Ma««chu«ett8,  to  sUnd  her  trial  for  witchcraft.    She  wu  acquitted  of  Uita 

relX'^Slt^SS''  n"?i"  '!^on"!-T  *"  '""''^d  '«  1724.  and  still  remain,  a  curioua 
bwer  ul«d  "&;  idlll  fV^  fe«t  square  with  a  quadrangular  pointed  roof,  and  no 
■uble  ^L  Jr  T?'"'? /"'*  f^T*"*  '»  '*«*?•"  '••^'"T  '"'e'y  been  converted  into  a 
e^t  fi.uTm'^  !"  ^^u  '^•^^ll'"  '"  ^^t.  6len  Cove  i.  a  considerable  village  on  2,e 
eo«t  side  of  Hempstead  harbor.    The  Dutch  church  at  Wolver  Hollow  was  buiU  in  17TO 

^f  J«1T^  '""f-  J^'V^OO  y^"".  ^"^  followed  by  the  present  church^n  1832     The  viS 
^ftSsl.r"^ISfa''^"V'^\"  inhabitants.    The  Friend,  meeting.houso  was  first  erected 
VuaI  "^    ft  "  ^l'  *'  ""^'"^  '^•"•'  •"*«"•'  <■•"»"'••  of  f ri«nd»  took  up  their  residrnce  here 
Sriod  rr«r„ctor£",H  f-' Wes'b-ry.    This  place  wi'f^ratn.de^br^^ 


REN88ELAEH   COUNTY. 


463 


bora  m  the  town  of  North  Hempatead,  on  the  19th  of  March,  1748.  Hi*  education  was 
extejenwly  limited.  At  the  age  of  17,  he  wm  apprenticed  to  a  carpenter.  He  besan  hia 
pubhc  labors  in  the  society  of  Friends  in  1795,  and  traveHcd  at  different  perioATorera 
grew  portion  of  the  United  States,  from  Maine  to  Ohio,  and  in  the  province  of  Canada.  It 
IB  supposed  that  dunng  hia  public  ministry  he  travelled  oyer  10,000  miles,  and  that  he  pro. 
nounced  at  least  1,000  pubhc  discourses.  He  likewise  found  time  to  write  and  ptiblish 
much  upon  religious  subjects,  upon  war  and  the  practice  of  negro  slavery.  "  He  was  a 
person  of  rough  exterior,  but  of  vigorous  intellect;  and  making  no  pretensions  to  elegance 
ol  style,  he  reasoned  with  much  force,  and  addressed  himself  to  the  everyday  common 
aense,  rather  than  the  imagination  of  his  auditors." 

Norwich  is  a  small  village,  3  miles  S.  of  Oyster  Bay.  Hick«- 
ville,  2  miles  S.  of  Jericho,  is  located  upon  the  eastern  part  of 
the  great  plains  at  the  present  termination  of  the  Long  Island  rail- 
road. In  the  vicinity  of  Bethpage  is  Fort  Neck,  so  called  on  ac- 
count of  two  old  Indian  forts,  the  remains  of  which  are  still  very 
conspicuous.  The  village  of  Cold  Spring  is  situated  at  the  head  and 
upon  both  sides  of  Cold  Spring  harbor,  and  partly  m  the  town  of 
Huntington.  It  contains  about  500  inhabitants  and  several  large 
manufacturing  establishments,  and  is  possessed  likewise  of  consider- 
able shipping. 

In  May,  1779,  Maj.  Gen.  Siiliman,  superintendent  of  the  coast  of  Fairfield,  in  Connect!-* 
cut,  was  taken  prisoner  in  the  night,  by  a  party  of  refugees  who  crossed  over  the  sound 
from  Lloyds  Neck  in  a  whale  boat.  The  boat  returned  here  with  their  prisoner,  and  he  was 
soon  after  conveyed  to  New  York.  At  that  time  there  was  no  prisoner  in  possession  of 
the  Americans  whom  the  British  would  accept  for  the  general.  After  some  consideration ' 
it  wss  determined  to  procure  one.  The  person  selected  was  Hon.  Thomas  Jones,  of  Fort 
Neck,  Long  Island,  at  that  time  a  justice  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  province  of  New 
York.  On  the  evening  of  the  4th  of  November,  he  was  captured  by  a  party  of  volunteen 
under  Capt.  Hawley,  who  had  crossed  over  the  sound  for  the  purpose.  The  judge  wis 
conveyed  to  Connecticut,  and  became  an  inmate  in  the  family  of  Mrs.  Siiliman ;  and  during 
the  several  days  that  he  remained  in  her  house,  she  used  every  means  in  her  power  to  make 
his  situation  agreeable.  But  although  few  ladies  could  contribute  more  efiectually  to  this 
purpose,  the  judge  was  distant,  reserved,  and  sullen.  An  exchange  was  effected  sometime 
aAerward.  The  grave  of  Capt.  John  Underbill,  who  was  so  celebrated  m  the  Indian  wars 
in  New  England,  is  in  this  town.  He  lived  here  for  a  number  of  yean,  and  died  upon  hia 
farm  in  1673. 


RENSSELAER  COUNTY. 

Rensselaer  county  was  taken  from  Albany  in  179L  Greatest 
length  30,  greatest  breadth  22  miles ;  centrally  distant  from  New 
York  N.  156,  and  from  Albany  E.  10  miles.  The  eastern  portion 
of  the  county  is  broken  and  hilly,  and  in  some  places  rather  moun- 
tainous and  mterspersed  with  fertile  valleys.  The  central  and  west- 
em  part  is  diversified  with  hills,  and  a  gently  undulating  surface.  It 
has  extensive  valleys  and  flats  of  alluvion,  with  a  warm  rich  soil ; 
and  the  uplands  have  an  easy  soil,  well  adapted  to  the  various  pur- 
poses of  agriculture.  There  are  an  abundance  of  mill  sites,  and  the 
numerous  streams  irrigate  every  portion  of  the  county.  This  county 
had  partial  settlements  at  a  very  early  period  of  our  history,  and  has 


m 


BENSSBLAEB  COCNTT. 


long  sustained  a  very  considerable  population.  The  whole  o(  the 
county,  except  the  towns  of  Schaghticoke,  Pittstown,  Hoosick,  and 
north  part  of  Lansingbure  and  part  of  Ti  oy,  is  comprised  within  the 
Rensselaerwyck  patent,  feased  under  the  ordinary  rent,  in  farms,  at 
ten  bushels  of  wheat  the  hundred  acres.  The  county  contains  13 
towns  and  the  city  of  Troy.    Pop.  60,303. 

Berlin,  taken  from  Petersbure,  Stephentown,  and  Schodack,  in 
1806 ;  centrally  distant  from  Albany  and  Troy  E.  20  miles.  Pop. 
1,794.  A  few  German  families  settled  in  "  the  JHoIIow,"  about  1764. 
Berlin  and  Berlin  Centre  are  small  villages. 

Brunswick,  taken  from  Troy  in  1807 ;  from  Albany  NE.  12  miles. 
Pop.  3,051.    Ramerton  and  Millville  are  small  villages. 

Grafton,  taken  from  Troy  and  Petersburg  in  1807;  from  Troy 
£.  14  miles.    Pop.  2,019.    Patroons  Mills  is  a  small  village. 

Qreenbush,  taken  from  Rensselaerwyck  in  1792  and  1796.  Pop. 
3,701.  Bath,  Defriestville,  aid  Wynants  Kill,  are  small  settlements. 
Greenbush  village,  on  the  bank  of  the  Hudson,  opposite  Albany,  was 
incorporated  in  1815,  and  has  about  100  dwellings. 


Remains  of  the  Barracks  at  Greenbush,  1840. 

The  United  States  cantonment,  now  in  ruins,  was  erected  here 
during  the  late  war,  on  a  commanding  eminence  2  miles  SSE.  of 
Albany.  It  consisted  of  very  extensive  wooden  barracks  for  soldiers, 
officers'  quarters,  &c.,  &c.,  calculated  for  the  accommodation  in 
winter  quarters  of  5,000  men. 

The  annexed  account  of  the  execution  of  a  deserter  at  this  place 
during  the  late  war,  was  written  by  an  officer  of  the  United  States 
army.    It  is  shockingly  minute  in  its  details. 

"  In  1814, 1  was  stationed  with  a  detachment  of  United  States  troops  at  Greenbush,  in 
the  state  of  New  York.  One  morning  several  prisoners,  confined  in  the  provost  guard- 
house, were  brought  out  to  hear  the  sentence  which  a  court.martiBl  had  annexed  to  their 
delinquencies  read  on  parade.  Their  appearance  indicated  that  their  lot  had  already  been 
sufficiently  hard.  Some  wore  marks  of  long  confinement,  and  on  all,  the  severity  of  the 
prison-house  had  cnstamped  its  impression.  They  looked  dejected  at  this  public  exposure, 
and  anxious  to  learn  their  &te.  I  had  never  seen  the  foce  of  any  of  them  before,  and  only 
knew  that  a  single  one  of  them  had  been  adjudged  to  death.  Soon  as  their  names  were 
called  and  their  sentences  announced,  I  discerned  by  his  afionv  and  flreatures  the  miserabla 


RENSSELAEK   COUNTY. 


465 


rhriiri'^1!'"fK  •'i^  '!*'"  u^  ^^  sympathy,  I  called  next  rooming  to  aee  bim  in  prison     There 

aXffi;     H        '^    ''■'^''L'"  '?r'"»  '''*  """"P'  •"  *«  >•«'  in«"»n<:e,  was  to  visit  his  wife 

whatever  *;«  ?r«  ?„f  "?"  "^u  ""  '^'^  */"  *'*  '^'"»' ''  *"«  »>"  i"'^"'*""  '"  «t"™     Bu« 
Tamn-  m«rri  H      T"  !?"*  u^  ^"^^  deserter,  and  as  such  taken  and  brought  into  the 
camp ,  manacled,  and  under  the  guard  of  his  fellow^oldiers.    The  time  between  the  sen 
tence  and  .ts  execution  was  brief;  the  authority  in  whom  alone  wasTestedThe  nowerof 

S?r  of  ?h'f;i':r""  H    '^'"^  '^  •""'  ""  ^'P^-  '^"'^  ""'^  -quesredTaUeXre  „f1 
minister  ot  the  gospei,  and  permission  to  see  his  wife  and  children.    The  fimt  Dart  of  hia 

«membr  ^""''^'  '"'  "'^'"'^'  '''  ^"^  P^™'"'''^  °'  "»' »«  «"«  »•'«  finily^T  do  "ot  now 

8cen?'"*£^hp^  hour  of  his  execution,  I  resolved,  if  possible,  to  avoid  being  present  at  the 

fh^r!;r»    Ki    ?  commander  of  the  post,  Col.  L ,  sent  me  an  express  order  to  attend 

tsrercXny  tcreT  "'  *^  '^y'-^^^^  -  -y  official  capLity  of  surgeon.^t' 

fore  hi'm  wr/filffl!!:'!"  'f'"  *?'""  ''if  guard.hotise  to  be  escorted  to  the  fata!  spot.    Be- 
tore  him  was  his  coffin;  a  box  of  rough  pme  boards-borne  on  the  shouldera  of  two  men 

Jr  wind  n^/h  .7''  *'!''  "f  "^"/'"'T''' ^"'^^^^  '^°  clergymen;  a  white  cotton  g^^j 
Z  '!™'"t'*"'^r'  T^^'^'i  y*  '"^  '^°«'-     I'  ^<^  'rimmed  with  black,  and  had  attached  toi 
over  the  place  of  the  real  heart,  the  black  image  of  a  heart;  the  mark  ut  which  the  execu 
tioners  were  to  aim     On  his  head  was  a  cap  of  white,  also  trimmed  with  bTack      His  coSn" 
hTZIT  ^^TYu'"  '^^  '""'  of  his  winding-sheet,  and  his  frame  trembled  wiKny 
He  seenied  resolved,  however,  to  suffer  like  a  soldier-    Behind  him  were  a  number  of  S 
ers,  confined  for  various  offences ;  next  to  them  was  a  strong  guard  of  soldie^!  with  fixed 
bayonet  and  loaded  muskets.     My  station  was  in  the  rear  of  the  whole 
nffi..™""  P''*'"^"'"  ;•"""  '"""«'''  "f  with  much  reeling  and  in  low  voices  on  the  part  of  the 
^fnZ'  r    T^i  '^T''"^^'"**  1°^  «nd  rneBsuted  steps  to  the  tune  of  the  death  mar7h 
(Roshn  Castle,)  played  with  muffled  drums  and  mourning  fifes.     The  scene  was  sofemn 

une  of  his  own  death.march,  clothed  in  his  burial  robes,  surrounded  by  fnends  assemb  ed 
to  perform  the  last  sad  offices  of  affection,  and  to  weep  over  him  in  the  last  Sad  hourTno 

cotm^-nH'^^'J'^K''^''"''""'  ^;'5  bristling  bayonets  and  loaded  muskets,  urged  by  stem 
command  to  do  the  violence  of  death  to  a  fellow-soldier ;  as  he  surveys  the  multitude  he 
beholds  no  look  of  tenderness,  no  tear  of  sensibility  ;  he  hears  no  plaint  of  grief  all  a  1  is 
stem  as  the  iron  rigor  of  the  law  which  decrees  his  death.  ^       '      ' 

"  .  .  . .  Amid  reflections  like  these,  we  arrived  at  the  place  of  execution,  a  largo  open 
field,  in  whose  centre  a  heap  of  earth,  freshly  thrown  up,  marked  the  spot  of  the  dfserter's 
grave.  On  thw  field  the  whole  force  then  at  the  cantonment,  amounting  to  many  hundred 
?hp'«l'^nr"'''"  """J..*^'  f°™  °f  \h»"ow  square,  with  the  side  beyond  the  g:ave  vacant 
The  executioners,  eight  in  number,  had  been  drawn  by  lot.  No  soldier  would  volunteer 
for  such  a  duty.  Their  musketehad  been  charged  by  fhe  officer  of  the  dayTseven  of  "hem 
with  ball,  the  eighth  with  powder  alone.  Thus  prepared  they  were  placed  togethe  and 
InAZTTu'  "^'l^f^^i?^'  Th"«/f  h  may  believe  that  he  lias' the  blanl  car  ridge, 
nafure  ofihe  s«vic"e"  '"  brother  soldier ;  striking  indications  of  the 

"  The  coffin  was  placed  parallel  with  the  grave,  and  about  two  feet  distant.  In  the 
mteryemng  space  the  prisoner  was  directed  to  stand.  He  desired  permission  to  say  a  word 
to  his  fellow-soldiers;  and  thus  standing  between  his  coffin  and  his  grave,  warned  them 
against  desertion,  continuing  to  speak  until  the  officer  on  duty,  with  his  watch  in  his  hand, 
announced  to  him  in  a  low  voice, '  Two  o'clock,  your  last  moment  is  at  hand  ;  you  mus 

.h"rlT„:i/°"  ?"*?•!;,  7**''  1-*"lf '  *•"*  •"*"«'  ^''^  '•*'*"  '»>«  ^»rite  cap,  m  as'^to  cover 
1„H?Z1h  '^  $L\''^  °v  '^^  pnsoner-stii:  continuing  to  speak  in  a  hurried,  loud, 
and  agitated  voice.  The  kneeling  was  the  signal  for  the  executionere  to  advance.  Thejl 
»K    f^t^'A^T    »'«'^j'«"''g""h6d  by  the  prisoner,  stood  intermingled  with  the  soldieii 

Sl«  Zlt  1"  ft  "k-  7^'^  "T  'r^  ^V"'^'  •""*=''*"«  «'»'•"»«».  ""d  took  their  stand  a 
lintj  Jf. 'Pf'-."''""' /*»  'od«  d^'ant  from  their  living  mark.  The  officer  raised  his 
sword.  At  this  signal,  the  executioners  took  aim.  He  then  gave  a  blow  on  a  drum  which 
was  at  hand;  the  executioner  all  fired  at  the  same  instant.  The  misemWe  Z?S  a 
homd  soresm,  leaped  from  the  earth,  «nd  fell  between  his  coffin  and  his  grave     The  ser- 

59 


466 


REN33ELAER   COUNTY. 


geant  of  the  guard,  a  moment  after,  shot  him  through  the  head  with  a  muskot  reserved  for 
this  purpose  in  case  the  executioners  failed  to  produce  instant  death.  The  sergeant,  from 
motives  of  humanity,  held  the  muzzle  of  his  musket  near  the  head ;  so  near  that  the  cap 
took  fire ;  and  there  the  body  lay  upon  the  face  ;  the  head  emitting  the  mingled  fumes  of 
burning  cotton  and  burning  hair.  O  war,  dreadful  even  in  thy  tenderness ;  horrible  even 
in  thy  compassion ! 

"  I  was  desired  to  perform  my  part  of  the  ceremony ;  and  placing  my  hand  where  just 
before  the  pulse  beat  full,  and  the  life  flowed  warm,  and  finding  no  symptom  of  either,  I 
affirmed,  he  is  dead.  The  line  then  marched  by  the  body,  as  it  lay  upon  the  earth,  the 
head  still  smoking ;  that  every  man  might  behold  for  himself  the  fate  of  a  deserter. 

"  Thus  far,  all  had  been  dreadful  indeed,  but  solemn,  as  it  became  the  sending  of  a  spirit 
to  its  dread  account ;  but  now  the  scene  changes.  The  whole  band  struck  up,  and  with 
uncommon  animation,  our  national  air,  (Yankee  Doodle,)  and  to  its  lively  measures  we 
were  hurried  back  to  our  parade  ground.  Having  been  dismissed,  the  commander  of  the 
post  sent  an  invitation  to  all  the  officers  to  meet  at  his  quartprs,  whither  we  repaired,  and 
were  treated  to  a  glass  of  gin  and  water.  Thus  this  melancholy  tragedy  ended  in  what 
seemed  little  better  than  a  farce ;  a  fair  specimen,  the  former  of  the  dread  severity — the 
latter  of  the  moral  sensibiUties  which  prevail  in  the  camp." 

HoosicK  was  originally  organized  as  part  of  Albany  county.  Pop. 
3,540.  Hoosick  Falls,  24  mUes  NE.  of  Troy,  is  a  manufacturing  vil- 
lage, containing  about  70  or  100  dwellings.  The  Hoosick  river  here 
falls  40  feet.  Buskirk's  bridge,  which  is  partly  in  Washington 
county.  Barker's  Mills,  and  Macnamara,  or  North  Hoosick,  are  small 
villages. 

Within  the  limits  of  this  town  a  portion  of  the  battle  of  Bennington 
was  fought,  August  16th,  1777. 

The  progress  of  Burgoyne  thoroughly  alarmed  the  American 
states,  it  being  well  known  that  the  American  forces  under  Gen. 
Schuyler  were  not  sufficient  to  prevent  the  capture  of  Albany,  when- 
ever it  was  reached  by  the  enemy.  Instead  of  thinking  of  submission, 
the  Americans  met  this  alarming  crisis  with  firmness  and  resolution, 
and  great  exertions  were  made  to  reinforce  the  army.  Gen.  Lincoln 
was  directed  to  raise  and  take  the  command  of  the  New  England 
militia.  Gen.  Arnold,  and  Col.  Morgan  with  his  riflemen,  were  de- 
tached to  the  northern  army,  and  congress  elected  Gen.  Gates  as 
commander. 

"  While  the  American  army  was  thus  assuming  a  more  respectable  appearance.  Gen. 
Burgoyne  was  making  very  slow  advances  towards  Albany.  From  the  28th  of  July  to  the 
15th  of  August,  (1777,)  the  British  army  was  continually  employed  in  bringing  forward 
batteaux,  provisions,  and  ammunition  from  Fort  George,  to  the  firet  navigable  part  of  Hud- 
son's river ;  a  distance  of  not  more  than  18  miles.  The  labor  was  excessive,  the  Europe- 
ans were  but  little  acquainted  with  the  methods  of  performing  it  to  advantage,  and  the 
effect  was  in  no  degree  equivalent  to  the  expense  of  labor  and  time.  With  all  the  eflbrts 
that  Burgoyne  could  make,  encumbered  with  his  artillery  and  baggage,  his  labors  were 
inadequate  to  the  purpose  of  supplying  the  army  with  provisions  for  its  daily  consumption, 
and  the  establishment  of  the  necessary  magazines.  And  after  his  utmost  exertions  for  15 
days,  there  were  not  above  4  days'  provisions  in  the  store,  nor  above  10  batteaux  in  Hud- 
son's river. 

"  In  such  circumstances  the  British  general  found  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  procure 
sufficient  suppUes  of  provision  by  the  way  of  Fort  George,  and  determined  to  replenish  his 
own  magazines  at  the  expense  of  those  of  the  Americans.  Having  received  information 
that  a  large  quantity  of  stores  were  laid  up  at  Bennington,  and  guarded  only  by  the  militia, 
he  formed  the  design  of  surprising  that  place ;  and  was  made  to  believe  that  as  soon  as  a 
detachment  of  the  royal  army  should  appear  in  that  quarter,  it  would  receive  effectual  as. 
sistance  from  a  large  body  of  loyalists,  who  only  waited  for  the  appearance  of  a  support, 
and  would  in  that  event  come  forward  and  aid  the  royal  cause.  Full  of  these  expectations, 
he  detached  Col.  Baum,  a  German  officer,  with  a  select  body  of  troops,  to  surprise  the 


M 


t  reserved  for 
Brgeant,  from 
■  that  the  cap 
[led  fumes  of 
horrible  even 

1(1  where  just 
n  of  either,  I 
the  earth,  the 
erter. 

ing  of  8  spirit 
up,  and  with 
measures  we 
ander  of  the 
repaired,  and 
ided  in  what 
severity — the 

ity.  Pop. 
luring  vil- 
river  here 
ashington 
are  small 

ennington 

American 
nder  Gen. 
ny,  when- 
ubmission, 
resolution, 
Q.  Lincoln 
England 
,  were  de- 
.  Gates  as 


:arance.  Gen. 
jf  July  to  the 
s^ng  forward 
part  of  Hud- 
,  the  Europe, 
tage,  and  the 
all  the  efforts 
I  labors  were 
consumption, 
srtions  for  15 
iaux  in  Hud- 

ie  to  procure 
replenish  his 

information 
y  the  militia, 

as  Boon  as  a 
I  effectual  as. 
of  a  support, 
expectations, 
surprise  the 


RENSSELAER   COUNTY. 


467 


?I"n®T'  J-       fof«e  consisted  of  about  500  regular  troops,  some  Canadians,  and  more  than 

100  Indians,  with  two  light  pieces  of  artillery.    To  facilitate  their  operations,  and  to  be 

ready  to  take  advantage  of  the  success  of  the  detachment,  the  royal  army  moved  along  the 

east  bank  of  Hudson's  river,  and  encamped  nearly  opposite  to  Saratoga ;  having  at  the  same 

time  thrown  a  bridge  of  rafts  over  the  river,  by  which  the  army  passed  to  that  place.    With 

a  view  to  support  Baum,  if  it  should  bo  found  necessary,  Lieut.  Col,  Breyman's  corps,  con. 

sisting  of  the  Brunswick  grenadiers,  light  infantry  and  chasseurs,  were  posted  at  Battenkill. 

"  Gen.  Stark  having  received  information  that  a  partv  of  Indians  were  at  Cambridge, 

sent  Lieut.  Col.  Greg,  on  August  the  13th,  with  a  party  of  200  men  to  stop  their  progress. 

Towards  night  he  was  informed  by  express,  that  a  large  body  of  regulars  was  in  the  rear 

of  the  Indians,  and  advancing  towards  Bennington.    On  this  intelligence,  Stark  drew  to. 

gether  his  brigade,  and  the  militia  that  were  at  hand,  and  sent  on  to  Manchester  to  Col. 

Warner  to  bring  on  his  regiment ;  he  sent  expresses  at  the  same  time  to  the  neighboririg 

militia,  to  join  him  with  the  utmost  speed.    On  the  morning  of  the  14th,  he  marched  with 

his  troops,  and  at  the  distance  of  7  miles  he  met  Greg  on  the  retreat,  and  the  enemy  within 

a  mile  of  him.    Stark  drew  up  his  troops  in  order  of  battle ;  but  the  enemy  coming  in  sight, 

halted  upon  a  very  advantageous  piece  of  ground.     Baum  perceived  the  Americans  were 

too  strong  to  be  attacked  with  his  present  force,  and  sent  an  express  to  Burgoyne  with  an 

account  of  his  situation,  and  to  have  Breyman  march  immediately  to  support  him.    In  the 

mean  time  small  parties  of  the  Americans  kept  up  a  skirmish  with  the  enemy,  killed  and 

wounded  30  of  them,  with  two  of  their  Indian  chiefs,  without  any  loss  to  themselves.    The 

ground  the  Americans  had  taken  was  unfavorable  for  a  general  action,  and  Stark  retreated 

about  a  mile  and  encamped.    A  council  of  war  was  held,  and  it  was  agreed  to  send  two 

detachments  upon  the  enemy's  rear,  while  the  rest  of  the  troops  should  make  an  attack 

upon  their  front.    The  next  day  the  weather  was  rainy,  and  though  it  prevented  a  general 

action,  there  were  frequent  skirmishings  in  small  parties,  which  proved  favorable  and  en- 

couraging  to  the  Americans, 

"  On  August  the  16th,  in  the  morning.  Stark  was  joined  by  Col.  Symonds  and  a  body 
of  militia  from  Berkshire,  and  proceeded  to  attack  the  enemy,  agreeably  to  the  plan  which 
had  been  concerted.  Col.  Baum  in  the  mean  time  had  entrenched,  on  an  advantageous 
piece  of  grouiid  near  St,  Koicks  mills,  on  a  branch  of  Hoosick  river,  and  rendered  his  post 
as  strong  as  his  circumstances  and  situation  would  admit.  Col,  Nichols  was  detached  with 
200  men  to  the  rear  of  his  left.  Col.  Herrick,  with  300  men  to  the  rear  of  his  right ;  both 
were  to  join  and  then  make  the  attack.  Cols.  Hubbard  and  Stickney,  with  200  more,  were 
ordered  on  the  right,  and  100  were  advanced  towards  the  front  to  draw  the  attention  of  the 
enemy  that  way.  About  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  troops  had  taken  their  situation,  and 
were  ready  to  commence  the  action.  While  Nichols  and  Herrick  were  bringing  their 
troops  together,  the  Indians  were  alarmed  at  the  prospect,  and  pushed  off  between  the  two 
corps}  but  received  a  fire  as  they  were  passing,  by  which  three  of  them  were  killed,  and 
two  wounded,  Nichols  then  began  the  attack,  and  was  followed  by  all  the  other  divisions ; 
those  in  the  front  immediately  advanced,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  action  became  general. 
It  lasted  about  two  hours,  and  was  like  one  continued  peal  of  thunder,  Baum  made  a 
bravo  defence ;  and  the  German  dragoons,  after  they  had  expended  their  ammunition,  led 
by  their  colonel,  charged  with  their  swords,  but  they  were  soon  overpowered.  Their  works 
were  carried  on  all  sides,  their  two  pieces  of  cannon  were  taken.  Col.  Baum  himself  was 
mortally  wounded  and  taken  prisoner,  and  all  his  men,  except  a  few  who  had  escaped  into 
the  woods,  were  either  killed  or  taken  prisoners.  Having  completed  the  business  by  taking 
the  whole  party,  the  militia  began  to  disperse,  and  look  out  for  plunder.  But  in  a  few 
minutes  Stark  received  information  that  a  large  reinforcement  was  on  their  march,  and 
within  two  miles  of  him.  Fortunately  at  that  moment  Col.  Warner  came  up  with  his  regi- 
nient  from  Manchester.  This  brave  and  experienced  officer  commanded  a  regiment  of 
continental  troops,  which  had  been  raised  in  Vermont.  Mortified  that  he  had  not  been  in 
the  former  engagement,  he  instantly  led  on  his  men  against  Breyman,  and  began  the  second 
engagement.  Stark  collected  the  militia  as  soon  as  possible,  and  pushed  on  to  his  assist- 
ance. The  action  became  general,  and  the  battle  continued  obstinate  on  both  tides  till 
sunset,  when  the-Gcrmans  were  forced  to  give  way,  and  were  pursued  till  dark.  They 
left  their  two  field-pieces  behind,  and  a  considerable  number  were  made  prisoners.  They 
retreated  in  the  best  manner  they  could,  improving  the  advantages  of  the  evening  and 
night,  to  which  alone  their  escape  was  ascribed, 

"  In  these  actions  the  Americans  took  4  brass  field-pieces,  12  brass  drums,  250  dragoon 
swords,  4  ammunition  wagons,  and  about  700  prisoners,  with  their  arms  and  accoutre- 
ments ; — ^207  men  were  found  dead  upon  the  spot,  the  numbers  of  wounded  were  unknown. 
The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  but  small ;  30  were  slain,  and  about  40  were  wounded." 


468 


KENSBELAEK    COUNTY. 


LANsiNaBu«o  was  taken  from  Troy  and  Brunswick  in  1807,  after- 
ward  enlarged  by  a  portion  from  Schaghticoke.  Pop.  3,330.  Spei- 
gletown  and  Batestown  are  small  villages,  the  former  3  miles  N. 
from  Lansingburg  village,  and  the  latter  1  mile  S.  The  annexed 
engraving  is  from  a  view  taken  near  the  bridge,  a  short  distance 
above  the  village,  connecting  it  with  Waterford.  In  the  extreme 
distance  on  the  right,  the  bridge  over  the  Hudson  at  Troy  is  visible. 


Northwestern  view  of  Lansingburg. 

Lansingburg  was  incorporated  in  1801.  It  is  beautifully  situated 
on  the  Hudson,  3  miles  N.  of  Troy,  9  N.  from  Albany,  and  1  S.  from 
Waterford.  Formerly  it  was  called  the  "  New  City,"  and  the  ra- 
pidity of  its  growth  at  that  time  excited  wonder.*  The  village  is 
regularlv  laid  out  with  capacious  streets  in  squares  of  400  by  260 
feet,  and  is  a  place  of  considerable  manufacturing  and  commercial 
business.  There  is  here  1  Presbyterian,  1  Methodist,  1  Episcopal, 
and  1  Universalist  church,  an  academy  in  high  repute,  2  printing 
offices,  a  bank,  many  mercantile  stores,  &c.,  and  about  400  houses. 
Three  of  the  sprouts  of  the  Mohawk  enter  the  Hudson  opposite  the 
village,  and  the  Cahoos  Falls  are  often  distmctly  heard  in  the  stillness 
of  the  night. 

Nassau,  originally  named  Philipstown,  and  taken  from  Petersburg, 
Stephentown,  and  Schodack,  in  1806.     Pop.  3,237.    Nassau,  Hi 


»  This  was  the  time  of  the  reTolutionary  period  in  France.  Mr.  A  Reed,  of  East  Wind- 
Bor,  Conn.,  commenced  teaching  a  school  in  this  village  in  1793,  and  continued  it  for  five 
years.  He  states  that  about  the  time  Louis  XVI.  the  French  king  was  beheaded,  in  1793, 
wheat,  which  had  previously  been  sold  in  the  village  in  the  early  part  of  the  winter  for  75 
cents,  rose  to  four  dollart  a  bushel.  On  the  opening  of  the  river  in  the  spring,  the  price 
fell  back  to  $1.75.  Mr.  Reed  taught  school  in  a  gambrel.roof  building,  which  was  used 
uthe  first  meeting-house,  in  the  place.  The  lower  story  was  divided  by  a  swing  partition. 
While  Mr.  R.  was  here,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Lee,  of  Connecticut,  taught  the  languages  in  a  cham. 
ber  above.  At  this  period  the  minister  of  the  place  was  the  Rev.  Jonas  Coe,  who  preach- 
ed alternately  at  Lansingburg  and  Troy. 


SENSBELAER    COUNTY. 


469 


807,  after- 
JO.    Spei- 

miles  N. 
;  annexed 
t  distance 
3  extreme 

is  visible. 


y  situated 

1  S.  from 
id  the  ra- 

village  is 
30  by  260 
>mmercial 
Bpiscopal, 

2  printing 
)0  houses, 
posite  the 
le  stillness 

Btersburg, 
ssau,  IH 


f  East  Wind- 
led  it  for  five 
led,  in  1793, 
winter  for  75 
ng,  the  price 
ch  was  used 
ing  partition. 
!8  in  a  chant, 
who  preaoh. 


I 


miles  SE.  of  Albany,  and  East  Nassau  16,  are  considerable  villages. 
Brainards  Bridge,  Alps,  and  Hoags  Comers,  are  names  of  post- 
offices. 

Petersburg,  taken  from  Stephentown  in  1791.  Pop.  1,901.  Rens- 
selaers  Mills,  20  miles  E.  of  Troy,  and  Petersburg  Comers  27,  are 
small  villages. 

PiTTSTowN,  organized  in  1788.  The  first  settlements  were  com- 
menced here  in  1650.  Pop.  3,785.  Pittstown  13,  Tomhenick  13 
NE.,  Johnsonville  19,  and  Shermans  Mills  13  miles  from  Troy,  are 
small  villages. 

Sandlake,  taken  from  Greenbush  and  Berlin  in  1812.  Pop.  4,305. 
Poestenkill  8  miles  SE.,  Rensselaer  12,  Sand  Lake  10,  Ulines  7  miles 
from  Troy,  are  small  villages. 

ScHAGHTicoKE  was  Organized  in  1788.  Pop.  3,389.  About  the 
year  1600,  some  Dutch  and  German  families  settled  on  the  rich  allu- 
vial lands  of  this  town,  then  occupied  by  a  clan  of  the  Mohawk  In- 
dians. Schaghticoke  Point,  on  the  Hoosick  river,  13  miles  NE.  from 
Troy,  is  a  large  manufacturing  village  having  about  150  dwellings. 
The  Valley  village,  on  both  sides  of  the  Hoosick,  and  partly  in  Pitts- 
town,  has  about  45  dwellings. 

ScHODACK,  taken  from  Rensselaerwyck  in  1795.  Pop.  4,125. 
Schodack  Landing  9  miles  below  Albany,  Schodack  Centre  7  miles 
SE.  from  Albany,  Castleton,  and  South  Schodack,  are  small  settle- 
ments. 

Stephentown,  so  called  from  the  Christian  name  of  the  late  pa- 
troon,  was  organized  in  1788.  Pop.  2,753.  Stephentown  Hollow  or 
Centre,  21  miles  SE.  from  Troy,  North  Stephentown  20,  and  South 
Stephentown  24,  are  small  villages. 

Troy  city,  seat  of  justice  for  the  county,  lies  on  the  east  side  of 
the  Hudson,  6  miles  north  of  Albany,  at  the  junction  of  the  Hudson 
and  Mohawk  valleys.  There  is  some  reason  to  believe  that  its  pres- 
ent site  was  visited  by  Hudson,  the  first  navigator  of  Hudson  river, 
in  1609.  In  the  record  of  his  voyage,  it  is  stated  he  "  went  sounding 
his  way  above  the  highlands,  till  at  last  the  Crescent,  (the  ship  in  which 
he  made  his  voyage,)  had  sailed  beyond  the  city  of  Hudson,  and  a 
boat  had  advanced  a  little  beyond  Albany."  Probably  this  boat  as- 
cended to  the  rifts  which  lay  at  the  northerly  part  of  the  city,  where 
the  ordinary  tides  spent  their  force,  and  the  navigation  was  inter- 
rupted. 

For  more  than  a  century  after  Hudson's  voyage,  the  territory  now 
comprising  the  site  of  Troy,  (although  within  the  limits  of  the  grant 
made  to  the  patroon,)  probably  remained  part  of  the  hunting  ground 
of  the  Mohawk  Indians.  In  1720,  a  grant  of  490  acres,  extending 
along  the  Hudson  between  the  Poestenkill  and  Meadow  creek, 
comprehending  the  original  allotments  on  which  the  city  was  erected, 
was  made  in  fee  by  the  proprietor  of  the  manor  of  Rensselaerwyck 
to  Derick  Van  Derheyden,  at  the  small  rent  of  three  bushels  and  three 
pecks  of  wheat  and  four  fat  fowls  annually.  From  the  date  of  the 
grant,  and  possibly  from  a  period  a  little  earlier,  this  plain  and  the 


470 


RENSSELAER   COUNTY. 


first  range  of  hills  adjoining,  was  possessed  by  the  grantee  and  his 
descendants,  and  small  portions  of  it  cultivated  as  a  farm.* 

After  the  revolution,  emigrants  from  New  England,  seeing  the  ad- 
vantageous situation  of  Van  Derheyden,  as  it  was  then  called,  in- 
duced the  proprietors  to  lay  it  out  into  town  lots.    At  this  period 
Lansingburg,  then  called  the  "  New  City,"  was  a  village  of  considera- 
ble size  and  commercial  importance ;  the  city  of  Albany  lay  a  few 
miles  to  the  south,  and  had  lor  many  generations  been  the  centre  of 
trade  for  the  entire  country  around.     These  circumstances  at  the 
first  appeared  unpropitious  to  the  growth  of  this  place.     The  estab- 
lishment of  the^Federal  government  in  1789,  and  the  settlement  of 
the  "  new  state"  of  Vermont,  gave  an  impulse  to  the  spirit  of  enter- 
prise.    The  village  of  Van  Derheyden  being  at  the  head  of  the  nat- 
ural navigation  ot  the  Hudson,  after  some  struggle  began  to  outstrip 
«ie  "New  City,"  which  had  been  unwisely  located  above  the  rifts. 
1  he  earliest  surveys  of  the  three  allotments  into  which  the  site  was 
originally  divided,  were  made  between  the  years  1786  and  1790; 
one  or  two  slight  buildings  in  1786,  and  a  small  number  the  two  years 
following.     It  IS  stated  that  by  the  spring  of  1789,  five  small  stores 
and  about  a  dozen  dwelling-houses  had  been  erected.    The  appella- 
tion of  Van  Der  hey  den's  Ferry  was  now  changed  into  the  more 
classic  name  of  Troy. 

In  1791,  the  county  of  Rensselaer  was  detached  from  Albany,  and 
Troy  was  selected  as  the  county  seat.     In  1793  the  first  courthouse 
was  erected,  and  the  jail  the  Ibllowing  year.     The  influential  men 
among  the  first  settlers  were  the  friends  of  order,  and  supporters  of 
the  institutions  o{  religion.     When  they  were  too  few  to  support  a 
clergyman,  they  were  accustomed  to  assemble  in  a  store  at  the  sound 
of  a  conch-horn,  and  afterward  in  a  school-house.    Here  they  usu- 
ally listened  to  a  sermon  read  by  Dr.  Samuel  Gall,  or  the  late  Col. 
Pawling,  a  revolutionary  officer.      In  1791,  the  inhabitants,  too 
lew  to  consult  their  denominational  preferences,  by  an  united  effort 
erected  a  frame  for  a  house  of  public  worship,  which  was  covered 
the  following  year,  and  although  unfinished,  was  used  as  a  place  for 
public  worship.     This  building  became  the  first  edifice  of  the  Pres- 
byterian congregation.     The  Rev.  Dr.  Jonas  Coe  was  their  first  min- 
ister.    His  services  at  this  period  were  divided  between  Troy  and 
Lansingburg,  his  residence  being  in  the  latter  place.     An  Episcopal 
church,  an  edifice  of  small  dimension  of  brick,  was  erected  in  1804, 
which  was  enlarged  some  years  afterward,  and  is  no  v  known  as 
St.  John's  church.    In  1805,  the  Baptist  congregation  eic  .  .;     r.-use 
of  worship  in  Third-street,  which  was  afterward  en'     '. . 


le 


«  Mr.  Elijah  Adams,  now  (^640)  77  years  of  age,  who  haa  reeided  here  about  60  yean), 
states  that  when  he  hret  knew  the  Van  Derheyden  lands,  there  were  patches  or  strips  with- 
in  the  present  site  of  the  city,  known  as  the  com  grounds  of  the  native  Indians.  Some, 
time  Mter  he  had  taken  up  his  residence  here,  a  fuU  grown  bear  swam  across  the  Hudson, 
landed  near  the  upper  ferry,  and  on  beii^  mrsued  ran  across  tlie  low  land  among  the  sraaU 
oaks,  ^.M  pr  length  ascended  a  pine  t  near  the  present  location  of  the  Rensselaer  In- 
■Utet«,  and   >  us  there  brought  to  the  grt    .J  by  a.  shot  from  his  rifle. 


RENSSELAER    COUNTY. 


471 


Methodist  Episcopal  congregation  erected  their  first  house  of  wor- 
ship in  State-street  in  1809. 


Northwestern  view  of  the  Troy  Female  Seminary. 

The  Troy  Fenmale  Seminary,  located  in  this  place,  holds  a  high 
rank  among  the  institutions  of  learning  in  our  country.  John  H. 
and  Sarah  L.  Willard  are  the  principals,  and  Nancy  Hinsdale  tne 
vice-principal :  there  are  besides  21  teachers  and  officers.  The  follow- 
ing account  and  historical  sketch  has  been  kindly  furnished  by  an 
individual  well  acquainted  with  it. 

The  school  of  which  the  Troy  Seminary  is  a  continuation,  was  begun  in  Middlebury, 
Vermont,  in  1814,  by  Mib.  Emma  Willard.  It  there  obtained  considerable  celebrity,  and 
the  Principal  was  solicited  to  remove  it  to  Waterford,  in  this  state.  She  consented  on  the 
condition  that  the  most  influential  gentlemen  of  that  place  should  unite  in  carrying  before 
the  legislature  a  petition  for  incorporating  and  endowing  a  public  institution  for  females. 
Their  approbation  of  this  measure  was  made  to  depend  on  that  of  De  Witt  Clinton,  then 
governor  of  the  state.  On  being  presented  with  the  plan,  he  expressed  his  high  approval, 
and  introduced  the  subject  into  his  message. 

In  the  winter  of  1818-19,  the  petition  was,  under  his  auspices,  presented  to  the  legisla- 
ture, and  for  the  first  time  the  rights  of  woman  in  regard  to  education,  were  plead  in  • 
legislative  hall.  Among  its  supporters  were  Mr.  Van  Buren,  and  Mr.  John  C.  Spencer. 
The  justice  of  the  claim  was  acknowledged,  an  institution  on  the  proposed  plan  incorpo- 
rated, and  a  bill  for  endowment  brought  in,  but  the  adjournment  of  the  legislature  prevent, 
ed  its  passage. 

In  the  spnng  of  1819,  the  proposed  school  went  into  operation  in  Waterford,  in  the  large 
building  now  occupied  as  a  hotel,  that  having  been  hired  for  two  years.  The  next  winter, 
session  of  the  legislature  defeated  the  hopes  which  had  been  excited  of  an  endowment, 
but  in  the  mean  time  private  patronage  was  abundant. 

In  1821,  the  school  being  large,  and  no  place  being  provided  in  Waterford  for  its  accom- 
modation, it  was  removed  to  Troy,  the  corporation  of  that  city  having  voted  $4,000  for  a 
building.  Since  that  period,  the  rents  of  the  building  have  been  made  to  meet  the  interest^, 
and  almost  all  the  principal  of  the  moneys  expended  in  its  several  enlargements  and  in  thek. 
additions  to  its  grounds.  Since  1837  this  institution  has  received  from  the  state  a  share  of 
the  literature  fund,  by  which  the  library,  apparatus,  &c.,  previously  furnished  by  the  Prin- 
cipal, have  been  made  more  complete.  This  school  has  educated  at  least  five  thousand 
pupils ;  of  whom  about  one  tenth  have  been  teachers,  and  it  has  furnished  Principals  for 
many  of  the  most  distinguished  female  schools  in  every  part  of  the  Union.  The  present 
Priiicipal  of  this  seminary,  Mrs.  Sarah  L.  Willard,  spent  nineteen  years  in  the  institution  as 
pupil,  teacher,  and  vice-principal,  before  assuming  its  government.  But  the  larger  number  of 
the  young  ladies  here  educated  have  married,  and  are  now,  many  of  them,  standing  in  the 


472 


RENSSELAER    COUNTY. 


II 


first  circles  and  among  the  first  women  of  our  country  in  regard  to  piety  and  moral  worth, 
domestic  usefulness,  and  intellectual  and  social  accomplishments.  Several  of  the  pupils 
have  been  distinguished  as  authors.  About  twenty  teachers  are  constantly  employed.  The 
number  of  pupils  being  about  two  himdred,  gives  an  average  of  one  teacher  to  ten  pupils. 
The  objects  of  education  as  stated  in  the  original  plan  are  considered  to  be,  first,  religious 
and  moral;  second,  literary ;  third,  domestic ;  and  fourth,  ornamental.  But  to  obtain  these 
ends,  the  physical  and  mental  powers  must  be  developed  and  strengtheuied  in  due  order  and 
proportion.  Great  care  has  been  bestowed  on  health,  and  but  one  death  of  a  pupU,  and 
that  a  sudden  one  from  organic  affection  of  the  heart,  haa  occurred. 

The  Rensselaer  Institute  is  an  excellent  institution  under  the  charge 
of  Professor  Eaton.  Many  young  men  are  here  fitted  for  the  pro- 
fession of  civil  engineering.  The  system  of  teaching  is  thorough 
and  practical. 

The  city  of  Troy  is  regularly  laid  out,  on  a  plan  similar  to  that  of 
Philadelphia.  The  principal  street  is  River-street,  which  extends 
along  the  Hudson  the  whole  length  of  the  city,  and  is  ornamented 
with  many  splendid  and  spacious  stores.  It  is  the  theatre  of  a  very 
extensive  business.  The  remaining  portion  of  the  place  generally 
exhibits  the  quiet  aspect  of  the  country.  Many  of  the  buildings,  both 
public  and  private,  are  spacious  and  elegant.  The  courthouse,  built 
of  Sing  Sing  marble,  is  a  splendid  edifice,  after  the  Grecian  model. 
St.  Paul's  church  is  a  noble  Gothic  edifice,  erected  at  an  expense  of 
about  50,000  dollars.  There  are  in  Troy  twelve  places  of  public 
worship— viz,  3  Presbyterian,  2  Episcopal,  2  Methodist,  1  Scotch 
Presbyterian,  1  Roman  Catholic,  1  African  church,  and  2  Friends 
meeting-houses.  On  the  Wynant  and  Poestens  kills,  which  here 
empty  into  the  Hudson,  are  several  extensive  manufacturing  estab- 
lishments. The  city  is  abundantly  supplied  with  excellent  water  from 
the  neighboring  hills.  Hydrants  are  placed  at  the  corners  of  the 
streets  with  hose  attached,  which  in  case  of  fire,  as  the  natural  head 
of  the  water  is  75  feet  above  the  city  level,  supersedes  the  use  of 
fire-engines.  Troy  is  indebted  in  a  great  measure  for  its  prosperity 
to  its  advantageous  situation,  and  the  enterprise  and  industry  of  her 
inhabitants.  She  has  extensively  availed  herself  of  the  facilities 
afforded  by  the  river  and  the  Erie  and  Champlain  canals.  The  tides 
of  the  Hudson  frequently  ascend  to  a  dam  thrown  across  the  river 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  above  the  centre  of  the  city.  By  means  of 
a  lock,  sloop  navigation  is  thus  afforded  to  the  village  of  Waterford. 
Within  the  last  few  years  Troy  has  increased  rapidly  in  wealth  and 
population.  In  1820  her  population  was  5,268;  in  1830,  11,566;  in 
1840,  19,378.  The  Rensselaer  and  Saratoga  railroad,  24  miles  to 
Ballston  Spa,  crosses  the  Hudson  at  this  place  by  a  bridge  1,600  feet 
in  length. 

I  *  J^'^'^'^^f^yc^,  or  the  manor  of  Rttuaelaer,  includes  a  very  extensive  tract  on  both  sides 
vof  the  Hudson,  in  nearly  the  centre  of  which  is  the  city  of  Albany.  It  is  24  miles  wide 
on  the  river,  and  about  42  miles  long,  east  and  west.  It  includes  in  its  area  all  of  Rensse. 
laer  county,  excepting  the  towns  of  Schaghticoke,  Hoosick,  and  Pittetown,  and  the  greater 
part  <t  Albany  county.  The  title  to  this  patent  is  derived  from  several  successive  grants 
••y '*!?.. «°\*"""«"'  <^f  Holland,  dating  as  far  back  as  1641,  when  the  first  grant  was  made 
to  Kilhan  Van  Rensselaer,  who  had  purchased  the  native  right  to  the  soil,  under  conditions 
stipulated  by  the  government  of  Holland.  "  When  this  country  changed  masters,  passing 
from  the  Dutch  to  the  English,  again  for  a  short  time  to  the  Dutch,  and  finally  again  to  the 
English,  some  controversies  arose  about  indemnities;  but  the  private  roht  of  the  original 


a 
(19 

a 


moral  worth, 
of  the  pupils 
iployed.  The 
to  ten  pupils, 
lirat,  religious 
)  obtain  these 
due  order  and 
'  a  pupil,  and 

he  charge 
r  the  pro- 
thorough 

to  that  of 
h  extends 
•namented 
of  a  very 

generally 
lings,  both 
ouse,  built 
an  model, 
xpense  of 
of  public 

1  Scotch 
2  Friends 
hich  here 
ing  estab- 
i^ater  from 
ers  of  the 
tural  head 
le  use  of 
arosperity 
try  of  her 

facilities 
The  tides 

I  the  river 
means  of 
/^aterford. 
'ealth  and 
1,566;  in 
:  miles  to 
1,600  feet 

on  both  sides 
i  miles  wide 

II  of  Rensse. 
1  the  greater 
BBsive  grants 
It  was  made 
3r  conditions 
ters,  passing 
again  to  the 
the  or!gi;isl 


i 


KEIVSSEI.AER  COUNTT. 


dSIM 


proprietor  of  the  C0I0D7  of  Renaselaerwyck  was  never  questioned.  And  on  the  4th  of 
March,  1685,  the  whole  was  confirmed  by  letters  patent,  under  the  great  seal  of  the  proY. 
ince  ot'  New  York,  by  Thomas  Dongan,  Ueutenantgovemor  of  the  same.  The  original 
design  of  the  Dutch  government  extended  only  to  the  founding  of  colonies  in  this  countiy 
by  citizens  of  Holland,  who  should  amicably  acquire  the  Indian  title  to  the  lands ;  and  tha 
founder  of  a  colony  was  therefore  styled  its  patroon  by  the  bill  of  privileges  and  the  deed 
of  conveyance,  the  latter  of  which  was  only  granted  when  the  native  right  had  been  ac- 
quired by  purchase."  A  great  portion  of  the  land  is  permanently  leased,  and  rent  annually 
paid  in  the  products  of  the  soil  to  the  patroon  at  Albany. 


4  .'< 


RICHMOND  COUNTY. 

Richmond,  an  original  county,  was  organized  November  1,  16SS, 
and  comprises  Staten  Island,  Shooter's  Island,  and  the  islands  oJT 
meadow  on  the  west  side  of  Staten  Island.  It  is  about  14  miles  long, 
and  its  greatest  breath  is  8 ;  mean  breadth  5  miles.  It  is  divided 
into  4  towns,  all  of  which  were  organized  in  1788.     Pop.  10,985. 

The  higher  and  naked  points  of  the  island,  (says  Gordon  in  his  Gazetteer,)  aiford  varied 
and  delightful  prospects.  Hence,  in  a  clear  day,  may  be  seen  the  ever-growing  city  with 
its  painted  steeples  and  gilded  spires  hemmed  in  by  a  forest  of  masts ;  the  broad  bay  8tud> 
ded  with  fairy  islands,  and  whitened  by  the  canvass  of  a  hundred  ships,  overhung  by  small 
dark  clouds,  strongly  relieved  against  the  deep  blue  sky,  which  proceed  from  the  many 
steamboats  moving  upon  tlie  waters,  Uke  things  of  life.  Long  Island,  with  its  swelling  hills 
and  richly  cultivated  farms ;  the  coast  of  New  Jersey  in  a  circular  sweep  of  40  miles,  from 
Fauhis  Hook  to  the  Neversink  hills  and  Sandy  Hook  lighthouse ;  and  last,  but  not  least,  the 
wide  Atlantic,  opening  between  the  Hook  and  Long  Island,  From  the  point  at  New  York 
Bay  along  the  Kills,  to  a  point  nearly  opposite  to  Elizabethtown  landing,  a  distance  of  5 
miles,  the  shore  has  an  almost  unbroken  street,  in  which  neat  cocntry  seats,  and  snug  boxes 
of  the  citizens  blend  with  the  cottages  of  farmers,  mechanics,  fishermen,  and  watermen, 
who  are  the  permanent  inhabitants.  This  settlement,  containing  about  400  houses,  is 
divided  into  3  portions  having  separnto  names,  viz :  Nortbfield,  Factoryville,  and  New 
Brighton.  From  landings  along  the  sound,  communication  may  be  had  almost  hourly  by 
steamboats  with  New  York.  The  soil  of  the  island  consists  of  clay  and  sandy  loam,  and 
with  good  husbandry  produces  fine  crops  of  uats,  corn,  and  grass.  Many  of  the  inhabi- 
tants subsist  by  the  fisheries.  The  muddy  bottom  of  Staten  Island  sound  produces  an 
inexhaustible  supply  of  oysters ;  which  though  not  originally  of  good  quaKty,  on  being 
transported  to  the  beds  in  Raritan  Bay,  soon  grow  laige  and  acquire  an  excellent  flavor. 
The  Raritan  Bay  affords  also  excellent  clams,  and  those  from  the  Great  Kills  are  in  high 
repute.  The  shad  and  herring  fisheries  are  productive.  In  a  military  point  of  view,  the 
island  is  one  of  the  most  important  positions  on  the  coast ;  its  possessor  having  command 
of  New  York  bay  and  the  adjacent  country.  It  was  so  deemed  by  the  British,  in  the 
revolutionary  war,  and  was  the  first  place  seized  by  Sir  William  Howe,  (July  4th,  1776.) 
It  was  retained  by  the  royal  forces  during  the  whole  contest.  Preparatory  to  the  war  of 
1812,  there  were  erected  very  efficient  and  extensive  fortifications,  known  as  forts  Tomp. 
kins,  Richmond,  and  Hudson,  at  the  Narrows,  opposite  to  Furt  Fayette,  on  Long  Island. 
These  forts  completely  protect  the  strait,  which  is  but  one  mile  wide.  Upon  Signal  Hill, 
back  of  tlie  forts,  overlooking  the  harbor,  Sandy  Hook,  and  a  great  extent  of  sea,  is  a  tele, 
graph  communicating  with  the  city.  Staten  Island  was  purchased  from  the  Indians  for 
Michael  Pauw,  one  of  the  directors  of  the  West  India  Company,  together  with  an  exten. 
sive  tract  in  Bergen  county  in  New  Jersey,  by  deed  dated  August  10, 1680,  and  the  whole 
tract  received  the  name  of  Pavonia.  It  was  a  very  desirable  spot  with  the  primitive  Dutch 
settlers ;  and  the  Indians,  who  seem  never  to  have  considered  themselves  to  lose  right  of 
possession  by  sale,  and  were  always  willing  to  convey  for  a  consideration, sold  the  island,  about 
the  year  1G38,  :o  the  Heer  Melyn  with  the  permieaion  of  Gov.  Kieft;  and  subsequently  in 
1657,  to  the  Baron  Van  Cappellan.  Melyn  and  Van  Cappetlan,  both  made  improvements ; 
but  the  colony  settled  by  the  latter,  was  broken  up  by  the  savages  from  the  Raritan,  who 
wardered  hia  psiftpls.     Msljrn  sufcsrqusntly  aheainsd  the  esduaivs  title,  and  claiming  to  b« 

60 


X  i 


474 


RICHMOND  COUNTY. 


independent  of  New  Amsterdam,  gave  Gov.  Stuyvesant  much  trouble.  On  the  14  June, 
1669,  he  conveyed  hi*  rights  to  the  company.  This  island  was  again  purchased  from  die 
Indians  by  Gov.  Lovelace,  April  18, 1670. 


I     I 


m  ^msym 


:--ES^« 


Sailor's  Snug  Harbor. 

Castleton,  upon  the  Kills  and  New  York  bay,  is  the  northeast- 
em  town  of  the  county.  Pop.  4,286.  Tompkinsville,  beautifully 
situated  upon  the  bay,  5i  miles  from  New  York  city,  and  7  from 
Richmond  the  county  seat,  was  named  after  Vice-president  Tomp- 
kins, whose  seat  was  upon  the  summit  of  the  hill.  This  is  the  larg- 
est village  in  the  county,  and,  including  Stapleton,  contains  3,000 
inhabitants,  500  dwellings,  and  1  Episcopal,  1  Dutch  Reformed,  and 
1  Methodist  church.  The  Quarantine  ground  for  the  port  of  New 
York  is  situated  here.  Factoryville  is  a  manufacturing  village  of 
about  100  dwellings  in  the  NW.  portion  of  the  town,  upon  the  Kill 
Van  Kull.  The  far-famed  village  of  New  Brighton  is  situated  about 
a  mile  N.  of  Tompkinsville,  at  the  NE.  point  of  the  island.  It  was 
founded  in  1834,  by  Thomas  E.  Davis,  Esq.,  of  New  York.  It  is 
intended  for  residences  of  business  men  from  the  city.  Nowhere 
perhaps,  in  our  country  can  be  found  such  an  assemblage  of  beauti- 
ful villas,  and  so  favorably  located  as  at  this  spot,  both  as  regards 
health  and  beauty  of  scenery.  With  this,  and  the  places  in  the 
vicinity,  hourly  communication  by  steamers  is  kept  up  with  the  city. 
The  New  Brighton  Pavilion  is  in  all  respects  one  of  the  most  splen- 
did hotels  in  the  Union — every  lodging-room  is  equal  to  a  gentle- 
man's parlor.     There  are  here  superior  iacilities  for  sea-bathing. 

The  "  Sailor's  Snug  Harbor,"  is  a  charitable  institution  for  aged  or 
infirm  seamen,  pleasantly  located  about  a  mile  W.  of  New  Brighton. 
The  buildings  are  in  the  Grecian  style,  with  marble  fronts  ;  the  main 
building,  65  by  100  feet,  has  marble  pillars  in  front,  and  is  connected 
by  corridors  with  wings  of  53  by  100  feet.  Cost  of  construction 
$115,000.  The  institution  was  founded  in  1801,  by  Robert  Richard 
Randall  of  New  York,  who  bequeathed  22  acres  for  this  purpose  in 
the  15th  ward,  which  at  that  time  was  of  comparatively  little  value, 


KOCKLAND  COUNTY. 


476 


but  now  has  increased  to  an  immense  estate.  Connected  with  the 
building  is  a  farm  of  160  acres.  In  the  yard  fronting  the  edifice  is 
an  elegant  monument  to  the  memory  of  the  founder.  No  worthy 
applicant  has  ever  yet  been  rejected.  There  are  here  at  present  1 10 
of  the  sons  of  Neptune,  many  of  whom  having  dropped  their  last 
anchor,  have  found  a  snug  port  for  life. 

NoRTHFiELD  is  situated  upon  the  NW.  end  of  the  island,  and  has  a 
population  of  2,747.  The  principal  village,  Port  Richmond,  contains 
I  Baptist,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Presbyterian  church,  and  about  75 
dwellings.  Chelsea  is  a  small  village  on  Staten  Island  sound,  oppo- 
site the  mouth  of  Rahway  river,  containing  a  number  of  handsome 
dwellings. 

SouTHFiELD,  ou  the  SE.  side  of  the  island,  has  a  population  of  1,626. 
Richmond,  the  county  seat,  13  miles  from  New  York,  is  a  neat  but 
antiquated  village,  partly  located  in  this  town  and  in  Northfield  and 
Westfield.  It  contains  2  churches,  2  hotels,  a  courthouse  and  jail, 
and  about  45  dwellings.  At  the  Narrows  are  the  forts  Tompkins, 
Richmond,  and  Hudson,  and  the  Signal  Hill.  At  the  termination 
of  New  Dorp  lane  on  the  shore  is  the  "  great  elm,"  which  serves 
as  a  landmark  to  the  mariner  out  at  sea.  The  village  of  Stapleton, 
which  is  but  a  continuation  of  Tompkinsville,  is  partly  on  the  Castle- 
ton  line.  Here  is  located  the  "  Seaman's  retreat,'*  a  noble  stone 
edifice.  The  heights  in  this  vicinity  are  studded  with  numerous 
country  seats. 

Westfield,  at  the  SW.  extremity  of  the  island,  has  a  population 
of  2,326.  Rossville,  named  after  Wm.  E.  Ross,  Esq.,  is  a  small  vil- 
lage 4i  miles  N.  of  Richmond,  and  contains  32  dwelling-houses,  3 
mercantile^  stores,  and  181  inhabitants. 


ROCKLAND  COUNTY. 

Rockland  county  was  taken  from  Orange  in  1798 ;  greatest  length 
23,  greatest  breadth  18  miles.  It  is  situated  in  the  extreme  southern 
angle  of  the  state,  upon  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson.  Its  surface  is 
generally  much  broken,  and  in  the  W.  and  NW.  mountainous.  The 
valleys  are  rich,  extensive,  and  fertile.  Dobbs  Ferry,  Stony  Point, 
Fort  Clinton,  and  the  Pass,  were  noted  in  the  annals  of  the'  revolu- 
tion. "  This  county  includes  all  that  part  of  Orange  which  was  set- 
tled when  that  county  was  erected,  except  so  much  thereof  as  fell  to 
New  Jersey,  upon  the  determination  of  the  boundary.  Orangetown, 
now  in  Rockland,  was  the  capital  of  the  county  until  1737",  when  a 
courthouse  and  jail  were  built  at  Goshen,  in  Orange,  and  the  courts 
were  holden  at  liie  two  places  alternately.    About  1774,  the  court- 


476 


ROCKLAND  COUNTY. 


'I 


house  and  jail  at  Orangetown,  having  been  destroyed  by  fire,  and 
part  of  the  village  having  been  transferred  to  New  Jersey,  public 
buildings  were  erected  at  the  *  New  City'  then  in  the  precinct  of 
Haverstraw."  The  New  York  and  Erie  railroad  commences  at 
Piermont,  and  running  through  Orangetown,  Clarkstown,  and  Rama- 
po,  enters  Orange  county  in  the  town  of  Monroe.  This  county  is 
divided  into  4  towns.     Pop.  11,874. 

Clarkstown,  taken  from  Haverstraw  in  1791,  lies  on  the  W. 
bank  of  the  Hudson,  opposite  Tappan  and  Haverstraw  bays,  28  miles 
N.  of  New  York.  Clarkstown  and  the  New  City  are  small  villages, 
each  several  miles  from  the  Hudson,  the  latter  of  which  is  the  county 
seat.     Pop.  2,538. 

Haverstraw,  the  northern  town  of  the  county,  organized  in  1788, 
is  situated  36  miles  N.  of  New  York,  on  the  Hudson.  Pop.  3,348. 
Warren,  upon  the  Hudson,  near  the  S.  line,  contains  about  60  dwell- 
ings. Sampsondale,  2  miles  from  the  river,  is  a  small  village.  Cald- 
wells  Landing  is  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town.  Fort  Clinton,  of 
the  revolution,  was  in  the  NE.  angle,  on  the  bank  of  the  Hudson, 
the  ruins  of  which  are  now  visible.  (For  the  attack  on  this  fortress 
see  p.  422.)  Stony  Point  is  at  the  NW.  extremity  of  Haverstraw 
bay,  above  which  is  the  Dunderberg  or  Thunder  Mountain. 


Northern  view  of  Stony  Point,  on  the  Hudson. 

The  above  is  a  northern  view  of  Stony  Point,  as  seen  when  pass- 
ing down  the  Hudson.  This  place  is  a  little  rough  promontory  on 
the  west  bank  of  the  Hudson,  nearly  a  mile  below  the  entrance  of 
the  Highlands,  having  a  lighthouse  on  its  summit.  It  was  a  fortified 
during  the  revolutionary  war,  and  is  distinguished  by  the  celebrated 
assault  made  upon  it  on  the  16th  July,  1779,  by  Gen.  Wayne.  Ver- 
planck's  Point,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  is  also  a  place  dis- 
tinguished in  the  history  of  the  revolution.  The  lollowing  is  an  ac- 
count of  the  storming  of  Stony  Point  as  communicated  in  a  letter 
from  Gen.  Wayne  to  Washington,  dated  Stony  Point,  July  17th,  1779. 

"  Sir, — I  have  the  honor  to  give  you  a  full  and  particular  relation  of  the  reduction  of  this 
Point,  by  the  light  infantry  under  my  command. 
*'  On  the  15th  instant  at  twelve  o'clock  we  took  up  our  line  of  march  from  Sandy  Beach, 


ly  fire,  and 
sey,  public 
precinct  of 
tmences  at 
uid  Rama- 
i  county  is 

n  the  W. 
's,  28  miles 
ill  villages, 
the  county 

3d  in  1788, 
Pop.  3,348. 
t  60  dwell- 
ge.  Cald- 
Clinton,  of 
e  Hudson, 
his  fortress 
[averstraw 
n. 


vhen  pass- 
lontory  on 
ntrance  of 

a  fortified 
celebrated 
me.  Ver- 
.  place  dis- 
g  is  an  ac- 

in  a  letter 
I7th,  1779. 
luction  of  thii 

Sandy  Beach, 


KOCKLAND  COUNTY. 


477 


I 


diatant  fourteen  mile*  from  this  place ;  the  loads  being  exceedingly  bad  and  nairow,  and 
haying  to  pass  oyer  high  mountains,  through  deep  moraases,  and  difficult  defiles,  we  were 
obliged  to  move  in  single  files  the  greatest  part  of  the  way.  At  eight  o'clock  in  the  even- 
ing  the  van  arrived  at  Mr.  Springsteels,  within  one  mile  and  a  half  of  the  enemy,  and 
formed  into  columns  as  fast  as  they  came  up,  agreeably  to  the  order  of  battle  annexed ; 
namely.  Colonels  Febiger's  and  Meigs*  regiments,  with  Major  Hull's  detachment,  formed 
the  right  column ;  Colonel  Butler's  regiment  and  Major  Murfey's  two  companies  the  left. 
The  troops  remained  in  this  position  until  several  of  the  principal  officers  with  myself  had 
returned  from  reconnoitring  the  works.  At  half  after  eleven  o'clock,  being  the  hour  fixed 
on,  the  whole  moved  forward.  The  van  of  the  right  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
volunteers,  properly  officered,  who  advanced  with  unloaded  muskets  and  fixed  bayonets, 
under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Fleury ;  these  were  preceded  by  twenty  picked 
men,  and  a  vigilant  and  brave  officer  to  remove  the  abatis  and  other  obstructions.  The 
van  of  the  left  consisted  of  one  hundred  volunteers,  under  the  command  of  Major  Stewart, 
with  unloaded  muskets  and  fixed  bayonets,  also  preceded  by  a  biave  and  determined  officer, 
widi  twenty  men,  for  the  same  purpose  as  the  other. 

"  At  twelve  o'clock  the  assault  was  to  begin  on  the  right  and  left  flanks  of  the  enemy's 
works,  whilst  Major  Murfey  amused  them  in  front ;  but  a  deep  morass  covering  their  whole 
front,  and  at  this  time  overflowed  by  the  tide,  together  with  other  obstructions,  rendered 
the  approaches  more  difficult  than  was  at  first  apprehended,  so  that  it  was  about  twenty 
minutes  after  twelve  before  the  assault  began ;  previously  to  which  I  placed  myself  at  die 
head  of  Febiger's  regiment,  or  the  right  column,  and  gave  the  troops  the  most  pointed 
orders  not  to  fire  on  any  account,  but  place  their  whole  dependence  on  the  bayonet,  which 
order  was  literally  and  faithfully  obeyed.  Neither  the  deep  morass,  the  formidable  and 
double  rows  ofabatii,  nor  the  strong  works  in  front  and  flank,  could  damp  the  ardor  of  the 
troops,  who,  in  the  face  of  a  r.iost  tremendous  and  incessant  fire  of  musketry,  and  from 
cannon  loaded  with  grape-shot,  forced  their  way  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet  through  every 
obstacle,  both  columns  meeting  in  the  centre  of  the  enemy's  works  nearly  at  the  same  in- 
stant. Too  much  praise  cannot  be  given  to  Lieutenant-colonel  Fleury  (who  struck  the 
enemy's  standard  with  his  own  hand,)  and  to  M^jor  Stewart,  who  commanded  the  advanced 
parties,  for  tlieir  brave  and  prudent  conduct. 

'•  Colonels  Butler,  Meigs,  and  Febiger  conducted  themselves  with  that  coolness,  bravery, 
and  perseverance,  that  will  rver  insure  success.  Lieutenant-colonel  Hay  was  wounded  in 
the  thigh,  bravely  fighting  at  the  head  of  his  battalion.  I  should  take  up  too  much  of  your 
excellency's  time,  were  I  to  particularize  every  individual  who  deserves  it  for  his  bravery 
on  this  occasion.  I  cannot,  however,  omit  Major  Lee,  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  frequent 
and  very  useful  intelligence,  which  contributed  much  to  the  success  of  the  enterprise ;  and 
it  is  with  the  greatest  pleasure  I  acknowledge  to  you,  that  I  was  supported  in  the  attack  by 
all  the  officers  and  soldiers  under  my  command,  to  the  utmost  of  my  wishes.  The  officers 
and  privates  of  the  artillery  exerted  themselves  in  turning  \^<i  cannon  against  Verplanck's 
Point,  and  forced  the  enemy  to  cut  the  cables  of  their  shippi.^,  and  run  down  the  river. 

"  I  should  be  wanting  in  gratitude  were  I  to  omit  mentioning  Captain  Fishboum  and  Mr. 
Archer,  my  two  aids-de-camp,  who  on  every  occasion  showed  the  greatest  intrepidity,  and 
supported  me  into  the  works  after  I  received  my  wound  in  passing  the  last  abatis. 

"  Enclosed  are  the  returns  of  the  killed  and  wounded  of  the  light  infantry,  as  also  of  the 
enemy,  together  with  the  number  of  prisoners  taken,  likewise  of  the  ordnance  and  stores 
found  in  the  garrison. 

"  I  forgot  to  inform  your  excellency,  that  previously  to  my  marching,  I  had  drawn  Gene, 
ral  Muhlenberg  into  my  rear,  who,  with  three  hundred  men  of  his  brigade,  took  post  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  marsh,  so  as  to  be  in  readiness  either  to  support  me,  or  to  cover  a  re- 
treat in  case  of  accident ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  of  his  faithfully  and  effectually  executing 
either,  had  there  been  any  occasion  for  him. 

"The  humanity  of  our  brave  soldiery,  who  scorned  to  take  the  lives  of  a  vanquished  foe 
calling  for  mercy,  reflects  the  highest  honor  on  them,  and  accounts  for  the  few  of  the  enemy 
killed  on  the  occasion. 

"  I  am  not  satisfied  with  the  manner  in  which  I  have  mentioned  the  conduct  of  Lieuten- 
ants Gibbons  and  Knox,  the  two  gentlemen  who  led  the  advanced  parties  of  twenty  men 
each.  Their  distinguished  bravery  deserves  the  highest  commendation.  The  former  be- 
longs  to  the  sixth  Pennsylvania  regiment,  ar.J  lost  seventeen  men  killed  aiid  wounded  in 
the  attack ;  the  latter  belongs  to  the  ninth  Pennsylvania  regiment,  and  was  more  fortunate 
in  saving  his  men,  though  not  less  exposed.    I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

"  Anthony  Wayne."   i 

"  The  number  of  prisonors  laken  in  the  fort  was  five  hundred  and  fortydhne.    By  Qe. 


11 


i«i! 


li  W 


«» 


478 


tOCKLAND   COUNTY. 


neral  Wayne'i  return  the  number  of  lulled  was  nxty-three.  In  Colonel  Johnson'a  official 
account  ot  the  transaction,  his  leas  in  killed  ii  atated  to  have  been  on'y  twenty.  It  ia  not 
eaay  to  reconcile  this  di«:repancy.  The  aaaaihng  party  had  fifteen  killed  and  eighty-thise 
wounded.  ^    /  —-» 

"  Congress  passed  resolves  highly  complimentary  to  the  officers  and  privates  engaged  in 
this  enteipnse,  and  confirming  the  promise  of  reward  which  had  been  previously  made  by 
«en(?ral  Wayne;  and  also  directing  the  value  of  all  the  mUitary  stores  taken  at  Stony 
roint  to  be  ascertamed  and  divided  among  the  troops  who  were  engaged  in  atorming  the 

"The  rewards  were  as  follows:  to  the  first  man  who  entered  the  enemy's  works,  five 
hundred  dollars;  to  the  second,  four  hundred  dollars;  to  the  third,  three  hundred;  to  the 
tourth,  two  hundred ;  to  the  fifth,  one  hundred ;  being  fifteen  hundred  dollars  in  the  whole. 
The  ordnance  and  other  stores  were  estimated  at  one  hundred  and  fifty-eight  thousand  six 
hundred  and  forty  dollars ;  which  amount  was  divided  among  the  troops  in  proportion  to 
the  pay  of  the  officers  and  men. 

Three  diflerent  medals,  emblematical  of  the  action,  were  struck  by  order  of  congresa 
beanng  the  names  respectively  of  Wayne,  Fleury,  and  Stewart." 

Oeanoetown  was  organized  in  1788:  it  is  24  miles  N.- of  New 
York.  Pop.  2,771.  Tappan  3,  and  Middletown  6  miles  from  the 
Hudson,  are  small  villages.  Piermont,  on  the  river,  is  a  thriving  vil- 
lage,  formerly  known  as  the  Sloat.  The  New  York  and  Erie  rail- 
A°u  "^  *^*^'"'"^"ces  here,  by  a  pier  in  the  river,  nearly  a  mile  in  length. 
About  a  mile  below  Piermont,  is  Dobbs  Ferry,  a  noted  place  in  the 
revolution.  Nyack,  in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  on  the  Hudson,  is 
a  flourishing  place  containing  about  50  or  60  dwellings. 


North  view  of  the  place  where  Andre  was  executed. 


The  place  where  Andre  was  executed  is  at  the  summit  of  a  hill, 
about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  west  of  Tappan  village,  and  overlooking  to 
the  east  a  romantic  and  fertile  valley.  A  small  heap  of  stones,  thrown 
hastily  together,  with  an  upright  stake  and  a  few  names  carved 
rudely  upon  it,  is  the  only  monument  to  mark  the  spot  of  his  execu- 
tion and  his  grave.  While  in  Tappan  village,  Andre  was  confined 
m  an  ancient  stone  mansion,  at  present  occupied  as  a  tavern  by  Mr. 
Thomas  Wandle.  His  trial  took  place  in  the  old  Dutch  church, 
which  was  torn  down  in  1836.  A  new  one  has  since  been  erected 
on  the  same  site.  Washington's  head-quarters  were  in  the  antiquated 
stone  dwelling  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Arthur  Johnson. 


KOOKLAND   COUNTY. 


479 


bhn«on'B  official 
enty.  It  is  not 
uid  eighty.thise 

'stes  engaged  in 
rioualy  made  by 
taken  at  Stony 
inatorming  the 

ny's  works,  five 
tiundred ;  to  the 
n  in  the  whole, 
ht  thousand  six 
in  proportion  to 

ler  of  congress, 


N.'Of  New 
es  from  the 
thriving  vil- 
d  Erie  rail- 
le  in  length, 
place  in  the 
!  Hudson,  is 


'.d. 

nit  of  a  hill, 
rlooking  to 
les,  thrown 
nes  carved 

his  execu- 
is  confined 
em  by  Mr. 
tch  church, 
;en  erected 

antiquated 


t^  T*!?  |p"i>^ng  account  of  the  execution  of  Andre,  which  took  place 
Uct.  2,  1780,  IS  given  by  an  eye-witness. 

WM  !..r.?!!„!lH  w.>L*^'"\''"  T"^"'  \^?^-  ■'"duthan  Baldwin's  regiment,  a  part  of  which 
was  stationed  within  a  short  distance  of  the  spot  where  Andre  suffered.  One  of  our  men. 
in  .hir"-  ".'"™  '^'^  Armstrong,)  being  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  workmen  at  his  trade 
L™„.K?^'  ^'".*«'««=^^  '»  "I'^e  his  coffin,  which  he  performed  and  painted  black, 
agreeable  to  the  custom  m  those  times. 

h.iiiHinVl'wl!"'%'^"''"' T"  ''°"?"^.''  •"  ^hatwas  called  a  Dutch  church,  a  smaU  stone 
^^■1.  /V  u-  °"'^  ""?  ^"^^^  ""^  '=''««'y  e»"'l«d  "^y  »»«  sentineU,  When  the  hour  ap- 
pointed for  his  execution  arrived,  which  I  believe  was  2  o'clock,  P.  M.,  a  guard  of  three 
fnrw  )5  k"?  ^ei-e  Pwaded  at  the  place  of  his  confinement.  A  kind  of  procession  was 
torhied  by  placing  the  guard  in  single  file  on  each  side  of  the  road.  In  front  were  a  largo 
number  of  American  officers  of  high  rank,  on  horseback;  these  were  followed  by  the 
Ih^rJ^T'T^  '^"'^'•"!  «°'fi"-'l'<»>  "  la»'ee  number  of  officers  on  foot,  with  Andre  in 
«  fnf,«».  f  ■  r  P'"°'=««"°"  moved  slowly  up  a  moderately  rising  hill,  I  should  think  about 
a  lourth  of  a  mile  to  the  west.  On  the  top  was  a  field  without  any  enclosure  ;  in  thb  was 
a  very  high  gallows,  made  by  setting  up  two  poles  or  crotches,  laying  a  pole  on  the  top. 
.i^"  a"^""  contained  the  coffin  was  drawn  directly  under  the  gallows.    In  a  short 

-^  i^H  -f  T^^  i"'"  "i"  '","'*.  ""''  "*"  ""'  wagon-then  on  his  coffin-took  off  his  hat 
^2  i«u  *'°*"-?'"?  placed  his  hands  upon  his  hips,  and  walked  very  uprightly  back 
n^i  .1  •  1  '^^  "  J^« '""§*  "/W"  «°ffi"  wou'd  Pennit,  at  the  same  time  casting  his  eyes 
upon  the  pole  over  his  head  and  the  whole  scenery  by  which  he  was  surrounded.  He  was 
drcMed  in  what  I  should  caU  a  complete  British  uniform ;  his  coat  was  of  the  brightest  scar- 

wl«  K^  M  ^r'^''  ""•"'•I''*'  ""T  *'*"'"'^"' f"'^"  :  •'»  ""<1"  '^'«>'J"'8. "'  vest  and  breeches, 
were  bright  buff,  very  simdar  to  those  worn  by  military  officers  in  Connecticut  at  the  pre! 
sent  day;  he  had  a  long  and  beautiful  head  of  hair,  which,  agreeable  to  the  fwhion  was 
wound  with  a  black  nband,  and  hung  down  his  back.  All  eyes  were  upon  him,  and  it  is 
no  believed  that  any  officer  in  the  British  army,  placed  in  his  situation,  would  have  appeared 
better  than  this  unfortunate  man.  ri^oicu 

"  Not  many  minutes  after  he  took  his  stand  upon  the  coffin,  the  executioner  stepped  into 
the  wagon  wi A  a  haJier  m  his  hand,  on  one  end  of  which  was  what  the  soldiers  in  those 
days  called  a  hangman's  knot,  which  he  attempted  to  put  oter  the  head  and  around  the 
^k\ \ ^t  '  u"V f''  *  l"'''^*"  movement  of  his  hand  this  was  prevented.  Andre  took 
off  the  handkerchief  from  his  neck,  unpinned  his  shirt  collar,  and  deliberately  took  the  end 
ot  the  halter,  put  it  over  his  head,  and  placed  the  knot  directly  under  his  right  ear.  and 
drew  It  very  snugly  to  h»  neck;  he  then  took  from  his  coat  pocket  a  handkerchief  and  tied 
It  over  his  eyes.    This  done,  the  officer  that  commanded  (his  name  I  have  forgotten)  spoke 

h    VA^    l^Tl'^'l  "i"^  *'"'*•  *]""  ^  """^  '»"«»  ''«  »*«<J-    Andre  at  once  puUed  down 
the  handkerchief  he  had  just  Ued  over  his  eyes,  and  drew  from  his  pocket  a  second  one 
and  gave  to  the  exectitioner,  and  then  replaced  his  handkerchief.    His  aims  were  tied  just 
above  the  elbows,  and  behind  the  back :  the  rope  was  then  made  fast  to  the  pole  overhead. 

I  he  wagon  was  very  suddenly  drawn  fi-om  under  the  gallows,  wKch,  together  with  the 
length  of  rope,  gave  him  a  most  tremendous  swing  back  and  forth,  but  in  a  few  moments  ho 
hung  entirely  still.  Durmg  the  whole  transaction  he  appeared  as  little  daunted  as  Mr.  John 
Kogers,  when  he  vtras  about  to  be  burnt  at  the  stake ;  but  his  countenance  was  rather  pale. 
He  remamed  hanging,  I  should  think,  from  20  to  30  minutes,  and  during  that  time  the 
chambers  of  death  were  never  stiller  than  the  multitude  by  which  he  was  surrounded. 
Orders  were  given  to  cut  the  rope,  and  take  him  down  without  letting  him  fall ;  this  was 
done,  and  his  body  carefully  laid  on  the  ground.— Shortly  after,  the  guard  was  withdrawn 
and  spectators  were  permitted  to  come  forward  to  view  the  corpse,  but  the  crowd  was  so 
peat  that  it  was  some  time  before  I  could  get  an  opportunity.  When  I  was  able  to  do 
this,  his  coat,  vest,  and  breeches  were  taken  off,  and  his  body  hid  in  the  coffin,  covered  by 
some  under  clothes.  The  top  of  the  co«n  was  not  pnt  on.  I  viewed  the  corpse  more  car/, 
lully  than  I  had  ever  done  that  of  any  human  being  before.  His  head  was  very  much  on 
one  side,  in  consequence  of  the  manner  in  which  the  halter  drew  upon  his  neck.  His  face 
appeared  to  be  greatly  swollen  and  very  black,  much  resembling  a  high  degree  of  mortifi. 
cation ;  it  was  indeed  a  shocking  sight  to  behold.  There  was  at  this  time  standing  at  the 
toot  ofthe  coffin,  two  young  men  of  uncommon  short  stature— I  should  thmk  not  more 
than  four  feet  high.  Their  dress  was  the  most  gaudy  that  I  ever  beheld.  One  of  them  had 
the  clothes  just  taken  from  Andre  hanging  on  his  arm.  I  took  particular  pains  to  learn  who 
they  were,  and  was  informed  that  they  were  his  servants,  sent  up  from  New  York  to  take 
care  of  his  clothes,  but  what  other  business  I  did  not  learn. 
"  I  now  turned  to  take  a  view  of  the  esecutioner.  who  was  still  standing  l.y  one  of  the 


i-^vv-;.' 


I 


j 


:  m 


4W 


KOCKLAND   COUNTY. 


poata  of  (he  gallows.  I  walked  nigh  enough  to  him  to  have  laid  my  hand  upon  his  shoulder, 
and  looked  him  directly  in  his  face.  He  appeared  to  be  about  twenty.five  years  of  age,  hia 
beard  of  two  or  three  week's  growth,  and  his  whole  face  covered  with  what  appeared  to 
me  to  be  blacking  taken  from  the  outside  of  a  greasy  pot.  A  more  frightful  looking  being 
I  never  beheld — his  whole  countenance  bespoke  him  to  be  a  fit  instrument  for  the  business 
he  had  been  doing.  Wishing  to  see  the  closing  of  the  whole  business,  I  remained  upon 
the  spot  until  scarce  twenty  persons  were  left,  but  the  cofiin  was  still  beside  the  grave, 
which  had  previously  been  dug.  I  now  returned  to  tiiy  tent,  with  my  mind  deeply  imbued 
with  the  shocking  scene  I  had  been  called  to  witness." 

In  August,  1831,  the  remains  of  Andre  were  disinterred  and  con- 
veyed to  London.  The  annexed  narration  of  this  event,  is  extracted 
from  the  account  given  by  the  British  consul,  J.  Buchanan,  Esq.,  to 
whom  this  duty  was  intrusted  by  the  Duke  of  York. 

" My  next  step  was  to  proceed  to  Tappan,  distant  from  this  city  [New  York] 

twenty.four  miles.  Tliitlicr  I  wont,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Mooro,  his  majesty's  agent  for 
packets.  Upon  reaching  the  village,  which  does  not  contain  above  fifty  or  sixty  houses, 
the  first  we  inquired  at  proved  to  be  the  very  house  in  which  the  major  had  been  confined 
while  a  prisoner  there,  kept  by  one  Dupuy,  who  was  also  postmaster,  who  took  us  to 
view  the  room  which  had  been  used  as  his  prison.  Excited  as  we  were,  it  would  be  difli. 
cult  to  describe  our  feelings  on  entering  this  little  chamber ;  it  was  then  used  as  a  milk 
and  store  room — otherwise  unaltered  from  the  period  of  his  confinement— about  twelve  feet 
by  eight,  with  one  window  looking  into  a  garden,  the  view  extending  to  the  hill,  and  di. 
rectly  to  the  spot  on  which  he  suffered,  as  the  landlord  pointed  out  from  the  window,  while 
in  the  room,  the  trees  growing  at  the  place  where  he  was  buried. 

"  Having  inquired  for  the  owner  of  the  field,  I  waited  on  the  Rev.  Mr.  Demarat,  a 
minister  residing  in  Tappan,  to  whom  I  explained  the  object  of  my  visit,  who  gener. 
ously  expressed  his  satisfaction  at  the  honor,  *  which  at  length,'  to  use  his  words,  *  was  in- 
tended the  memory  of  Major  Andre,'  and  assured  me  that  every  facility  should  be  afforded 
by  him.  Whereupon  we  all  proceeded  to  examine  the  grave,  attended  by  many  of  the  in. 
habitants,  who  by  this  time  had  become  acquainted  with  the  cause  of  our  visit ;  and  it  was 
truly  gratifying  to  us,  as  it  was  honorable  to  them,  that  all  were  loud  in  the  expressions  of 
their  gratification  on  this  occasion. 

"  We  proceeded  up  a  narrow  lane,  or  broken  road,  with  trees  at  each  side,  which  ob- 
scured the  place  where  he  suffered,  until  we  came  to  the  opening  into  the  field,  which  at 
once  led  to  an  elevated  spot  on  the  hill.  On  reaching  the  mount,  we  found  it  commanded 
a  view  of  the  surrounding  country  for  miles.  General  Washington's  head-quarters,  and  the 
house  in  which  he  resided,  was  distant  about  a  mile  and  a  half  or  two  miles,  but  fully  in 
view.  The  army  lay  encamped  chiefly  also  in  view  of  the  place,  and  must  necessarily 
have  witnessed  the  catastrophe.  The  field,  as  well  as  I  could  judge,  contained  from  eight 
to  ten  acres,  and  was  cultivated ;  but  around  the  grave  the  plough  had  not  approached  nearer 
than  three  or  four  yards,  that  space  being  covered  with  loose  stones  thrown  upon  and 
around  the  grave,  which  was  only  indicated  by  two  cedar  trees  about  ten  feet  high.  A 
small  peach  tree  had  also  been  placed  at  the  head  of  the  grave,  by  the  kindly  feeUng  of  a 
lady  in  the  neighborhood. 

"  Doubts  were  expressed  by  many  who  attended,  that  the  body  had  been  secretly  carried 
to  England,  and  not  a  few  believed  we  should  not  find  the  remains ;  but  their  surmises 

were  set  aside  by  the  more  general  testimony  of  the  community Arriving  at  Tap. 

pan  by  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.,  though  I  was  not  expected  until  the  following  Tuesday,  as  I 
had  fixed,  yet  a  number  of  persons  soon  assembled,  some  of  whom  betrayed  symptoms  of 
displeasure  at  the  proceeding,  arising  from  the  observations  of  some  of  the  public  journals, 
which  asserted  '  that  any  honor  paid  Major  Andre's  remains  was  casting  imputation  on 
General  Washington,  and  the  officers  who  tried  him.'  As  these  characters  were  of  the 
lowest  cast,  and  their  observations  were  condemned  by  every  respectable  person  in  the 
village,  I  yet  deemed  it  prudent,  while  the  worthy  pastor  was  preparing  his  men  to  open 
the  grave,  to  resort  to  a  mode  of  argument,  the  only  one  I  had  time  or  inclination  to  be- 
stow upon  them,  in  which  I  was  sure  to  find  the  landlord  a  powerful  auxiliary.  I  there- 
fore stated  to  these  noisy  patriots,  that  I  wished  to  follow  a  custom  not  unfrequent  in  Ire- 
land,  from  whence  I  came,  namely,  of  taking  some  spirits  before  proceeding  to  a  grave. 
The  landlord  approved  the  Irish  practice,  and  accordingly  supplied  abundance  of  liquor,  so 
that  in  a  short  time,  General  Washington,  Major  Andre,  and  the  object  of  my  visit,  were 
forgotten  by  them,  and  I  was  left  at  perfect  liberty,  with  the  respectable  inhabitants  of  the 


BOCKLAND  COUNTT. 


4U 


Q  his  shoulder, 
ears  of  age,  his 
It  appeared  to 
looking  being 
9r  the  businesB 
emained  upon 
lide  the  grave, 
deeply  imbued 

i  and  con- 
s  extracted 
n,  Esq.,  to 

y  [New  York] 
ty's  agent  for 
•  sixty  houses, 
been  confined 
to  took  us  to 
would  be  diffi. 
laed  as  a  milk 
>ut  twelve  feet 
be  hill,  and  di. 
ivindow,  while 

[r.  Demarat,  a 
it,  who  gener- 
ords,  *  was  in- 
lid  be  afforded 
any  of  the  in- 
it ;  and  it  was 
expressions  of 

de,  which  ob. 
Scld,  which  at 
it  commanded 
arters,  and  the 
!s,  but  fully  in 
ist  necessarily 
led  from  eight 
cached  nearer 
wn  upon  and 
feet  high.  A 
ly  feeling  of  a 

icretly  carried 
their  surmises 
riving  at  Tap. 
Tuesday,  as  I 

symptoms  of 
iblic  journals, 
mputation  on 
8  were  of  the 
)er8on  in  the 

men  to  open 
ination  to  be. 
ary.  I  there- 
iquent  in  Ire. 
ig  to  a  grave. 
I  of  liquor,  so 
ny  visit,  were 
t>itanta  of  the 


place,  to  proceed  to  the  exhumation,  leaving  the  landlord  to  supply  the  guests,  a  duty 
which  he  faithfully  performed,  to  my  entire  satisfaction. 

"  At  twelve  o'clock,  quite  an  unexpected  crowd  assembled  at  the  grave,— as  our  pro. 
ceeding  up  the  hill  was  seen  by  the  inhabitants  all  around.  The  day  was  unusually  fine ; 
a  number  of  Indies,  and  many  aged  matrons  who  witnessed  his  fall,— who  had  seen  hia 
person,— who  had  mingled  tears  with  his  sufferings,— attended,  and  were  loud  in  their 
praises  of  the  prince,  for  thus  at  length  honoring  one  who  still  lived  in  their  recollection 
with  unsubdued  sympathy.  The  laborers  proceeded  with  diligence,  yet  caution.  Surmises 
about  the  body  having  been  removed  were  revived,  and  it  would  be  difficult  to  imagine  any 
event  which  could  convey  a  degree  of  more  intense  excitement. 

"  As  soon  as  the  stones  were  cleared  away,  and  the  grave  was  found,  not  a  tongue 
moved  amongst  the  multitude, — breaihless  anxiety  was  depicted  in  every  countenance. 
When,  at  length,  one  of  the  men  cried  out  he  had  touched  the  coffin,  so  great  was  the  en. 
thiisiasm  at  this  moment,  that  I  found  it  necessary  to  call  in  the  aid  of  several  of  the  ladies 
to  fonn  an  enlarged  circle,  so  that  all  could  see  the  operation ;  which  being  effected,  the 
men  proceeded  with  the  greatest  caution,  and  the  clay  was  removed  with  the  hands,  as  we 
soon  discovered  the  lid  of  the  coffin  was  broken  in  the  centre.  Witl.  jreat  care  the  broken 
lid  was  removed,  and  there  to  our  view  lay  the  bones  of  the  brave  Andre,  in  perfect  order. 
I,  among  others,  for  the  first  time  discovered  that  he  had  been  a  small  man ;  this  observa. 
fion  I  made  from  the  skeleton,  which  was  confirmed  by  some  then  present.  The  roots  of 
the  small  peach  tree  had  completely  surrounded  the  skull  like  a  net.  After  allowing  all 
the  people  to  pass  round  in  regular  order,  and  view  the  remains  as  they  lay,  which  very 
many  did  with  unfeigned  tears  and  lamentation,  the  bones  were  carefully  removed,  and 
placed  in  the  sarcophagus,  (the  circle  having  been  again  formed ;)  after  which  I  descended 
into  the  coffin,  which  was  not  more  than  three  feet  below  the  surface,  and  with  my  own 
hands  raked  the  dust  together,  to  ascertain  whether  he  had  been  buried  in  his  regimentals 
or  not,  as  it  was  rumored  among  the  assemblage  that  he  was  stripped ;  for,  if  buried  in  his 
regimentals,  I  expected  to  find  the  buttons  of  his  clothes,  which  would  have  disproved  the 
rumor  ;*  but  I  did  not  find  a  single  button,  nor  any  article  save  a  string  of  leather  that  had 
tied  his  hair,  in  perfect  preservation,  coiled  and  tied  as  it  had  been  on  his  hair  at  the  time. 
This  string  I  forwarded  to  his  sister  in  England.  I  examined  the  dust  of  the  coffin  so 
minutely  (as  the  quantity  would  not  fill  a  quart)  that  no  mistake  could  have  arisen  in  the 
examination.  Let  no  unworthy  motive  be  attributed  to  me  for  recording  this  fact ;  I  state 
it  as  one  which  I  was  anxious  to  ascertain  for  the  reason  given.  Having  placed  the  re. 
mains  in  the  sarcophagus,  it  was  borne  amidst  the  silent  and  unbought  regret  of  the  numer. 
ous  assemblage,  and  deposited  in  the  worthy  pastor's  house,  with  the  intention  of  removing 
it  to  his  majesty's  packet,  in  New  York  city,  on  the  Tuesday  following. 

"  As  soon  as  the  removal  of  the  sarcophagus  to  the  packet  was  known  in  this  city,  it  was 
not  only  honorable  to  the  feelings  of  the  citizens,  but  cheering  to  my  mind,  depressed  as  it 
had  been,  to  find  the  sentiments  which  prevailed.  Ladies  sent  me  flowers ;  others,  various 
emblematic  devices,  garlands,  &c.,  to  decorate  the  remains  of  the  '  lamented  and  beloved 
Andre.'  A  beautiful  and  ornamented  myrtle  among  those  sent,  I  forwarded  with  the  sar. 
cophagus  to  Halifax,  where  Lieut.  General  Sir  James  Kempt,  governor  of  Nova  Scotia, 
caused  every  proper  mark  of  respect  to  be  paid  to  the  remains.  From  thence  they  reached 
London,  and  were  deposited  near  the  monument  which  had  been  erected  to  his  memory 
in  the  Abbey,  and  a  marble  slab  placed  at  the  foot  of  the  monument,  on  which  is  set  forth 
their  removal  by  the  order  of  his  royal  highness  the  Duke  of  York. 

"  Having  represented  to  his  royal  highness  the  generous  conduct  of  the  Reverend  Mr. 
Demarat,  I  recommended  that  his  royal  highness  should  convey  to  him  a  snuff-box,  made 
out  of  one  of  the  trees  which  grew  at  the  grave,  which  I  sent  home.  But  my  suggestion 
was  far  outdone  by  the  princely  munificenra  of  his  royal  highness,  who  ordered  a  box  to 
be  made  out  of  the  tree,  and  lined  with  gold,  with  an  inscription,  '  From  his  Royal  High. 
ness  the  Duke  of  York,  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Demarat.'  Whilst  speaking  of  this  act  of  liberality, 
I  was  unexpectedly  honored  with  a  silver  inkstand,  with  the  following  inscription : — '  The 
surviving  sisters  of  Major  Andre  to  James  Buchanan,  Esq.,  his  Majesty's  Consul,  New 
York.'  They  also  sent  a  silver  cup,  with  a  suitable  inscription,  to  Mr.  Ciemarat.  I  need 
not  add,  that  I  cherish  this  inkstand,  (which  I  am  now  using,)  and  shall  bequeath  it  to  my 
children  as  a  memorial  which  I  prize  with  no  ordinary  feeling. 

*  It  has  since  been  ascertained,  from  an  American  officer  present  at  the  burial,  that  the 
regimentals  of  Major  Andre  were  given  to  his  servants,  after  his  execution.  This  statement 
has  satisfied  Mr.  Buchanan,  and  will  account  for  the  absence  of  any  vestiges  in  his  tomb. 

61 


4m 


BT.    tAWBENCB   COONTY. 


'  "  I  omitted  to  mention,  that  I  had  the  peach  tree  which  had  been  planted  on  the  grave, 
(the  roou  of  which  had  surrounded  the  skull,  as  set  forth,)  taken  up  with  great  care,  with 
■B  much  of  the  clay  aa  it  was  possible  to  preserve  around  the  roots,  and  brought  it  to  my 
garden  in  New  York,  where  my  daughters  attended  it  with  almost  pious  solicitude,  shading 
it  during  the  beat  of  the  day,  watering  it  in  the  cool  of  the  evening,  in  the  hope  of  preserv. 
ing  it  to  send  to  England.  Had  it  reached  his  sisters,  they  would  no  doubt  have  regarded 
it  aa  another  Minerva ;  for,  though  it  did  not  spring  out  of,  yet  it  was  nourished  by  their 
beloved  brother's  head. 

.  "  I  have  only  to  add,  that,  through  the  kind  interference  of  my  brother  consul  at  Phila. 
delphia,  I  obtained  Major  Andre's  watch,  which  he  had  to  part  with  when  a  prisoner 
during  the  early  part  of  the  war.  This  watch  I  sent  to  England  lately ;  so  that  I  believe 
every  vestige  connected  with  the  subject  of  this  narrative  has  been  sent  to  the  land  of  his 
birth,  in  the  service  of  which  his  life  was  sacrificed." 

Ramapo,  originally  named  New  Hempstead,  was  taken  from  Haver- 
straw  in  1791 ;  centrally  distant  from  New  York  33  miles.  The 
manufacturing  village  of  Ramapo  Works  is  situated  in  the  Pass, 
which  during  the  revolution  was  fortified.  It  is  13  miles  W.  from 
New  City,  the  county  seat,  and  contains  1  Presbyterian  church  and  80 
dwellings.  The  names  of  the  post-ofRces  in  this  town  are  Ramapo, 
Scotland,  and  West  Hempstead.     Pop  3,217. 


ST.  LAWRENCE  COUNTY. 

St.  Lawhence  county  was  taken  from  Oneida  in  1802;  distant 
from  New  York  350,  from  Albany  NW.  20G  miles.  Greatest  length 
on  the  St.  Lawrence  river,  which  bounds  it  on  the  N.,  66  miles ; 
greatest  breadth  64.  This  county  is  larger  by  1,000  square  miles 
than  any  other  in  the  state.  That  portion  of  it  bordering  upon  the 
St.  Lawrence,  and  extending  30  or  40  miles  into  the  country,  is 
agreeably  diversified;  waving  in  gentle  swells  and  broad  valleys, 
with  extensive  tracts  of  champaign.  The  soil  is  warm,  rich,  and 
productive,  and  equal  to  any  of  the  uplands  of  the  state.  The  south- 
eastern part  is  broken  and  mountainous.  These  mountains  abound 
Vfith  fine  iron  ore.  The  county  is  comparatively  unsettled,  but  is 
now  filling  up  rapidly.  Since  1820,  the  population  has  more  than 
trebled.  This  county  extends  75  miles  along  the  St.  Lawrence. 
The  many  large  streams,  with  their  branches,  furnish  some  internal 
navigation,  with  superabundance  of  hydraulic  power.  The  St.  Law- 
rence has  a  good  sloop  navigation  from  Lake  Ontario  to  Ogdensburg. 
From  Ogdensburg  to  Montreal,  the  navigation  is  dangerous  on  ac- 
count of  the  rapids.  This  river  is  studded  with  numberless  islands, 
rendering  the  scenery  highly  picturesque  and  beautiful.  Wheat  is 
raised  upon  the  new  lands,  but  there  is  danger  of  its  being  winter- 
killed in  the  long  and  almost  unmitigated  frosts.  Rye,  grass,  and  all 
the  summer  crops  flourish  luxuriantly ;  and  it  is  obvious  that  the 
great  source  of  wealth  here  will  be  found  in  grass  farming  and  the 
culture  of  sheep.  The  county  is  divided  into  25  towns.  Pod. 
66,676.  ^ 


■T.    LAWRENCK   COUWTY. 


488 


Beashei,  taken  from  Massena  in  1805 ;  from  Albany  250,  and  from 
Canton  centrally  distant  NE.  39  miles.  Pop.  2,118.  Upon  the  forks 
of  the  St  Regis  and  North  Deer  rivers  is  the  small  post  village  of 
Helena,  m  the  vicinity  of  which,  on  these  streams,  there  is  considera- 
Die  hydraulic  power. 

Canton  was  organized  in  1806;  from  Albany  206  miles.  Pop. 
3,464.  A  natural  canal,  6  miles  long,  and  from  30  to  100  yards  wide, 
connects  in  this  town  the  Grasse  with  the  Oswegatchie  river.  The 
"  high  falls"  of  the  Grasse  river  are  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  and 


Western  view  of  Canton. 

near  the  northwest  corner  the  falls  of  the  Oswegatchie. .  The  village 
of  Canton,  18  miles  from  Ogdensburg,  on  the  Grasse  river,  was  made 
the  county  seat  in  1828,  previous  to  which  time  the  courts  were 
holden  at  Ogdensburg.  The  village  contains  the  county  buildings,  an 
academy,  5  churches — 1  Presbyterian,  1  Episcopal,  2  Methodist,  1 
Baptist  and  Universalist  united,  called  the  Union  church — and  about 
1 50  dwellings.  This  village  was  originally  called  "  Foot's  Falls,"  from 
Mr.  Stillman  Foot,  who  came  here  in  the  winter  of  1799,  and  bought 
a  mile  square,  comprising  in  its  limits  the  site  of  the  village.  He 
erected  a  saw  and  a  grist  mill  upon  the  ground  now  occupied  by  a 
saw-mill  upon  the  v/est  bank  of  the  river.  He  was  accompanied  by 
George  Foot,  Jr.,  Amos  Jones,  and  Medad  Moody,  all  vfith  their 
families,  and  originally  from  Middlebury,  Vt.  The  Presbyterian,  the 
first  church  erected  here,  was  built  in  1826.  Mr.  Gteorge  Foot,  the 
father  of  Stillman,  was  the  first  person  who  died  in  this  town.  His 
death  occurred  in  1800,  and  as  there  were  no  boards  from  which  to 
construct  a  coffin,  the  body  was  wrapt  in  a  blanket,  enclosed  in 
spruce  bark,  and  buried. 

De  Kalb,  on  the  Oswegatchie  river,  taken  from  Oswegatchie  in 
1806 ;  from  Albany  193  miles.  Pop.  1,530.  This  town  was  pur- 
chased in  1803,  by  the  late  Judge  Cooper  of  Cooperstown,  Otsego 


■  i  11 


Ir  I; 


I  JSli 


484 


ST.    LAWRENCE    COUNTY. 


county,  and  was  settled  by  emigrants  from  Connecticut  and  Vermont. 
De  Kalb  villaffe,  formerly  Cooper's  village,  15  miles  SE.  from  Og- 
densburg,  and  Kichville,  are  both  small  settlements. 

De  Peyster  was  taken  from  De  Kalb  and  Oswegatchie  in  1825 ; 
from  Ogdensburg  centrally  distant  S.  9  miles.  Pop.  1,032.  De 
Peyster  is  a  small  settlement. 

Edwards,  taken  from  Fowler  in  1827;  centrally  distant  SE.  from 
Ogdensburg  30  miles.  Pop.  956.  Edwardsville  and  South  Edwards 
are  small  settlements. 

Fowler,  taken  from  Rossie  andRussel  in  1816;  from  Albany  106 
miles,  comprising  townships  Nos.  7  and  11  of  Great  Tract  No.  3  of 
Macomb's  purchase.  Centrally  distant  about  30  miles  S.  of  Ogdens- 
burg. Shingle  Creek,  Little  York,  and  Fowlcrsville,  arc  the  names 
of  the  post-offices.     Pop.  1,752. 

Gouverneur,  named  after  Gouverneur  Morris,  taken  from  Oswe- 
gatchie in  1810;  from  Albany  180,  i'rom  Ogdensburg  centrally  dis- 
tant S.  25  miles.  Pop.  2,529.  "  One  of  the  ancient  Indian  works  of 
fortification  is  in  this  town,  on  a  farm  of  now  or  late  Capt.  Washburn, 
consisting  of  an  embankment  enclosing  three  acres,  in  which  there 
are  some  remains  of  rude  sculpture."  Gouverneur  is  a  small  and 
pleasant  village,  and  contains  2  churches  and  a  flourishing  academy. 
Washburnville  is  the  name  of  a  post-office. 

Hammond,  taken  from  Rossie  and  Morristown  in  1827;  from  Al- 
bany 184,  from  Ogdensburg  centrally  distant  SW.  22  miles.  Ham- 
mond and  South  Hammond  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  1,845. 

Hermon,  originally  named  Depau,  taken  from  Edwards  and  De 
Kalb  in  1830;  from  Albany  180,  centrally  distant  from  Ogdensburg 
SE.  23  miles.     Depauville  is  a  small  post  Village.     Pop.  1,271. 

HoPKiNTON  was  organized  in  1805.  Pop.  1,149.  Hopkinton,  on 
Lyd  brook,  234  miles  from  Albany,  and  25  E.  from  Canton,  is  a  small 
village.     Port  Jackson  is  a  small  settlement. 

Lawrence,  taken  from  Hopkinton  and  Brasher  in  1828  ;  from  Al- 
bany 232,  centrally  distant  E.  from  Ogdensburg  50  miles.  Lawrence- 
ville  and  Nicholvillo  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  1,835. 

Lisbon,  organized  in  1801 ;  from  Albany  211  miles.  Pop.  3,508. 
On  Stoney  Island,  in  the  St.  Lawrence,  a  strong  fort  was  built  by 
the  French,  but  was  destroyed  by  Gen.  Amherst  in  1760.  Three 
miles  belowr  Ogdensburg  in  this  town  was  an  Indian  village  of  the 
Oswegatchie  tribe,  now  in  ruins.  Rensselaerburg,  formerly  called 
Red  Mills,  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  is  a  considerable  manufacturing 
village. 

Louisville,  taken  from  Massena  in  1810;  from  Albany  231,  cen- 
trally distant  from  Ogdensburg  NE.  22  miles.  Pop.  1,687.  The  bat- 
tle at  Williamsburg,  in  Canada,  was  fought  opposite  here,  Nov.  11th, 
1813.  The  town  was  settled  in  1803,  by  eastern  emigrants.  Louis- 
ville post-office  is  on  Grasse  river.  Churchville  is  a  small  settlement 
on  the  St.  Lawrence. 

Madrid,  organized  in  1802 ;  from  Albany  227,  from  Canton  N. 
15  miles.     Pop.  4,510.     This  town  belonged  to  Messrs.  L  Waddin"- 


ST.    LAWRENCE    COUNTY. 


488 


ton,  D.  A.  Ogden,  and  T.  L.  O^den.  Waddington  village,  on  the  river 
St.  Lawrence,  20  miles  N.  ot  Canton,  has  8  mercantile  stores,  and 
800  inhabitants.  Columbiaville  is  a  small  village  on  the  Grasse 
river. 

Matildaville,  recently  formed ;  from  Canton  SE.  centrally  dis- 
tant 17  miles.     Matildaville  is  a  small  village. 

Mabsena,  organized  in  1802;  from  Albany  238,  centrally  distant 
from  Ogdcnsburg  NE.  36  miles.  Massena  is  a  small  village,  and 
Massena  Point  a  hamlet.     Pop.  2,726. 

MoRRisTowN,  taken  from  Oswegatchie  in  1821 ;  NW.  from  Albany 
190.  Black  Lake  extends  centrally  across  the  town.  Pop.  2,853. 
Morristown,  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  10  miles  SW.  from  Ogdensburg, 
is  a  small  but  beautifully  situated  village. 

Norfolk  was  taken  from  Louisville  in  1823  :  from  Ogdensburg  E. 
26  miles.  Pop.  1,132.  There  are  two  small  villages  on  the  Racket 
river  in  this  town. 

Oswegatchie  was  organized  in  1802,  and  is  from  Albany  200 
miles.  Pop.  5,719.  The  importance  of  this  spot  seems  to  have  been 
discovered  at  an  early  day,  the  French  having  built  a  fort  here  at 
quite  a  remote  period.  On  the  maps  published  by  them  100  years 
since,  it  is  called  Fort  Presentation,  afterward  named  Oswegatchie. 
It  was  situated  either  on  or  near  the  site  of  the  ruins  now  standing, 
on  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  near  its  mouth.  Previous  to  1796, 
there  was  not  much  of  any  settlement,  when  Judge  Nathan  Ford,  an 
enterprising  individual,  from  New  Jersey,  settled  in  the  place.  The 
British  had  had  a  garrison  here,  and  the  military  works,  then  in  a 
ruinous  condition,  were  taken  possession  of  by  him  in  behalf  of  the 
proprietors.  They  consisted  of  2  stone  buildings  of  2  stories,  a  bomb 
proof,  a  row  of  wooden  barracks,  and  three  or  four  other  wooden 
structures.  Ford  gave  a  new  spring  to  the  settlement,  and  was  soon 
followed  by  many  New  Englanders.  The  party  who  emigrated 
with  him  hired  a  Canadian  batteaux,  sailed  up  the  Mohawk  into  the 
Wood  creek,  then  down  the  Oswego  river  into  Lake  Ontario,  and 
finally  landed  at  the  mouth  of  the  Oswegatchie.  Thomas  Lee,  now 
at  an  advanced  age,  (1840,)  is  the  only  person  living  of  the  party. 

At  this  period  there  was  a  settlement  of  Indians  at  Indian  Point, 
4  miles  down  the  St.  Lawrence.  They  were  very  jealous  of  the 
judge,  and  made  several  attempts  to  drive  him  off,  which  would  have 
succeeded  had  he  not  been  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  resolution. 
One  night  a  party  of  them  came  to  his  house,  built  a  fire  m  the  centre 
of  the  floor,  mastered  his  men,  and  were  in  the  act  of  placing  one  of 
them  on  the  fire,  when  the  judge  attacked  them  with  a  billet  of  wood, 
and  being  seconded  by  some  of  his  men,  was  enabled-  to  drive  them 
off.  The  first  frame  building,  a  dwelling,  was  erected  nciir  where 
the  Eagle  Tavern  now  stands. 

Ogdensburg,  the  port  of  this  town,  has  a  population  of  2,555.  It 
is  204  miles  N.  from  Albany,  60  below  Kingston,  130  from  Montreal, 
120  W.  from  Pittsburgh,  63  NE.  from  Sacketts  Harbor,  and  18 
from  \jauioYi.    Tiiia  Was  lomierly  the  county  acat,  but  u  lius  been  re* 


VI  ■■*  it 


M 


^/,«: 


4§B 


BT.  LAWRENCE   COUNTr. 


View  of  Ogdensburg. 

moved  to  Canton.  The  above  view  was  taken  on  the  bank  of  the  Os wc- 
gatchie  river,  near  the  ruins  of  the  old  barracks.  The  steeple  seen  on 
the  left  is  that  of  the  Presbyterian  church  ;  the  one  on  the  extreme 
right  the  old  courthouse  ;  the  academy  is  next  to  it ;  and  the  square 
steeple  is  that  of  the  Episcopal  denomination.  The  first  religious 
society  organized  was  the  Presbyterian ;  they  held  their  meetings,  as 
far  back  as  1811,  in  the  old  courthouse.  In  1819,  they  erected  their 
first  church,  a  few  rods  southwest  of  where  the  present  stone  church 
now  stands.  There  are  here  1  Baptist,  1  Methodist,  1  Episcopal,  1 
Roman  Catholic,  and  1  Presbyterian  church,  besides  a  society  of 
Unitarians. 

The  proximity  of  the  town  to  the  Canada  line  made  it  an  import- 
ant place  during  the  late  war,  and  the  scene  of  several  minor  military 
operations.  The  following  is  extracted  from  Thompson's  History 
of  the  Late  War. 

In  retaliation  for  a  daring  exploit  performed  by  Capt.  Forsyth  of  the  riflo  regiment,  in  the 
destruction  of  an  immense  quantity  of  stores,  Jcc,  collected  at  the  small  village  of  Ganano. 
que,  in  the  town  of  Leeds,  in  Canada,  "  the  enemy  determined  on  attacking  ond  destroy- 
ing the  town  of  Ogdensburg.  Opposite  to  this  is  situated  the  Canadian  village  of  Prescott, 
before  which  the  British  had  a  strong  line  of  breastworks.  On  the  2d  of  October,  1812, 
they  opened  a  heavy  cannonading  on  the  town  from  their  batteries,  and  continued  to  bom- 
bard it  with  little  intermission  until  the  night  of  the  3d :  one  or  two  buildings  only  were 
injured.  On  Sunday,  the  4th,  having  prepared  forty  boats,  with  from  ten  to  fifteen  armed 
men  in  each,  they  advanced  with  six  pieces  of  artillery,  to  storm  the  town.  General  Brown 
commanded  at  Ogdensburg  in  person,  and  when  the  enemy  had  advanced  within  a  short 
distance,  he  ordered  his  troops  to  open  a  warm  fire  upon  them.  The  British,  nevertheless, 
steadily  appr-  ached  the  shore,  and  kept  up  their  fire  for  two  hours ;  during  which,  they  sus. 
tained  the  galling  fire  of  the  Americans,  until  one  of  their  boats  was  token,  and  two  others 
BO  shattered,  that  their  crews  were  obliged  to  abandon  them ;  they  then  relinquished  the 
assault  and  fled  to  Prescott.  There  has  been  no  engagement,  perhaps,  which  exhibited 
more  gallantry  on  both  nides.  In  tliis  attack,  Gen.  Brown  had  under  his  command  about 
400  men,  tlie  British  1000." 

The  annexed  account  of  the  taking  of  this  place  on  the  21st  of 
February,  1813,  k  extracted  from  the  same  source  as  the  above. 


ST.   LAWRENCE   COUNTY. 


487 


The  movements  of  the  enemy  at  Prescott  were  indicative  of  an  intention  to  attack  Og. 
densburg.  Colonel  Benedict  was  therefore  induced  to  call  out  his  regiment  of  militia,  and 
arrangements  were  immediately  made  for  the  defence  of  the  place.  On  the  Slst  of  Febru. 
ary,  the  enemy  appeared  before  it,  with  a  force  of  twelve  hundred  men,  and  succeeded  in 
driving  out  Captam  Forsyth  and  his  troops.  The  BritUh  attacked  in  two  columns,  of  six 
hundred  men  each,  at  8  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  were  commanded  by  Capt.  M'Donnell 
of  the  Glengary  light  infantry,  and  Colonel  Fraser  of  the  Canadian  militia.  The  American 
riflemen  and  mihtia  received  them  with  firmness,  and  contended  for  the  ground  upwards 
of  an  hour ;  when  the  superiority  of  numbers  compelled  them  to  abandon  it,  and  to  retroat 
to  Black  Lake,  nearly  nine  miles  from  Ogdensburg,  after  losing  twenty  men  in  killed  and 
wounded.  The  loss  of  the  enemy,  from  the  deliberate  coolness  with  which  the  riflemen 
fired,  was  reputed  to  have  been  thrice  that  number.  The  British  account,  which  claimed 
the  capture  of  immense  stores,  none  of  which  had  ever  been  deposited  there,  admitted  the 
loss  of  five  distinguished  officers.  In  consequence  of  this  affair,  a  message  was  sent  by  the 
commandant  of  Fort  George,  to  Colonel  M'Feely,  the  commandant  of  Fort  Niagara,  in- 
forming  him  that  a  salute  would  be  fired  the  next  day  in  honor  of  the  capture  of  the  Ameri- 
can village.  Colonel  M'Feely  having  received  intelligence  in  the  course  of  the  same  even- 
ing,  of  the  capture  of  his  majesty's  frigate  the  Java,  returned  the  message  to  the  British 
commandant,  by  communicating  to  him  his  intention  of  firing  a  salute,  at  the  same  hour 
from  Fort  Niagara,  in  celebration  of  this  briUiant  event." 

The  following  additional  particulars  respecting  the  taking  of  Og- 
densburg were  obtained  by  personal  conversation  with  a  resident  at 
that  time.  The  British  landed  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  village,  near 
some  barracks  o<  cupied  by  a  detachment  of  militia  under  Captain 
Lytic,  which  he  evacuated  and  then  joined  Col.  Forsyth  at  the  fort. 
The  enemy  marched  up  through  Ford-street,  and  when  the  Ameri- 
cans had  abandoned  the  fort,  they  crossed  over  on  the  ice  opposite 
to  the  Eagle  Hotel.  Besides  the  public  storey  destroyed  by  them, 
they  took  away  a  large  quantity  of  provisions,  &c.,  private  property, 
which  they  were  much  in  need  of,  but  for  which  they  afterward  paid 
full  price.  A  barn  is  now  standing  on  the  SE.  side  of  Ford-street, 
near  the  corner  of  Water-street,  where  holes  made  by  grape  shot 
fired  from  the  fort  are  still  to  be  seen.  The  Glengarian  regiment, 
which  was  in  the  attack,  was  quite  celebrated  during  the  military 
operations  on  the  frontier.  This  corps  were  from  the  county  of 
Glengary,  in  Upper  Canada.  Their  religion  was  Catholic,  and  they 
were  the  descendants  of  Scotch  Highlanders. 

The  following  is  a  view  of  Windmill  Point  and  ruins  in  its  vicinity. 
It  is  memorable  as  being  the  spot,  where,  during  the  recent  struggle 
in  Canada,  a  small  body  of  men,  under  the  unfortunate  Van  Schoultz, 
gallantly  defended  themselves  against  an  overpowering  force  of  Brit- 
ish and  Canadians.  The  following  account  of  this  affair,  usually  termed 
the  "  Battle  of  Prescott,"  is  principally  drawn  from  a  work  recently 
published  by  E.  A.  Theller,  Esq.,  and  entitled  Canada  in  1837-8. 

Early  in  November,  1838,  the  patriots,  (so  called,)  who  had  secretly  rallied  in  clubs  in 
and  about  Syracuse,  Oawcgo,  Snoketts  Harbor,  Watertown,  Ogdensburg,  French  creek, 
and  nt  other  points  on  or  near  the  American  line,  began  to  exhibit  an  intention  of  making  a 
fresh  clumoiistraiion  at  sntno  point  in  Upper  Canada.  About  the  10th,  two  schooners  were 
noticed  ns  being  freighted  from  canal  boats,  which  had  come  up  the  Oswego  canal  under 
suspicious  circumstances,  and  to  suil  out  of  iliu  harbor  in  a  northern  direction.  On  the  12th, 
the  siuainhoat  United  States,  which  had  been  detained  in  port  by  a  heavy  gale,  sailed  for 
Sackctts  Harbor.  Here  she  took  aboard  about  250  patriots.  The  two  schooners  spoken 
of,  were  next  discovered  by  the  United  States,  lying  in  the  river  St.  Lawrence  ;  when 
Cupt.  Vim  Cleve  complied  with  the  request  of  a  passenger  of  respectable  appearance,  to 
take  thorn  in  tow ;  saying  they  wcrg  loaded  with  meichandise  for  OgdeiUtburg,  whivh  hu 


BT.    LAWRENCE   COUNTY. 


View  of  WindmUl  Point,  Prtteott,  U.  C.» 

was  desirous  of  (getting  into  port  the  next  morning.  Accordingly  the  schooners  were 
lashed  one  each  side  of  the  steamer.  The  boxes  and  barrels  on  their  decks,  with  just  men 
enough  in  sight  to  navigate  them,  exliibited  no  evidence  of  their  being  other  than  repre- 
sented by  the  passenger.  The  captain  was  soon  undeceived,  by  armed  men  climbing  ft  jm 
the  schooners  on  to  his  boat,  to  the  number  of  some  200,  and  he  determined  to  lay  at  Mor- 
ristown,  10  miles  above  Ogdensburg,  and  give  notice  to  the  authorities.  On  arriving  at  that 
neighborhood,  the  patriots,  after  transferring  about  100  of  the  boat's  passengers,  unfastened 
their  vessels,  and  were  found  the  next  morning  at  anchor  in  the  river,  between  Ogdensbui^ 
and  Prcscott,  filled  with  armed  men.  Both  towns  were  now  the  scene  of  excitement  j  for 
it  was  evident  that  Fort  Wellington  was  the  point  of  attack,  and  both  shores  were  soon 
thronged  with  citizens.  The  Experiment,  a  British  armed  steamboat,  was  lying  at  the 
Prescott  wharf,  and  by  this  time  the  United  States  had  arrived  at  Ogdensburg.  On  her 
arrival,  the  people,  with  loud  chcore,  rushed  on  board  and  went  to  the  relief  of  one  of  the 
schooners  which  by  accident  had  got  aground  on  the  shoal  in  the  river.  Not  succeeding  in 
reaching  her,  they  returned  to  the  boat  for  a  longer  hawser.  As  she  went  out  again,  the 
Experiment  came  out  and  fired  two  shots,  but  without  effect ;  and  she  passed  down  the 
river  about  a  mile  to  Windmill  Point,  to  the  other  schooner,  which  had  succeeded  in  land, 
ing  her  forces,  and  was  returning  to  take  off  the  men  from  the  grounded  vessel.  The  Ex. 
periment  followed  her,  and  when  the  United  States  was  covering  her  on  her  way  up,  kept 
up  an  irregular  fire  upon  both,  without  effect.  The  United  States  having  seen  the  schooner 
she  was  protecting  anchored  under  the  Ogdensburg  shore,  returned  again  to  Windmill 
Point,  where  William  .Tohneon  with  small  boats  landed  110  men.  Meantime  the  American 
steam  ferry-boat,  Paul  Pry,  ran  over  to  the  stranded  vcpscl,  and  hauled  her  off  under  a  brisk 
fire  from  the  Experiment,  which  the  former  returned  with  small-arms,  killing  7  of  the  Ex- 
periment's men,  but  losing  none.  The  United  States  was  now  returning,  and  again  encoun. 
tered  the  fire  of  the  Experiment,  breaking  glass  lights  and  doing  other  damage.  Those  who 
hiid  remained  after  the  disembarkation,  about  S5  in  number,  stood  upon  the  promenade 
deck  and  cheered  the  discharges  as  tliey  came.  During  this,  a  shot  passing  through  the 
wheel-house,  killed  Mr.  Solomon  Foster,  a  young  man,  the  helmsman  of  the  boat.  As  the 
United  States  now  went  into  port,  she  was  surrendered  to  her  owners,  and  immediately 
seized  by  the  United  States  auihoritics,  which  completed  the  forenoon's  operations. 

"  Commodore  '  Bill  Johnson'  who  had  come  on  to  Ogdensburg  on  the  return  of  the 
United  States,  addressed  '  the  patriots'  present,  urging  and  beseeching  them  logo  with  him, 
and  join  those  who  had  crossed.  He  succeeded  in  crossing  with  some,  in  one  of  the 
schooners,  at  two  or  three  dili'erent  times ;  whilst  most  of  the  afternoon  and  evening  was 
occupied  at  Windmill  Point,  by  the  patriots,  fortifying  their  position,  and  preparing  for  the 
contest.  They  had  taken  possession  of  the  windmill,  and  other  large  stone  buildings,  to  the 
number  of  about  200,  which  were  increased  by  accessions  from  the  small  boats  crossing 
over  m  the  evening.  It  was  seen  that  at  Fort  Wellington  the  British  were  also  engaged 
m  maknig  preparations ;  but  towards  night  there  was  scarcely  a  living  soul  seen  in  the 
streets  of  Prescott.    There  was  no  fighting  that  night.    During  the  evening  the  steamboat 


*  The  authors  are  indebted  for  the  above  view  to  Mr.  Eliis^  aitiau  of  O^densbur^. 


I 


choonera  were 
,  with  juBt  men 
net  than  repre. 
I  chmbing  fi'^m 

to  lay  at  Mor. 
arriving  at  that 
era,  unfastened 
en  Ogdenabuig 
xcitement ;  for 
jrea  were  aoon 
18  lying  at  the 
iburg.  On  her 
'  of  one  of  the 
t  succeeding  in 
out  again,  the 
88od  down  the 
eeded  in  land. 
Brl.  The  Ex. 
■  woy  up,  kept 
n  the  schooner 
I  to  Windmill 
I  the  American 
r under  a  brisk 

7  of  the  Ex. 
again  encoun. 
3.  Those  who 
he  promenade 
;  through  the 
boat.  As  the 
i  immediately 
aiions. 

return  of  the 
a  go  with  him, 
in  one  of  the 
1  evening  was 
iparing  for  the 
lildings,  to  the 
boats  crossing 

also  engaged 
I  seen  in  the 
the  steamboat 


lensburg. 


8T.    LAWRENCE    COUNTV. 


489 


Telegraph,  with  Col.  Worth,  of  the  United  Siatos  army,  had  arrived,  accompanied  by  two 
companies  o»  United  hintes  troops,  and  by  Mr.  Gnrrow,  a  United  SiaieH  iHarHliaJ,  who  im. 
mediately  took  into  custody  all  the  craft  which  had  been  employed  bv  tlie  patriots,  including 
he  United  HtatcH,  the  two  schooners,  and  the  Paul  Pry;  and  made 'eflectual  arrangements 
to  cut  oil  al  turther  8ii|)plie8  of  men,  nrins  or  proviRions  from  the  patriot  cnmp,  after  which, 
all  remained  quiet  diiriiiK  the  night,  except  the  report  of  cannon  at  long  intervaJH.  Eariy  on 
the  morning  ol  the  13tli,  the  Briiit^h  armed  steamers  Cobourg  and  Truveiler,  had  arrived  at 
IrcBcott  with  troops;  and  at  about  7  o'clock,  they,  together  with  the  Experiment,  opened 
a  (lisctiargo  of  cannon,  and  commenced  throwing  bombs  at  'ho  patriots  at  the  windmill, 
who  (liecharged  field-pieces  from  their  battery  on  shore  in  return.  At  about  8  o'clock,  a 
lino  ot  lire  blazed  along  the  summit  of  the  hill,  in  the  rear  of  the  windmill,  for  about  80  or 
n  100  rods,  and  the  crack  of  the  rifles  and  muskets  made  one  continuous  roar.  It  appears 
that  by  the  time  the  firing  commenced  in  the  morning,  there  were  but  180  of  those  who 
had  crossed  lelt  at  Windmill  Point;  and  that  when  they  were  attacked  by  land,  in  rear  of 
their  posiUon,  some  52  of  these  fled,  leaving  only  128  to  face  from  600  to  800  British  regu- 
law  and  volunteers.  After  a  fight  of  about  an  hour,  occording  to  Theller's  account,  the 
Uritish  were  driven  back  into  their  fort  with  a  loss  it  is  supposed  of  about  100  killed  and 
many  wounded.  The  patriots  lost  5  men  and  13  wounded.  On  the  morning  of  the  14th 
htile  was  done,  and  the  British  having  sent  a  flag  of  truce  for  permission  to  bury  the  dead, 
the  request  was  granted.  Afterward  when  the  patriots  sent  a  flag,  the  bearer  was  shot. 
On  the  15th,  the  British  received  a  reinforcement  of  400  regulars,  with  cannon  and  gun. 
boats,  by  sti-amboats  from  Kingston,  and  volunteers  numbering  in  all  about  2,000 ;  who 
surrounded  the  mill  by  thoir  gun.boats  and  sleanu^rs  on  the  river,  and  by  stationing  camion 
aiid  troops  on  land  ;  and  keeping  up  ii  continual  cannonading  until  Friday  evening,  when 
the  patiiotfl  surrendered.  At  5  o'clock,  the  same  afternoon,  a  white  flag  was  displayed 
jrom  the  mill,  but  no  attention  being  paid  to  it,  it  was  finally  fastened  on  the  outside  ;  then 
•^  nr  4  flags  were  sent  out,  and  the  bearers  shot  down  as  soon  as  seen.  Imritdialely  after 
th.!  surrender,  the  British  burnt  4  dwellings  and  two  barns  in  the  vicinity  of  the  windmill. 
According  to  the  account  of  Tlieller,  3G  patriots  were  killed,  2  escaped,  and  90  were  made 
prisoners ;  and  of  the  British  about  150  men  were  killed  and  20  officers,  among  whom  was 
Capt.  Drummond.  The  patriots  were  commanded  by  Van  Schoultz,  a  Polander,  who  had 
fought  for  the  freedom  of  his  native  land,  and  witnessed  her  expiring  agonies  at  ill-fated 
Warsaw.  When  driven  to  desperation,  he  opposed  the  offering  to  tho  enemy  the  flag  of 
truce,  and  besought  hia  men  to  rush  upon  the  enemy  and  die  in  the  contest ;  but  their  am- 
munition  ana  provisions  were  exhausted,  and  a  five  days'  fatigue  in  active  night  and  day 
defence  had  worn  them  out  and  made  them  indilFercnt  to  their  fate.  At  the  trials,  Van 
Schoultz  pleaded  guilty  and  was  sentenced  to  death,  and  was  executed  Dec.  9ih,  1838, 
aged  31.  Col,  Dorephua  Abbey,  of  Watertown,  Jefferson  county  ;  Col.  Martin  Woodruff", 
of  Salina,  Onondaga  county,  and  Daniel  George,  and  others,  suffered  the  same  fate  with 
Van  Schoultz.  A  number  of  others  were  finally  released,  while  the  others  were  sentenced 
to  transportation,  and  with  those  in  a  like  situation,  who  had  been  respited,  after  their 
trials,  and  with  Messrs.  John  G.  Parker,  Watson,  and  others,  to  the  number  of  23,  wero 
sent  to  England,  and  from  thence,  in  company  with  11  convicted  felons,  were  transported 
to  Van  Diemen's  Land." 

Pauishville,  settled  by  the  enterprise  of  Mr,  David  Parish  ;  taken 
from  Hopkinton  in  1814;  from  Albany  195  miles.  Pop.  2,251. 
Parishville,  on  the  St.  Regis  river,  and  on  the  St,  Lawrence  and  Ma- 
lone  turnpike,  39  miles  SE.  from  Ogdensburg,  is  a  small  village. 
Lime  and  iron  abound  in  the  vicinity. 

PiEiiREPoiNT,  taken  from  Hopkinton  in  1814;  from  Albany  190, 
from  C'anton  centrally  distant  SE.  10  miles.  Pierrepoint  is  a  small 
post  village.     Pop.  1,430. 

PiTcAiRN  is  a  small  and  thinly  settled  town,  recently  formed. 
Pop,  390. 

Potsdam  was  taken  from  Madrid  in  1800 ;  from  Albany  210,  cen- 
trally distant  from  Canton  NE,  10  miles.  Pop,  4,400,  The  village 
of  Potsdam  is  pleasantly  situated  at  the  falls  of  the  Racket  river,  and 
contains  several  churches,  a  flourishing  academy,  numbering  about 
150  pupils,  and  about  130  dwellinL's,     The  annexed  enffrovinf^  shows 

02 


490 


ST.    LAWRENCE    COUNTY. 


Weste7-n  View  of  Potsdam. 

the  appearance  of  the  village  as  entered  from  the  west.  The  public 
building  on  the  right  is  the  Episcopal  church  ;  the  two  large  edi- 
fices in  the  distance,  with  cupolas,  are  the  academy  buildings,  each  4 
stories  in  height ;  the  buildings  with  spires  between  them  are  respec- 
tively the  Methodist  and  Presbyterian  churches,  and  the  tall  spire  to 
the  left  is  that  of  the  Universalist  church.  This  village  was  settled 
in  1803,  by  Benjamin  Raymond,  Esq.,  a  native  of  Richmond,  Berk- 
shire county,  Mass.  He  erected  mills  on  the  west  side  of  Racket 
river.  The  first  church  erected  was  the  Congregational,  in  1822. 
James  Chadwick  was  the  first  person  who  died  in  the  village.  He 
was  killed  in  1805,  by  the  falling  of  a  tree  which  he  was  chopping. 
During  the  late  war,  many  left  this  section  and  vacated  their  farms 
from  fear  of  the  incursions  of  the  British. 

RossiE  was  taken  from  Russell  in  1813 ;  from  Albany  178,  from 
Ogdensburg  centrally  distant  SW.  27  miles.  Pop.  1,553.  Rossie 
and  Somcrville  are  small  villages  in  this  town.  The  Rossie  Iron 
Works  were  established  in  1813.  Exceedingly  rich  and  valuable 
lead  mines  have  here  lately  been  discovered,  and  the  reputation  of 
the  Rossie  lead  has  now  become  widely  spread. 

Russell,  named  from  Russell  Atwater,  by  whom  it  was  settled  in 
1805  ;  organized  in  1807  ;  from  Albany  194  miles.  Russell,  on  the 
St.  Lawrence  turnpike  and  Grasse  river,  12  miles  S.  from  Canton,  is 
a  small  village.     Pop.  1,377. 

Stockholm,  taken  from  Massena  in  1806;  from  Albany  227,  from 
Ogdensburg,  E.,  centrally  distant  40  miles.  Stockholm,  West  Stock- 
holm, and  Southville,  are  names  of  the  post-offices.    Pop.  2,993. 


i 


The  public 
large  edi- 
ngs,  eacli  4 
are  rcspec- 
tall  spire  to 
was  settled 
lond,  Berk- 
of  Racket 
1,  in  1822. 
llage.  He 
!  chopping, 
heir  farms 

'  178,  from 
3.  Rossie 
lossie  Iron 
d  valuable 
putation  of 

s  settled  in 

sell,  on  the 

Canton,  is 

227,  from 
'^est  Stock- 
2,093. 


SARATOGA    COUNTV. 


SARATOGA  COUNTY. 


491 


Saratoga  county  was  taken  from  Albany  in  1791  ;  greatest  length 
N.  and  S.  47,  and  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W.  30  miles.     Centrally 
distant  from  Albany  30  miles.    "  Its  name  is  supposed  to  be  a  cor- 
ruption of  the  Indian  word  Sah-rah-ka,  or  the  '  side  hill.'     The  great- 
er part  of  the  lands  in  this  tract  were  originally  granted  by  the  Eng- 
lish crown  to  a  company  of  13  individuals,  by  the  title  of  the  patent 
of  Kayaderosseras.  Smaller  portions  were  included  in  other  patents. 
Thus  Van  Schaick's,  of  an  earlier  date,  included  the  town  of  Water- 
ford  and  adjacent  country.    The  Saratoga  patent  embraced  six  miles 
square  on  the  Hudson  river  north  of  Van  Schaick's ;  and  the  apple 
patent,  located  on  the  Mohawk,  extended  '  three  miles  back  into  the 
woods,'  towards  Ballston  Lake.     The  first  recorded  grant  of  lands  in 
the  Kayaderosseras  patent  was  made  in  August,  1702.     A  good  por- 
tion of  the  land  is  now  held  under  a  rent  charge  of  from  15  to  20 
cents  an  acre,  derived  originally  from  the  above  patent.    Settlements 
were  made  in  1715  under  that  patent,  and  some  probably  earlier, 
along  the  Hudson,  upon  the  patents  of  Van  Schaick  and  Saratoga ; 
but  there  was  then  none  north  of  Fish  creek,  now  Schuylersville, 
and  few  between  that  and  the  Mohawk.    Until  the  conquest  of  Can- 
ada by  the  English,  settlements  were  slowly  made.   After  this,  although 
rapidly  formed,  they  were  confined  some  years  to  the  banks  of  the 
Hudson  and  Mohawk.     The  surface  of  the  county  presents  a  broad 
diversity,  having  the  Kayaderosseras  and  Palmertown  mountains  in 
the  northwest,  and  in  the  southeastern  sandy  plains,  generally  level, 
and  along  the  Hudson  and  some  of  the  smaller  streams  extensive 
tracts  of  rich  alluvion.     There  are  several  small  lakes,  the  largest 
of  which  are  Saratoga,  Ballston,  or  the  Long  Lake,  Round  Lake, 
Owl  Pond,  &c."    This  county  is  rich  in  historical  incident.    It  has  20 
towns.     Pop.  40,542. 

Ballston,  organized  in  1788 ;  from  Albany  25  miles.  The  first 
settlement  here  was  made  in  1763,  by  two  brothers  of  the  name  of 
McDonald.  The  town  has  its  name  from  the  Rev.  Eliphalet  Ball, 
from  Bedford,  Westchester  county,  who,  with  a  number  of  his  congre- 
gation, settled  about  2i  miles  south  of  the  springs.  The  Saratoga 
and  Schenectady  railroad  runs  through  the  town,  and  the  Troy  and 
Saratoga  railroad  enters  it  near  the  north  boundary.  Ballston  Cen- 
tre, East  Line,  and  Burnt  Hills  are  post-ofiices.     Pop.  2,037. 

Charlton,  taken  from  Ballston  in  1792;  from  Albany  25,  from 
Ballston  Spa  SW.  8  miles.  Pop.  1,937.  Charlton  is  a  small  village, 
and  West  Charlton  is  a  post-office. 

Clifton  Park,  taken  from  Half  Moon  in  1828;  from  Albany  15, 
from  Ballston  Spa  S.  15  miles.  Pop.  2,717.  Willow  Spring,  on  the 
Erie  canal,  Rexford  Flats,  Clifton  Park,  Vischer's  Ferry,  and  Jones- 
ville  are  post-offioes. 


492 


SARATOGA    COUNTY. 


Corinth  was  taken  from  Hadlcy  in  1818.  It  is  N.  from  Albany 
44,  and  from  Ballston  Spa  N.  18  miles.  Corinth,  formerly  Jesups 
Landing,  is  a  small  village ;  South  Corinth  is  a  post-office.  The 
great  falls  of  the  Hudson  are  in  this  town,  where  there  is  a  cataract  of 
about  30  feet,  and  a  rapid  1  mile  above,  with  about  the  same  descent. 
Above  the  falls  there  is  a  narrow  place,  about  12  feet  wide  and  20 
feet  long,  where  at  low  water  the  whole  river  passes  through  with 
astonishing  rapidity.     Pop.  1,365. 

Day,  the  northwestern  town  of  the  county,  was  originally  named 
Concord  and  taken  from  Edinburgh  and  Hadley  in  1819 ;  from  Alba- 
ny 00,  and  from  Ballston  Spa  InW.  35  miles.  Day  and  West  Day 
are  post-offices.     Pop.  943. 

Edinburgh,  originally  named  Northfield,  was  taken  from  Providence 
in  1801 ;  from  Albany  50,  and  from  Ballston  Spa  NW.  35  miles. 
Pop.  1,458.     Edinburgh  on  the  Scandanaga  river  is  a  small  village. 

Galway  was  taken  from  Ballston  in  1792  ;  from  Albany  30,  from 
Ballston  Spa  NW.  10  miles.  Pop.  2,412.  Gal  way's  Corners  and 
West  Galway  are  small  villages. 

Greenfield,  taken  from  Saratoga  and  Milton  in  1793  ;  centrally 
distant  from  Albany  36  nfiiles.  Pop.  2,807.  West  Greenfield  8  N., 
Greenfield  Centre  10  miles  N.  from  the  Spa,  and  Porters  Corners,  are 
small  settlements. 

Hadley,  taken  from  Greenfield  and  Northumberland  in  1801 ;  from 
Albany  57,  and  from  the  Spa  N.  27  miles.  Pop.  805.  Hadley  on 
the  Hudson  river  is  a  small  settlement. 

Half  Moon,  bounded  on  the  E.  by  the  Hudson,  was  organized  in 
1788  ;  from  Albany  15,  from  Ballston  Spa  S,  16  miles.  Middletown, 
Half  Moon,  and  Meclianicsville  are  villages  ;  the  latter  of  which  is 
noticed  under  Stillwater.  The  Champlain  canal  and  Troy  railroad 
run  along  the  Hudson. 

Malta,  taken  from  Stillwater  in  1802 ;  from  Albany  25  miles. 
Pop.  1,459.  The  Troy  and  Ballston  railroad  crosses  the  town  north- 
westerly. Dunning  Street,  4  miles  SE.  from  the  Spa,  and  Maltaville, 
are  small  settlements. 

Milton,  taken  from  Ballston  in  1792 ;  from  Albany  NNW.  30 
miles.  Pop.  3,149.  Rock  City,  6  miles  NW.,  and  Factory  Village, 
3  miles  NW.  from  Ballston  Spa,  are  small  villages. 

The  village  of  Ballston  Spa,  the  seat  of  justice  for  Saratoga  county, 
was  incorporated  in  1807.  It  is  30  miles  north  from  Albany,  15  from 
Schenectady,  24  from  Troy,  and  7  southwest  from  Saratoga  Springs. 
The  viHage  is  situated  in  a  valley  surrounded  by  hills,  upon  a  branch 
of  the  Kayaderosseras  creek,  immediately  around  the  mineral  springs 
in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  town  of  M'ilton.  The  village  contains 
about  180  dwellings,  3  churches— 1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist,  and  1 
Episcopal — a  large  courthouse  of  brick,  and  other  county  buildings,  2 
newspaper  printing  offices,  a  number  of  hotels,  of  which  the  Sans 
Souci  IS  the  most  prominent.  This  structure  is  of  wood,  having  a 
front  of  IGO  feet,  and  wings  of  150  feet,  and  is  three  stories  high. 


SARATOGA    COUNTY. 


498 


cm  Albany 
crly  Jcsups 
ffice.  The 
cataract  of 
ne  descent, 
^ide  and  20 
rough  with 

ally  named 
from  Alba- 
West  Day 

Providence 
.  35  miles, 
lall  village, 
ly  30,  from 
orncrs  and 

;  centrally 

nficld  8  N., 
Corners,  are 

1801 ;  from 
Hadlcy  on 

rganizcd  in 
[iddletown, 
)f  which  is 
Dy  railroad 

'  25  miles, 
own  north- 
Maltaville, 

NNW.  30 
ry  Village, 

•ga  county, 
ly,  15  from 
;a  Springs, 
a  a  branch 
sral  springs 
i;e  contains 
)tist,  and  1 
)uildings,  2 
h  the  Sans 
I,  having  a 
es  high. 


6 


I 
I 


View  in  BalUton. 

"  The  mineral  springs  from  which  this  village  derives  its  importance  and  celebrity,  were 
discovered  in  1767.  In  1772,  Mr.  Douglass  erected  a  small  log-house  here  for  the  occom- 
modation  of  visiters.  During  the  revolutionary  war  settlements  in  this  part  of  the  country 
were  suspended,  but  about  1790  Mr.  Douglass,  enlarged  his  accommodations.  In  1804, 
Nicholas  Low,  Esq.,  raised  the  well-known  Sans  Souci  hotel.  In  1807,  several  other 
springs,  and  in  1817,  four  springs  of  dift'erent  qualities,  were  found  near  the  great  nianufac 
tory  built  by  Mr.  Low. 

"  The  spring  in  the  rear  of  the  Sans  Souci,  and  that  in  the  rear  of  the  village  hotel,  and 
the  original  spring  at  the  west  nf  the  village,  contain,  as  essential  ingredients,  the  carbo. 
nates  of  soda,  of  lime,  iron,  and  magnesia ;  the  tonic  qualities  of  the  iron,  and  the  spark, 
ling  and  enlivening  influence  of  the  fixed  air  that  they  possess  in  an  extraordinary  degree, 
have  a  wonderful  effect  upon  enervated,  bilious,  and  debilitated  constitutions. 

"  The  use  of  the  mineral  waters  hero  and  at  Saratoga  is  especially  beneficial  in  ail  those 
affections  termed  bilious  and  dyspeptic,  in  calculous  and  nephritic  complaints,  in  chronic 
rheiunatism,  gout,  in  ulcers  and  cutaneous  disorders,  scrofula,  in  mercurial  diseases  and 
strumous  aifectious,  in  recent  dropsy,  paralysis,  chlorosis,  &c." 

MouEAiT,  bounded  on  the  E.,  N.,  and  NW.  by  the  Hudson,  was  ta- 
ken from  Northumberland  in  1805  ;  from  Albany  N.  50,  from  Ball- 
ston  Spa  NE.  21  miles.  Pop.  1,575.  Morcau,  Reynolds  Corners,  and 
Clarksville  are  small  settlements. 

Northumberland,  bounded  E.  by  the  Hudson,  was  taken  from  Sar- 
atoga in  1798 ;  N.  from  Albany  40,  and  from  Ballston  Spa  NE.  12 
miles.  Gansevoortville  and  Popes  Corners  are  small  settlements. 
Pop.  1,672. 

Providence,  taken  from  Galway  in  1796  ;  from  Albany  NW.  36, 
from  Ballston  Spa  NW.  18  miles.  Pop.  1,512.  Hagedorns  Mills, 
Greensboro',  and  Johnsboro',  are  small  settlements. 

Saratoga  was  organized  in  1788;  distant  15  miles  N.  from  Ball- 
ston Spa,  and  32  from  Albany.  Pop.  2,624.  The  surface  of 
the  township  is  moderately  uneven  on  the  Hudson,  which  forms  the 
eastern  boundary  ;  there  are  some  alluvial  flats  on  the  western  bor- 
der of  the  town  around  Saratoga  lake  ;  the  soil  is  of  a  light  sandy 
loam.    Schuylerville,  the  principal  village  in  the  town,  lies  on  the 


Vh 


494 


8ARATOC3A    COUNTY. 


% 


Champlain  canal  near  the  mouth  of  Fish  creek,  which  here  flows  into 

the  Hudson,  and  consists  of  about  100  dwellings,  3  churches 1  Dutch 

Reformed,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Methodist — and  an  academy,  with  several 
mills  and  factories. 


Schuyler  mansion-house,  Schuylerville. 

The  above  is  a  view  of  the  mansion  of  the  late  Gen.  Schuyler,  in 
Schuylerville,  which  was  built  a  short  time  after  his  house  and  mills 
at  this  place  were  destroyed  by  the  army  under  General  Burgoyne 
in  1777.  This  dwelling,  the  residence  of  George  Strover,  Esq.,  is  a 
short  distance  south  of  the  spot  where  Burgoyne  surrendered  his 
sword  to  General  Gates.  After  the  battle  at  Stillwater,  Oct.  7th,  he 
made  an  attempt  to  effect  his  retreat  back  to  Fort  Edward,  but  was 
unable  to  proceed  any  further  than  the  mouth  of  Fish  creek,  where 
he  was  hemmed  in  by  the  American  forces.  The  following  account 
relative  to  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne  is  from  the  2d  volume  of  Al- 
len's American  Revolution : — 

"Previous  to  the  action  of  the  7th,  General  Gatea,  anticipating  the  retreat  of  the  enemy 
had  ordered  Brigadier  General  Fellows,  with  1,300  men,  to  cross  the  river,  and  take  post 
on  the  heights  opposite  the  Saratoga  ford,  supposing  that  he  might  be  able  to  reinforce  him 
before  Burgoyne  could  reach  the  place.  But  the  retreat  of  the  British  army  being  earlier 
than  he  expected,  and  the  circumstances  before  related  preventing  him  from  pursuing  imme. 
diately  with  the  main  army,  or  sending  off  any  considerable  detachment,  General  Fellows 
was  placed  in  a  critical  situation,  and  nothing  saved  his  detachment  from  destruction  or 
capture,  but  the  very  slow  movements  of  Burgoyne,  occasioned  by  a  heavy  rain  during  the 
night  of  the  8th,  and  the  badness  of  the  roads,  which  compelled  him  to  halt  at  Davocote 
so  that  he  did  not  reach  Saratoga  until  the  morning  of  the  9th.  By  this  time  General  Fell 
lows  had  received  orders  to  rccross  the  river  and  endeavor  to  oppose  their  passage,  which 
he  did  just  as  the  front  of  the  British  army  entered  Saratoga,  and  in  time  to  post  himself 
advantageously  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river.  On  the  evening  before,  his  camp  was 
80  entirely  unguarded,  that  Lieutenant-colonel  Southerland,  who  had  been  sent  forward 
by  Burgoyne  to  reconnoitre,  marched  around  it  without  meeting  with  a  sentinel,  and  was 
so  strongly  impressed  with  the  conviction  that  ho  could  surprise  him,  that  he  soliciied  per 
mission  to  attack  him  with  his  single  regiment ;  and  it  was  perhaps  fortunate  for  General 
Fellows  that  Burgoyne  refused. 

"In  the  mean  time  several  other  bodies  of  militia  were  posted,  to  intercept  the  retreat 
ot  ""fgoync,  in  various  directions,  and  one  detachment  was  ordered  to  march  immediately 
to  fort  'toward,  and  take  possession  before  any  part  of  Biirgoyne's  troops  could  reach  it. 
A  rain  on  the  10th  prevented  General  Gates  from  marching  until  the  afternoon.  When 
the  Iront  of  the  army  reached  Saratoga,  about  4  o'clock,  the  British  were  encamped  on  the 


I 


SARATOGA    COUNTY. 


49S 


!  flows  into 
— 1  Dutch 
ith  several 


ihuyler,  in 
!  and  mills 
Burgoyne 
Esq.,  is  a 
idered  his 
ct.  7th,  he 
i,  but  was 
!ok,  where 
ig  account 
me  of  Al- 


)f  the  enemy, 
ind  take  post 
reinforce  him 
being  earlier 
rsuing  imme. 
lerol  Fellows 
lestriiction  or 
n  during  the 
at  Davocote, 
General  Fel- 
ssage,  which 
post  himself 
lis  camp  waa 
ient  forward 
nel,  and  was 
loliciled  per. 
:  for  General 

the  retreat 
immediately 
iild  reach  it. 
)on.  When 
nped  on  the 


heights  beyond  the  Fishkill,  [Fish  creek:]  their  boats  lay  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek  and  a 

SFellows*wTh'l!i"°'''  '"  '''""^•".^  '^'  '"'^^"^'^  ^""^  '^'^  "-k  to  the  hejhi  Ge! 
fi^H  nipJi^?  I  •''°T  "'^'^  ""  ""'  °PP°*"«  '"»"''  of  the  river,  with  a  couple  of  smaU 
field-pieces  on  the  plain,  playing  upon  the  enemy's  fatigue  party.    General  Gates  on  h^s 

km  titrSn  f  T'  "."'"'''  ""^^  °"  '""^  ''^'^^'^' " '-'  '  ">"«  in  t^rt  of  he^Fist 
.^^  the  ntht  Gener^T^  '  ""'*  'a  *^""^-  ^^'^"^  ""=  ''''="  ">«'  '^^  «"«'">'  ^""'d  retreat 
Z^!^i     ^  f  li,    ,,  u'  ^f'"*  ^""^  '"■'^^™  '''"'  "le  army  should  advance  at  reveilUe  in  the 

seWe  oVFort'iJLAT  fi"  .^'""=^'"^"*  ^'i^'"'  «'"'°ff ''5'  ^^''y-'> '°  P°-"«  hem! 
the  movement  of  .r,  H„^ V'^"'^'."^.  'J  °''"P''?*  ^^  "i'  Americans,  had  returned  to  camp : 
rnl  GatirZ  1  ""\'^f'«9,'"n.e||'  ^ad  given  nse  to  the  information  which  deceived  Gene, 
ral  Gates  that  the  whole  British  army  had  moved  off,  leaving  a  small  guard  only  in  the 

S  'thf  cV„r;arlv1„'T'"^''  ""'  '""'':  ^^V'''^  -"'^'"^''"-  *'  wrdeteSi'edt 

atiacK  the  camp  early  m  the  morning;  and  Brigadier.gonerals  Nixon  and  Glover  were 

ordered  to  cross  the  creek  with  their  brigades  for  This  puTpose.  '^ 

colonel  Morgan  advancing  with  his  corps  at  daylight  agreeably  to  orders,  fell  in  with 

This  inZpH^f ";  ^^'"^"'^  "l"  ^f  ^'^'^  "P""'  ^"'l !««'  -^  '"'"'""""t  and  Severn   privrtes 

Thw  mduced  him  to  suppose  that  the  enemy  had  not  moved  as  supposed,  in  which  case  h^ 

miation  would  be  extremely  critical,  as  the  fog  waa  so  thick  that  nothing  could  be  see„  a, 

wi'h  herounds"''t  .^"'^r'l  "  "'"'1!"^  ""^''  ""'  '"  '"«  '•^"''  ^"^  »■«  --  -acquafnted 
with  the  grounds.  In  this  dilemma  he  was  met  by  the  Deputy  Adjutant-general.  Colonel 
Wi  kmson  who  had  been  sent  out  by  the  general  for  the  pi!rp<^e  of  reconnoUnii  WU 
km  on  returned  imrnediately  to  communicate  this  intelligence  to  the  generaL  a^  PaUer 
no?  ""^^'^""^d's  brigades,  both  under  the  command  of\be  latter,  wtre  s™nt  to  the  sup 
port  of  Morgan  In  the  mean  time  the  whole  army  had  advanced  us  far  as  the  ridee 
between  the  church  and  General  Schuyler's  house,  where  they  halted.  Ge^erlVs  N  S 
Nixo^h„T«CH  '"  «dv^»««.  n'='f'='»ng,  according  to  orders  to  the  attack  of  the  camp" 
JVixon  had  already  crossed  the  creek,  and  Glover  was  preparing  to  follow  him.  when  a  <lc 

Zt'RITv^  "V'^  ^'l^''"^  '■""''"«  *«  "^^l^'  fr"'»  whom  informatio™  received 
that  Burgoyne  with  his  whole  army  was  still  in  his  camp.    This  was  confirmed  bvMhe 

SVl^^cZT^f^T  °  "  '"'''"'^'■"  u""^.  35  ""'"'  ^y  "^^  "dvance  guard  of  50 
under  Captain  Goodale  of  Putnam's  regiment,  who  discovered  them  through  the  fog  just  as 
he  reached  the  bank  of  the  creek,  and  making  a  resolute  charge  upon  fhern,  took  them 
without  firing  a  gun.  The  general  was  at  this  time  a  mile  in  the  rear,  and  before  ,hk 
intell  genco  could  be  communicated  to  him,  and  orders  received  for  the  two  brigades  to 
desist  and  recross  the  n ver,  the  fog  cleared  up,  and  exposed  to  view  the  whole  BritSh  army 
under  arms.  A  heavy  firo  of  artillery  and  small.arms  was  immediately  opened  upon  Nix^ 
on's  brigade,  which  was  in  advance,  and  they  retreated  in  considerable  disorder  across  the 
creek,  with  a  tnflmg  loss,  and  resumed  their  position. 

"  General  Learned  had  in  the  mean  time  reached  Morgan's  corps  with  his  two  brigades 
and  was  advancing  rapidly  to  the  attack,  in  obedience  to  a  standing  order  which  hTd  been 
issued  the  day  before,  •  That  in  case  of  an  attack  against  any  pointfwhetLT  front  flank  or 
rear  the  troops  are  to  fall  on  the  enemy  at  all  quatlers.'  He  had  Jrrived  w  t CsOO  Srds 
of  JJurgoyne's  strongest  post,  and  in  a  few  minutes  more  would  have  been  engaged  unde? 
great  disadvantages  when  Colonel  Wilkinson  reached  him  with  intelligence  thafour  right 
had  given  way,  and  that  it  would  be  prudent  for  him  to  retreat.  Being  without  authority 
i  om  die  general  to  order  it,  the  brave  old  general  hesitated  to  obey,  in  npposition  to  Uie 
nt'l"^„  °^ti  ■■>"""'  Lieutenant-colonels  Brooks  and  Tuppor  and  some  othe.  officer  com! 
mg  up  a  sort  of  council  was  held,  and  the  proposition  to  retreat  was  approved.  The  mo. 
ment  they  turned  their  backs,  the  enemy,  who  had  been  calmly  cxpecling  their  advance, 
opened  a  fire  upon  them  which  was  continued  until  they  were  masked  by  fhe  wood.  They 
retreated  alwut  half  a  mile,  with  Morgan  on  their  left,  and  encamped  in  a  strong  position, 
which  they  held  until  the  surrender  of  the  British  army."  f««»"o", 

On  the  14th  of  October,  Gen.  Burgoyne  sent  Major  Kingston  to 
the  head-quarters  of  Gen.  Gates  with  a  proposition  for  «  a  cessation 
ot  arms,  durmg  the  time  necessary  to  communicate  the  preliminary 
terms,  by  which  in  any  extremity  he  and  the  army  mean  to  abide." 
tren.  Gates  had  already  prepared  a  schedule  of  the  terms  upon  which 
he  was  willmg  to  treat.  This  schedule  evinced  that  he  was  well  ac- 
quamted  with  the  distresses  of  the  British,  and  was  drawn  up  in  terms 
of  extreme  liberality.  To  the  9th  article  of  Gen.  Burgoyne's  propo- 
sition, Gen.  Gates  affixed  the  following  answer : 


'!     '! 


490 


BARATOOA    COUNTY. 


"  '  Tho  capitulation  to  hn  fiiiiBhed  by  2  o'clock,  this  day,  tho  IStli,  and  the  troops  march 
from  their  encampment  at  5,  and  Ite  in  readiness  to  move  towards  Boston  to-morrow  morn- 
ing.'  These  preliminary  articles  and  their  answers  being  sent  to  General  Burgoyne,  pro. 
dnced  the  immediate  return  of  his  messenger  with  the  following  note.  '  Tho  eight  first 
preliminary  articles  of  Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne's  proposals,  and  tho  2d,  3d,  and  4th 
of  those  of  Major-general  Gates  of  yesterday,  being  agreed  to,  the  formation  of  the  pro. 
posed  treaty  is  out  of  dispute,  but  the  several  subordinate  articles  and  regulations  necessa- 
rily springing  from  these  preliminaries,  and  requiring  explanations  and  precision,  between 
the  parties,  before  a  definitive  treaty  can  be  safely  executed,  a  longer  time  than  that  men- 
tioned  by  General  Gates  in  his  answer  to  the  9th  article,  becomes  indispensably  necessary. 
Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne  is  willing  to  appoint  two  officers  immediately  to  meet  two 
others  from  Major-general  Gates  to  propound,  discuss,  and  settle  those  subordinate  articles, 
in  order  that  the  treaty  in  due  form  may  be  executed  as  soon  as  possible.' " 

Thi«!  meeting  took  place  on  the  afternoon  of  the  15th,  and  the 

Earties  mutually  signed  articles  of  capitulation,  or  convention,  as  Gen. 
lurgoyne  wished  to  have  it  designated.  A  copy  of  the  convention 
was  to  be  signed  by  Gen.  Burgoyne  and  delivered  the  next  morning. 
The  following  are  the  articles  of  convention. 

Articles  of  Convention  between  Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne  and  Major-general  Gates. 

"  Ist.  The  troops  under  Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne  to  march  out  of  their  camp  with 
the  honors  of  war,  and  the  artillery  of  the  entrenchments,  to  the  verge  of  the  river  where 
the  old  fort  stood,  where  the  arms  and  artillery  are  to  be  left ;  the  arms  to  be  piled  by  word 
of  command  from  their  own  officers. 

"2d.  A  free  passage  to  be  granted  to  the  army  under  Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne  to 
Great  Britain,  on  condition  of  not  serving  again  in  North  America  during  the  present  con- 
test ;  and  the  port  of  Boston  is  assigned  for  the  entry  of  transports  to  receive  the  troops, 
whenever  (Jeneral  Howe  shall  so  order. 

"  3d.  Should  any  cartel  take  place,  by  which  the  army  under  General  Burgoyne,  or  any 
part  of  it,  may  be  exchanged,  the  foregoing  article  to  be  void  as  far  as  such  exchange  shall 
be  made. 

"  4th.  The  ormy  under  Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne,  to  march  to  Massachusetta  Bay, 
by  the  easiest,  most  expeditious,  and  convenient  route ;  and  to  be  quartered  in,  near,  or  as 
convenient  as  possible  to  Boston,  that  the  march  of  the  troops  may  not  be  delayed,  when 
the  transports  arrive  to  receive  them. 

"  .5th.  The  troops  to  be  supplied  on  their  march,  and  during  their  being  in  quarters,  with 
provisions,  by  General  Gates'  orders,  at  the  same  rate  of  rations  as  tho  troops  of  his  own 
army ;  and  if  possible  the  officers'  horses  and  cattle  arc  to  be  supplied  with  forage  at  the 
usual  rates. 

"  6th.  All  officers  to  retain  their  carriages,  bntt-horses  and  other  cattle,  and  no  baggage 
to  be  molested  or  searched  ;  Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne  giving  his  honor  that  there  ore 
no  public  stores  secreted  therein.  Major-general  Gates  will  of  course  take  the  necessary 
measures  for  tho  due  performance  of  this  article.  Should  any  carriages  be  wanted  during 
tlie  march,  for  the  transportation  of  officers'  baggage,  they  are,  if  possible,  to  be  supplied  by 
the  country  at  the  usual  rates. 

"  7th.  Upon  the  march,  and  during  the  time  the  army  shall  remain  in  quarters  in  Massa- 
chusetts Bay,  the  officers  are  not  as  far  as  circumstances  will  admit  to  be  separated  from 
their  men.  The  officers  are  to  be  quartered  according  to  rank,  and  are  not  to  be  hindered 
from  assembling  their  men  for  roll-call  and  other  necessary  purposes  of  regularity. 

"  8th,  All  corps  whatever  of  General  Burgoyne's  army,  whether  composed  of  sailors, 
batteauxmen,  artificers,  drivers,  independent  companies,  and  followers  of  the  army,  of 
whatever  country,  shall  be  included  in  the  fullest  sense  and  utmost  extent  in  the  above  ar- 
ticles, and  comprehended  in  every  respect  as  British  subjects. 

"  9th.  All  Canadians,  and  persons  belonging  to  the  Canadian  establishment,  consisting 
of  sailors,  batteauxmen,  artificers,  drivers,  independent  companies,  and  many  other  follow- 
ers of  the  army,  who  come  under  no  particular  description,  are  to  be  permitted  to  return 
there  ;  they  are  to  be  conducted  immediately  by  the  shortest  route  to  the  first  British  post 
on  Lake  George,  are  to  be  supplied  with  provisions  in  the  same  manner  as  the  other  troops, 
and  ore  to  be  bound  by  the  same  condition  of  not  serving  during  the  present  contest  in 
North  America. 

"  10th.  Passports  to  be  immediately  granted  for  three  officers  not  exceeding  the  rank  of 
captains,  who  shall  be  appointed  by  Lieutenant-general  Biu-goyne,  to  carry  despatches  to 


■5 


5  troops  inarch 
morrow  morn- 
[Jurgoyne,  pro. 
Tho  eight  first 
\d,  3d,  and  4th 
on  of  the  pro. 
ations  neccHsa. 
ision,  between 
ban  that  men- 
My  necessary, 
y  to  meet  two 
'dinato  articles, 

th,  and  the 
Ion,  as  Gon. 
convention 
it  morning. 

'eneral  Gates, 

leir  camp  witli 

he  river  where 

piled  by  word 

1  Burgoync  to 
le  present  con- 
iive  the  troops, 

rgoyne,  or  any 
exchange  shall 

lachusctts  Bay, 
in,  near,  or  as 
delayed,  when 

I  quarters,  with 
ops  of  his  own 
1  forage  at  the 

lid  no  baggage 

that  there  are 

the  necessary 

wanted  during 

be  supplied  by 

rters  in  Mnssa- 
separated  from 
to  be  hindered 
larity. 

Bsed  of  sailors, 

the  army,  of 

1  the  above  ar- 

lent,  consisting 
iy  other  follow, 
itted  to  return 
'St  British  post 
le  other  troops, 
isent  contest  in 

ing  the  rank  of 
/  despatches  to 


SARATOGA   COUNTY. 


497 


^^T^r  -ot'lrd^  trr^-'-^lJL-  ''-  '^-  "'  ^  ^  '^ 

their  ciothS  and  oT/h"*^"  Lieutenant.general  Burgoyne  find  it  nece«ary  to  send  for 

convenie,.  mannl  i  .h^'^'"**'  '"  ^'""'•'  '^'^  ""'»  '^  P"™'"*"!  '»  «*«  i' *"  »»>«  met 
convenient  manner,  and  the  necessary  passports  granted  for  that  purpose. 

o'clock  and  the^rl'l?.,*^  "'r^"  '""'"""''  "'«""'*  ""<*  exchanged  to-morrow  morning,  at  9 

(Signed)  "  Horatio  Gates,  Major.general. 
" Saratoga,  Oct.  16th,  1777.  (Signed)  "J.  Burooyne,  Lieutenant-general. 

be.'nJm«nS/"''  ^°"'"1''""  "'i«''t  arise  from  Lieutenant-general  Burgoyne's    lame  not 

deZ„T,„h«  '"  •J."  "j'T '^""''•.^''J''''-^''""''!  G'"^''  t^reby  declares,  that  he  i^un 
de«tood  to  be  comprehended  m  .t,  as  fuUy  as  if  his  name  had  beei  specifically  mentioned. 

"Horatio  Gates." 
amoJnt^HnQ"'^  "'""'"'?  '^•""  Burgoyne  at  various  times  during  the  campaign, 
fidd  5nonlnrf'''Tr\oAT°"''°/  ""'  "««'  «'««»"'  trains  ever  brought  in^oTo 
SJvpllinf  L?«  °l  T"'  ^'""^  ^TI}  °f /""ridges ;  and  a  number  of  ammuni^on  wagons! 
Thlwh^nl^V^V  ?'""""'•"*'"'!''•  "^''••"''^  <■«"  *"'"  *e  hands  of  the  Americans 
Jhh  H.  h  ""'"'?"  If., '"oP"  surrendered  by  the  convention  amounted  to  5.763,  which 
added  to  the  number  killed,  wounded,  and  captured,  in  the  several  actions  previouMo  he 

thols^Tdr^n!"^^^^  ^^  '"  "'"  ^•°°°'  •""'""'  B-'K^y^^'"  »<"«1  1°«  oi  upwards  of  1« 

ihn"in*'n.r?v,'"^  °^""'  i^*  the  troops  of  Butgoyne  were  marched  out  of  their  camp  to 
he  plain  near  the  nyer  where  their  arms  were  deposited;  and  the  victoriou.  American* 
took  possession  of  their  lines."  ^wmn,aan 


The  annexed  cut  is  a  copy 
y^  of  the  signature  of  General 
^ My^T^^  jritXl.  r         Burgoyne,  attached    to   the 
*^>'^^'Hfe:^    articles    of    the    convention 
U    ^                   now    in    possession    of  the 
O         New   York    Historical    So- 
ciety. 

Vae-iinili  of  Otn.  Burgoynt't  tigtuUure. 

General  Wilkinson's  account  of  the  interview  between  Gates  and 
Burgoyne  on  the  field  of  surrender  is  interesting. 

"Early  in  the  morning  of  the  17th,  I  visited  General  Burgoyne  in  his  camp,  and  accora. 
pamed  him  to  the  ground,  where  his  army  was  to  lay  down  their  arms,  from  whence  we 
rode  to  the  bank  of  the  Hudson  river,  which  he  surveyed  with  attention,  and  asked  me 
whether  H  was  not  fordable.  'Certainly,  sir;  but  do  you  observe  the  people  on  the  oppo. 
site  shore  V  '  Yes,'  replied  he,  •  I  have  seen  them  too  long,'  He  then  proposed  to  be  in. 
traduced  to  General  Gates,  and  we  crossed  the  FishkiU,  and  proceeded  to  head-quarteni. 
Oeneral  Burgoyne  in  front,  with  his  adjutant-general  Kingston,  and  his  aids-de-camp  Cap. 
tain  Lord  Petersham,  and  Lieutenant  Wilford  behind  him ;  then  followed  Major.general 
l-hi  ips,  the  Baron  Reidesel,  and  the  other  general  officers,  and  their  suites,  according  to 
rank.  General  Gates,  advised  of  Burgoyne's  approach,  met  him  at  the  head  of  his  camp. 
Burgoyne  in  a  rich  royal  uniform,  and  Gates  in  a  plain  blue  frock ;  when  they  had  apl 
proached  nearly  within  sword's  length,  they  reined  up,  and  halted.  I  then  named  the  gen. 
Uemen,  and  General  Burgoyne,  raising  his  hat  most  gracefuUy,  said  'The  fortune  of  war. 
General  Gates,  has  made  mo  your  prisoner;'  to  which  the  conqueror,  rtlorning  a  courUy 
salute,  promptly  replied. '  I  shall  always  be  ready  to  bear  testimony,  that  it  has  not  been 
through  any  fault  of  your  excellency.'  Major-general  Phillips  then  advanced,  and  he  and 
General  Gates  saluted,  and  shook  hands  with  the  familiarity  of  old  acquaintances.  The 
Baron  Reidesel,  and  the  other  officers,  were  introduced  in  their  tum.'» 

63 


cM  -^^ 


SARATOGA    COUNTY. 

"  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler  wbs  bora 
at  Albany  in  1731,  of  an  ancient 
and  respectable  family.  When 
quite  young  he  became  a  mem. 
ber  of  the  New  York  legislature, 
and  was  eminent  for  his  intelli- 
gence and  usefulness.  To  him 
jnie-simfte  of  Philip  Sekuyler't  aigtwturi.  and    Governor    Clinton    it  was 

chiefly  owing  that  the  province  made  an  early  and  decided  resistance  to  those  British  mea. 
sures  which  terminated  in  the  independence  of  the  colonies.  When  the  revolution  com- 
menced,  he  was  appointed,  June  19,  1775,  a  major-general,  and  was  directed  to  proceed 
immediately  from  New  York  to  Ticonderoga,  to  secure  the  lakes,  and  make  preparations 
for  entering  Canada.  Being  taken  sick  in  September,  the  command  devolved  upon  Mont- 
gomery.  On  his  recovery,  he  devoted  himself  zealously  to  the  management  of  the  affairs 
in  the  northern  departments.  Ho  gave  much  attention  to  the  superintendence  of  the  Indian 
concerns.  On  the  approach  of  Burgoyne,  in  1777,  he  made  every  exertion  to  obstruct  his 
progress ;  but  the  evacuation  of  Ticonderoga  by  St.  Clair,  occasioning  unreasonable  jealousies 
in  regard  to  Schuyler,  in  New  England,  he  was  superseded  by  Gen.  Gates  in  August ;  and 
an  inquiry  was  directed  by  congress  to  bo  made  into  his  conduct.  He  was  afterward, 
though  not  in  the  regular  service,  very  useful  to  his  country  in  the  mihtary  transactions  of 
New  York.  He  was  a  member  of  the  old  congress  ;  and  when  the  present  government 
of  the  United  States  commenced  its  operation  in  1789,  he  was  appointed  a  senator  in  the 
national  legislature.  He  was  chosen  a  second  time  in  1797,  to  the  same  station.  In  the 
senate  of  New  York,  he  contributed  probably  more  than  any  other  man  to  the  code  of 
laws  adopted  by  the  state.  He  died  at  his  seat  near  Albany,  Nov.  18,  1804,  in  the  73d 
year  of  his  age.  He  possessed  great  strength  of  mind  and  purity  of  intention.  In  the  con- 
trivance  of  plans  of  public  utility,  he  was  wise  ana  circumspect,  and  in  their  execution, 
enterprising  and  persevering.  In  his  deportment  he  was  aignified  and  courteous.  He  was 
a  pleasant  and  instructive  companion,  and  in  all  the  functions  of  private  life  was  highly  ex. 
^mplviy"— Encyclopedia  Americana. 


View  in  the  village  of  Saratoga  Springs. 

Saratoga  Sfuings  was  taken  from  Saratoga  in  1819.  Pop.  2,024. 
The  village  of  Saratoga  Springs  is  181  miles  from  New  York,  a«i 
from  Albany,  and  Gi  from  Hallston  Spa.  it  is  located  in  a  fertile 
country,  and  contains  0  churches,  several  literary  institutions,  and 
about  51,000  inhabitants:     The   abovH   eniniiving  was  taken  from 


SARATOGA   COUNTY. 


490 


TTLER  was  bora 
,  of  an  ancient 
'amily.  When 
ecame  a  mem. 
Drk  legislature, 
for  his  intelli. 
tieas.  To  him 
linton  it  waa 
90  British  mea. 
evolution  com- 
ted  to  proceed 
(.e  preparations 
ed  upon  Monu 
it  of  the  aifaira 
e  of  the  Indian 
to  obstruct  his 
lable  jealousies 
1  August ;  and 
was  afterward, 
transactions  of 
nt  government 
.  senator  in  the 
tation.  In  the 
:o  the  code  of 
)04,  in  the  73d 
I.  In  the  con. 
leir  execution, 
sous.  He  was 
was  highly  ex- 


Pop.  2,G24. 
York,  3«i 
in  a  fertile 
utioMS,  and 
;akeu  from 


I 


near  the  circular  railway,  and  exhibits  the  principal  portion  of  the 
village,  with  a  view  of  the  elegant  Grecian  colonnade  erected  over  the 
Congress  spring,  seen  near  the  centre  of  the  picture.  This  place  de- 
rives its  attractions  from  its  medicinal  springs.  These  are  situated 
on  the  margin  of  a  vale,  bordering  the  village  on  the  east,  and  are 
the  continuation  of  a  chain  of  springs  discovering  themselves  about 
12  mihs  to  the  south,  in  the  town  of  Ballston.  The  springs  in  this 
vicinity  are  18  or  20  in  number,  the  principal  of  which  are  the  Con- 
gress, the  Iodine  or  Walton,  Putnam's,  Congress,  the  Monroe,  the 
Hamilton,  the  Flat  Rock,  the  High  Rock,  the  Columbian,  and  the 
Washington.  A  new  spring  has  lately  been  discovered,  whose 
waters  are  gaining  high  favor  with  the  public,  and  are  said  to  be 
beneficial  in  consumption.  The  hotels  in  this  place  are  numerous, 
and  some  of  them  truly  elegant,  built  in  good  taste,  with  spacious 
piazzas,  and  yards  ornamented  with  shrubbery.  The  facility  with 
which  it  is  visited,  by  railroads  from  Albany  and  Troy,  with  other 
thoroughfares,  together  with  the  numerous  attractions  of  the  place, 
has  rendered  Saratoga  the  summer  resort  of  thousands  from  all  parts 
of  our  wide-spread  country.  < 


Western  view  of  the  battle-ground,  Stillwater. 

Stillwater  was  organized  in  1788.  It  is  centrally  situated- 
from  Albany  22  miles.  The  general  surface  is  level,  and  the  river 
hills  of  a  moderate  height.  Pop.  2,733.  The  village  of  Mechanics- 
ville  is  situated  on  a  section  of  land  between  Hudson  river  and  the 
canal.  It  consists  of  about  50  or  00  dwellings,  partly  in  this,  and 
partly  in  the  town  of  Half  Moon,  2  or  more  churches,  several  mills 
and  factories  on  Anthony's  kill,  which  forms  the  southern  boundary 
of  the  town.  Stillwater  is  a  small  village  on  the  canal,  about  4  miles 
above  Mechanicsville.  This  town  is  distinguished  in  history  as  being 
the  battle-ground  of  the  armies  of  Gens.  Gates  andBurgoyne  in  1777. 

The  above  shows  the  appearance  of  the  battle-ground  on  Free- 
man's farm,  as  seen  from  near  the  front  of  Mr.  J.  Walker's  house,  2J 
miles  from.  Pattison's  tavern,  and  about  2  miles  from  Hudson  river. 


Me 


8ARAT00A   COUNTY. 


Freeman's  house  stood  a  few  feet  south  of  the  southernmost  building 
seen  m  the  engraving ;  the  line  of  trees  or  woods  seen  behind  the 
buildings  is  the  spot  where  Burgoyne  formed  his  line  on  the  brow 
of  the  elevated  plain  previous  to  the  battle  of  Sept.  19th ;  Willard's 
mountain  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson  is  seen  in  the  distance. 
About  15  rods  south  from  Mr.  Walker's  house,  in  what  then  was 
called  a  meadow,  is  the  spot  where  Gen.  Frazer  was  mortally 
wounded;  it  is  a  little  west  of  a  road  running  N.  and  S.  which  has 
since  been  made  near  this  place.  About  60  rods  in  a  SW.  direction 
was  the  hottest  of  the  fight,  on  the  7th  of  October.  Near  the  place 
where  Frazer  fell,  a  hole  or  grave  was  dug,  into  which  the  bodies  of 
40  soldiers  were  thrown,  after  being  stripped  of  their  clothing  by 
the  women  of  the  camp.  Maj.  Ackland  was  wounded  a  little  east 
of  the  present  road.  The  following  account  of  the  battles  is  drawn 
from  various  sources. 

"The  army  arrived  at  Stillwater  on  the  9th  of  September,  fully  determined  to  face  the 
loe,  and  If  necessary  pursue  him  into  his  own  confines.  This  wag  at  first  supposed  to  b« 
an  ehgible  position  for  throwing  up  a  line  of  intrenchments,  and  a  large  party  under  the 
engineer  Kosciusko  were  accordingly  set  to  work  for  that  purpose.  But  upon  a  more  nar. 
row  inspection  of  the  grounds,  the  general  determined  to  change  his  position,  and  occupy 
Bemus  s  heights,  which  were  taken  possession  of  and  fortified  on  the  12th.  Burgoyne  at 
this  time  lay  opposite  to  Saratoga,  occupying  old  Fort  Miller  and  BattenkiU ;  but  what  were 
Ills  further  intenttons,  Gen.  Gates  had  no  means  of  judging.  In  this  situation  the  deputy 
acyutant-general,  Col.  James  Wilkinson,  volunteered  to  head  a  select  reconnoitring  party, 
and  obtain  if  possible  the  desired  infDrmation.  He  left  the  camp  with  170  men,  under  cover 
ot  a  dark  night,  and  arrived  by  daylight  at  Davocote,  -^bout  two  miles  from  Saratoga.  Here 
he  posted  the  greater  part  of  his  men  in  a  wood  near  the  road,  and  proceeded  himself  to 
the  heights  of  Fish  creek ;  from  which  posiuun  he  discovered  a  column  of  the  enemy  drawn 
up  under  arms,  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  creek,  within  300  yards  of  him,  and  another 
column  under  march,  descending  the  heights  below  BattenkiU.  Being  satisfied  from  these 
circumstances  that  Gen.  Burgoyne  was  advancing,  Col,  Wilkinson  returned  to  camp  with 
..  ^^'^L    i=^i"*  '*''"  ''"'^®  prisoners,  who,confinned  the  intelligence. 

On  the  15th,  Gen.  Burgoyne  having  crossed  the  river  some  days  before,  had  advanced 
as  far  as  Davocote,  where  he  halted  24  hours  for  the  purpose  of  repairing  the  bridges  and 
roads  in  his  advance,  for  the  more  convenient  march  of  his  army.  On  the  18th  Gen  Ar 
hold  was  sent  out  widi  1,500  men,  to  harass  and  impede  him,  but  returned  without  aciom." 
pushing  any  thing;  Burgoyne  continuing  his  march  until  he  had  arrived  within  2  miles  of 
{[^."■cnn'*  j^TP'  "*"■?  ^^  encamped  in  a  line  extending  from  the  river  to  a  range  of 
hills  600  yards  distant,  and  upon  which  were  posted  the  elite  of  his  army.  The  position 
occupied  by  Gen.  Gates,  as  described  by  an  eye-witness,  and  one  who  knew  it  well,  was 
?Au^ '~;  ""  "■*•"  Of ""?'«'•  the  brow  of  the  hill  near  the  river,  with  which  it  was  con- 
nected  by  a  deep  intrenchment;  his  camp  in  the  form  of  a  segment  of  a  great  circle,  the 
convex  towards  the  enemy,  extended  rather  obliquely  to  his  rocr,  about  three.fourths  of  a 
mile  to  a  knoll  occupied  by  his  left ;  his  front  was  covered  from  the  right  to  the  left  of  his 
centre,  by  a  sharp  ravine  running  parallel  with  his  line,  and  closely  wooded  j  from  thence 
to  the  knoll  at  his  extreme  left,  the  ground  was  level  and  had  been  partially  cleared,  some 
of  the  trees  being  felled,  and  others  girdled;  beyond  which,  in  front  of  his  left  flank,  and 
extending  to  the  enemy's  right,  there  were  several  small  fields  in  very  imperfect  cultivation, 
the  surface  broken  and  obstructed  with  stumps  and  fallen  timber,  and  the  whole  bounded 
on  the  west  by  a  steep  eminence.  The  extremities-  of  this  camp  were  defended  by  strong 
.,t  O.T'  ?".!  u  '"'^fvn' '^'M  slfengthened  by  a  breastwork  without  infrenchmenui,  con. 
?n^?  ft  f  u  '*  "''""'  1/*"*''  ''"*••  '"8*  """^  "''••  ^''h  ■">  additional  battery  at  an  open. 
-^AUen'Isev  *'^°"'*"  "*""  ''"'*"'  ''"P""''=«'''«  '  "'o  'ef'  difficult  of  approach.'  •• 

While  in  this  position,  the  battle  of  the  19th  Sept.  took  place ;  the 
tollowmg  account  of  which  is  from  Gen.  Wilkinson's  Memoirs. 

fh-'Zl!i'  ^Ift  V"?  P^fec'ly  «c':ideiital ;  neither  of  the  generals  meditated  an  attack  at 
the  lime,  and  but  for  Lwut.  Col.  Colburn'a  report,  it  would  not  have  taken  place;  Bur. 


SARATOGA   COUNTY. 


601 


the 


timJiir  £cou™l!if''Z!5[''  T''"'^"  "'•'""'«''  •'"'  combatants  changed  ground  a  dozen 
n^,^i,^:„  7       i**®  '''''''  *«  •=""'«*'  terminated  on  the  spot  where  it  beean     The 

?J^  aiowZSlT.-"  r'»«."««'i'»«'t>'i„  pine  wood,  having  be^oLuFreemS 

Sydo^Mfv^T^PT^  ^^V  f'T  "'^'"^'  ""  "«»"'  '»>«  eround  in  front  sIopTnJ 
wood      Tho  '"  "'r*«'8«  o*^  •*"«  field  which  was  bordered  on  the  opposite  side  by  a  closi 

Ty  "t  eJemv3'."h'^'"'3*'>^  '!"  'h\<='«"«J  K^ound,  between  the  eminence  occuS 
WMtL3erd'^'","i?ir,?'';!T  '^r"^"^-  -^h  ^'^  °^°"'  marksmen  from  this  w^c^ 
n^.?n..n  ,  J  r  '*'"''«.'"<"'  by  'he  enemy  m  Hne,  and  when  they  gave  way  and  broke 
our  men,  rushing  from  their  covert,  pursued  them  to  the  eminence,  wherrLv"n/tS.eiJ 

wheteTrealtewoM?'''"''^"^^  '"  '""^'  ''"'"'  "«  "-"  ilthe3,ftm 
batfirfluctuatP  nin^t  ^^f"  ^'"■''  "•""  '"  fallback;  and  in  this  manner  did  the 

ba  tie  fluctuate,  like  the  waves  of  a  stormy  sea,  with  alternate  advantage  for  four  houw 

rh»rl  h"f  """"""m"  '"'T**''""-  J^''  ^""'■'»  """l^fy  fell  in^o  our  possesion  at  ev^ 
charge,  but  we  could  neither  turn  the  pieces  upon  tl.e  enemy,  nor  bring  Them  off*  th^ 
wood  prevented  the  last  and  the  want  of  a  match  the  first,  as  the  linstock  wwm variably 

slaughter  of  this  brigade  of  artillerists  was  remarkable,  the  captain  and  36  men  beinir  killed 
hs''tr±'*°"r^l^-  /'T  »'-"'y''fll»"t  «o"fliet.  in  which  death  brflStytt 
klJfnT,'  c/ft^-'ly'' drawn  battle,  as  night  alone  terminated  it ;  the  British  army 

keeping  ite  ground  m  rear  of  the  field  of  action,  and  our  corps,  when  they  could  no  loTer 
distinguish  objects,  retiring  to  their  own  camp."  .  *  ' 

^*f  ^u"  ^^^  P®"°*^  **^'^  ^^"^®  ^^'  ^«"g^>t'  (Sept.  19th,)  to  October 
7th,  the  time  was  spent  by  Gen.  Burgoyne  in  strengthening  his  posi- 
tion,  and  by  Gen.  Gates  in  collecting  reinforcements.  Gen.  Bur- 
goyne  is  said  to  liave  planned  an  attack  on  the  20th  and  21st  of 
beptenriber,  but  fortunately  it  was  delayed  until  the  Americans  were 
m  the  best  situation  to  oppose  him.  Attacks  on  the  British  piquets 
took  place  almost  every  evening,  and  they  were  continually  harassed. 
Ihe  loUowmg  is  Gen.  Wilkinson's  account  of  the  battle  of  Oct.  7th. 

.1.'™"  *''*'  •'■""""P"  °f  October  7th,  the  advanced  guard  of  the  centre  beat  to  arms :  the 
alarm  was  repeated  throughout  the  line,  and  the  troops  repaired  to  their  alarm  posT^IwaB 
at  head-quarters  when  th»  happened,  and  with  the  approbation  of  the  general,  mounted  my 
horse  to  inquire  the  cause;  but  on  reaching  the  guard  where  the  beat  commeCedTl  codd 
obtain  no  other  satisfaction,  but  that  some  person  had  reported  the  enemy  to  be  advancing 
against  our  left.  I  proceeded,  over  open  ground,  and  ascending  a  gentle  acclivity  in  front 
of  the  guard,  I  perceived,  about  half  a  mile  from  the  l.no  of  ou"  encampment  8ove«l  col 
umns  of  the  enetny  60  or  70  rod.  from  me,  entering  a  wheat  field  which  had  not  beS  cut 
and  was  separated  from  me  by  a  small  rivulet;  and  without  my  glass  I  could  distinctly 
mark  Aeir  every  movement.    After  entering  the  field  they  displayed,  formed  the  line,  and 

cut  the  wheat  or  standing  straw,  and  I  soon  after  observed  several  officere  mounted  on  the 

\2     u- 1      •      *"  "^^Tr*  ''"'^  "'*''■  b'«^^'  'I'^y  ^^^  endeavoring  to  reconnoitre  our 
letl,  which  was  concealed  from  their  view  by  intervening  woods. 

"Having  satisfied  myself,  after  fifteen  minutes  attentive  observation,  that  no  attack  waa 

meditated,  I  returned  and  reported  to  the  general,  who  asked  me  what  appeared  to  be  the 

wtentions  of  the  enemy.    'They  are  foraging,  and  endeavoring  to  reconnoitre  your  left: 

and  I  think,  sir  they  offer  you  battle.'    •  What  is  the  nature  of  the  ground,  and  what  you^ 

opinion  ?■     '  I  heir  Iront  is  open,  and  their  flanks  rest  on  the  woods,  under  cover  of  which 

they  may  be  attacked ;  their  right  is  skirted  by  a  lofty  height.     I  would  indulge  them.' 

Well,  then,  order  on  Morgan  to  begin  the  game.'     I  waited  on  the  colonel,  whose  corpa 

was  formed  in  front  of  our  centre,  and  delivered  the  order;  he  knew  the  ground  and  in. 

quired  the  position  of  the  enemy ;  they  'vere  formed  acrom  a  newly  cultivated  field  their 


502 


BAlATOGA   COUNTY. 


grenadiers  with  several  field.pieces  on  the  left,  bordering  on  a  wood  and  a  small  ravine 
formed  by  the  rivulet  before  alluded  to ;  their  hght  infantry  on  the  right,  covered  by  a  worm 
fence  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  before  mentioned,  thickly  covered  with  wood ;  their  centre 
composed  of  British  and  German  battalions.  Col.  Moi;gan,  with  his  usual  sagacity,  pro- 
posed to  make  a  circuit  with  his  corps  by  our  left,  and  under  cover  of  the  wood  to  gain  the 
height  on  the  right  of  the  enemy,  and  from  thence  commence  the  attack,  so  soon  as  our 
fire  should  be  opened  against  their  left ;  the  plan  was  the  best  which  could  be  devised,  and 
no  doubt  contributed  essentially  to  the  prompt  and  decisive  victory  we  gained. 

"  This  proposition  was  approved  by  the  general,  and  it  was  concerted  that  time  should  be 
allowed  the  colonel  to  make  the  proposed  circuit,  and  gain  his  station  on  the  enemy's  right 
before  the  attack  should  be  made  on  their  left ;  Poor's  brigade  was  ordered  for  this  service, 
and  the  attack  was  commenced  in  due  season  on  the  flank  and  front  of  the  British  grena- 
diers, by  the  New  Hampshire  and  New  York  troops.    True  to  his  purpose,  Morgan  at  this 
critical  moment  poured  down  like  a  torrent  from  the  hill,  and  attacked  the  right  of  the  en- 
emy in  front  and  flank.    Dearborn,  at  the  moment  when  the  enemy's  light  infantry  were 
attempting  to  change  front,  pressed  forward  with  ardor,  and  delivered  a  close  fire ;  then 
leaped  the  fence,  shouted,  charged,  and  gallantly  forced  them  to  retire  in  disorder ;  yet, 
headed  by  that  intrepid  soldier,  the  Earl  of  Balcarras,  they  were  immediately  rallied,  and 
re-formed  behind  a  fence  in  rear  of  their  first  position ;  but  being  now  attacked  with  great 
audacity,  in  fi'ont  and  flanks,  by  superior  numbers,  resistance  became  vain,  and  the  whole 
Une,  commanded  by  Burgoyne  iu  person,  gave  way,  and  made  a  precipitate  and  disorderly 
retreat  to  his  camp,  leaving  two  twelve  and  six  six  pounders  on  the  field,  with  the  loss  of 
more  than  400  officers  and  men,  killed,  woundr d  and  captured,  and  among  them  the  flow- 
er of  his  officers — vi2,  brigadier-general  Frazer;  Major  Ackland,  commanding  the  grenadiers ; 
Sir  Francis  Clark,  his  first  aid-de-camp;  Major  Williams,  commanding  officer  of  the  artil- 
lery; Captain  Mooney,  deputy  quartermaster-general,  and  many  others.    After  deliver- 
ing the  order  to  General  Poor,  and  directing  him  to  the  point  of  attack,  I  was  peremptorily 
commanded  to  repair  to  the  rear,  and  order  up  Ten  Broeck's  regiment  of  New  York  mill, 
tia,  3000  strong.    I  performed  this  service,  and  regained  the  field  of  battle  at  the  moment 
the  enemy  had  turned  their  backs — 52  minutes  after  the  first  shot  was  fired.    The  ground 
which  had  been  occupied  by  the  British  grenadiers,  presented  a  scene  of  complicated  hor- 
ror and  exultation.     In  the  square  space  of  twelve  or  fifteen  yards  lay  eighteen  grenadiers 
in  the  agonies  of  death,  and  three  officers  propped  up  against  stumps  of  trees,  two  of  them 
mortally  wounded,  bleeding  and  almost  speechless.    What  a  spectacle  for  one  whose  bo- 
som glowed  with  philanthropy;  and  how  vehement  the  impulse  which  excites  men  of  sen- 
sibiUty  to  seek  such  scenes  of  barbarism !    I  found  the  courageous  Colonel  Cilley  a-strad- 
dle  on  a  brass  twelve  pounder,  and  exulting  in  the  capture ;  whilst  a  surgeon,  a  man  of 
great  worth,  who  was  dressing  one  of  the  officers,  raising  his  blood-besmeared  hands  in  the 
phrenzy  of  patriotism,  exclaimed, '  Wilkinson,  I  have  dipped  my  hands  in  British  blood.' 
He  received  a  sharp  rebuke  for  his  brutality ;  and  with  the  troops  I  pursued  the  hard  press- 
ed  flying  enemy,  passing  over  killed  and  wounded,  until  I  heard  one  exclaim, '  Protect  me, 
sir,  against  this  boy.'    Turning  my  eyes,  it  was  my  fortune  to  arrest  the  purpose  of  a  lad 
thirteen  or  fourteen  years  old,  in  the  act  of  taking  aim  at  the  wounded  officer,  who  lay  in 
the  angle  of  a  worm  fence.     Inquiring  his  rank,  he  answered,  '  I  had  the  honor  to  com- 
mand the  grenadiers.'    Of  course,  I  knew  him  to  be  Major  Ackland,  who  had  been  brought 
from  the  field  to  this  place,  on  the  back  of  Captain  Shrimpton,  of  his  own  corps,  under  a 
heavy  fire,  and  was  here  deposited,  to  save  the  lives  of  both.     I  dismounted,  took  him  by 
the  hand,  and  expressed  my  hopes  that  he  was  not  badly  wounded.    '  Not  badly,'  replied 
this  gallant  officer  and  accomplished  gentleman,  '  but  very  inconveniently.     I  am  shot 
through  both  legs.     Will  you,  air,  have  the  goodness  to  have  me  conveyed  to  your  camp  ?' 
I  directed  my  servant  to  alight,  and  we  lifted  Ackland  into  his  seat,  and  ordered  him  to  be 
conducted  to  head-quarters.    I  then  proceeded  to  the  scene  of  renewed  action,  which  em. 
braced  Bui^yne's  right  flank  defence,  and  extending  to  his  left,  crossed  a  hollow  covered 
with  wood,  about  40  rods,  to  the  intrenchment  of  the  light  infantry.     The  roar  of  cannon 
and  small-arms,  at  this  juncture,  was  sublime,  between  the  enemy,  behind  their  works,  and 
our  troops  entirely  exposed,  or  partially  sheltered  by  trees,  stumps,  or  hollows,  at  various 
distances,  not  exceeding  120  yards.     "This  right  flank  defence  of  the  enemy,  occupied  by 
the  German  corps  of  Breyman,  consisted  of  a  breastwork  of  rails  piled  horizontally  be- 
tween perpendicular  pickets,  driven  intff  the  earth,  en  potence  to  the  rest  of  his  line,  and 
extended  about  2.50  yards  across  an  open  field,  and  was  covered  on  the  right  by  a  battery 
of  two  guns.    The  interval  from  the  left  to  the  British  light  infantry,  was  committed  to  the 
defence  of  the  provincialists,  who  occupied  a  couple  of  log  cabins.    The  Germans  were 
encamped  immediately  behind  the  roil  breastwork,  and  the  ground  in  front  of  it  declined, 
in  a  very  gentle  slope,  for  about  190  yards,  when  it  aunk  abruptly.    Our  troops  had  formed 


8AHAT0GA   COUNTy. 


608 


in  with  most  advanS?'  I  had  ™f,iilr.  "  "'"^  '°i'''f ' ''"  '"I"''"*'' '  ^here  can  I  pu« 
Germana  and  theXhfi„fa„{rv  toS  k'!^^^  r  '^T'^  ^'^"^'^  "«'  '«<■'  "^ 'he 

a  slack  fire     I  thflfpfn™  r?-!^*  occupied  by  the  provmcialists,  from  whence  I  had  observed 

tack  at  rt"poin.     hTh.'h  «     '"'.k'^'''*  '"  9,'"""^  ^'"^^'^  "> '»««"«  »°  "«  ^ght,  and  fu 

srwZe^£^^=™ 

3^6  Sgue  of  the  ZTZJ  ""^r  '"''^  •?*"  '^  *" '  ^"'  *«  extreme  darknrKe  n^^: 
action  Dut  it  out  „?^?,;  '''""^•"  '"'"**"'  '^  undisciplined  troops,  after  so  desultonfa^ 
Gener'al  Burl^vL  K    if  ^""^V-  '^  ""P"*"  '*'*  advantage  ;  and  in  ibe  course  of  the  nXhT 

The  following  is  from  Allen's  American  Revolution :— 

bayonet,  and  the  Germans  forced  to  retreat.    Thev  were  follnt^^^^.h  •      ^  ^ 

c\i^thS'w'i;''^T^  f"  ^  e^;.?ag:To^:srL^*;L\rria 

cans.     I  he  Brunswickers  showed  great  cowardice  in  the  action,  having  fled  before  a  man 

lost  eight  brass  field-pieces,  a  number  of  carts  and  tents,  and  a  considerable  auanUtvnf 
baggage.  Burgoyne  himself  narrowly  escaped  death,  one  shot  hS  pSd  ?hrCh  hi 
hat  and  another  through  his  waistcoat.  He  was  on  'the  field  dSfheThole  of  Sa^ 
tion,  directing  every  movement;  but  neither  gallantry  nor  skiU  could  Tffect  mv  thin; 

n  every  direction,  sometimes  in  direct  contradiction  to  those  of  the  commander  a1  oSe™ 

lr.t/,\P"  T  IT  ".'"?•  ""•*  «*P''«'"8  »''""««■  «»  'he  hottest  fi^  of  the  enemy.  Ther" 
seems  to  be  httle  doubt,  from  the  conduct  of  Arnold  during  the  action  AatZw«  in  ! 

z:^:zjt;zssi^:£-z  Sit  K,"5S  Es 

"Son  aSS  h^r.ft.ri'''' "  V"  ■'"T"'  P™""'  '• ''"'  *•'  I" 'i«»mii«o™ 
creoii  on  iiiiB  doy ,  but  Ihougli  he  was  bravo  almost  bcyontl  parallel,  he  was  raah   imoeni 

ZrvLdtShte'n  n'r"  '!,"  •'""t"'''-  """  '•'^'^  f"""'  of  h^  „atu«l?emprwe7e 
aggravated  nn<l  heigntened  by  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  his  situation,  it  will  not  per- 
haps  be  wrong  to  say,  that  he  could  not  have  rendered  any  very  essential  ie^ces  t«Te 
American  army,  in  this  important  contest.  '  euBenuai  services  to  me 

tion°f..i''thn"fn!"^  '*'"  ^!,";'„^''"f^  Burgoyne.  deemed  it  prudent  to  change  his  posi. 
Sinucd  to  c^n  rH"%h'''**''''''7^  *''""  '"  ^"'''"  '"'1^  "  mile  of  their  encampment,  and 
can  n  ,n^  Lv  .  fi.  t-  "l"'"  """l""'  "."^'"«-  "«  detennined  therefore  to  abandon  hi. 
camp  and  move  to  the  high  grounds,  which  he  effected  in  good  order  and  without  loss. 

indo,ITri°f'''"^t'u\^'T*''^"™y  •»°^«<'  f"'*^"-!  andtookposeesiionof  h7; 
abandoned  camp,  from  whtch  they  kept  up  a  random  fire  of  artillery  ard  smaU-amu  dur- 


604 


SARATOGA   COUNTY. 


J*" 


ing  the  whole  day.  Burgoyne's  troops  were  all  day  under  amu  in  expectation  of  another 
attack,  and  indicating  by  their  movements  that  they  intended  a  still  further  retreat.  In  the 
occasional  skirmishes  of  the  day,  General  Lincoln  was  shot  in  the  leg  by  some  of  the  eiu 
emy's  marksmen." 


House  in  which  General  Frazer  died,  Stillwater. 

The  annexed  is  a  northeastern  view  of  the  house  on  the  bank  of 
the  Hudson  in  Stillwater,  in  which  General  Frazer  died.*  This 
house  was  originally  one  story  in  height,  and  formerly  stood  about 
25  rods  westward  of  its  present  situation,  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  north 
of  the  canal  bridge  seen  in  the  rear  of  the  house.  It  has  since  re- 
ceived an  addition  at  both  ends ;  the  general  expired  near  the  first 
window  to  the  right  of  the  door.  Beyond  the  bridge  in  the  distance  is 
seen  an  elevation  about  100  feet  in  height.  This  spot  is  rendered  in- 
teresting on  account  of  its  being  the  burial  place  of  General  Frazer. 
Thegravef  was  between  the  two  pine  trees  seen  on  the  summit.  Du- 
ring the  last  battle,  the  Americans  had  a  few  cannon  on  the  rising  ground 
above  the  eastern  shore,  from  which  shots  were  fired.  This  house 
appears  to  have  been  for  a  time  the  head-quarters  of  Burgoyne. 
Several  ladies  of  distinction  were  also  inmates  at  the  time  when  the 
British  troops  were  here,  being  the  wives  of  some  of  the  principal 
pflicers.  The  following  is  an  extract  from  one  of  the  letters  of  the 
Baroness  Reidesel,  originally  published  in  Germany : — 

"  But  severe  trials  awaited  us,  and  on  the  7th  of  October,  our  misfortunes  began.  I  was 
at  breakfast  with  my  husband,  and  heard  thnt  something  was  intended.  On  the  same  day 
I  expected  Generals  Burgoyne,  Phillips,  and  Frnzer  to  dine  with  us.  I  saw  a  great  move- 
ment among  the  troops  j  my  husband  told  me,  it  was  merely  a  rcconnoissancc,  which  gave 
me  no  concern,  as  it  oftrn  happened.  I  walked  out  of  the  house  and  met  several  Indians 
in  their  war  dresses,  with  guns  in  their  hands.    When  I  asked  them  where  they  were  go- 


•  The  following  are  the  circumstances  of  his  death  :  In  the  midst  of  the  sanguinary 
battle  of  Oct.  7th,  Colonel  Morgan  took  a  few  of  his  choice  riflemen  aside  and  said,  "  That 
gallant  officer  is  General  Frazer ;  /  admire  and  reajifct  him,  but  it  i»  nfxtnsary  that  he 
ahould  dit ;  toke  your  stations  in  that  wood,  and  do  your  duty."  Within  a  few  moments 
Gen.  Frazer  fell  mortolly  wounded.  He  was  supported  by  two  officers,  till  he  reached  hia 
lent ;  he  said  ho  saw  the  man  who  shot  him,  that  he  was  a  rifleman  posted  in  a  tree. 

t  His  remains  were  taken  up  some  years  since,  and  conveyed  to  England. 


;' 


SARATOGA   COUNTY. 


505 


ing,  they  cnod  out, 'War!  War!'  (meaninif  they  were  going  to  batlle.)  This  filled  me 
with  apprehension,  and  I  scarcely  got  home  before  I  heard  reports  of  cannon  and  musketry, 
which  grew  louder  by  degrees,  till  at  last  the  noise  became  excessive.  About  four  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  instead  of  the  guests  whom  I  expected.  General  Fra«er  was  brought  on  a 

bed  placed  in  its  stead  for  the  wounded  general.  I  sat  trembling  in  a  corner;  the  noise 
grew  louder,  and  the  alarm  increased;  the  diought  that  my  husband  might  perhaps  be 
brought  in,  wounded  m  the  same  way,  was  terrible  to  mo,  and  distressed  me  exceediMly. 

hr„,,v  .L.tV^K*'  through  his  body,  and  unhappify  for  the  general,  h«  had  eaten  a  very 
h»S  i^.irj^^u  •  ^J  "''"r  t  'he  stomach  was  distended,  and  the  ball,  as  the  surgeon  said, 
rlS^n  through  ,t.    I  heard  him  often  exclaim  with  a  sigh, '  Oh,  fatal  ambition !    Poo; 

whMh  he  replied,  that  'If  General  Burgoyne  would  permit  it,  he  should  like  to  be  buried 
fi,««f."  T*^j  '"  "l"  *'®"'??  ?"  **  '°P  "^  "  mountain,  in  a  redoubt  which  had  been  built 
tnera.  I  did  not  know  which  way  to  turn,  all  the  other  rooms  were  full  of  sick.  To. 
wanta  evening  I  saw  my  husband  coming;  then  I  forgot  aU  my  sorrows,  and  thanked  God 
hn!,«„  T  T?t  "•  "*.  J  ?"  ""  i"  ^""^  hi^'^  «'»'*'  •»«  "««*  Ws  ald.de^;amp  behind  the 
r««TL^  u  .  Ij  ^TJ°^^  *",'  '*•'  ^'^  *>«  advantage  of  the  enegiy,  but  the  wrrowful  fa. 
ces  1  beheld  told  a  different  tale,  and  before  my  husband  went  away,  he  took  me  one  side, 
and  said  every  thmg  was  going  very  bad,  that  I  must  keep  myself  in  readiness  to  leave  the 
place,  but  not  to  mention  it  to  any  one.  I  made  the  pretence  that  I  would  move  the  next 
morning  into  my  new  house,  and  had  every  thing  packed  up  ready. 

Lady  H.  Ackland  had  a  tent  not  far  from  our  house ;  in  this  she  slept,  and  the  rest  of 
the  day  she  was  in  the  camp.  All  of  a  sudden,  a  man  came  to  tell  her  that  her  husband 
was  mortally  wounded  and  taken  prisoner;  on  hearing  this  she  became  very  miserable : 
we  comforted  her  by  telling  her  that  the  wound  was  only  slight,  and  at  the  same  tfane  ad- 
vised  her  to  go  oyer  to  her  husband,  to  do  which  she  would  certainly  obtain  permkision. 
and  then  she  could  attend  him  herself;  she  was  a  charming  woman,  and  very  fond  of  him. 
1  spent  much  of  the  night  in  comforting  her,  and  then  went  again  to  my  children,  whom  I 
had  put  to  bed.  I  could  not  go  to  sleep,  as  I  had  General  Frazer  and  all  the  other  wound, 
ed  gentlemen  m  my  room,  and  I  was  sadly  afraid  my  children  would  awake,  and  by  their 
ciying  disturb  the  dying  man  in  his  last  moments,  who  often  addressed  me,  and  apologized 
Jor  the  trouble  he  gate  me.'  About  3  o'clock  in  the  morning  I  was  told  he  could  not  hold 
out  much  longer;  I  had  desired  to  be  informed  of  the  near  approach  of  this  sad  crisis,  and 
I  then  wrapped  up  my  children  in  their  clothes,  and  went  with  them  into  the  room  betow. 
About  8  o'clock  in  the  morning  he  died.  After  he  was  laid  out  and  his  corpse  wrapped  up 
in  a  sheet,  we  came  again  into  the  room,  and  had  this  sorrowful  sight  before  us  the  whole 
day ;  and  to  add  to  this  melancholy  scene,  almost  every  moment  some  officer  of  my  ac 
quaintance  was  brought  in  wounded.  The  cannonade  commenced  again  ;  a  retreat  wae 
spoken  of,  but  not  the  smallest  motion  was  made  towards  it.  About  4  o'clock  in  the  after, 
noon  I  saw  the  house  which  had  just  been  built  for  me  in  flames,  and  the  enemy  was  now 
not  far  off.  We  knew  that  General  Burgoyne  would  not  refuse  the  last  request  of  General 
Frazer,  though  by  his  acceding  to  it,  an  unnecessary  delay  was  occosioned,  by  which  the 
inconvenience  of  the  army  was  much  increased.  At  6  o'clock  the  corpse  was  brought  out, 
and  we  saw  all  the  generals  attend  it  to  the  mountain  ;  tlie  chaplain,  Mr.  Brundell,  per. 
formed  the  funeral  service,  rendered  unusually  solemn  and  awful,  from  its  being  accom. 
panied  by  constant  peals  from  the  enemy's  artillery.  Many  cannon  balls  flew  close  by  me ; 
but  I  had  my  eyes  directed  towards  the  mountain,  where  my  husband  was  standing  amid 
the  fiw  of  the  enemy,  and  of  course,  I  could  not  think  of  my  own  danger.  General  Gates 
afterward  said,  ihat  if  he  had  known  it  had  been  a  funeral,  he  would  not  have  permitted  it 
to  be  fired  on."  Lady  Harriot  Ackland  went  to  the  American  camp  after  the  action,  to  take 
care  of  her  husband,  before  the  surrender,  and  the  Baroness  Reidesel  afterward.  They 
were  both  received  with  the  greatest  kindness  and  delicacy. 

Waterfobd  was  taken  from  Half  Moon  in  1816.  The  village  of 
Waterford,  containing  a  population  of  about  1,600,  is  pleasantly  situ- 
ated at  the  junction  ot  the  Mohawk  with  the  Hudson,  10  miles  north  of 
Albany.  The  annexed  view  was  taken  on  the  road  to  Cahoos  Falls, 
about  a  mile  west  of  the  village.  There  arc  here  4  churches— viz, 
1  Presbyterian,  1  Methodist,  1  Episcopal,  and  1  Dutch  Reformed— 
|n  academy,  and  a  bank.     It  is  favorably  located  for  trade,  being  on 

64 


,9i 


606 


SC'TENBCTADY   COUNTy. 


Western  view  of  Waterford.* 

the  lines  of  the  Champlain  canal  and  Rensselaer  and  Saratoga  rail- 
road. It  also  derives  considerable  importance  from  the  navigation 
of  small  vessels  on  the  Hudson.  There  is  an  outlet  here  from  the 
canal  by  three  locks,  each  1 1  feet,  to  the  Mohawk  river.  The  agri- 
cultural and  manufictured  products  exported  from  the  village  an- 
nually, amount  to  about  a  million  of  dollars.  The  water-power  used 
in  the  large  manufacturing  establishments  at  this  place  is  derived 
from  the  Mohawk.     Pop.  1,824. 

Wilton  was  taken  from  Northumberland  in  1818.  Pop.  1,438. 
Fortville,  19  miles  NW.  from  Ballston  Spa,  and  Wilton  15,  are  small 
settlements. 


SCHENECTADY  COUNTY. 

Schenectady  COUNTY  was  taken  from  Albany  in  1809;  centrally 
distant  from  New  York  163,  from  Albany  18  miles.  Greatest  length 
25,  greatest  breadth  20  miles.  The  surface  is  much  diversified  "by 
hills,  plains,  and  valleys.  The  soil  along  the  Mohawk  and  other 
streams  is  generally  rich  alluvion ;  on  the  hills,  light  sandy  loam, 
sometimes  fertile  ;  and  on  the  plains,  clay  and  clayey  loam,  and  sand, 
sometimes  barren.  Wherever  practicable  the  countiy  is  generally 
well  cultivated,  chiefly  by  descendants  of  the  primitive  Dutch  settlers, 
among  whom  are  many  wealthy  farmers.  The  Mohawk  river  runs 
SE.  through  the  county.  The  Schoharie  kill,  on  the  W.,  aflbrds 
abundance  of  mill  power.     The  Mohawk  and  Hudson,  the  Rensse- 

•  Sinco  the  drawing  for  the  above  engraving  was  taken,  and  while  this  work  was  in 
presB,  a  destructive  fire  broke  out  and  destroyed  a  large  portion  of  this  flourishing  village* 


SCHENECTADY   COUNTY. 


607 


laer  and  Saratoga,  and  the  Utica  and  Schenectady  railroads,  and 
J^rie  canal  cross  this  county.  The  county  is  divided  into  five  towns 
and  the  city  of  Schenectady.    Pop.  17,233. 

DuANESBUBG  was  taken  from  Schenectady  in  1801.  Pop.  3,338. 
Duanesburg  is  a  small  village,  12  miles  SW.  from  Schenectady.  Ea- 
ton  s  Corners,  Mariahville,  and  Quakers  Street,  are  post-offices. 

bLENviLLE  ongmally  formed  the  fourth  ward  of  Schenectady, 
from  which  It  was  taken  April  14, 1820.  Pop.  3,068.  It  derives  its 
name  trom  the  Glen  family,  who  were  early  and  large  proprietors. 
It  IS  centrally  distant  5  miles  from  Schenectady.  Glenville  Church 
village,  9  miles  from  the  city,  contains  a  Dutch  Reformed  church  and 
6  or  8  dwellings.  Scotia  village  lies  on  Sander's  lake,  about  half  a 
mile  from  Schenectady :  it  contains  a  Dutch  Reformed  church  and 
about  30  dwellings. 

Scotia,  the  ancient  name  of  Scotland,  waa  the  name  given  by  its  first  settler.  This  tract 
commences  at  a  pomt  nearly  opposite  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  city,  and  extends  westerly 
along  tfie  north  side  of  the  Mohawk  about  two  miles.  The  first  patent  conveying  it  wa« 
granted  Nov.  3,  1665  by  Governor  Richari  Nichols  to  Sanders  Lendertse  Glen,  (Anglice, 
Alexander  Lmdsay  Glen.)  Mr.  Glen  was  an  immediate  descendant  of  the  Earl  of  Craw! 
lord  and  Lindsay,  who«e  family  had  been  on  the  peerage  roU  since  1399.  Mr.  Glen  took 
to  wife  Catharine  McDonald,  the  daughter  of  a  Highland  chieftain.  He  left  Scotland  in 
the  year  1045,  to  avoid  persecution  in  consequence  of  the  stand  he  had  taken  in  reference 
to  certain  religious  disputes  which  then  agitated  the  country.  He  sided  with  the  unfortu. 
nnte  Charles  the  First,  who  vainly  strove  to  introduce  the  English  liturgy  into  Scotland. 
Mr.  Glen  firet  emigrated  into  Holland,  and  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  for  a  number  of 
years.  He  finally  came  to  New  York  in  company  with  a  number  of  Dutch  families.  Here 
JliL'",  """"y  ^""^  Schenectady,  he  resided  for  a  number  of  yeare.  Some  time  previous  to 
lo90,  he  moved  to  Scotia. 

The  country  seat  of  Mr.  Glen  is  still  owned  by  his  descendants,  the  Sandera  family. 
Although  It  bears  the  advanced  age  of  123  years,  it  bids  fair  to  outlive  many  of  the  flimsy 
structures  which  characterize  the  American  architecture  of  the  present  century.  The  iron 
figures  showing  the  date  of  its  erection,  (1713,)  are  still  to  be  seen.  During  the  French 
wars  it  was  rendered  defensible.  At  the  foot  of  a  small  hillock,  a  few  yards  east  of  the 
mansion,  tradition  points  to  a  spot  where  the  Mohawks  occasionally  performed  their  sac- 
rifices. 

In  the  beginning  of  July,  1748,  during  the  French  and  Indian  war,  a  farmer  named 
Daniel  Toll,  residing  at  Maulwyck,  now  Glenville,  went  in  company  with  a  favorite  colored 
servant  in  search  of  some  stray  horses,  at  Boekendal,  three  miles  from  Schenectady.  They 
soon  heard,  as  they  supposed,  the  trampling  of  horses,  but  on  a  nearer  approach  the  sounds 
they  mistook  for  that  of  horses'  hoofs  on  the  clayey  ground  proceeded  from  quoits  widi 
which  some  Indians  were  playing.  Mr.  Toll  discovered  his  error  too  late,  and  fell  pierced 
with  the  bullets  of  the  savages.  His  servant  escaped  into  Schenectady,  and  conveyed  the 
news  of  the  death  of  his  master  and  the  presence  of  the  enemy.  In  less  than  an  hour 
about  60  young  men,  the  very  elite  of  the  city,  were  on  their  march  as  volunteers  to  the 
scene  of  action.  Such  was  their  zeal  that  they  would  not  wait  until  the  authorities  had 
called  out  the  militia,  which  they  proposed  to  do  in  the  afternoon  of  the  day.  Among  the 
number,  was  a  youth  about  twelve  years  of  age,  named  Abraham  Swits,  whom  they  could 
not  prevail  upon  without  diflSculty  to  return  home.  Without  discipline  or  experience,  and 
without  a  leader,  they  hastened  to  the  Indian  camp.  Those  in  advance  of  the  main  body 
were  attracted  by  a  singular  sight.  They  saw  a  man  resembling  Mr.  Toll,  sitting  near  a 
fence,  in  an  at|joining  field,  and  a  crow  flying  up  and  down  before  him.  On  coming  nearer 
they  discovered  it  to  be  the  corpse  of  Mr.  Toll,  with  a  crow  attached  to  it  by  a  string. 
This  proved  to  be  a  stratagem  of  the  Indians  to  drcoy  their  adversaries.  The  young  men 
too  readily  fell  into  the  snare,  and  were  in  a  few  moments  surrounded  by  the  Indians  who 
had  been  laying  in  ambush.    Their  terrible  war-cry  was  shouted, 

"  And  rapid,  rapid  whoops,  came  o'er  the  plain." 

Thus  surprised,  many  were  killed,  and  several  taken  prisoners  ere  they  could  make  good 
Uieir  retreat.    They  however  succeeded  in  reaching  tlie  dweliins  of  e  Mr=  De  Grafl^  in  the 


*» 


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8CHENECTADT  COUNTT. 


neighborkood,  which  had  been  deserted  for  80ine  time.  While  retreating,  they  continued 
firing  upon  the  enemy.  On  reaching  the  house,  they  bolted  the  doors,  and  ascended  to  the 
second  story.  Here  they  tore  off  all  the  boards  near  the  eaves,  and  through  the  opening 
thus  made,  succeeded  in  firing  upon  the  savages  with  success  and  keeping  them  at  bay. 
In  the  mean  time,  one  of  the  prisoners,  Derick  Vorat,  who  had  been  left  in  die  charge  of 
two  young  Indians,  effected  his  escape. 

The  two  youngsters  were  anxious  to  see  the  fight,  and  secured  their  prisoner  (as  they 
thought)  by  tying  him  to  a  tree ;  and  then  leaving  him  alone,  he  effected  his  escape  by 
cutting  the  cord  with  his  penknife.  On  the  approach  of  the  militia  under  Gen.  Jacob  Glen, 
theparty  were  relieved  from  their  perilous  situation  and  the  enemy  retreated  into  Canada. 

The  corpses  of  the  killed,  thirty.two  in  number,  were  brought  into  Schenectady  on  the 
evening  of  the  massacre,  and  deposited  in  the  large  bam  of  Abraham  Mabee,  being  the 
identical  one  now  on  the  premises  of  John  Walton,  Esq.,  in  church.street.  The  relatives 
of  the  deceased  repaired  thither  to  claim  their  departed  kindred,  and  remove  them  for 
interment. 

"  Touched  by  the  melting  scerie,  no  tearless  eye  was  there ; 
All  eyes  were  veiPd,  as  pass'd  each  much  loved  shroud, 
While  woman's  softer  soul  in  wo  dissolved  aloud."* 

Nbbkayuna  is  derived  from  the  IndLin  term,  Con-nes-ti-gu-ne,  sig- 
nifying "  a  field  covered  with  corn."  This  is  a  small  town,  and  was 
taken  from  Watervliet  in  1809.  Pop.  681.  Its  distance  from  Albany 
is  12,  and  from  Schenectady  6  miles.  This  name  was  formerly 
borne  by  an  extensive  tract  on  both  sides  of  the  Mohawk,  granted 
partly  by  the  Nestiogine  and  partly  by  the  Connestiogine  patents, 
which  embraced  portions  of  Clinton  Park,  Half  Moon,  Watervliet, 
and  the  1st  ward  of  Schenectady.  Near  the  Mohawk  is  the  village 
church  and  a  few  dv/ellings.  The  Ballston  turnpike  crosses  the  W>- 
hawk  at  Alexander's  bridge,  4  miles  below  Schenectady,  where  are 
some  falls,  a  low  rolling  dam  across  the  river,  and  several  mills. 
The  Erie  canal  is  carried  over  the  Mohawk  here  by  an  aqueduct 
748  feet  long,  25  feet  above  the  stream,  and  falls  immediately  after 
by  3  locks  21  feet. 

The  following  are  the  names  which  tradition  has  preserved  of  a  few  of  the  chiefs  of  the 
Connestigiune  band,  who  inhabited  this  section  of  country.  Ron-warrigh.v}ok.go.U)a,  sig. 
nifying  in  English,  the  great  fault-finder,  or  grumbler.  Ka.na.da.rokh.go.uia — a  great 
eater.  JZa-ya.*Mr— a  chief.  At.aa.re.go — big-knife.  A.roon.ta.go.wa — big-tree.  Of  these, 
the  fiiat  made  the  greatest  objections  to  aliening  their  lands  to  the  whites ;  and  in  every 
deed  was  carefiil  to  have  a  covenant  inserted,  by  which  the  right  of  hunting  and  fishing 
was  preserved  to  them.  It  was  a  common  saying  of  his,  that  "  after  the  whites  have 
taken  possession  of  our  lands,  they  will  make  Kaut.»ore  (literally  '  spoon  food*  or  soup)  of 
our  bodies."  Yet  he  was  on  the  most  friendly  terms  with  the  whites,  and  was  never  back- 
ward  in  extending  to  them  his  powerful  influence  and  personal  aid,  during  their  expediuons 
against  the  Canadians  during  the  French  war.  He  took  great  delight  in  instructing  the 
boys  of  the  settlers  in  the  arts  of  war.  He  was  constantly  complaining  that  the  govern- 
ment did  not  prosecute  the  war  against  the  French  with  sufficient  vigor.  The  wittenage- 
mote  or  council  fire  of  the  Connestigiune  band  was  held  about  a  mile  south  of  the  village. 

Neskayuna  was  visited  in  1687  by  a  spy  from  the  Adirondacks,  the  allies  of  the  French. 
Hunger  drove  him  to  the  house  of  a  Dutchman,  by  the  name  of  Van  Brakkle,  where  he  de- 
voured an  enormous  quantity  of  the  food  set  before  him,  which  happened  to  be  pork  and  pea». 
Although  his  movements  had  been  marked  with  more  than  ususj  caution,  the  eagle-eye  of 
"  the  Grumbler"  detected  him.  He  waylaid  him  on  leaving  the  house  of  his  entertainer. 
Mid  after  a  short  conflict  made  him  bite  the  dust.  Having  separated  the  head  of  the  corpse 
from  the  body,  he  repaired  to  the  house  of  Van  Brakkle,  and  threw  the  head  into  the  win. 
flow,  exclaiming  to  the  owner,  "  Behold  the  head  of  your  Pea-eater." 


*  For  the  history  of  this  town,  Neskayuna,  and  other  interesting  matter  relating  to  this 
region,  we  are  indebted  to  a  series  of  historical  sketches  written  and  published  a  few  years 
•UO0  in  the  Schenectady  Reflector,  by  Giles  F.  Yates,  Esq.,  who  was  at  the  time  its  editor. 


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SCHENECTADY    COUNTY. 


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The  fimt  white  letdera  in  this  town  were  the  familiea  of  the  Clutes,  Veddere,  Van  Vran. 
keiM  Groots  Tymewns,  Pcarces,  and  Claas  Jansen  Van  Buckhoven,  who  afterward 
moved  to  Schenectady.    Tradition  nya  this  viUage  was  »,ttled  rimultaneously  with  Snhe. 

Z1^^  uXre  S"K  "''  '""""*'"' "  """'^ ''"  """"""  ^•"'■^"^  '""•-''«»  »  P"'-' 

> 

Princetowk,  taken  from  Schenectady  in  1798 ;  from  Albany  20 
mi  es.  Pop.  1,184.  Netterville  is  a  small  village,  7  miles  SW.  of 
ochenectady. 

RoTTEBDAM,  formerly  the  3d  ward  of  Schenectady ;  taken  from  the 
city  in  1820.  Pop.  2,274.  The  Erie  canal  by  three  locks  passes  the 
«ats.  Rotterdam  is  a  small  manufacturing  village,  4  miles  W.  from 
ochenectady. 

Schenectady  crrv  was  incorporated  in  1 798.  Its  name,  pronounced 
by  the  Indians  Schagh-nac-taa-da,  signifying  "beyond  the  pine  plains" 
was  originally  applied  to  Albany.  The  compact  part  of  the  city  was 
m  olden  time  the  site  of  an  Indian  village  called  Con-nugh-harie- 
gugh-harie,  literally,  «  a  great  multitude  collected  together."  It  is  said 
that  It  was  the  principal  seat  of  the  Mohawks,  even  before  the  con- 
federacy of  the  Iroquois,  or  Five  Nations.  It  was  abandoned  by 
them  at  a  very  early  period  in  the  colonial  history.  Some  time  pre- 
vious to  1620,  it  is  stated  that  15  or  20  persons,  12  of  whom  were 
direct  from  Holland,  and  the  rest  from  Albany,  settled  here  for  the 
purpose  of  carrying  on  the  fur  trade.  It  appears  from  the  Dutch 
records  that  the  first  grant  of  lands  was  made  in  1661,  to  Arent  Van 
Corlaer  and  others,  on  condition  that  they  purchased  the  soil  from 
the  Indians.  The  deed  was  obtained  in  1672,  and  signed  by  four 
Mohawk  chiefs. 

The  compact  part  of  Schenectady  is  on  the  SE.  side  of  the  Mo- 
hawk river,  15i  miles  from  Albany,  and  15  SW.  of  Ballston  springs. 
The  plat  is  laid  out  on  20  streets  crossing  each  other,  running  about 
one  mile  in  one  direction  and  half  a  mile  in  another,  eight  of  which 
are  diagonally  intersected  by  the  Erie  canal.  The  city,  which  in 
some  parts  retains  much  of  its  ancient  appearance,  contains  the  county 
buildings,  1  Episcopal,  1  Dutch  Reformed,  1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist, 
1  Cameronian,  1  Methodist,  1  Universalist,  and  1  Catholic  church, 
the  Union  College,  Schenectady  Lyceum,  an  academy,  3  banks, 
«Stc.,  &c.  Pop.  6,688.  The  railroad  from  Albany  to  this  place  ex- 
tends across  a  sandy  plain  covered  with  pines  and  shrubbery;  it 
enters  Schenectady  by  an  inclined  plane  which  descends  108  feet  in 
half  a  mile.  The  Saratoga  and  Schenectady  railroad  passes  throutrh 
the  city,  crosses  the  Mohawk  river  on  a  substantial  bridge  between 
8  and  900  feet  long,  and  extends  in  a  northerly  direction  over  a 
heavy  embankment  for  three  fourths  of  a  mile  to  a  deep  cut,  where 
the  Utica  railroad  diverges  to  the  west,  and  the  Saratoga  to  the 
northeast. 

Union  College,  in  this  city,  was  incorporated  by  the  regents  in 
1794,  and  has  reached  its  present  flourishing  condition  from  a  small 
beginning.  In  1785,  a  small  academy  was  erected  by  the  consistory 
of  the  Reformed  Dutch  church,  which  after  the  establishment  of 


-i  .' 


510 


BCHENECTADY   COUNTY. 


Union  College  Buildings,  Schenectady. 

Union  College,  was  presented  to  its  trustees,  and  used  as  a  grammar 
school.  Liberal  donations  from  individuals,  amounting  to  upwards 
of  830,000,  raised  a  suite  of  edifices  m  the  heart  of  the  city,  tiic  prin- 
cipal one  of  which  was  afterward  used  as  a  courthouse,  but  having 
been  repurchased  by  the  institution,  is  now  devoted  to  collegiate  ob- 
jects. In  1814,  the  trustees  purchased  a  site  on  the  rising  ground  over- 
looking the  Mohawk  valley,  a  little  E.  of  the  compact  part  of  the  city. 
Two  edifices  have  been  erected  at  this  place,  each  200  feet  long, 
about  40  wide,  4  stories  high,  standing  in  a  line  GOO  feet  apart ;  a 
colonnade  extending  in  the  rear  from  each  building  150  feet  in  length, 
by  about  30  feet  in  width,  and  2  stories  high.  The  other  college 
buildings  are  two  boarding  halls,  farm-house,  hospital  house,  for  a 
professor,  a  number  of  tenements  for  servants,  &c.  The  college  has 
6  professors  and  4  assistant  professors,  and  in  its  several  libraries 
about  13,000  volumes.  The  total  value  of  the  college  property  is 
upwards  of  8448,000.     There  are  hero  about  300  students. 

The  first  clergymnn  of  the  Dutch  cliuroh  who  settled  at  Schenectady  waa  Fetius  Taim. 
chemaker,  from  Holland,  who  assumed  the  pastoral  charge  in  1684.  The  first  edifice  for 
public  worship  was  erected  at  the  south  end  of  Church.streot,  near  the  head  of  Waicr-strert, 
between  the  years  1684  and  1698.  Previous  to  this  time  meetings  for  worship  were  pro. 
bably  held  in  private  houses.  In  1733,  s  more  commodious  edifice  was  erected  in  this  cen- 
tre of  the  street  where  Union  and  Church  streets  cross  each  other.  This  church  was  very 
Bimilar  in  its  appearance  to  the  one  now  standing  in  Caughnawaga,  in  the  town  of  Mo. 
hawk.     [See  page  281.] 

"  Before  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Tasschemaker,  the  church-going  people  attended  public 
worship  in  Albany ;  a  journey  to  which  place,  going  and  coming,  consumed  more  than  two 
days.  The  road  to  Albany  must  have  been  very  circuitous,  as  all  the  records  of  thiit  day, 
when  alluding  to  Schenectady,  speak  of  it  as  being  situated  '  twenty  mile*  west  of  Albany,' 

"  In  February,  1690,  when  Schenectady  was  burnt  by  the  Frencli  and  Indians,  Mr.  TnHS. 
chemaker  disappeared  \er\  mysteriously.  In  1703,  tho  Rev.  Thomas  Brower,  also  from 
Holland,  received  a  call,  and  served  until  his  death  in  1728.  The  Rov.  Bernardus  Free. 
man  and  Rhynhard  Erkson  served  next  in  order;  but  how  long  is  not  known.  In  1740, 
w?  find  tho  name  of  Cornelius  Van  Santvoord,  who  came  from  Staten  Island,  na  the  settled 
clergyman.  Two  years  after  his  decease,  viz.,  in  1754,  the  Rev.  Barent  Vroonian,  ii  nn- 
tivi  of  Schenectady,  accepted  a  call  and  ministered  until  his  deceuse  in  1782.  Mr,  Vroo- 
mun  recci"ed  his  education  in  Holland  ;  as  was  the  case  with  all  the  Dutch  clergymen  of 
that  early  day,  before  theological  seminaries  wore  established  in  this  country.  Mr.  Vroo. 
man  was  succeeded  by  the  Rov.  Derick  Romeyn,  from  Hackeusnck  and  Sohailcnburgli, 
New  Jersey.     Mr.  Romeyn  died  in  1804,  and  was  auceeeded  by  tho  Rov,  John  H,  Myers, 


SCHENECTADY   COUNTY. 


511 


ft- 
r  college 


1  he  bpwcopal  church  at  Schenectady  was  founded  by  Mr.  John  W.  Brown  who  f  mi 

Cel     The  "o'^'Tr"/"  "''''•    ^'''""  •••"  timo'me«,ure,w«eXn'toerecT." 
Pr^vfia  3^  .t  "^  "'"r    '•«"?'^»<''«'"'  ^ere  Sir  William  Johnaon  an.l  John  Duncan,  Esq 
lilZ7  >  fevolufon  this  church  owned  a  valuable  library,  which,  together  with  thet? 

iZTLZT'  ^A  "^  "-^ '"'«rior  work  of  the  building,  was  destroyed  by  a  gang  of  lawle« 
wt^e  nrefudi;.'^  T'^-  "Tp  ^""^'T'  ^•~"«*'  "  "  ""'y  «"•""•  'hese  freebootfra  were  whij^ 
Thi^rl^ri  "rr^  ^J,^'*"'^  '*'"■''  ""  8f«"»  ■«  »o  "tend  ««>  every  thing  English.    T^a 

fluenco  forld  ""  'ffi  ■*'*'  ■^"^''2*  "?'"''=''•  ""■*  **«  ""PP^""!  «»  »»«  "nde?  the  EnghsS  in 
w^^t•on^^^/f 'r'J"*;!.'^'"''?"  •"  '•'«''  "^"  *'«'^  '■°'  *««  destruction.  A  project 
m.^inT„7t.t  L-  '*'"'"*'"■  ^\-  ^"^y.  '*"'  P*"""!  »""  fortunately  the  projectom  were  not  ac. 
quamted  with  his  person  or  place  of  abode,  and  as  nobody  would  inform  them,  he  escaped. 

ceedcd  in  1 TT-J  ..  ,r  i"^'^'  r"  P'°I"''''>;'''f  *■'""  P""""  °f  *"  church.  He  was  ^c 
of  th«  il  ?  ••  ^  ""*  ^^'''  M--- »"'y.  who  left  this  place  about  the  year  1777,  in  the  heat 
when  the  rI^^a""^ 'n'r^;  ^'T  '^'''  """«  "'"«*'«'  »"  «""ed  minister  until  1791 
b^m  rnn,!.  ..  p  IJi  ^r?'"*  '""''  "">  P"'°'«'  ''•'"K*  ""^  Continued  until  1798.  Afte^ 
h  m  came  the  Rev.  Mr.  Whitmore,  whose  ministration  ended  in  1804.  The  Rev.  Cyrus 
btcbbms  was  the  next  pastor ;  and  he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Pierre  A.  Proal  in  1818." 

The  war  during  the  reign  of  William  and  Mary,  in  England,  com- 
monly  called  -King  William's  War,"  commenced  in  1690  and  con- 
■^  tmued  about  7  years.     In  the  depth  of  winter,  Count  Frontenac, 

governor  of  Canada,  fitted  out  three  expeditions  -  -ainst  the  colonies 
—one  agamst  New  York,  a  second  against  New  Hampshire,  and  a 
third  agamst  the  province  of  Maine.  The  following,  relating  to  the 
(Instruction  of  Schenectady,  is  extracted  from  the  account  iriven  in 
Mr.  Drake's  "  Book  of  the  Indians." 

iron^''^ru*"'°'''"'^"'T"'^  ^"V^'  "'*'''''''  '''^  ^^^"^V  'e"  >"  ^ith  Schenectady,  February  8. 
IbSO.  There  were  about  300  French,  and  perhaps  50  Caughncwaga  Mohawks,  and  they 
at  firct  mtended  to  have  surprised  Albany;  but  their  march  had  been  so  long  and  tedious 
occasioned  by  the  deepness  of  the  snow  and  coldness  of  the  weather,  that,  instead  of  aU 
tempting  any  thmg  oftcnsive,  they  had  nearly  decided  to  surrender  themselves  to  the  fitst 
hiiKlwIi  they  should  meet,  such  was  their  distressed  situation,  in  a  camp  of  snow,  but  a  few 
rnilea  rom  the  devoted  settlement.  The  Indians,  however,  saved  them  from  the  disgrace, 
1  hey  liHd  sent  out  a  small  scout  from  their  party,  who  entered  Schenectady  without  even 
cxciiing  suspicion  of  their  errand.  When  they  had  slaid  as  long  as  the  nature  of  their 
business  required,  they  wilhdrew  to  their  fellows. 

"  Seeing  that  Schnncctiidy  oflered  such  an  easy  prey,  it  put  new  courage  into  the  French 
nml  they  came  upon  it  as  above  related.  The  bloody  tragedy  commenced  between  11  and 
U  o  clock,  on  Siiturdny  night ;  and,  that  every  house  might  be  surprised  at  nearly  the  samo 
tune,  the  enemy  divid.^d  themselves  into  parties  of  6  or  7  men  each.  Although  the  town 
was  empnied,  no  one  thought  it  necessary  to  close  the  gates,  even  at  night,  presuming  the 
severity  of  the  seasou  was  a  sufficient  security ;  hence  the  first  news  of  the  approach  of  the 
enemy  was  at  every  door  of  every  house,  whieii  doors  wore  broken  as  soon  as  tho  profound 
slumberH  of  those  they  were  intended  to  guard.  The  same  inhuman  barbBrities  now  fol- 
lowed,  that  were  nflerwnrd  perpetrated  upon  the  wretched  inhabitants  of  Montreal.  '  No 
tongue,'  said  Col.  Schuyler,  'can  express  tho  cruelties  that  were  committed.'  Sixty.throo 
houses,  and  the  church,  wore  immediately  in  a  blaze.  Enciente  women,  in  their  expiring 
agonies,  saw  their  mfunta  cast  into  the  (lames,  being  first  delivered  by  the  knife  of  the  mid- 
night  assassin  !  Sixty-three  persons  wore  put  to  death,  and  tweniy.eoven  were  carried  into 
captivity. 

"A  few  persons  fled  towards  Albany,  with  no  other  covering  but  their  night-clothes  j  tho 
horror  of  whoso  condition  was  greatly  enhonced  by  a  great  fall  of  snow  ;  25  of  whom  lost 
their  imbs  from  the  severity  of  the  frost.  With  these  poor  fugitives  came  the  intclligenco 
to  Albany,  and  that  place  was  in  a  dismal  confusion,  having,  as  usual  upon  such  occasions, 
supposed  the  enemy  to  have  been  seven  times  more  numerous  than  they  really  wore. 
About  noon,  the  next  day,  the  enemy  set  off  from  Sehencclady,  taking  all  the  plunder  they 
cou  d  carry  with  them,  among  which  wi^rn  40  of  tho  best  horses.  Tho  rest,  with  all  the 
eatilo  and  other  domestic  animals,  lay  sloughtered  in  the  streets. 

"  One  of  thp  most  consid«fst)ic  iiicii  of  Bchcnoctady,  at  this  time,     ii«  C«pt.  Atexaudet 


512 


SCHENECTADY   COUNTY. 


m 


Olen.  He  lived  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  and  was  suffered  to  escape,  because  he 
had  delivered  many  French  prisoners  from  torture  and  slavery,  who  had  been  taken  by  the 
Indians  in  the  former  wars.  They  had  passed  his  house  in  the  night,  and,  during  the  mas. 
sacre,  he  had  taken  the  alarm,  and  in  the  morning  he  was  found  ready  to  defend  himself. 
Before  leaving  the  village,  a  FVench  officer  summoned  him  to  a  council,  upon  the  shore  of 
the  river,  with  the  tender  of  personal  safety.  He  at  length  adventured  down,  and  had  the 
great  satisfetction  of  having  nil  his  captured  friends  and  relatives  delivered  to  him ;  and  the 
enemy  departed,  keeping  good  their  promise  that  no  injury  should  be  done  him." 

Among  those  who  made  a  successful  defence  and  kept  the  foe  at  bay,  was  Adam 
Vrooman.  Being  well  supplied  with  ammunition,  and  trusting  to  the  strength  of  his  build, 
ing,  which  was  a  sort  of  a  fort,  he  formed  the  desperate  resolution  to  defend  MmseLf  to  the 
last  extremity;  and  if  it  should  prove  his  fate  to  perish  in  the  ruins  of  his  own  domicil,  to 
sell  his  own  life  and  that  of  his  children  as  dear  as  possible.  Seconded  in  his  efforts  by 
one  of  his  sons,  who  assisted  in  loading  his  guns,  he  kept  up  a  rapid  and  continuous  fire 
upon  his  assailants,  and  with  the  most  deadly  effect.  His  house  was  soon  filled  with 
smoke.  His  wife,  nearly  suffocated  with  it,  cautiously,  yet  imprudently,  placed  the  door 
(gar.  This  an  alert  Indian  perceived,  and  firing  through  the  aperture,  killed  her.  In  the 
mean  time,  one  of  his  daughters  escaped  from  the  back  hall  door  with  his  infant  child  in 
her  arms.  They  snatched  the  little  innocent  from  her  arms,  and  dashed  out  its  brains ;  and 
in  the  confusion  of  the  scene  the  giri  escaped.  Their  triumph  here,  however,  was  of  short 
duration  ;  Mr.  Vroomon  succeeded  in  securely  bolting  the  door  and  preventing  the  intru. 
sion  of  any  of  the  enemy.  On  witnessing  Mr.  Vrooman's  courage,  and  fearing  greater 
havoc  among  their  chosen  band,  the  enemy  promised,  if  he  would  desist,  to  save  his  life  and 
not  set  fire  to  his  building.  This  promise  tfiey  fulfitled,  but  carried  off  two  of  his  sons  into 
captivity. 

The  following  additional  particulars  respecting  this  event  are 
drawn  from  the  account  given  by  Charlevoix,  a  learned  French 
Jesuit,  distinguished  for  his  travels  and  authentic  historical  works. 

"  This  party  marched  out  before  they  had  determined  ogainst  what  part  of  the  English 
frontier  they  would  carry  their  arms,  though  some  part  of  New  York  was  understood. 
Count  Frontenac  had  left  that  to  the  two  commanders.  After  they  had  marched  5  or  6 
days,  they  called  a  council  to  determine  upon  what  place  they  would  attempt.  In  this 
council,  it  was  debated,  on  the  part  of  the  French,  that  Albany  would  be  the  smallest  place 
they  ought  to  undertake ;  but  the  Indians  would  not  agree  to  it.  They  contended  that, 
with  their  small  force,  an  attack  upon  Albany  would  be  attended  with  extreme  hazard. 
The  French  being  strenuous,  the  debate  grew  warm,  and  an  Indian  chief  asked  them  '  how 
long  it  was  nince  they  had  so  much  courage.'  To  this  severe  rebuke  it  was  answered,  that, 
if  by  some  past  actions  they  had  discovered  cowardice,  they  should  see  that  now  they  would 
retrieve  their  character ;  they  would  take  Albany  or  die  in  the  attempt.  The  Indians, 
however,  would  not  consent,  and  the  council  broke  up  without  agreeing  upon  any  thing 
but  to  proceed  on. 

"  They  continued  their  march  until  they  came  to  a  place  where  their  path  divided  into 
two  ;  one  of  which  led  to  Albany,  and  the  other  to  Schenectady :  hero  Mentet  gave  up  his 
design  upon  Albany,  and  they  marched  on  harmoniously  for  the  former  villoge.  The 
weather  was  very  severe,  and  for  the  following  9  days  the  little  army  suffered  incredible 
hardships.  The  men  were  often  obliged  to  wade  through  water  up  to  their  knees,  breaking 
its  ice  at  every  titep. 

"  At  4  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  beginning  of  P'ebruary,  they  arrived  within  two  leagties 
of  Schenectady.  Here  they  halted,  and  the  Great  Agiiitr,  chinf  of  the  Iroquois  of  the  falls 
of  St.  Louis,  iimde  a  speech  to  thoin.  He  exhorted  every  one  to  forget  the  hardships  they 
had  endured,  in  the  hope  of  avenging  the  wrongs  they  had  for  a  long  time  suffered  from  the 
perfidious  English,  who  were  the  authors  of  them ;  and  in  the  close  added,  that  they  cmdd 
not  doubt  of  ihu  assistance  of  heaven  agoinst  the  enemies  of  God,  in  a  couse  so  just. 
Hardly  had  they  taken  up  their  line  of  march,  when  they  met  40  Indian  women,  who  gove 
them  all  the  necessary  information  for  opproaching  the  place  in  safety.  A  Canadian, 
named  GIguioro,  was  detached  immediately  with  9  Indions  upon  discovery,  who  acquitted 
himself  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  his  olhcers.  He  reconnoitred  Schenectady  at  his  leisure, 
and  then  rejoined  bis  comrades.  It  had  been  deierminod  by  the  party  to  put  off  the  attack 
one  day  longer ;  but  on  the  arrival  of  the  scout  under  Giguiere,  it  was  resolved  to  proceed 
without  delay. 

"  Schenectady  wos  then  in  form  like  that  of  a  long  square,  and  entered  by  two  gates,  one 
at  each  end.    Ono  opened  towards  Albany,  the  other  upon  the  great  road  leadina  into  the 


SCHENECTADY   COUNTY. 


5IS 


[)e,  bectuM  he 
1  taken  by  th« 
tiring  the  mas. 
lefend  himself, 
n  the  shore  of 
n,  and  had  the 
him ;  and  the 
im." 

y,  was  Adam 
:h  of  his  build- 
himself  to  the 
wn  domicil,  to 
I  his  efforts  by 
iontinuous  fire 
on  filled  with 
laced  the  door 
d  her.  In  the 
infant  child  in 
ts brains;  and 
r,  was  of  short 
iting  the  intru. 
earing  greater 
ve  his  life  and 
)f  his  sons  into 


event  are 
id  French 
I  works. 

r  the  English 
M  understood, 
larched  5  or  6 
impt.  In  this 
smallest  place 
intended  that, 
:rcme  hazard, 
ad  them  '  how 
nswered,  that, 
)w  they  would 
The  Indians, 
pen  any  thing 

1  divided  into 
et  gave  up  his 
village.  The 
red  incredible 
lees,  breaking 

n  two  leagues 
m  of  the  falls 
inrdships  they 
ered  from  the 
lat  they  could 
lause  BO  just, 
en,  who  gave 
A  Canadian, 
vho  acquitted 
at  hi<i  leisure, 
off  the  attack 
ad  to  proceed 

WO  gates,  one 
idina  into  the 


HeleneXTgeSt  £ tl"  Z  XS  S^  '''^"'=''  t"^  ''''"^^''  ^-ntet  and  St. 
them  was  always  open,  and  thCfouJd  k  1,  tZlT'"  ^aT  '"*"'*""«'^  '"«*  •«"'«d 
left,  in  order  to  enter  by  the  mher  «?e  buT'^ftZr  i^'""  ""''  ^^P^n'Wni  passed  to  the 
.0  fine,  it,  were  obliged^o  ^tS^tte'r'^itLrcolnrer"''' '"  ^""'^  ''""^"-""^ 

discovt'd  '^Crr.hiTeWe^iLt"oref^^r 'V^^^^^^^^^^^ 
the  war-whoop  was  rfised.    ManJKed  aLdCr^kJ^  *'^- "''  '"V"  ^ ""'  «"'»  ""en 
ance  of  any  accotmt  was  made.     The  cTteofhwl..        f  e""«°".  where  the  only  resisf. 
by  the  sword,  and  the  garrison  was  h„?„I/   m^     °"  forced,  and  all  of  the  English  fell 
in  his  arm  and  body  b/two  blow"  of  a  ha"lhP^H°    Fk '"'"  I""''!'"'"'' '"  '"''''=*"&«  house 
Helene  being  come  to  h  r assktrnr^  ,L  K         '  ^*"''''  P"'  him  hor,  du  combat;  but  St 
revenged  by  the  deatS  o    a  I  whTha/shut  rir«?''"'  ?"'' JSl'\'^°""''«  "^  Montigni 
seen  but  massacre  and  pillage  in  every  Dh.ce      At  Z  Za"  f' .  Nothing  was  now  to  be 
believing  it  due  to  tl.eir  safo^.  poSoiies  of  tuafds  a?„n  .h^""'  '^^  *""""•  ""^  *=''''"'''' 
prise,  and  the  rest  of  the  night  wm  sDenfin  Sfr  t       .1  ^^  ,*^*""«"'. »°  P^vent  sur. 
orders  that  the  minister  of  KaTe  should  bp«n„r.Hf  '^Tt'/:    ^""'^^ '"«'  «iven 
prisoner;  but  he  was  found  amor  the  DomLuC^  *""*  T''^"^  ^°'  ''"  "*« 

killed,  and  all  his  papers  were  burned    P""""'"""'  •*"'«'•  """^  "°  ""^  knew  when  he  wa. 

be;t'rdVt'o%t:nr^^e?rr/SmtS^r^^^^ 

excepting  that  of  a  widow,  into  which  Mon.fa^rh' ^  ^^'^  "*"'  T  ""  '^'^  '«'"«««  »"  ^'e, 
.0  Major\oudre :  they  w"'re"l^  1  ber^ru't  '/o'll  welSl^^^  "'"T^"^ 

but  that  which  could  be  easily  transported  was  savV  Thl  r  »nd  furnished  ;  no  booty 
spared;  chiefly  women,  children,  3old  Jen  who  hnH  ''^^f  "^ "ho"'  60  Persons  were 
30  Indians  wh'o  happened  to  be  tC  in'fh  "S'cr.  %'|  e  iTeTof  ttt'di""''  ""'^''""^ 
that  they  might  carry  the  news  of  what  had  haoDenpH  .«.!,=;,  ."^  "^^'^  ^P"«<* 

were  requested  to  inform,  that  it  was  notTainst  K  .t,  ,  t  .•=°""!'y'nen,  whom  they 
the  English  only,  whom  Oiey  hadTw  dLMWe.Tnf  n?^n  .  they  mtended  any  harm,  but  to 
thousand  pounds!"  despoiled  of  property  to  the  amount  of  four  hundred 

The  following  ballad  is  an  interesting  relic  of  antiauitv  Tf  wao 
written  m  1690.  to  commemorate  the  destruction  of  Se^^^^^  ^d 
IS  composed  something  in  the  style  of  the  celebrated  'SvycK^ 

"A  BALLAD, 

ho^r ;  and  am  now  wriS^thTmo^it^pVda;^  !Z"i2.tmt '"  ''"  ^'•"^«.  t!"« 


'  God  prosper  long  our  king  and  queen, 

Our  lives  and  safeties  all ; 
A  sad  misfortune  once  there  did 

Schenectady  befall. 
From  forth  the  woods  of  Canada 

The  Frenchmen  tooke  their  way, 
The  people  of  Schenectady 

To  captivate  and  slay. 

They  marched  for  two  and  twenty  daies, 

All  through  the  deepest  snow ; 
And  on  a  dismal  winter  night. 

They  strucke  the  cruel  blow. 
The  lightsome  sun  that  rules  the  day 

Had  gone  down  in  the  west ; 
And  eke  the  druwsie  villagers 

Had  sought  and  found  their  reste. 
They  thought  they  were  in  saftie  all, 

And  dreampt  not  of  the  foe  : 
But  att  midnight  they  all  awoke. 

In  wonderment  and  woe. 
For  they  were  in  their  pleasant  beddes. 

And  soundelie  sleeping,  when 


Eoch  door  wos  sudden  open  broke 
By  six  or  seven  men. 

The  men  and  women,  younge  and  olde, 

And  eke  the  girls  and  boys. 
All  started  up  in  great  affright, 

Att  the  alarming  noise. 

They  then  were  murther'd  in  their  beddes, 

Without  shame  or  remorse  ; 
And  soone  the  floors  and  streets  were  atrew'd 

With  many  a  bleeding  corse. 
The  village  soon  began  to  blaie, 

Which  sliew'd  the  horrid  sight  :— 
But,  O,  I  scarce  can  beare  to  tell. 

The  mis'ries  of  that  night. 
They  threw  the  infants  in  the  fire. 

The  men  they  did  not  spare  ; 
But  killed  all  which  they  could  find, 

Though  aged  or  tho'  fair. 

O  Christe  !    In  the  still  midnight  air. 

It  sounded  dismally ; 
The  women's  prayers,  and  the  loud  scretma 
Of  their  great  aguny. 
65 


514 


SCHENECTADY   COUNTY. 


m 


!j' 


Melhinks  aa  if  I  hear  them  now 

All  ringing  in  my  ear ; 
The  shrieks  and  groans  and  woefiil  sighs 

They  uttered  in  their  fear. 

But  some  run  off  to  Albany, 

And  told  the  dolefull  tale : 
Yett  though  we  gave  our  chearful  aid, 

It  did  not  much  avail. 

And  we  were  horribly  afraid, 
And  shook  with  terror,  when 

They  told  us  that  the  Frenchmen  were 
More  than  a  thousand  men. 

The  news  came  on  the  Sabbath  mom 

Just  att  the  break  of  day, 
And  with  a  companie  of  horse 

I  galloped  away. 

But  soon  we  found  the  French  were  gone 
With  all  their  great  bootye  ; 

Albany,  12th  of  June,  1690. 


And  then  their  trail  we  did  pursue, 
As  was  our  true  dutye. 

The  Mohaques  joynd  our  brave  partye. 

And  followed  in  the  chase. 
Till  we  came  up  with  the  Frenchmen, 

Att  a  most  likelye  place. 

Our  soldiers  fell  upon  their  rear, 

And  killed  twenty.five ; 
Our  young  men  were  so  much  enrag'd 

They  took  scarce  one  alive. 

D'Aillebout  them  did  commande. 
Which  were  but  thievish  rogues. 

Else  why  did  they  consent  and  goe, 
With  bloodye  Indian  dogges  ? 

And  here  I  end  the  long  ballad, 
The  which  you  just  have  redde ; 

I  wish  that  it  may  stay  on  earth 
Long  after  I  am  dead. 

Walter  Wilie. 


The  annexed  novel  marriage  wliich  occurred  somewhere  in  this 
vicinity  is  well  worthy  of  preservation. 

About  a  century  ago,  saith  tradition,  when  clergymen  were  not  so  plenty  as  they  now 
are,  a  young  gentlemen  and  his  dulcinea  were  anxiously  awaiting  the  happy  day  which  was 
to  see  them  united  in  the  silken  bands  of  matrimony.  They  resided  on  the  north  side  of 
Tomhenick  creek,  and  the  clergyman  who  had  been  engaged  to  tie  the  knot  lived  on  the 
south  side  of  the  same  stream.  As  the  fates  would  have  it,  heavy  rains  fell  the  night  pre- 
vious  to  the  nuptial  day,  which  rendered  the  creek  impassable.  Its  waters  were  rising,  and 
its  current  becoming  more  rapid  every  hour.  The  clergyman  arrived  at  the  appointed  time 
at  a  p.ace  where  he  had  been  in  the  habit  of  fording  the  creek ;  but  it  was  as  much  aa  hie 
life  was  worth  to  attempt  to  cross  it  then.  He  turned  his  horse's  head  to  return,  when  he  was 
hailed  by  two  voices  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  stream— they  were  those  of  the  groom  and 
bride,  who  entreated  him  to  stay.  After  some  debate,  it  was  agreed  that  the  ceremony 
should  proceed.  In  the  mean  time  the  friends  of  the  betrothed  arrived  from  the  bride's  house 
in  the  neighborhood.  Then  was  presented  a  singular  spectacle,  "  the  like  whereof  was 
never  seen  before,"  and  probably  will  not  bo  again.  The  dominie  read  the  marriage  ser- 
vice,  on  the  margin  o(  the  creek,  while  the  parties  stood  on  the  opposite  side.  After  the 
ceremony  was  over,  the  groom  tossed  a  few  guilders  across  the  creek,  which  the  dominie 
picked  up  and  pocketed  as  his  fee,  mounted  hia  horse  and  proceeded  homewards,  and  the 
married  couple  did  the  same. 

The  following  inscriptions  are  copied  from  a  monument  in  the 
graveyard  near  the  Presbyterian  church. 

"  .Jonathan  Edwards,  S.  T.  D.  North,  reip.  Mass.,  natus,  A.  D.  1745,  coll.  Nasaov,  A.  B, 
1765,  et  eodem  tutor,  1767,  ordinibus  ecclesiee  sacris  Nov.  Port.  Connect,  reip.  initiatus, 
1769  iisdeniq.  Coluni,  1796,  atque  coll.  Concord  Schenect.  N.  Ebor  prsescs,  1799.— Vir 
ingenio  acri,  justi  tenax  propositi,  doctrina  vere  eximia  maxime  imbutus  atque  prteditus, 
christianee  fidei  intemeratn  defensor  turn  fervidus  turn  prtevalidus,  et  in  moribua  intami- 
natis  enituit  magnum  sui  desiderium  bonis  omnibus  reliquit,  die  1  mo.  Aug.  anno  salutis 
humanae,  1801." 


"  Mariae,  Jonathani  Edwards  conjugis  dilectissimse,  nee  non  memor  hoc  est  ctiam  mon- 
umentum.  Ipsa  urbanitate,  moribua,  pietate,  viro  optimo  dignissima,  aquis,  eheu !  aub- 
mersa  fuit,  Nov.  Port.  reip.  Connect.  Anno  Domini,  1782.  Eademque  urbs  roliquaa  ipsius 
habet." 

[Jonathan  Edwards,  D.  D.,  born  at  Northampton,  Mass.,  A,  D.  1745 ;  graduated  at  the 
college  of  New  Jersey  in  1765,  where  he  waa  tutoi  in  1767 ;  ordained  to  the  ministry  of 
the  gospel  at  New  Haven,  Conn.,  in  1769,  and  also  at  Colebrook  in  1796 ;  and  president 
of  Union  college  at  Schenectady,  New  York,  in  1799.  He  was  a  man  of  acute  mind,  firm 
m  his  opinion,  thoroughly  versed  and  skilled  in  true  learning,  the  intrepid  defender,  alike 


? 


SCHOHARIE    COUNTY. 


515 


earncBt  and  successful,  of  the  Christian  faith,  and  conspicuous  for  the  purity  of  his  life.    He 
1801 3'"  ^  ^°°^  '"•'"'  ""  "•*  ^"'  ''"y  °*'  ^"8"*'' '"  '^e  y«a'  "^  °"^  Lord 

[Maria,  the  beloved  wife  of  Jonathan  Edwards,  is  also  commemorated  by  this  monu- 
rTso  .»,  "'■''"""?•  goodness,  and  piety,  she  was  most  worthy  of  that  excellent  man.  In 
,li'  1  "^^  ""'^""unately  drowned  at  New  Haven,  Connecacut,  where  her  remains 
repose  t  J 


SCHOHARIE  COUNTY. 

Schoharie*  county  was  taken  from  Albany  and  Otsego  counties 
in  1795:  greatest  length  N.  and  S.  30,  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W. 
25  miles.  Centrally  distant  NW.  from  New  York  150,  from  Albany 
W.  42  miles.  In  the  western  part  of  this  county  is  the  dividing  ridge 
between  the  waters  of  the  Mohawk  and  those  of  the  Susquehannah 
and  Delaware.  In  the  eastern  part  it  has  the  Cattskill  and  Helle- 
bergt  mountains.  It  has  the  valley  of  the  Schoharie  creek  north 
and  south  through  its  centre,  along  which  the  alluvial  flats  are  very 
extensive,  with  a  soil  of  loam  and  vegetable  mould,  peculiarly  rich 
and  fertile.  Much  of  the  surface  of  this  county  is  hilly,  with  some 
oi  a  mountainous  character.  The  soil  of  the  uplands  is  of  various 
qualities,  generally  better  adapted  to  grass  than  to  grain.  The  Scho- 
harie creek,  a  large  tributary  of  the  Mohawk,  has  its  rise  in  Green 
county,  and  flows  northward  through  the  centre  of  this  county.  In 
its  course  it  receives  several  smaller  streams,  the  principal  of  which 
are  the  Cobelskill  on  the  west,  and  Foxes  ere  jk  on  the  east.  The 
Cattskill  has  its  source  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county,  and  the 
Delaware  and  Susquehannah  in  the  western.  The  county  is  well 
watered,  and  possesses  many  fine  mill  sites.  In  the  towns  of  Sum- 
mit, Jefferson,  Blenheim,  Broome,  and  the  uplands  of  Middleburg  and 
Fulton,  the  tenure  of  the  soil  is  generally  held  by  lease ;  the  fee- 
simple  being  in  proprietors  of  large  tracts ;  but  in  these  towns,  there 
are  many  tracts  upon  th<;  creek,  which  the  Germans  have  taken  up 
in  fee,  the  common  tenure  of  the  northern  towns.  The  towns  of 
Schoharie,  Cobelskill,  Sharon,  Fulton,  Middleburg,  and  portions  of 
Blenheim  and  Broome,  have  a  population  of  German  origin.  The 
German  language  prevails  among  the  older  inhabitants,  but  their 
children  are  educated  and  converse  in  English.  The  early  settlers 
suffered  much  from  Indian  hostilities,  and  during  the  revolution  the 
country  was  overrun  by  the  British  and  Indians  under  Sir  John 
Johnson,  Brant,  and  the  infamous  Walter  Butler.  The  county  is  di- 
vided into  1 1  towns.     At  the  commencement  of  the  revolution  this 


•  Schoharie,  Indian  name  for  driftwood. 

t  Helleberg,  GorniBn— Holderburg,  Dutch.  The  early  settlers  of  Schoharie  passed  over 
this  niountaiii  on  their  route  thither,  and  gave  it  this  name,  which  signifies  the  "sishtly 
hill."—/.  E.  Simmi.  "  •     ' 


516 


SCHOHARIE    COUNTY. 


I 


III 


■'I 


iiii 


whole  territory  scarcely  contained  1,000  inhabitants ;  the  greater 
part  of  these  inhabited  the  valley  of  the  Schoharie  river.  The  pop- 
ulation in  1840  was  32,351. 

Bi.ENHKiM,  organized  in  1797;  from  Albany  W.  44  miles.  Pop. 
2,720.  North  Blenheim,  15  miles  S.  from  Schoharie,  and  Blenheim, 
are  small  villages. 

Broome,  originally  named  Bristol,  was  organized  in  1797  ;  centrally 
distant  S.  from  Schoharie  15  miles.  Pop.  2,404.  Gilboa,  Broome, 
Livingstonville,  Plattakill,  and  Smithtown,  are  small  villages  or 
settlements.  The  monument  of  David  Williams,  who  died  in  this 
town,  is  at  Livingstonville,  and  has  the  following  inscription  :  "  David 
Williams,  the  only  surviving  captor  of  Andre,  died  August  1st,  1831, 
aged  77.     Amor  pntria;  vincit,"  (the  love  of  country  concjuers.) 

Carlisle,  taken  from  Cobelskill  and  Sharon  in  1807 ;  from  Scho- 
harie NW.  10  miles.  Pop.  1,850.  Carlisle  and  Grosvenors  Cor- 
ners are  small  villages. 

Cobelskill*  was  formed  from  Schoharie  in  1797.  Near  the  brick 
meeting-house  is  one  of  those  subterraneous  streams  common  to 
limestone  countries.  Cobelskill,  10  miles  W.  of  Schoharie,  Law- 
yersville,  Punchkill,  Richmondville,  and  Mann's  Valley,  are  small  vil- 
lages. 

In  the  sumini'r  of  1779,  a  party  of  Onondaga  Indians,  after  the  de- 
struction of  their  town  by  Col.  Van  Schaick,  made  an  incursion  into 
this  section,  the  account  of  which  is  thus  given  by  Campbell  in  his 
Annals : — 

"  Thnro  was  at  this  time  a  little  gottlcment,  consisting  of  only  nineteen  familiei,  on  the 
Cobblcxkiil  creek,  ten  miles  west  of  Schoharie.  Though  they  had  erected  no  fortifica. 
tioiis,  they  had  prepared  for  defence,  by  organizing  a  company  of  militia,  and  procuring 
arms  and  aiiimiinition.  About  the  middle  of  May,  it  was  reported  at  a  meeting  of  the 
militia,  that  some  straggling  Indians  had  been  seen  in  the  neighborhood,  and  a  scout  of 
three  men,  one  of  whom  was  suspected  of  being  secretly  a  royalist,  was  sent  out  into  the 
forest.  On  the  return  of  the  scout,  they  met  two  Indians  near  the  seitlcmcni,  who  accost- 
ing them  in  friendly  (onus,  and  pretending  to  be  hunting,  were  sufrerod  to  pass.  The  In- 
dians took  a  circuitous  route,  nnd  in  a  short  time  met  them  again.  The  suspected  individ- 
ual had  now  disappeared,  having  taken  a  different  path  to  the  settlement.  The  Indians  still 
pretended  friendship ;  one  of  them  familiarly  took  the  nmskot  from  one  of  the  men,  and 
knocking  out  the  flint,  handed  it  back.  The  other  attempted  the  same  thing,  but  his  ad<. 
versary  perceiving  his  intention,  shot  him.  His  companion  fled,  and  the  men  returned  to 
the  settlement.  This  circumstance,  together  with  a  rumor  that  a  large  body  of  Indians 
were  on  their  march  for  Schoharie,  excited  fears  that  this  little  settlement  would  be  the 
first  object  of  their  revenge.  They  immediately  despatched  a  messenger  to  Schoharie 
with  the  intelligence,  and  directed  him  to  ask  for  assistance.  A  part  of  a  company  of  con. 
tinental  soldiers,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Patrick,  was  sent  the  same  day  to  Cobbles, 
kill.  The  next  morning  a  party  of  Indians  were  seen  to  cross  the  creek  and  return  again 
into  the  woods.  A  small  detachment  of  men  were  sent  in  pursuit.  These  were  soon 
driven  back  by  superior  force.  Captain  Patrick  then  marched  the  whole  of  his  little  band, 
and  15  volunteers  of  the  militio,  to  their  support.  The  Indians  were  driven  back,  but  soon 
made  a  stand,  ond  after  firing  again  retreated.  They  continued  to  retreat,  disputing  tlie 
ground  at  every  step,  evidently  increasing  in  number,  until  the  conflict  became  ezceeding- 

*  Mr,  Jephtha  R,  Simms,  of  Fultonville,  who  is  at  present  writing  a  history  of  Scho. 
hario  county  and  its  vicinity,  for  which  object  he  has  taken  pains  in  collecting  ouihentic 
and  original  information,  in  a  letter  to  the  autlmrs  thus  alludes  to  thr  oiOnigraphy  of  this 
name,  "  Cobelskill  has  been  written  Cobuskill,  Cobbleskill,  and  as  I  v<-i.>!''  it.  In  the  laws 
which  record  the  formation  of  that  town,  it  is  spelled  Cobelskill.  Tim  name  of  the  man 
after  whom  it  waa  callod  ■vaa  Cobol." 


BCHOHARIK    COUNTY. 


617 


\y  fierce.  Captain  Patrick  wa«  at  first  wounded,  and  afterward  killed,  when  his  men 
Bought  aaftty  m  flight.  The  Indians  immediately  pursued  them,  and  at  the  same  instant 
the  mam  body,  which  had  been  concealed  in  the  thickets,  rushed  forth,  and  with  deafening 
yells  poured  a  shower  of  rifle  balls  upon  the  fugitives;  their  numbei,  as  afterward  ascer. 
tamed,  was  about  300. 

"  The  death  of  Captain  Patrick  alone  saved  his  men  from  entire  destruction ;  in  a  few 
moments  more  they  would  have  been  surrounded,  and  their  retreat  cut  off. 

"  The  mhabiiants  of  the  settlement,  as  soon  as  they  saw  the  fugitives  emerging  from  the 
woods,  pursued  by  the  Indians,  fled  in  an  opposite  direction,  and  all  arrived  safe  at  Scho. 
hone  ;  their  escape  was  favored  by  iho  desperate  resistance  of  seven  of  the  soldiers,  who, 
taking  posscHsion  of  a  house,  fired  from  the  windows,  and  checked  the  pursuit  of  the  cne. 
niy.  The  Indians  at  length  succeeded  in  setting  the  house  on  fire,  and  six  of  its  brave  de. 
fenders  perished  in  the  flames ;  the  other  was  afterward  found  a  few  rods  distant,  much 
burned,  and  horribly  mutilated ;  a  roll  of  continental  money  was  put  in  his  hand,  as  if  in 
derision  of  the  cause  which  he  supported.  The  enemy  set  fire  to  the  buildings  in  the  vi. 
cinity,  and  after  burying  their  dead  and  mangling  the  dead  bodies  of  the  soldiers,  retired 
without  pursuing  the  fugitives  further.  Of  the  45  who  went  out,  21  escaped,  22  were 
killed,  and  43  taken  prisoners.    The  Indians  suffered  severely." 

General  James  Dana  moved  into  this  town  .soon  after  the  revolu- 
tionary war,  and  was  a  resident  till  his  death.  He  was  born  in  Ash- 
ford,  Connecticut,  October  10th,  1732.  The  following  notice  re- 
specting this  meritorious  officer  is  from  the  manuscript  of  I.  H. 
Tiffany,  Esq.,  of  Fultonville,  which  he  has  drawn  up  with  care  and 
accuracy.  iVIost  of  the  facts  here  stated  were  related  to  Mr.  Tiffa- 
ny by  General  Dana  himself,  January  7th,  1816. 

Ho  appears  to  have  commenced  his  military  career  among  the  provincial  troops,  under 
Sir  William  Johnson.  He  assisted  in  building  the  fort  at  Lake  George,  and  was  at  the 
battle  of  Lake  Champlain,  where  the  fortification  was  attacked  by  the  French,  and  General 
Johnson  wounded.  At  the  commencement  of  the  American  revolution,  he  was  a  captain 
in  Colonel  Storr's  regiment,  in  General  Putnam's  brigade  of  Connecticut  militia.  He  ar- 
rived  at  the  American  camp  at  Cambridge,  where  General  Ward  commanded,  immediately 
after  the  affair  at  Lexington.  He  was  among  the  troops  ordered  to  throw  up  a  breastwork 
on  Bunker's  Hill.  A  half.moon  fortification  of  facines  and  dirt  was  erected  during  the 
night.  Colonel  Prescott  was  the  engineer  ;  he  requested  Captain  Dana's  orderly  sergeant 
to  assist  in  laying  out  the  fortification.     The  British  embarked  at  Winnimesset  ferry. 

When  the  second  division  of  500  troops  landed,  they  marched  up  Maiden  river  to  gain 
the  rear  of  the  American  fortification.  This  movement  was  first  perceived  by  Captain  Ua. 
na,  and  communicated  to  General  Putnam.  By  his  orders,  500  of  the  Connecticut  troops 
were  marched  down  and  took  up  their  position,  and  Cormcd  two  deep  behind  a  fence.  Cap. 
tain  (afterward  Colonel)  Knowlton  commanded  this  detachment.  Captain  Dana  was  the 
second  in  command.  Putnam,  in  giving  his  directions,  said  to  these  officers,  "  Do  you  re. 
member  my  orders  at  Ticonderoga  ?"  "  Yes,"  was  the  reply  :  "  you  told  ua  not  to  fire  till 
tee  could  see  the  whites  of  the  enemy's  eyes."  "  Well,"  says  Putnam,  "  I  give  the  same 
orders  now." 

The  British  advanced  with  muffled  drums  and  soft  fifes ;  the  officers  and  soldiers  got 
over  the  fence  south  of  the  American  line.  Captain  Dana  was  posted  in  the  centre,  to. 
wards  which  the  British  column  was  advancing.  The  order  was,  "  death  to  any  man  who 
fired  before  Captain  Dana."  When  the  column  was  eight  rods  distant,  Duna  ordered  the 
rear  rank  down  flat.  At  this  word  the  British  officer  faced  about  and  ordered  the  column 
to  display  from  the  centre.  At  that  instant  Captain  Dana,  Lieutenant  Grosvenor,  and 
orderly.sergcant  Fuller  fired,  and  the  British  commanding  officer  (supposed  to  be  Major 
Piicairn)  fell  mortally  wounded.  The  British  troops  broke  and  retreated,  formed  and  ad. 
vanced  again,  which  probably  occupied  thirty  minutes.  When  they  arrived  at  the  fence 
they  fired.  Lieutenant  Grosvenor  was  wounded  in  the  hand,  and  a  bullet  also  passed 
through  a  rail  and  lodged  in  his  shirt,  flatted  and  harmless.  Captain  Knowlton's  musket 
barrel  was  broken  ofl'by  a  cannon  ball.  Lieutenant  Grosvenor  bound  up  his  hand  and  re. 
tired  from  the  field.  Within  four  or  five  minutes  after  Grosvenor  was  wounded,  a  cannon 
ball  struck  a  rail  against  Dana's  breast,  which  knocked  him  down  breathless.  He  however 
recovered,  and  remained  until  the  lino  was  ordered  off.  When  he  arrived  at  his  quarters, 
he  was  confined  to  his  room,  and  unable  to  dress  or  undress  himself  for  several  days. 

The  first  countersijin  triven  bv  General  Washineton  after  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  waa 


518 


8CH0HARIB   COUNTY. 


liw  it 


"  Knowlton,"  and  the  pnrole  "  Dnnn."  In  July,  after  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  an  oration 
WB8  delivered  by  Dr.  Leonard,  Washington's  chaplain.  After  the  oration  and  declaration 
had  been  pronounced,  an  aid  of  (ieneral  Washington  advanced  from  the  head.quarters, 
bearing  the  American  standard,  with  an  order  from  the  general  directed  to  Captam  Dana 
to  receive  it,  and  carry  it  throe  times  around  the  front  or  interior  circle  of  the  army;  further, 
inore,  that  in  so  doing  ho  must  not  let  the  colors  fall,  aa  it  would  be  considered  as  ominoua 
of  the  fall  of  America.  The  captain  declined,  fearful  of  his  ability  to  perform  this  duty  in  • 
proper  manner.  The  aid  returned  to  htmd-quarters  with  the  apology :  but  aoon  came  back 
wiih  General  Putnam,  who,  in  his  familiar  way,  clapped  Captain  Dana  upon  the  shoulder, 
niid  said,  "  God  curse  it,  Dana,  you  look  like  a  white  man ;  take  the  colow,  clear  away." 

1  xir"^^-  "•""*"''»'"'y  opened  a  passage  to  the  right  and  left  for  his  excellency  Gen. 
eral  Washington,  and  the  other  officers.  The  next  day  the  general  in  his  orders  expressed 
the  most  flattering  approbation  of  the  manner  in  which  Captain  Dana  had  performed  the 
ceremony  of  displaying  the  flag. 

Captain  Dana  was  6  feet  and  1  inch  in  height,  noble  and  commanding  in  his  appearance, 
but  modest  and  retiring  in  his  manners.  He  was  frequently  offered  promotion  in  the  army, 
but  uniformly  declined.  The  celebrated  General  Eaton,  afterward  so  distinguished  in  the 
war  vvith  Tripoli,  was  at  the  oge  of  fifteen  his  waiter  and  secretary.  He  was  put  under 
Captain  Dana  at  the  request  o(  his  father.  After  the  close  of  the  revolution.  Captain  Dana 
removed  lo  Cobelskill,  where  he  occupied  a  small  log.oabin  or  house  till  his  death.  Nou 
withstandmg  his  humble  circumstances,  the  legislature  of  New  York,  in  conseciuence  of 
his  meritorious  services  in  the  revolution,  appointed  him  a  brigadier-general,  being  the  first 
who  held  that  office  in  tlie  county  of  Schoharie. 

CoNEsviLLE,  taken  from  Broome  in  1836,  is  the  SE.  corner  town 
of  the  countj  ;  from  Schoharie  centrally  distant  ao  miles.  Pop. 
1,621.  Conesviile  is  a  post-office.  Strikersville  is  a  small  settle- 
ment near  the  western  line. 

Fulton,  taken  from  Middleburg  in  1828 ;  from  Albany  42  miles. 
On  Stoney  creek,  in  this  town,  there  is  a  fall  of  nearly  100  feet  per- 
pendicular. Byrnville,  14  miles  SW.  from  Schoharie,  Fultonham, 
and  Breakabeen,  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  2,146. 

jEFrF.R.s(>N,  taken  from  Blenheim  in  1803 ;  from  Albany  57,  from 
Schoharie  S  W.  20  miles.  Pop.  2,033.  This  town  is  inhabited  by  east- 
ern emigrants  and  their  descendants,  who  are  extensively  engaged  in 
the  dairy  business  and  grazing.  Lake  Utsayanthe,  a  small  pond  here, 
is  the  source  of  the  Mohawk  branch  of  the  Delaware.  Jefferson  is 
a  small  village. 

MiDDLKBiTHu  was  taken  from  Schoharie  in  1797;  from  Albany  37 
mdes.  Pop.  3,841.  The  inhabitants  arc  principally  of  Dutch  or 
German  ongm.  Middleburg,  on  the  Schoharie  river,  5  .uiies  S.  from 
Schoharie,  is  a  village  containing  about  50  dwellings.  Huntersland 
and  Franklinton  are  small  settlements. 

Remains  of  the  old  Middle  Fort,  noted  in  the  revolutionary  annals, 
are  now  to  be  seen  a  short  distance  from  Middleburg  village,  on  the 
plain  east  of  the  road  to  Schoharie.  The  Upper  FV>rt  was  5  miles 
Sb.,  near  the  margin  of  the  Schoharie  river,  in  the  present  limits  of 
b  ulton,— the  lower  was  at  the  village  of  Schoharie,  5  miles  N.  This 
last  was  built  for  a  church,  and  is  at  present  used  as  such.  [See 
Schoharie.]  The  annexed  account  of  the  attack  on  the  Middle  Fort 
7,,*,.  '  ,^h  •'*"''  I»^'»"s,  is  taken  from  the  "  Life  and  Adventures 
ot  limothy  Murphy,  the  Benefactor  of  Schoharie,"  a  pamphlet  pub- 
lished in  1839.  f      f        f 

n«rlfL'i"r!'''l  "[  ^^^"'  '^  *"?/"*'•  "•"""  ^°"  ''"■°"«'  ""'^«'  ^'f  Jo'">  Jul'nson,  made  pre. 
parattons  for  destroyuig  the  valleys  of  Schohorio  and  the  Mohawk.    The  forces,  consisting 


aCHOItARrE   COUNTY. 


519 


[ill,  an  oration 
id  doularation 
head.quarteri, 
Captain  Dana 
army;  further, 
ed  as  uminoua 
n  this  duty  in  a 
ion  came  back 
I  the  shoulder, 
,  clear  away." 
cellency  Gen. 
len  expressed 
performed  the 

ia  appearance, 
n  in  the  army, 
Kuishcd  in  the 
was  put  under 
Captain  Dana 
I  death,  Not- 
>n8ei|uenco  of 
being  the  iirst 

•rncr  town 
lies.  Pop. 
null  settle- 
rs 42  miles. 
[)  feet  per- 
''ultonharn, 

y  57,  from 
ed  by  east- 
jngaged  in 
pond  here, 
effcrson  is 

Albany  37 

Dutch  or 

es  S.  from 

untersland 

iry  annals, 
ige,  on  the 
as  5  miles 
it  limits  of 
N.  This 
ch.  [See 
iddle  Fort 
.d  ventures 
jhlet  pub- 

in,  made  pre. 
98,  consisting 


of  British  rcgnlaii.,  loyalists,  tories,  and  Indians,  assembled  on  the  Tioga,  and  marched 

Sn  thtt'eth  „7orbr:h  ''™"'='-f  «l!«  «"-1u«h"nnah,and  crossed  thenc^  U,  8cZ  W 
!i^i!  1  ,      •  "'."""•'"'^  'hey  encamped  about  four  miles  nbovo  the  upper  fort.     It  was 
the  r  mtontion  to  pass  the  upper  fort  in  the  ni^ht,  and  to  attack  the  middle  fort  at  d.yb  e^k 
a.  It  was  expected  that  the  upper  fort  would  bo  the  first  object  of  attack  they  hoped  to  sur' 

put  in  mZn  "t  lit 't'"  """'"""-;''  T^"'"'"'-  ''^'^  ••"•'"  *""'  --lereThVropsTbo 
fheir  inTrT.  '"  ,""""'"»•  '""  '^""^  »""'«  ""'"«'"»  "  ^^w  Ave  before  therbcBan 

ind  the  iLZr''"""fi ''  i''"  L'-"!:  «'"""'  ^1"  di-covered  by  the  sentinels  of  the  upjer  fort" 
™n„  ..L  .?  *  was  fired  which  was  quickly  answered  from  the  other  forts,  and  80  rifle 
Se  moSns  of  .T.-P""""'""  "»;i''"""hy  Murphy,,  were  sent  out  from  the  midd'c  fort  to  watch 
TLTr%  I  .""""'*''  '"'y  '"'°"  '^""  '"  ^*'*'  'he  advanced  party,  and  retreated  back 
I^nr„  7  "1  .'"  "'"""  K"",'''*''PP°"'""'  "-e  enemy,  and  became  the  signal  for  then,  to  com 
Th  „,  1  ''f'"'"'-""'' "f  "'•'  "cttlement,  houses,  barns,  and  stacks  of  hay  were  bur,"e7 
and  cattle,  shc.ji,  and  horses  were  killed  or  driven  away.  ' 

Murnhv  XhUT  1"""*^ '"  '"'"'"'"  "!■"'« .'"S"!"  forces,  were  the  firat  to  approach  the  fort, 
r^dsiuth  oHXril  "rT  '""''u""'  "■''  ""'""]'•  ^""«  -'"""""d  himself  in  a  ditch  a  few 
enemT  The     wlf^^l'I  i*".!^*"'  ".T''=''L^«"J.  "'"  better  v.;ew  the  movement,  of  the 

fmTu'non  then  »n  I  "^"T'''"*  '"  T'"""  ''^°"'  "'K^"'  y""^"  "^  "'«  <■»«,  when  Murphy 
X^Thi-f      '    ^  r  hoarose  the  second  time  to  fire,  a  bullet  struck  within  a  few 

ho  A  r,  n„M  '•  """^  *^'u  "-■"''.  °''":  ^'^  ^'""^'  ••"■°^'"«  «•'«  i'.  his  eyes.  He  then  ran  into 
the  fort,  not  however  without  bringing  to  the  ground  another  Indian! 


Vir^imrS  UH  h  I  if  M  """f  'i*  ""^  "'habitants  of  Schoharie,  was  a  native  of 
M  fZksmaS  Atr*,1  "  '^°'«''"V««'  •'"^P".  i»  «hich  he  had  distinguished  himself 
ZdoZ,r^Tu  .  "  ''"'"""'  "^  '^'"8"y"«'.  'ho  company  to  which  he  belonged  was 

ordered  to  Schoharie  whore  it  remained  until  their  term  of  service  expired.  When  the 
company  was  disbande.l,  Murphy  and  some  others  remoincd,and  served  in  the  milit'a-  £ 
skilin  the  desultory  war  which  the  Indians  carry  on,  gave  iiiin  eo  high  a  epu™£'ti,^t 
taSe"re  .en.'"""'^  ""f  ^^mmander,  he  usually  directed  all  the  movements  of  tl  e  cou" 
that  were  sent  out,  and  on  many  important  occasions  the  commanding  officen,  found  H 
dangerous  to  neglect  his  advice  ;  his  double  rifle,  his  skill  as  a  marksmai^and  hi"  fleetnew 
either  ,.,  retreat  or  pursuit,  made  him  an  object  both  of  dread  and  of  vengeance  to  the  l" 

tt^'tht^StTefrSry'*'''*'^  """•  ""'  "  -'-"^^  ^'^"^'  ">-'  «"«'  ---"' 
He  fought  the  Indians  in  their  own  way,  and  with  their  own  weapons.  When  circum- 
tances  permitted,  he  tomahawked  and  scalped  his  fallen  enemy;  he  boasted  after  the  wT 
tha  he  had  slain  forty  of  the  enemy  with  his  own  hand,  more  than  half  of  whor^  he  had 
scalped;  he  took  delight  in  perilous  adventures,  and  seemed  "to  love  danger "rdanKeS 
sake."  Tradition  has  preserved  the  account  of  many  of  his  exploits ;  but  there  afe  so 
many  versions  of  the  same  story,  and  so  much  evident  fiction  mixed^irh  the  truth  tha^we 
Indianr        "  ""^    '""°""  ""  "  ^"'"^"^  ""'  '''"'"^  ""''^  *'"*=''  •>*  *■"  regarded  by  Z 

tim?t7rraH""«"nH''hf"""^7'"''''  ''.T '"' '""'''  ^''^^hargo  his  rifle  twice  without  having 
ho  was  luonA  '  1  h  •"".S'"«r  good  fortune  in  escaping  unhurt,  led  them  to  suppose  thai 
ho  was  attended  by  some  invisible  being  who  warded  off"  their  bullets,  and  sped  his  with 
^.'m  Zv'w  T""'  '"r'  I '  "'"''•  Wf-^" 'hey  had  learned  the  mystery  of'hiB  douWe-barretS 
gun,  they  were  careful  not  to  expose  themselves  too  much  until  he  had  fired  twice,  know" 
mg  that  ho  must  have  t.mo  to  reload  his  piece  before  he  could  do  them  further  injury. 

One  day,  having  separated  from  his  party,  he  was  pursued  by  a  number  of  Indians,  all 
o  whom  ho  outran  excepting  one  ;  Murphy  turned  round,  fired  upon  this  Indian,  and  ki  led 
wL:„  .^"Pl'Tf,  Ih"'  'ho  others  had  given  up  the  pursuit,  he  stopped  to  strip  the  dead. 
wi,h  i,  LMr:i  of  h.8  pursuers  came  m  sight.  He  snatched  the  rifle  of  his  fallen  foe,  and 
with  It  killed  one  of  Ins  pursuers;  the  rest,  now  sure  of  their  prey,  with  a  yell  of  joy  heed. 
essly  rushed  on,  hoping  to  make  him  their  prisoner;  he  was  ready  to  drop  down  with  fa- 

mm:in!?hr'J^'"i.M"r."''f'"'''''''"^ '?'"'"»  round,  he  discharged  the  remaining 
barrel  of  his  rifle,  and  killed  the  foremost  of  the  Indians;  the  rest,  astonished  at  his  firing 
three  times  in  succession,  fled,  crying  out  that  he  could  shoot  all  day  without  loadinjr.-- 
Annalt  of  Tryon  county,  " 

"  In  stature.  Murphy  was  about  5  feet  6  inches,  and  very  well  proportioned,  with  dark 
complexion,  and  an  eye  that  would  kindle  and  flash  like  the  very  lightning  when  excited. 
Mo  was  exceedingly  quick  in  all  his  motions,  and  possessed  an  iron  frame  that  noihiiw  ap. 
parcntly  could  effect.  And  what  is  very  remarkable,  hie  body  wag  never  woimded  or  scar- 
red  during  the  whole  war." 


620 


BCUOHARIE   COUNTY. 


"  About  8  o'clock  the  enemy  commenced  a  regular  attack  on  the  fort,  which  was  re 
turned  with  effect  from  the  garrison.  The  regular  troops  fired  a  few  cannon  shot,  and 
threw  a  number  of  shells,  one  of  which  burst  in  the  air  above  the  fort,  doing  no  injury; 
another  entc^'  ■'  nnd  burst  in  the  upper  loft  of  the  fort,  doing  no  other  mischief  than  destroy- 
ing a  quanti  >f  bedding,  and  nearly  frightening  to  death  a  Uttle  Frenchman  who  had  fled 
to  the  chamber  for  protection,  and  came  running  down  stairs,  at  the  same  time  exclaiming, 
•  de  (liable  pe  among  de  frdden.'  The  interior  of  the  fort  wns  several  times  on  fire,  but 
was  as  often  extingr'  '■  J  <«  I'-.r  i.  .riions  of  the  women.  The  Indians  retreated  behind 
a  row  of  willow  trc"  jinl  i^ept  up  ,.  constant  fire,  but  at  too  great  a  distance  to  do  effect. 
In  the  fort,  all  ■  „  um  p.i,il  d;  .<pondcncy  ;  the  garrison  only  amounted  to  150  regular 
troops,  and  abort  iOO  inilU.a.  'iheir  ammunition  was  nearly  exhausted — to  attempt  to  de- 
fend the  fort,  appeared  to  be  madness ; — to  surrender,  was  to  deliver  up  themselves,  their 
wives  and  children  to  immediate  death,  or  at  least  to  a  long  captivity.  Major  Wolsey, 
who  commanded  the  fort,  was  inclined  to  surrender  on  the  first  appearance  of  the  enemy, 
but  was  prevented  by  the  officers  of  the  militia,  who  resolved  to  defend  it  or  to  die  in  the 
contest.  Wolsey's  presence  of  mind  forsook  him  in  ilie  hour  of  danger  ;  he  concealed  him- 
self at  first  with  the  women  and  children  in  the  hous'-  and  when  driven  out  by  the  ridicule 
of  his  new  associates,  he  crawled  roum'  :\,i'.  i  n  •..■■„  nts  on  his  hands  and  knees,  amid 
the  jeers  and  bravos  of  the  militia,  who  t'elt  their  courage  r'jvivt  as  their  I"  sghter  was  ex- 
cited by  the  cowardice  of  the  mojor.  In  times  of  extreme  dant  ',  every  laing  which  has 
a  tendency  to  destroy  reflection  by  exciting  risibility  has  a  good  i  il'ect. 

"  The  enemy,  perceiving  that  their  shot  and  shells  did  little  or  no  execution,  formed 
under  shelter  of  a  small  building  near  the  fort,  and  prepared  to  carry  the  works  by  assault. 
While  the  preparations  were  making,  a  flag  was  seen  to  approach  the  fort ;  all  seemed  in. 
dined  to  admit  it,  when  Murphy  and  Bartholomew  Vroman,  who  suspected  that  it  was 
only  an  artifice  to  learn  the  actual  strength  of  the  garrison,  and  aware  that  for  them  at  least 
there  was  no  safety  in  capitulation,  fired  upon  the  flag.  The  flag  retired,  and  some  soldiers 
were  ordered  to  arrest  Murphy  ;  but  so  great  was  his  popularity  among  tlio  soldiers,  that  no 
one  dared  to  obey.  7.'he  flag  approached  a  second  time,  and  was  o  second  time  driven 
back  by  Murphy  and  his  adherents.  A  white  flag  was  then  ordered  to  be  raised  in  the 
fort,  but  Murphy  threatened  with  instant  death  any  one  who  should  obey.  The  enemy 
sent  a  flag  the  third  time,  and  on  Murphy's  turning  to  fire  upon  it,  Wolsey  presented  his 
pistol  and  threatened  to  shoot  him  if  he  did ; — but  not  in  the  least  intimidated  by  the  major's 
threat.  Murphy  very  deliberately  raised  his  rifle,  and  pointing  it  towards  him,  firmly  replied, '  I 
will  die  before  they  shall  have  me  prisoner.'  Major  Wolsey  then  retired  to  his  room,  where 
he  remained  until  Col.  Vroman  was  despatched  in  search  of  hitn.  He  was  fi-'nnd  covered 
up  in  bed,  trembling  like  a  leaf.  Col.  Vroman  accosted  him,  *  Was  you  sent  here  to  sneak 
away  so,  when  we  are  attacked  by  the  tories  and  Indians  ?  and  do  you  mean  to  give  up 
the  fort  to  these  bloody  rascals  ?' — To  which  Major  Wolsey  made  no  reply,  but  consented 
to  yield  up  the  command  to  Col.  Vroman.  At  this  change  of  oflicers,  unanimous  joy  per. 
vaded  the  whole  fort.  And  even  the  women*  smiled  to  behold  the  portly  figure  of  Col. 
Vroman  stalking  about  the  fort — directing  and  encouraging  the  soldiers  in  his  melodious 
Low  Dutch  notes. 

"  The  British  officers  now  held  a  council  of  war,  and  after  a  short  consultation  with, 
drew  ;  and  then  proceeded  down  the  Schoharie  creek,  burning  and  destroying  every  thing 
that  lay  in  their  way.  The  loss  of  the  garrison  in  this  affair  was  only  one  killed  and  two 
wounded,  one  mortally.  It  is  not  known  what  loss  the  enemy  sustained,  or  why  they  re. 
treated  so  hastily." 

Schoharie  was  organized  in  1788,  as  part  of  Albany  county:  it 
has  a  hilly  surface,  with  extensive  valleys  on  the  Schoharie  and  Fox 
creeks.  The  Schoharie  creek,  at  this  place,  is  about  10  rods  wide, 
and  the  flats  on  its  borders  are  from  1  to  2  miles  wide  and  of  sur- 
passing fertility.     Pop.   5,532.     Schoharie  village,  the  county  seat, 


*  "One  of  them,"  says  Col,  Stone,  in  his  Lite  of  Brant,  "an  interesting  young  woman, 
whose  name  yet  lives  in  story  among  her  own  mountains,  perceiving,  as  she  thought,  symp- 
toms  of  fear  in  a  soldier  who  had  been  ordered  to  a  well  without  the  works,  and  within 
range  of  the  enemy's  fire,  for  water,  snatched  the  bucket  from  his  hands,  and  ran  forth  for 
it  herself.  Without  changing  color,  or  giving  the  slightest  evidence  of  fear,  she  drew  and 
brought  bucket  after  bucket  to  tlie  tliirsty  soldiers,  and  providentially  escaped  without  in- 
jury." 


BCHOIIARIB   COUNTT. 


521 


rhich  WM  re 
ion  shot,  and 
ng  no  injury; 
'  than  destroy, 
who  had  fled 
e  exclaiming, 
5»  on  fire,  but 
eated  behind 
8  to  do  effect. 
I  150  regular 
ittempt  to  de. 
tnselvps,  their 
[ajor  Wolsiey, 
>f  the  enemy, 
'  to  die  in  the 
}ncealed  him. 
ty  the  ridicule 
I  knee!",  amid 
fhter  was  ex. 
ng  which  has 

ution,  formed 
(9  by  assault, 
ill  seemed  in- 
d  that  it  was 
them  at  least 
some  soldiers 
Idiers,  that  no 
;  time  driven 
I  raised  in  the 
The  enemy 
presented  his 
by  the  major's 
nly  replied,  'I 
1  room,  where 
cuad  covered 
here  to  sneak 
an  to  give  up 
lut  consented 
nous  joy  per- 
figure  of  Col. 
his  melodious 

illation  with. 
g  every  thing 
illed  and  two 
why  they  re. 


30unty:  it 
e  and  Fox 
•ods  wide, 
nd  of  sur- 
lunty  seat, 


}ung  woman, 
iought,  symp. 
B,  and  within 
ran  forth  for 
the  drew  and 
d  without  in. 


Southeast  view  in  the  central  part  of  Schoharie. 

lies  on  the  flats,  near  the  junction  of  Schoharie  and  Fox  creeks,  32 
milos  W.  of  Albany,  It  contains  about  100  dwellings,  the  county 
buildings,  1  Lutheran  and  1  Dutch  Reformed  church,  and  an  aca- 
demy. The  above  engraving  is  a  SW.  view  in  the  central  part 
of  the  village  :  the  courthouse,  a  stone  building  3  stories  high,  is  seen 
on  the  right ;  the  Lutheran  church  and  the  academy  in  the  distance. 

"  In  tlm  year  1709,  a  number  of  families  from  the  Palatinates  in  Germany,  induced  by 
the  liberal  offers  made  by  Queen  Anne,  embarked  for  New  York,  and  having  proceeded  up 
the  Hudson  as  far  as  Albany,  landed,  and  selected  a  few  of  their  number  to  choose  a  place 
for  a  settlement.  Of  these,  some  went  to  Schenectady,  and  thence  up  the  Mohawk, 
where  a  settlement  of  Germans  had  been  formed  a  few  years  previous  :  the  others,  hearing 
of  a  beautiful  country  to  the  southwest,  penetrated  the  wilderness  in  that  direction ;  and 
after  travelling  through  a  hilly,  and  in  some  parts  mountainous  country,  arrived  the  second 
Jay  on  the  height  of  land  east  of  the  Schoharie  creek. 

"  Here  a  scene  of  extraordinary  beauty,  and  to  them  entirely  new,  burst  upon  their  sight. 
At  their  feet,  and  far  below  them,  was  a  plain  of  limited  extent,  embosomed  by  hills,  in 
some  places  rising  abruptly  to  the  height  of  1000  feet,  and  in  others  of  more  gentle  ascent, 
and  broken  by  deep  ravines.  The  declivity  of  the  hills  was  covered  with  a  stinted  growth 
of  oak,  too  scanty  to  hide  even  from  a  distant  view  the  rocks  amid  which  they  grew,  and 
forming  a  .striking  contrast  with  the  stately  forest  and  luxuriant  vegetation  of  the  plain  be. 
low.  The  valley  had  been  partially  cleared,  and  the  alternate  spots  of  woodland  and 
meadow,  interspersed  with  clumps  of  trees,  added  variety  and  richness  to  the  landscape. 
Along  its  western  boundary  ran  the  Schoharie  creek,  now  washing  the  base  of  the  hill, 
now  mcnndcriiig  through  the  flats ;  its  course  marked  through  the  woodlands  by  the  deep 
green  of  the  trees  along  its  bank,  and  through  the  meadows  by  the  elms  that  lined  its  bor. 
ders ;  sometimes  its  course  was  hidden  from  the  view  by  the  thick  foliage,  and  again,  as  its 
channel  spread  our  wider,  or  its  course  inclined  to  the  east,  its  clear  waters  were  seen  glit. 
lering  in  the  sunb'  'ns.  No  traces  of  any  occupants  of  this  valley  were  seen,  except  here 
and  there  the  mi      nf  a  deserted  wigwam. 

"  The  travellers  returned  to  Albany,  and  gave  so  flattering  an  account  of  the  country 
which  they  had  visited,  that  the  whole  company  started  immediately  for  Schohorie,  without 
waiting  for  the  return  of  their  friends  from  the  Mohawk.  The  place  they  chose  for  a  seU 
tlement  had  forineriy  been  occupied  by  a  part  of  the  Mohawk  tribe  of  Indians;  but  they 
had  most  of  them  now  left  it.  The  settlers  were  illy  provided  with  implements  of  hus. 
bandry,  and  with  many  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  which  wants  were  severely  felt  during 
many  years.  Whether  they  paid  the  Mohawks  an  equivalent  for  the  land,  tradition  does 
not  inform  us.    It  was  not,  however,  until  several  years  after,  that  they  obtained  a  grant 

66 


522 


SCHOHARIE    COUNTY. 


•'I 


ll'ff^l 


from  government.  A  commission  was  sent  to  grant  them  a  title  in  the  name  of  the  crown, 
and  to  extend  to  them  the  protection  of  the  laws.  Believing  this  to  be  a  pretence  for  ex. 
acting  taxes  from  them,  and  remembering  their  former  oppression,  they  drove  off  the  com. 
missioneTS,  and  refused  to  accept  his  proposals.  A  part  left  the  settlement,  and  went  up 
the  Mohawk,  and  the  remainder  were  finally  prevailed  upon  by  threats  and  persuasion  to 
accept  the  terms  offered  by  the  government  agent." — Annala  of  Tryon  county. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  a  pamphlet  publication  by  Mr. 
John  M.  Brown,  entitled  "  A  brief  sketch  of  the  first  settlement  of 
the  county  of  Schoharie  by  the  Germans,"  published  in  1823. 

"  Schoharie  was  first  inhabited  by  a  French  Indian  prisoner,  married  to  a  Mohawk  squow. 
His  name  was  Karigondonte,  whose  father-in-law  sent  hhn  there,  for  fear  that  the  Mohawk 
Indians  would  kill  him  when  they  got  drunk,  and  gave  him  land,  as  the  Mohawk  bore  a 
great  enmity  to  the  French.  Other  Indians,  Mohawk,  Mohegan,  Discorora,  Delaware,  and 
Oneidas,  flocked  to  him,  so  that  he  increased  to  a  nation  about  300  strong,  and  establish- 
ed chiefs  among  them  ;  who  then  pretended  to  be  the  owners  of  all  that  vast  territory  of 
land,  and  granted  conveyances  thereof. 

"  Queen  Anne  having  intended  to  settle  America,  sent  her  agent  to  purchase  lond  from 
the  natives ;  for  which  purpose  she  sent  messengers  to  Germany,  to  invite  people  to  come 
over  and  settle,  and  promised  that  they  should  have  the  land  they  possessed,  free.  In  con. 
sequence  whereof,  many  came  over ;  and  a  purchase  was  made,  beginning  near  little  Scho- 
harie  creek,  at  high-water  mark  of  the  big  Schoharie  river,  and  at  an  oak  stump,  burned 
out  hollow  by  the  Indians  to  serve  for  stamping  their  com  ;  where  a  stone  heap  was  erected 
which  stands  to  this  day.  The  Indian  seal  of  a  turtle  and  a  snake  was  cut  on  the  stump, 
(here  I  must  digress  a  little,  and  mention  that  the  said  stump  or  stamp  block,  served  the 
Germans  for  their  first  grist-mill,)  from  thence  down  to  the  north,  including  all  tlie  low  land 
on  both  sides  of  the  creek,  for  the  space  of  about  eight  miles,  containing  20,000  acres. 

"  .  .  .  .  Now  being  srfe  arrived,  in  the  first  week  after  three  children  were  born,  namely, 
Johones  Earhart,  Wilhelmus  Bouck,  and  Elizabeth  Lawyer ;  they  found  the  land  good,  and 
much  of  the  flats  clear.  The  Indians,  who  were  all  the  people  they  found,  having  shifted, 
they  went  to  work  and  planted  com,  which  they  got  of  the  natives ;  and  in  working  the 
ground  with  their  broad  hoes,  they  found  a  potatoe-like  root,  which  they  called  earth-acorns; 
also  another,  they  called  earth-beans,  which  they  cooked  or  roasted,  and  so  served  them 
for  food. 

"  In  the  fall  of  1713,  Lambert  Stembergh  carried  a  spint  of  wheat  along  the  Indian  foot, 
path  from  Schenectady  to  Schoharie  ;  there  sowed  or  rather  planted  it  over  more  than  an 
acre  of  ground,  which  grew  well ;  and  the  next  year  he  reaped  and  threshed  it,  and  meas. 
nred  83  skipple  out  of  it.  This  was  the  first  wheat  ever  raised  in  Schoharie  ;  and  by  about 
40  years  after,  it  was  reckoned  that  one  year  in  another,  they  carried  36,000  skipple. 
[27,000  bushels,]  to  Albany.  .  fJ-   . 

"  Now  the  new  inhabitants  soon  began  to  think  themselves  well  ofT.  By  their  industry, 
and  great  fertility  of  the  soil,  they  soon  got  plenty  to  eat — wore  moggisins,  buckskin 
breeches  and  jackets  of  leather,  which  they  plentifully  obtained  of  the  Indians.  Nine  of 
them  owned  the  first  horse,  which  was  a  gray.  But  now  a  new  and  very  great  difficulty 
was  felt :  they  had  no  grisUmills,  no  teams,  no  horses,  no  roads  fit  for  passage,  but  Indian 
foot-paths.  They  stamped,  and  also  peeled  their  corn  by  help  of  lye,  and  then  cooked  it 
to  eat.  Their  wheat  they  carried  to  Schenectady  to  grind,  a  space  of  19  miles,  every  man 
about  a  skipple  to  his  load :  sometimes  there  would  go  20  in  a  drove,  often  men  and  wo. 
men  together.  This  they  had  to  do  for  3  or  four  years,  until  a  grisUmiU  was  built  by  one 
William  Fox. 

"  By  no^v,  the  people  began  to  think  themselves  very  well  off,  having  plenty  to  eat, 
began  to  have  stock— used  horses — made  their  own  block  sleighs  for  use  at  home,  and 
wooden  shod  sleighs  to  go  to  Albany ;  but  knew  of  np  britsh  collars,  (which  were  an 
invention  of  Schenectady ;)  made  a  trip  to  Albany— back  again  in  5  days.  Their  wagons 
for  summer  use,  were  made  of  blocks  sawed  off,  of  a  thick  water  beech  tree,  which  we 
now  call  button.wood." 

The  following  is  an  eastern  view  of  the  old  stone  church  situated 
about  a  mile  north  of  the  courthouse  in  Schoharie,  which  was  used 
as  a  fort  during  the  revolutionary  war.  The  view  is  taken  from  a 
painting  executed  about  17  years  since,  and  now  in  the  possession  of 
Henry  Hamilton,  Esq.,  of  Schoharie.     Sinqe  that  time  the  church 


: 


SCHOHARIE    COUNTY. 


523 


f 


Ancient  stone  church  in  Schoharie. 


has  been  somewhat  altered,  a  tower  having  been  erected  in  the  place 
of  the  spire.  It  .s  very  antiquated  in  its  Ippearance.  On  many  of 
^e  stones  are  carved  various  names,  supposed  to  be  those  of  persons 
who  contributed  towards  its  erection.     In  ancient  times  this  church 

r;/r;"M  t^  ^^i^  ^r^^^  ^^"^«-  .  ^hen  sir  John  Johnson  rav- 
aged  the  Mohawk  va  ley  m  1780,  he  visited  Schoharie,  and  after 

ThSwer  Forrartt  Sh  wa^e\l^f  ^  "°^^'  ^^  ^^^^^^^  ^^ 

lodging  m  the  corner  of  the  church  ;•  and  then,  after  sinking  one  of  their  field  pieces  in  a 
morass  marched  round  to  the  north  of  the  fort,  where  they  were  joined  by  the  Indians 
Here  'h^y  fired  a  few  shot  w.th  small.arms,  and  a  few  of  the  Indans  approached  ne"; 
enough  to  throw  the.r  bullets  into  the  tower  of  the  church,  where  some  mXmen  had 
been  stationed.    A  dtscharge  of  grape  from  the  fort  drove  Ihem  bacMndThev  c^minued 

«:er:tX' arteTr l?k"  """'^'' "" '''^  ^"''»-''' -^ 

ofZn?h  o"f'otohl!rV'»^'^i'"'r  'T\  P't?'"'''*  •»  ^^«"«  of  devastation,  on  the  night 
«L  ^rnin   »  '    A    T''^  described.    Houses,  barns,  and  numerous  stacks  of  hay 

and  gram  were  consumed;  domestic  animals  lay  dead  everywhere  over  the  fields;  a  few 
buildings  belonging  to  the  royalists  had  been  spared,  but  the  militia,  sallying  out,  se  fire  to 
Ihr./ n/r'"^'-  ^^'^'  "'"  ^T'"^  of  Schoharie,  this  settlement  c'eased  t?be  so  much  an 
«lirl  [•  .TV'"^"'"'''/"'^  l""i:«  ""'  y"^™  ^^^^  ""''  1782.  though  there  were  frequen" 
alarms,  httle  damage  w^  done  by  the  enemy.  The  Indians  appeared  once  in  considerable 
numbers  at  Cobblesk,  1.  burned  a  few  buildings,  killed  one  man.  and  carried  ofl' five  pr  son! 
ers ;  but  the  body  of  the  inlmb.tants  had  taken  refuge  in  a  fort  which  they  had  buUt  on  hdr 
return  from  Schoharie  m  1781,  and  were  s^k."-Annal8  of  Tryon  County. 

Esperance,  8  /niles  N.  of  Schoharie  courthouse,  is  a  village  of 
about  70  dwelhngs.  Sloansville,  Gallupville,  and  Smith ville!  are 
small  villages  or  settleinents  in  this  town. 


524 


BCHOHARIE    COUNTY. 


Seward  was  formed  from  the  south  part  of  Sharon  in  1840 ;  cen- 
trally distant  from  Schoharie  NW.  20  miles.  Pop.  2,086.  Gard- 
nersville  and  Hynesville  are  the  names  of  the  post-offices.  In  July, 
1781,  a  battle  was  fought  in  this  town  between  the  Americans  and  a 
body  of  the  enemy,  principally  Indians,  under  the  command  of  a  tory 
by  the  name  of  John  Doxtader. 

"  Col.  Willet,  who  now  commanded  at  Fort  Plain,  in  July  sent  Lieut.  Gros,  with  36  men, 
as  a  secret  scout,  into  Durlagh,  now  the  town  of  Sharon,  [within  the  limits  oi'  the  new  town 
of  Seward,]  in  Schoharie  county.  They  discovered,  near  tiie  borders  of  that  settlement,  an 
Indian  trail,  and  followed  it  in  the  direction  the  Indians  had  gone.  The  scout  fell  in  tile 
aiongside  of  the  path  made  by  the  Indians,  and  by  this  means  ascertained  that  the  force 
of  the  enemy  was  very  considerable.  Three  men  were  sent  on  to  make  further  discoveries. 
After  pursuing  the  trail  a  short  distance,  they  arrived  upon  the  borders  of  a  thick  cedar 
swamp,  5  or  6  miles  NE.  of  Cherry  Valley ;  here  they  found  the  camp  of  the  enemy,  in 
which  a  few  sentinels  only  were  stationed.  The  moin  body  of  the  enemy  were  out  on 
some  expedition.  One  of  the  men  stole  up  and  took  a  blanket  from  beneath  a  tent,  with- 
out being  discovered.  Having  made  the  necessary  observations,  they  followed  the  remain- 
der of  the  scout  bock  to  Fort  Plain.  It  was  almost  night  when  the  scout  arrived,  but  Col, 
Willet  added  70  men,  and  ordered  an  immediate  march.  They  were  joined  by  Mojor 
Robert  McKean,  with  about  30  men,  making  their  force  150.  McKean  informed  Col. 
Willet  that  tJie  enemy  were  about  300  strong,  principally  Indians,  under  the  command  of  a 
tory,  by  the  name  of  John  Doxtader — and  that  tlie  day  pievious  they  had  destroyed  Curry, 
town,  a  small  settlement  near  the  Mohawk,  n  short  distance  above  Schenectady.  The  I'.iglit 
was  very  dark,  and  there  wos  no  road,  nothing  but  a  path  through  the  woods.  About 
daylight  they  came  in  sight  of  the  camp.  A  scout  sent  forward  reported  that  the  enemy 
had  just  returned.  Col.  Willet  drew  up  his  men  in  two  parallel  hnes,  and  then  ordered 
them  to  fall  back  and  conceal  themselves  behind  the  trees.  His  plan  was  favored  by  the 
thick  cedar  swamp  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  enemy's  cnmp.  Major  McKean  with  50  men 
occupied  the  right,  and  Col.  Willet  commanded  the  left  body,  composed  of  his  100  men. 
Two  men  were  then  sent  forward  to  pass  over  a  piece  of  open  ground  in  sight  of  the 
enemy.  When  discovered  they  were  directed  to  lead  in  between  the  two  lines.  TJie  ex- 
pectations of  Col.  Willet  were  realized;  the  Indiatis,  as  soon  as  they  saw  these  men,  raised 
their  war.cry  and  commenced  an  innnediatc  pursuit.  As  they  followed  in,  the  troops  of 
Major  McKean  opened  a  galling  and  destructive  fire  upon  them,  which  was  warmly 
seconded  by  Col.  Willet's  men  on  the  left.  The  Indians  were  beaten  at  their  own  game  ; 
they  sought  shelter  behind  the  trees,  but  were  driven  back  and  routed  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet.  Col.  Willet  led  the  van,  and  waving  his  hat,  cheered  on  his  men.  The  camp 
of  the  enemy  and  all  their  plunder  was  taken.  They  retreated  down  towards  the  Susquc- 
hannah,  and  were  pursued  with  considerable  loss.  Shortly  after  the  first  fire,  Major  McKean 
received  two  severe  wounds,  but  he  continued  Win  command  imtil  the  rout  of  the  enemy 
was  complete.  His  faithful  soldiers  corried  liini  back  to  Fort  'Plain,  where  he  survived  but 
a  day  or  two.  The  victory  wus  dearly  -von  by  the  loss  of  this  brave  and  hardy  chieftain." 
— Annals  of  Trtjon  County. 

Sharon,  taken  from  Schoharie  in  1797;  from  Albany  40  miles. 
Pop.  2,-520.  Sharon,  20  NW.,  and  Leesville  24  miles  from  Schoharie, 
are  small  villages. 

Summit,  taken  from  Cobelskill  and  Jcllurson  in  1819  ;  from  Albany 
52  miles.  This  township  comprises  tiie  highest  mountains  in  the 
county,  forming  part  of  the  water  shed  between  the  Susquehannah  and 
Mohawk  rivers.  Summit  Corners,  20  SW.,  and  Charlotteville,  25 
miles  from  Schoharie,  arc  small  settlements.    Pop.  2,009. 


BENECA   COUNTY.  525 


SENECA  COUNTY. 

Seneca  county  was  taken  from  Cayuga  in  1804 ;  since  which 
other  counties  have  been  formed  from  it:  Its  gr.  Jt  enethN  and 
fe.  IS 30  miles;  medium  width,  12.  Centrally  istantfroSew  York 
317,  from  A  bany  172  miles.    The  land  rises  gently  from  the  Cavu^a 

hSfs  Sr^d  f  "S'  *!;^  "'^•^  r^  >^PleiantVdTersifiS^^^^^ 
nius  and  vales.    The  soil  is  well  adapted  to  the  culture  of  erain 

eous  loam.    There  is  no  stream  ot  importance  excepting  the  outlet 

m„?h^^T''?>'''' '"''^"')n^^'°'"  W^t«^l^«  to  Seneca  lak!  funSshes 
much  hydraulic  power.  The  lands  of  this  county  formed  part  of  the 
military  tract,  and  the  titles-  therefore  are  derivS Tom  the  sta  e 
through  patents  to  the  soldiers  of  the  revolution.  The  Erie  oral 
just  touclies  upon  the  county  in  the  NE.  part,  in  the  townTf  IW 
The  Auburn  and  Re  •  ster  railroad  passes  through  the  townJof 

Sp  atsos  '^''"  '"""'^  '^  ^^'"^'^  '""'^  ^0  towns. 

Covert,  taken  from  Grid  in  1817;  from  Albany  177,  from  Ovid 
SE  9  miles.     Pop.  1,744.     Covert  is  a  small  village. 
•    ,«nn'"'4- '  ^'"'SiVu "y  "^"^ed  Washington,  and  taken  from  Romulus 
m  1800;  Irom  Albany  178  miles.     Pop.  3,902.     West  Fayette  Ca! 

a^rfhl?  tir"^'  ^'^  ^"""  ^^"^^^^-     "^^'^^'^^  vmagJlies'par.  . 

Junius,  taken  from  Fayette  in  1803;  from  Albany  173  miles. 
Waterloo  "  ''  ""  '""'"  '^"'^'"^"^  ^  "^^^^s  northwest  from 

LoDi,  taken  from  Covert  in  1826;  from  Albany  175  miles.  Pop. 
2,238.  Lodi  village,  4  miles  S.  from  Ovid  village,  has  about  35 
dwellings.     Townsendville  and  Ingcrsoll's  Store  are  post-offices 

Ovid,  organized  in  1789;  bounds  since  altered;  from  Albany  171 
milej  Pop.  2.719.  Ovid  the  half-shire  seat,  is  about  17  miles  SE. 
of  Wa  erloo.  It  is  delightfully  situated  on  the  Newburg  turnpike. 
The  village  commands  a  view  of  a  large  part  of  both  lakes,  and  of 
portions  of  9  adjoining  counties,  the  land  risii.g  gradually  to  it  from 
the  lakes,  rich,  arable,  and  finely  cultivated  in  farms.  There  is  here 
V  f  ^?nT"  n""^  ^  Methodist  church,  a  flourishing  academy,  and 
about  100  dwellings.  Farmersville,  7  miles  SE.  from  Ovid  villaee 
has  about  40  dwellings,  ° 

Romulus  was  organized  in  1789;  from  Waterloo  centrally  distant 
S.  13  miles.     Romulus,  Hoytes,  and  Baylcytown,  are  small  settle- 
ments ;  the  latter  of  which  is  upon  Seneca  lake,  opposite  Dresden 
where  there  is  a  ferry.     Pop.  2,060. 

Seneca  Fau,h  was  taken  fromJunius  in  1825.     It  is  intersected 

Seneca  Falls 


-•     ■-  -  ■-• ""  "".^^.x  i.iviii  .Junius  in  la^iD.     11  IS  imerseci 

centrally  by  the  outlet  of  Seneca  Lake.     Pop.  4,101.     Seneca  Fi 
village  IS  4  miles  E.  of  Waterloo,  11  from  Geneva,  3  W.  of  Cavu 


bndgo,  85  from  Utica,  .ind  167  from  Albany.    This  is  a  flour 


uga 
ishiiig 


530 


BENECA   COUNTY. 


East  view  of  Seneca  Falls  village, 

village,  containing  between  400  and  500  dwellings,  1  Baptist,  1  Pres- 
byterian, 1  Episcopal,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Catholic  church,  an  acade- 
my, and  3  newspaper  printing  establishments.  There  is  at  this  place 
a  heavy  water-power  of  47  feet  over  4  dams,  putting  in  operation  7 
extensive  flour-mills,  besides  quite  a  number  of  other  mills  and  manu- 
facturing establishments.  The  above  engraving  is  an  eastern  view 
of  the  village,  the  river,  and  the  Cayuga  and  Seneca  canal,  with  one 
of  the  locks,  &c. 

The  first  settlers  at  this  place  were  Horatio  Jones  and  Lawrence 
Van  Clief,  who  fixed  their  residence  here  shortly  after  the  revolu- 
tionary war.  Van  Clief  was  a  soldier  in  Sullivan's  expedition.  The 
village  of  Seneca  Falls  was  founded  in  1815,  by  Col.  Mynderse,  who 
settled  here  in  1795,  and  built  the  first  flouring  mills  in  this  section 
of  the  state.  In  1827,  the  village  contained  only  265  inhabitants. 
Bridgeport,  formerly  called  West  Cayuga,  at  the  W.  end  of  Coyuga 
bridge,  was  formerly  a  place  of  some  business,  but  at  present  is  in  a 
decayed  state,  the  canals  having  diverted  its  trade  to  other  places. 
In  1789,  James  Bennet  settled  at  this  spot,  and  in  connection  with 
Col.  John  Harris,  on  the  opposite  side  ot  the  lake,  kept  a  ferry  here, 
which  was  of  great  importance  to  the  early  settlers  at  the  west. 

Tyre  was  taken  from  Junius  in  1829,  centrally  distant  from  Wa- 
terloo NE.  9,  and  from  Albany  171  miles.  Pop.  1,.')07.  It  has  a  level 
surface,  and  that  part  of  the  town  bordering  on  the  Clyde  and  Seneca 
rivers  is  marshy. 

Varick,  taken  from  Romulus  in  1830.  Pop.  1,971.  It  is  centrally 
situated  13  miles  S.  from  Waterloo.  Varick  is  the  name  of  the 
post-otRcc.     North  Romulus,  and  Romulusvillc  arc  small  settlements. 

WATRRr.oo  was  taken  from  Junius  in  1829.  It  has  a  level  surface 
and  fertile  soil.  Pop.  3,026.  The  flourishing  village  of  Waterloo  is 
situated  on  the  Seneca  outlet  and  the  Seneca  and  Cayuga  canal,  4 
miles  from  Seneca  FaUs  village,  7  from  Geneva,  and  167  from  Alba- 


STBUBEN    COUNTY. 


627 


South  view  of  the  courthouse  in  Waterloo. 


bk  rnnnr  T""^  '"  ^^^^'^^  *^^  ^^^«  ^'^^^a  Williams,  of  Colum- 
n  Lt  300^'dwpll''''  T'^l^  ^f-'^'^  ^'"'^g^  ''^  1^22.  It  contains 
pSvI?  ^"^^"""g^A  ^  churches-viz,  1  Episcopal,  1  Methodist,  1 
Sl-S  of  5;'"'^  V^nP*'?ir""^  "''«"'  2,000  inhabitants.  With  the 
k  P  •??  .  IV  ^''"u'  Waterloo  possesses  the  advantage  of  the 
lateial  c^nal  uniting  the  Seneca  and  Cayuga  lakes  with  the  Erie 
canal.  The  water  for  the  mills  at  this  place  is  taken  from  he  river 
and  canal,  and  used  under  a  head  of  15^^  feet.  The  above  eng  Iv' 
mg  IS  a  south  view  of  the  courthouse,  built  chiefly  at  the  expense  of 
Messrs.  E.  Willmms  and  R.  Swift,  the  former  proprietors  ohhe  soil 
on  which  the  village  is  erected.  ^ 


STEUBEN  COUNTY. 

WMp'^'^'n''  '^""r'A  "^""^^  ^"  '^o"^'"  of  Major-general  Frederick 
W.Iham  Baron  de  Steuben,  the  celebrated  tactician  of  the  revofu- 
tionary  army,  was  taken  from  Ontario  in  1790;   boundaries  since 

Sew  Yorrw'  T  /"'r  Tl""^.f  ^^"^  SW.  216  mi'K  from 
l\ew  iork  W.  220;  length  and  breadth  40  miles.     The  surface  is 

nlT  7i  *""^'  'I  "^'  "mountainous.  Along  the  rivers,  the  genera 
V  rifl  N  „l  7""-^  •'  uninviting,  except  that  in  some  parts  xL  allu- 
v.al  flats  are  extensive  and  rich,  ^he  river  hills  are  rocky,  precipitous, 
and  covered  with  evergreens;  but  the  upland  plains  have  «  »• 
variety  of  trees,  and  fertile  tracts  principally  of  clayey  loam.  The 
staples  of  the  county  are  lumber,  grain,  cattle,  and  wool.  The  lum- 
bering  IS  the  chief  business  of  the  southern  towns;  but  as  the  coun- 
try IS  cleared  of  its  forests,  agriculture  rises  in  importance.  Chemung 
river  ,s  the  great  stream  of  t^c  county  ;  it  was  called  by  the  Seneca! 
Co«««y«e,  "  liorn  m  the  water."  Its  flats  are  said  to  be  superior  in 
fertility  to  the  Mohawk.    ThiS  nonntv.  »-rn»ptiri?  ♦'> -  ^aT.-L1^ 


528 


BTEUBEN    COUNTY. 


on  the  western  shore  of  the  Seneca  lake,  was  included  in  the  exten- 
sive cession  of  New  York  to  Massachusetts,  and  passed  from  that 
state,  through  Messrs.  Phelps  and  Gorham  and  Robert  Morris,  to  Sir 
William  Pulteney.  It  was  mostly  settled  by  Pennsylvanians,  except- 
ing Prattsburg,  which  was  settled  by  New  Englanders.  The  county 
is  divided  into  27  towns.     Pop.  45,985. 

Aducson,  originally  named  Middletown,  was  organized  in  1796. 
This  town  was  settled  in  1793.  Its  early  inhabitants  attended  church 
at  Canandaigua,  80  miles  distant.  Addison  village,  16  miles  S.  from 
Bath,  has  about  40  dwellings.  Rathbunville  is  the  name  of  a  post- 
office.     Pop.  1,919. 

Bath,  organized  in  1796;  limits  since  much  altered;  fi'om  New 
York  NW."220,  from  Albany  SW.  210  miles.  Avoca,  Kenadaville, 
and  Mud  Creek,  are  small  settlements  in  this  town.  Pop.  4.79(). 
Bath,  the  county  seat,  on  the  bank  of  the  Conhocton*  river,  and  1 1 
miles  north  of  the  N.  York  and  Erie  railroad,  is  one  of  the  most  pleas- 
ant villages  in  the  western  part  of  the  state.  The  public  square,  laid 
out  in  1792  by  Capt.  Charles  Williamson,  has  the  county  and  other 
public  buildings,  and  several  elegant  private  mansions. 


View  of  the  east  side  of  Pulteney  Square,  Bath. 

The  above  view  of  the  eastern  side  of  the  square,  shows  on  the  right 
the  Presbyterian  church,  built  in  1822,  being  the  first  building  erected 
with  a  steeple  in  the  county.  The  one  on  the  lei't  is  the  Episcopal. 
There  arc  in  the  village  also,  a  courthouse,  prison,  a  bank,  a  Metho- 
dist church,  and  about  200  dwellings.  Bath  was  first  settled  in 
1792,  by  Capt.  Charleys  Williamson,  the  first  agent  of  Sir  William 
Pulteney,  ait(>r  whom  the  public  Hijuiire  was  named.  Sir  William, 
who  was  a  noted  English  wliig,  was  a  large  proprietor  in  this  vicinity. 


•  Conhocton,  in  the  Hunocn  langunge,  mennM  "  Uein  in  ihe  water." 


¥i ) 


STEUBEN   COUNTY. 


529 


Capt.  Williamson  s  party  came  here  from  Williamsport  in  rennsylva- 

Z\^oi  r'!  w'.f '^  ^'^  ''"^  ^  '''^^^  ^"  t*^«  ^ay  through  the  forest. 
In  1795,  Capt.  Williamson  established  a  theatre  at  this  place.  He  is 
represented  to  have  been  a  scientific  man,  of  liberal  and  extended  views. 

.^E^^T  ^^^^^"^^'u^PP^^"*^**  governor  of  one  of  the  West  India 
islands ;  but  died  on  his  passage  thither.    As  early  as  1796,  the  va- 

™?KTr"''  'V  *•''  '■^8'''"  ^^San  to  exhibit  an  appearance  of 
r^pectabihty  rarely  mstanced  in  so  new  a  country.  A  printing 
office  was  then  established  here,  and  a  newspaper  printed,  entitled  thl 
Bath  Gazette.  The  number  of  inhabitants  in  Bath  and  8  miles  around 
numbered  800.    There  were  also  2  schools,  1  grist-mill  and  5  saw- 

The  followng,  respecting  the  early  history  of  this  place  is  extract- 
ed  from  the  Travels  of  Maude,  an  fenglish  gentlemen,  who  visited 
this  region  about  the  year  1800. 

"  Bath,  which  now  contains  about  40  iurr'lies,"  says  this  traveller,  "was  laid  out  in  17^9 

Lull  IZ A"f'  "^T  ^""rr  I'  i  "  P-^^^  '»  'his  till  'thel  unknown  iountr^; 
k1  ?r^  ,  J?^  of  wilderness  which  the  oldest  and  most  experienced  woodmen  could  no 
bo  tempted  to  assist  h.m  to  exp  ore ;  tempted  by  an  offer  of  more  than  5  times  "he  amoun 
of  their  usual  wages.  Capt.  Williamson  was  then  accompanied  by  his  friend  and  reE 
Mr.  Johnstone,  and  a  seryant-afterward  a  backwoodsman,  was  prevailed  on  to  jo  n  the 

VI, ^  ^'  T  ""'  ''™\'Y  "'if  ^'"""'y  C'X'W  8«PPly  its  inhabitants  whh  food  for  till 
then,  their  flour  was  brought  from  Northumberland,  and  their  pork  from  Philadelphia  •  ye 
so  rapidly  has  the  spirit  of  improvement  gone  forth  in  this  country,  so  suddenly&iemi 
burst  forth  where  so  late  was  famine,  and  so  quick  the  change  of  cene  from  dark  tanS 
forests  (whose  death.hke  silence  yielded  to  the  growl  of  bea^the  howl  of  wolv«!  and  Ae 
yell  of  savages)  o  srmlmg  fields,  to  flocks  and  herds,  and  o  the  busy  hum  of  men  tha^ 
instead  of  being  indebted  to  othen.  for  their  support,  they  will  hcncefort'h  annuairsupply 
the  ow  country,  Ba^  .more  especially,  with  many  hundred  barrels  of  flour  a  J  head  of 
cattle  On  Capt.  Williamson's  first  arrival,  where  now  is  Bath,  he  built  a  smaUlog.hut  for 
his  wife  and  family.  If  a  stranger  came  to  visit  him.  he  built  up  a  little  nook  f^"o 
put  Ins  bed  in.  In  a  Imle  time,  a  boarded  or  frame  house  was  built  to  the  left  of  the  hu^ 
fljis  also  was  intended  but  as  a  temporary  residence,  though  it  then  appeared  a  palace 
His  present  res.denr.  a  very  commodious,  roomy,  and  well.planned  house,  is  simated  on 
the  right  of  where  stood  the  hut  long  since  consigned  to  the  kitchen  fire.  ....  Bath  is  the 
capital  of  Steuben  .ounty,  which  county  contains  at  present  (1800)  about  300  families! 
On  the  first  settlement  of  the  country  these  mountainous  distrieU  were  thought  so  unfovor 
ably  of  when  compared  with  the  rich  flats  of  Ontario  county,  (or  the  Genesee  country.)  that 
none  of  the  settlers  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  establish  themselves  here  till  Oapt  William 
son  himself  set  the  example,  saying.  'As  Nature  has  done  so  much  for  the  northern  plains! 
.  .'  «°.f°"""*""«  '^"f  these  southern  mountains ;'  though  the  truth  of  the  case  wa«.  that 
capt.  W'  liamson  saw  very  cleariy.  on  his  first  visit  to  the  country,  that  the  Susquehannah 

aSOO)  a  bushel  of  wheat  is  better  worth  $1.^  at  Bath  than  60  cenis  at  Geneva.  This 
difference  will  grow  wider  every  year;  for  I  ,  if  any,  additional  improvement  can  be 
made  m  the  water  communication  with  IIcw  .  ork.  while  that  to  Baltimore  will  admit  of 
very  extensive  and  advantageous  ones.  Its  present  efforts  are  those  of  a  child,  compared 
with  the  manly  strengUi  it  will  soon  assume.  I  isited  Capt.  Williamson's  mills,  a  little 
west  of  Bath,  on  Oonhocton  creek,  which  before  the  winter  sets  in  will  be  made  navigable 
15  miles  higher  up;  at  least  a  farmer  there  promises  to  send  an  ark  down  from  thence  in 
the  spring.  Should  he  succeed,  Capt.  Wil'Unidon  promises  him  a  gift  of  30  acres  of  land, 
lake  r^'^""""  "     '"  ^»""l"*''"»nn»h  W'U  '  ">  extend  to  within  6  miles  of  the  Canandaigua 

The  follow-'  ,n  is!Wi;ription8  were  copied  from  monuments  in  the 
graveyard  in  this  place. 

•Y 


580 


STEUBEN   COUNTY. 


"  Geoege  C.  Edwjuum,  died  Nov.  18th,  1837  r  bom  at  Stockbridge,  Masa.,  Sept.  28, 1787. 
— ^This  monument  records  the  affection  and  respect  of  the  Members  and  Court  of  the  Bar 
of  Steuben  county,  for  George  C.  Edwards.— Tribute  to  the  memory  of  a  just  Judge,  an 
able  Lawyer,  a  good  titizen,  and  an  honest  man.— The  richest  legacy  to  leave  for  posterity 
is  a  good  name." 


"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Duoald  Cameron,  a  native  of  Invemesshire,  Scotland,  and  a 
resident  of  this  his  adopted  country  from  1794  until  his  decease,  which  took  place  in  the 
city  of  Albany  whilst  there  as  a  member  of  the  legislature  of  this  state,  on  the  5th  of  March, 
1828,  aged  52  years.  In  his  death  the  church  was  deprived  of  a  liberal  donor,  the  public 
of  an  useful  and  faithful  representative,  the  poor  and  the  wayfaring  of  a  ready  and  bcnevo. 
lent  friend.—'  Mark  the  perfect  man  and  behold  the  upright,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is 
peace.' " 

Bradford,  recently  formed;  from  Bath  centrally  distant  E.  12 
miles.     Jersey  is  the  post-office.     Pop.  1,545. 

Cameron,  taken  from  Addison  in  1822;  from  Bath  S.  8  miles. 
Pop.  1,349.  The  Canisteo  river,  which  name  in  the  Indian  tongue 
signifies  "  board  in  the  water,"  crosses  the  town.  Cameron  and  South 
Cameron  are  the  post-offices. 

Campbell,  taken  from  Hornby  in  1831 ;  from  Bath  SE.  11  miles. 
Pop.  850.  There  is  a  post-office  at  Campbelltown  village,  and  one 
at  Hammond's  mills. 

Canisteo,  organized  in  1796 ;  from  Albany  241,  from  Bath  SW. 
14  miles.  Pop.  941.  The  rich  flats  of  the  Canisteo  river  in  this 
town  are  about  half  a  mile  in  width.  This  was  the  first  settled  place 
in  the  county.  It  was  settled  in  1790,  by  Solomon  Bennett,  3  fami- 
lies by  the  name  of  Stevens,  and  Capt.  Jemison.  They  came  up  the 
Chemung  ana  Canisteo  rivers  from  Athens,  Pennsylvania.  Canisteo 
and  East  Canisteo  are  post-offices. 

Caton,  the  SE.  town  of  the  county,  recently  erected  from  Painted 
Post ;  centrally  distant  from  Bath  28  miles.     Pop.  797. 

CoNHocTON,  taken  from  Bath  and  Dansville  in  1812  ;  from  Albany 
216,  from  Bath  NW.  16  miles.  Pop.  2,985.  Liberty  is  a  small  vil- 
lage ;  Blood's  Corners  and  Fatchin's  Mills  are  small  settlements. 

T)an8ville,  organized  in  1796  ;  since  altered  in  area ;  from  Albany 
240,  from  Bath  NW.  24  miles.  Pop.  2,725.  South  Dansville,  Ro- 
gersville,  Doty's  Comers,  and  De  Witts  Valley,  are  post-offices. 

Ervvin,  taken  from  Painted  Post  in  182d  ;  from  Albany  213,  from 
Bath  SE.  20  miles.  Near  the  mouth  of  the  Conhocton  river  is  the 
small  village  of  Erwin,  upon  the  Great  Bend  and  Bath  turnpike. 
Upon  the  rivers  are  rich  alluvial  flats,  well  cultivated,  and  a  fine 
bridge  across  the  Conhocton  300  feet  long.  There  are  post-offices 
at  the  village  of  Erwin  and  Painted  Post.     Pop.  782. 

The  celebrated  "painted  pott,"  from  which  the  town  of  Painted  Post  derived  its  name, 
formerly  stood  upon  the  bank  of  the  rivur.  There  hmo  been  various  stories  in  relation  to 
ils  origin ;  the  following  account  taken  from  the  narrniivo  of  the  captivity  and  Buflcrings  of 
Gen.  Frccgift  Patchin,  who  was  taken  prisoner  by  a  party  of  Indians  under  IJrant  during 
the  revolution,  is  probably  correct.  "  Near  this,  wo  found  the  famous  PAINTKD  POST, 
which  i8  now  known  over  the  whole  continent,  to  those  conversant  wiiii  the  early  history 
of  our  country  ;  the  origin  of  which  was  as  follows.  Whulhor  it  was  in  the  revolution,  or 
in  the  Dunmore  buttles  with  the  Indians,  which  tomnicnceti  in  Virginia,  or  in  the  French 
war,  I  do  not  know ;  an  Indian  chief,  on  this  spot,  hud  been  vioto-ioim  in  battle,  killed  and 
took  prisoners  to  the  number  of  about  60.    This  ev^nt  he  calebr-tcd  by  causing  a  tree  to 


STEUBEN   COUNTY. 


531 


be  taken  from  the  forest  and  hewed  four  square,  painted  red,  and  the  number  he  killed, 
which  was  28,  represented  across  the  post  in  black  paint,  without  any  heads,  but  those  he 
took  pnsoners,  which  was  30,  were  represented  with  heads  on  in  black  paint,  as  the  others. 
This  post  he  erected,  and  thus  handed  down  to  posterity  an  account  that  here  a  battle  was 
tought ;  but  by  whom,  and  who  the  sufferers  were,  is  covered  in  darkness,  except  that  it 
waa  between  the  whites  aad  Indians." 

Greenwood,  taken  from  Troupsburg  and  Canisteo  in  1827;  from 
Albany  251 ;  from  Bath  SW.  26  miles.     Pop.  1,138. 

HoiiNBY,  taken  from  Painted  Post  in  1826 ;  from  Albany  199,  from 
Bath  SE.  20  miles.     Pop.  1,048. 

HoRNELLsviLLE,  taken  from  Canisteo  in  1820  ;  from  Albany  236. 
Pop.  2,121.  Hornellsville,  so  called  from  George  Hornell,  its  first 
settler,  lies  on  a  branch  of  the  Canisteo  near  the  main  stream,  on  the 
road  from  Bath  to  Angelica,  20  miles  W.  from  the  former,  and  on  the 
line  of  the  New  York  and  Erie  railroad ;  it  contains  1  Presbyterian 
and  1  Methodist  church,  and  about  50  dwellings.  Arkport,  on  the 
Canisteo,  and  Purdy  creek,  are  post-offices. 

Howard,  taken  from  Bath  and  Dansvillein  1812;  centrally  distant 
W.  from  Bath  12  miles.  Bennet's  Flats,  post  village,  contains  2 
churches,  an  academy,  and  about  40  dwellings.  The  names  of  the 
post-offices  are  Howard,  GofFs  Mills,  Towlesville,  and  Neil's  Creek. 
Pop.  3,250. 

Jasper,  taken  from  Troupsburg  and  Canisteo  in  1827  ;  from  Bath 
S.  24  miles.     Pop.  1,187.     Adamsport  is  a  small  village. 

LiNDLEY,  recently  formed  from  Erwin  ;  from  Bath  SE.  centrally 
distant  24  miles.  Pop.  638.  Erwin  Centre  and  Lindleytown  are 
the  post  offices.    The  limits  of  the  town  were  early  settled.    At  this 


Early  method  of  pounding  com. 

period  there  being  no  mills  in  this  section  iSr  grinding  the  grain  of  the 
inhabitants,  they  adopted  a  substitute  for  preparing  their  corn,  not  un- 
common among  the  early  settlements  in  this  region.  The  above  is  a 
representation  of  this  method,  consisting  of  !\  stump  hollowed  out  by 
fire  as  a  moriar,  with  a  log  attached  to  the  end  of  a  young  sapling 


\l 


^im 


STBUBBN   COUKTY. 


?.! 


1 


bent  over  to  act  as  a  pestle.  This  process  was  slow  and  tedious,  it 
being  a  day's  work  to  convert  half  a  bushel  of  com  into  samp.  The 
settlers  who  owned  a  few  slaves  employed  them  in  this  drudgery ; 
hence  the  process  was  vulgarly  termed  "  niggering  com." 

Orange,  with  Bradford,  until  recently  comprehended  one  town,  un- 
der the  name  of  Jersey ;  205  miles  from  Albany,  from  Bath  centrally 
distant  E.  15  miles.  Pop.  1,822.  Meads  Creek  and  Sugar  Hill  are 
names  of  post-offices. 

Painted  Post,  organized  in  1796;  from  Albany  210,  from  Bath 
centrally  distant  SE.  22  miles.  Pop.  1,672.  This  is  a  place  much 
noted  in  the  early  history  of  this  section  of  the  country.  The  cele- 
brated "painted  post,"  (for  the  history  of  which  see  Erwin  in  this 
county,)  from  which  the  place  derived  its  name,  stood  within  the  old 
limits  of  this  town.  The  flats  on  the  Chemung  river  are  very  rich, 
and  the  adjoining  hills  covered  with  pine  forests.  The  navigable 
feeder  of  the  Chemung  canal  is  supplied  from  the  river  at  the  "  chim- 
ney narrows"  so  called  from  several  piles  of  rocks  rising  perpendic- 
ularly in  various  places  from  the  hill-side,  and  having  the  appearance 
of  chimneys.  Within  two  miles  of  the  western  boundary  of  the 
town,  on  the  Great  Bend  and  Bath  road  and  north  bank  of  the  Che- 
mung river,  is  the  little  village  of  Centreviile,  which  was  formerly 
called  Painted  Post.  This,  including  the  village  of  Knoxville,  with 
which  it  is  nearly  connected,  contains  100  dwellings.  The  line  of 
the  Erie  railroad  runs  in  the  valley  of  the  Chemung  river,  which  at 
the  village  of  Corning,  on  the  south  bank  of  this  stream,  is  intersected 
by  the  Coming  and  Blossburg  railroad,  communicating  with  the  coal 
mines  of  Pennsylvania. 

Prattsburg,  named  after  a  principal  proprietor,  was  taken  from 
Pulteney  in  1813;  from  Albany  202,  from  Bath  centrally  distant  N. 
14  miles.  Pop.  2,442.  Prattsburg  village  has  two  churches,  an  in- 
corporated academy,  and  about  80  dwellings. 

Pu;-teney,  taken  from  Bath  in  1808  ;  from  Albany  212,  from  Bath 
centrally  distant  NE.  18  miles.  Pop.  1,782.  Pulteney,  Peltonville, 
and  South  Pulteney,  are  post-offices. 

Reading,  the  NE.  town  of  the  county,  was  taken  from  Fredericks- 
town,  then  Wayne,  in  1806 ;  from  Albany  186  miles.  Pop.  1,535. 
Irelandville,  24  miles  NE.  from  Bath,  has  about  50  dwellings.  Jefter- 
son  or  Savoy  village,  on  the  inlet  of  the  lake,  partly  in  Dix  of  Tioga 
county,  has  about  300  inhabitants.  Rock  Stream,  near  Seneca  lake, 
has  a  cascade  of  140  feet.    There  is  a  post-office  called  North  Read- 

Troupsburg,  settled  in  1805 ;  taken  from  Middletown  and  Canisteo 
in  1808 ;  from  Albany  247,  and  from  Bath  SW.  28  miles.  Pop. 
1,172.     Troupsburg  and  West  Troupsburg  are  the  post-offices. 

Tyrone,  taken  from  Wayne  in  1822 ;  from  Albany  194,  from  Bath 
NE.  16  miles;  settled  by  emigrants  from  New  England,  New  Jer- 
sey, and  Orange  county,  New  York.  Tvrone,  Tobanna,  and  Pine 
Grove,  are  post-offices.     Pop.  2,098. 

Urbana,  taken  from  Bath  in  1822 ;  from  Albany  207,  centrally 


SUFFOLK    COUNTY. 


533 


CroXl'H^f  *"  ^^-a  "^h":  P^P-  l'««^-  "  At  the  head  of  the 
£  ?fi9«  hv  T  •'"'  the  flourishing  village  of  Hammondsport,  founded 
mlS26  by  Lazarus  Hammond,  containing  1  Presbyterian  and  1 
Episcopal  church,  and  about  100  dwellings  The  village  is  favora- 
bly  situated  for  trade  by  reason  of  the  fake.  It  must  become  the 
port  of  the  county,  whence  much  of  its  exports  will  seek  a  market  m 
the  centre  of  the  state  and  at  the  towns  on  the  Hudson  river.  A 
steamboat  daily  phes  between  here  and  Penn  Yan,  the  capital  of 
Yates  county;  thence  the  Crooked  Lake  canal  leads  to  the  Seneca 
Lake,  which  is  connected  with  the  Erie  canal  by  the  Seneca  and 
L^ayuga  canal,  by  which  route  there  is  an  uninterrupted  water  com- 
munication  with  New  York."  Urbana,  Cold  Springs,  and  Mount 
Washington,  are  the  names  of  the  post-offices. 

Wayne,  organized  in  1796,  under  the  name  of  Frederickstown ; 
limits  and  name  smce  altered ;  from  Albany  199  miles.  Pop.  1,377 
Wayne,  post  village,  at  the  north  end  of  Little  Lake,  1«  miles  NE. 
FoITr  Cor  ^         ^^  dwelHngs.   There  is  a  post-office  at  Wayne 

Wheeler,  taken  from  Bath  and  Prattsburg  in  1820;  from  Albany 
210,  from  Bath  N.  10  miles.  Pop.  1,305.  Wheeler  and  West  Ur- 
bana are  post-offices. 

A,J^''""^„"i'^*'^*'^!i  ^f^""  Troupsburg  and  Addison  in  1828;  from 
Albany  236,  from  Bath  centrally  distant  S.  22  miles.  It  is  thinly  in- 
habited.    Pop.  820.    NewviUe  is  a  small  settlement. 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY. 

Suffolk  county,  which  comprises  about  two  thirds  of  Long  Island 
was  orgamzed  in  1683,  at  which  time  the  ridings  were  aboHshed,  and 
Long  Island  was  divided  into  three  counties,  as  they  have  remained 
ever  since.  It  is  about  one  hundred  and  ten  miles  in  length,  and  in 
some  parts  twenty  in  width.  On  the  north  side  next  the  sound  the 
land  IS  considerably  broken  and  hilly;  in  the  interior,  and  on  the 
south  side  it  is  mostly  a  sandy  plain,  covered  for  the  greater  part  with 
forests  of  pine,  in  which  the  wild  deer  is  still  an  inl  .itant.  The 
county  IS  not  well  watered,  the  streams  being  few  and  small.  The 
chief  business  of  the  inhabitants  is  agriculture  and  fishing ;  they  also 
send  large  quantities  of  pine  wood  to  market.  The  original  settlers 
of  the  c(  jnty  were  mostly  from  New  England,  and  the  inhabitants 
have  ever  retained  to  a  great  degree  the  habits  and  manners  of  the 
Puritans.  The  county  is  divided  into  9  towns,  all  of  which,  except 
Riverhead,  were  organized  in  1788,     Pop.  32,468. 

Brookhaven,  the  largest  town  in  the  county,  embraces  the  whole 
width  of  the  island.  It  contains  more  than  103,000  acres,  of 
which  only  about  35,000  are  improved.    The  greater  oart  of  tlie  in- 


'■':thi 


534 


SUFFOLK   COITNTT. 


^ 


habitants  are  distributed  along  the  villages  on  the  sound  and  the 
ocean.  The  middle  portion  is  for  the  most  part  covered  with  pine 
forests,  in  which  deer  abound.     Pop.  7,050. 

"  The  first  settlement  in  the  town  was  commenced  at  Setauket,  in  1655,  by  which  name  the 
town  was  at  first  called.  Most,  if  not  all,  the  original  planters  came  from  Boston  and  ita  vicm- 
ity.  The  civil  afl'uira  of  the  settlement  were  conducted  by  magistrates  elected  from  among 
themselves,  and  by  rules  and  ordinances  adopted  in  the  primary  assemblies  of  the  people. 
After  the  conquest  of  New  York  in  1664,  a  patent  of  confinnation  for  their  purchases  of  the 
natives  was  obtained  from  Governor  Nicol.  The  first  minister,  Rev.  Nathaniel  Brewster, 
was  settled  here  in  1665.  He  was  a  grandson  of  Elder  William  Brewster,  one  of  the  founders 
of  the  Plymouth  colony,  who  came  over  in  the  May  Flower,  in  1620.  Mr.  Brewster  died  in 
1690.  It  would  seem  that  from  age  or  some  other  infirmity,  he  was  unable  to  discharge  his 
pastoral  duties  for  some  years  before  his  death ;  for  at  a  town  meetini^  held  October  31,  1685, 
.Samuel  Eburne  was  chosen  by  vote  to  be  minister  of  the  town,  'and  it  being  proposed  unto 
him,  that  in  regard  of  some  tender  consciences,  he  would  omit  the  ceremony  in  the  book  of  com- 


and  continued  here  till  hia  death  in  1739.  The  next  minister  was  Rev.  David  Youngs :  his 
successor.  Rev.  Benjamin  Tallmadge,  was  settled  here  in  1754.  Mr.  Tallmadge  was  succeeded 
by  Rev  Noah  Wetmore,  who  came  here  in  1786:  Rev.  Zachariah  Greene  was  his  successor. 
The  following  rt^lative  to  seating  the  meeting-house,  recorded  on  the  town  books,  is  a  curious 
reUc  of  olden  times : — 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  trustees  of  Brookhaven,  August  6th,  1703 :  Whereas  there  hath  been 
several  rude  actions  of  late  happened  in  our  church  by  reason  of  the  people  not  being  seated, 
which  is  much  to  the  dishonor  of  God  and  the  discouragement  of  virtue.  For  preventing  the 
like  again,  it  is  ordered  that  the  inhabitants  be  seated  after  the  manner  and  form  following : 
All  freeholders  that  have  or  shall  subscribe  within  a  month  to  pay  40  shillings  to  Mr.  I'hillipa 
towards  his  salkry  shall  be  seated  at  the  table,  and  that  no  women  are  permitted  to  get  there, 
except  Vol.  Smith's  ladu,  nor  any  women  kind  ;  And  that  the  President  for  the  time  being  shall 
sit  in  the  right-hand  seat  under  the  pulpit,  and  the  clerk  on  the  left :  the  trustees  in  the  front 
seat,  and  the  Justices  that  are  inhabitants  of  the  town,  are  to  be  seated  at  the  table,  whether 
they  pay  40  shillings  or  less.  And  the  pew,  No.  1,  all  such  persons  as  have  or  shall  subscribe 
20  shillings ;  and  the  pew,  No.  2,  such  as  subscribe  to  pay  15  shillings ;  in  pew,  No.  3,  such  as 
subscribe  to  pay  10  shillings ;  No.  4,  8  shillings ;  No.  5, 12shillings ;  No.  6,  9  shiUings;  No.  7, 
for  the  young  men  ;  No.  8,  for  the  bovs ;  No.  9,  for  ministers'  widows  and  wives ;  and  for  those 
women  whose  husbands  pay  40  shillings,  to  sit  according  to  their  age  ;  No.  11,  lor  those  men's 
wives  that  pay  from  20  to  la  shillings.  The  alley  fronting  the  pews  to  be  (or  such  maids 
whose  parents  or  selves  shall  subscribe  for  two,  6  shilUngs ;  No.  12,  (ar  those  men's  wives  who 
pay  from  10  to  15  shillings;  No.  13,  for  maids;  No.  14,  for  girls;  and  No.  15,  free  for  any. 
Captain  Clark  and  Joseph  Tooker  to  settle  the  mhabitanta  according  to  the  above  order." 

Caroline  church,  in  Setauket,  the  first  Episcopal  church  on  Long  Island,  was  erected  in 
1730.  This  building,  after  having  been  repeatedly  altered  and  repaired,  is  still  standing.  The 
Congregational  church  at  Old  Mans,  was  lirst  erected  in  1720,  and  rebuilt  in  1805.  The  Pres- 
byterian church  was  built  in  1800,  at  Middletown,  and  another  at  Fire-place,  in  1828 ;  the  first 
church  at  this  latter  place  was  erected  in  1740.  The  first  Congregational  church  at  Patchogue 
was  built  in  1767,  the  present  in  1822.  The  Methodist  church  at  this  place  wa.s  erected  in  1®0. 
The  Baptist  cluirch  at  Corum  has  stood  about  ninety  years.  The  Methodist  church  at  Stony- 
brook  was  erected  in  1817. 

Setauket,  the  oldest  and  one  of  the  most  populous  villages  in 
the  town,  received  its  name  from  its  being  the  residence  of  the 
Seatalcott  tribe  of  Indians.  It  is  situated  on  both  sides  of  the  har- 
bor, occupying  about  two  square  miles.  The  village  of  Stonybrook 
is  on  the  western  side  of  the  town  adjoining  the  sound,  and  has  one 
of  the  best  harbors  in  this  part  of  the  island.  There  are  about  60 
dwellings  ;  shipbuilding  to  a  considerable  extent  is  carried  on  in  this 
place.     Port  Jefferson  and  Millers  Place  are  small  villages. 

Corum  is  near  the  centre  of  the  town,  and  has  been  the  seat  of 
the  town  business  for  more  than  60  years.  It  is  a  small  village 
containing  about  150  inhabitants.  In,  or  near  the  village,  the  British 
had  accumulated  a  large  quantity  of  forage  in  the  winter  of  1780, 
which  was  destroyed  by  Colonel  Tallmadge,  a  nutive  of  Setauket. 
The  plan  of  this  expedition  was  approved  of  by  u  communication 
from  General  Washington. 


SUFFOLK   COUNTT. 


535 


I  the  detachment  to  repair  to 
the  21tit  of  November,  1780. 

sj'-iisKis  "Si  t1  'r^  4"«"  •"  £  'ii„x.if  Jits i*"  ?s: 

bayonet.    The  vSnearfKrt    k/^n^  w^     '?" '"'"""''  ""^  ?"'"  "^^  "^^  '^a'^'ed  by  the 

were  malched  A'  t^^'^''^'^  ^"^  fiity-four,.of  whom  seven  were  funded     Wh°e  they 
^f  his'deK  ° t  ''dem^^^^^^^^  .hr/'ku^rfl^^d  T""""'^^''  proceeded  with  the  re'mainde^ 

dingrm«xchybr?ymil'°b\^ 


Fzew  0/  Patchogue  in  Brookhaven,  Long  Island. 


The  above  ,s  a  view  taken  at  the  western  entrance  into  the  vil- 
age  of  Patchouge  ;  the  Congregational  and  Methodist  churches  are 

nnT"  VV'Vr"^  *  f  ^"""P^^^  P^^"^  «f  the  village  in  the  distance 
on  the  right.  The  village  is  named  after  the  Patchogue  tribe  of  In- 
(lians,  who  once  possessed  the  territory  in  this  part  of  the  island  It 
contains  about  75  dwellings,  the  greater  part  of  which  have  been 
erected  within  a  few  years.  It  is  28  miles  from  Riverhead,  and  60 
irom  New  York,  upon  the  great  thoroughfare  from  Brooklyn  to  Sagff 
Harbor.  Pour  miles  east  is  the  recently  built  village  of  Bell  Port 
contaming  about  30  dwellings,  an  academy,  2  ship-yards,  &c.  Five 
miles  east  of  here  is  a  small  settlement  called  Fire-place,  known 
as  a  rendezvous  for  sportsmen.  Moriches  is  in  the  east  part  of  the 
town,  extending  east  from  Mastic  river.  The  groves  of  Mastic  are 
somewhat  celebrated. 

Easthampton,  the  most  easterly  town  on  Long  Island,  includes 
the  penmsula  of  Montauk  and  Gardiner's  Island.     It  is  centrally  dis- 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

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536 


0VFPOI.K  COUNTY. 


tant  from  New  York  110  miles.  Pop.  2,076.  The  town  was  gettled 
in  1649  by  about  thirty  families  firom  Lynn,  Massachusetts,  and  the 
towns  adjacent.  The  town  continued  an  independent  plantation  or 
community  till  1657,  when  thev  put  themselves  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  Connecticut.  The  Rev.  Thomas  James  was  the  first  minister  in 
the  town  ;  he  died  in  1696,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Nathaniel 
Hunting.  Mr.  Hunting  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Samuel  Buell  in 
1746.  The  fourth  minister  was  Rev.  Lyman  Beecher,  who  was  set- 
tled here  in  1799.  Mr.  Beecher  is  now  the  President  of  the  Lane 
Seminary  in  Ohio.  The  village  of  Easthampton  is  confined  to  a 
single  street,  of  about  a  mile  in  length,  having  about  100  dwellings, 
njostly  of  an  antiquated  appearance,  a  church,  and  the  Clinton  acad- 
emy, erected  here  in  1785,  being  the  first  institution  of  the  kind  on 
Long  Island.  The  village  of  Amagansett,  containing  about  50  houses, 
is  three  miles  to  the  east.  Wainscott  is  a  small  village  in  the  S  W.  part. 
Gardiner's  Island  contains  about  3,300  acres,  with  a  soil  mostly  of 
a  good  quality ;  the  nearest  point  of  distance  to  Long  Island  is  three 
miles.  Lyon  Gardiner,  the  first  settler  on  the  island,  was  a  native  of 
Scotland.  He  belonged  to  the  republican  party,  with  the  illustrious 
Hampden,  Cromwell,  and  others.  His  family  bible,  now  in  possession 
of  his  descendants  on  the  island,  contains  the  following,  written  in  his 
own  hand : — 

"  In  the  year  1635,  the  10th  day  of  July,  came  I,  Lyon  Gardiner,  and  Mary  my  wife,  from 
Woden,  a  town  of  Holland,  where  my  wife  wa«  bora,  being  the  daughter  of  one  Diricke 
Willemson :  her  mother's  name  was  Hachir,  and  her  aunt,  sister  of  her  mother,  was  the  wife 
of  Wonter  Leanderson.  Old  Burger  Muster,  dwelling  in  the  Hostade,  over  against  the  Bruser, 
in  the  Unicorne's  Head;  her  brother's  name  was  Punre  Garretson,  also  old  Burger  Muster. 
We  came  from  Woden  to  London,  and  from  thence  to  New  England,  and  dwelt  at  Saybrook 
fort  four  years ;  it  is  at  the  mouth  of  Connecticut  River,  of  which  I  was  commander ;  and 
there  was  born  to  me  a  son,  named  David,  the  first  born  in  that  place ;  and  in  1688  a  daughter 
was  bora,  named  Mary,  80th  of  August,  and  then  I  went  to  an  island  of  my  own,  which  I  had 
bought  of  the  Indians,  called  by  them  Manchonock,  by  us  Isle  of  Wight,  and  there  was  born 
anotner  daughter  the  14th  of  September,  1641,  she  being  the  first  child  of  English  parents 
bora  there." 

The  notorious  pirate  William  Kidd  visited  this  island  and  buried 
a  valuable  treasure.  From  this  circumstance,  doubtless,  has  arisen 
the  numerous  legends  respecting  the  burial  of  "  Kidd's  money,"  in 
many  places  along  the  coast.  The  following  is  a  brief  account  of 
Kidd : — 

"  William  Kidd,  the  famous  freebooter  and  pirate,  was  the  commander  of  a  merchant  ves- 
sel which  sailed  between  New  York  and  London,  and  celebrated  for  his  nautical  skill  and  en- 
terprise !  on  which  account  he  was  strongly  recommended  by  Mr.  Livingston  of  New  York, 
then  in  I<ondon,  ns  a  proper  person  to  take  charge  of  a  veBHel  which  Lord  Romney  and  oth- 
ers had  purchased,  and  were  then  fitting  out  against  the  hordes  of  marauders  which  infested 
the  Indian  seas,  and  preyed  upon  the  commerce  of  all  nations.  The  expense  of  this  expedi- 
tion was  £6000  sterling.  It  was  a  joint  fund,  to  which  the  King,  Lord  Somere,  the  Karl  of 
llumsey,  the  Duke  of  Shrewsbury,  the  Earl  of  Oxford,  Lord  Bellamont,  and  Mr.  Livingston 
were  contributors.  Kidd  agreed  to  be  concerned  to  the  amount  of  one-fifth  of  the  whole,  and 
Mr.  LivingBton  became  his  surety  for  the  sum  of  £000.  He  soon  set  siiil,  ami  arrived  on  the 
American  const,  where  he  continued  for  some  time,  and  was  useful  in  protecting  our  com- 
merce, for  which  he  received  much  public  applause ;  and  the  uasenibiy  of  this  state  voted  him 
the  sum  of  £2S0  as  aa  acknowledgment  of  his  services.  He  soon  niter  eptabiished  himself  at 
the  bland  of  Madagascar,  where  he  lay  like  a  shark,  darting  out  at  pleasure,  and  robbing  with 
impunity  the  vesseb  of  every  country.  Having  captured  a  larger  and  better  vessel  than  his 
own,  he  burot  the  one  in  which  he  had  sailed,  and  took  command  of  the  c'i^er;  in  which  he 
ranged  over  the  Indian  coast  from  tlie  Red  8ea  to  Malabar,  and  his  depredations  extended 
from  the  Kastern  Ocean,  back  along  the  Atlantic  coast  of  Soutli  America,  tlirough  the  Ba- 
hamas, the  whole  West  Indies,  and  the  shores  of  Long  Island.    The  last  of  which  were  se- 


SUFFOLK   COUNTY.  .^w 

anchored  in  Gardiner's  bay,  and  in  ,he    '1 '-  ^  ^'I^-'"  ^'^  ^^  was  finally  apprehended  he 

ttpa^S^^d^tn^r^ra^Vrifr^'^^^^^^^^^ 

wards  of  a  hundred  ye'^T'  """^ '''  ^  ^""^^«>  ««»''=«  ««  when  fimt  given,  which  muTtbe  l^ 

his  Excellency  R.chard  Earl  of  Bellamonrbearing  datr/Sl  7^  i'X''"'"'' '°  "»  "'d^'  fr""" 

No'"l'''(^^. I'"'  TT'  "'■  Mr.  John  iardir^er  Z  ' 

0  >^"^  ^"S  of  duat-gold,       .       .""""^r,  VIZ.  ounces. 

i-  One  bag  of  coined  gold,       . 63  3-4 

and  one  in  silver, 11 

3.  Onebagofdust-gold, 124 

l^^i^ts^:::^sr^y^^'-^-<>^^.  ■-■-■-■  "lu 

1  op  Erv'er^L^ralii"^.-  -°  «'^--.  twoame-thysts.      "       ''  ''^ 
8-  One  bag  of  broken  silver,    -       .  

9.  One  bag  of  gold  bare,      '.       . 173  1-2 

10.  One  do.         ..'.._  .353  \A 

Jo   5;"''  J'^K  "''  dust-gold,        . 238  1-2 

U.  One  bag  of  silver  bare,         .       .       .    ' 5.9  1-2 

Samuel  SeAvall.Na'thanielByfield"       "       "     ^ 
Jeremiah  Dummer,  Andrew  Belcfier, 

Commissioners." 


I  were  «e- 


View  of  Montauk  Point,  Long  Island. 

The  peninsula  of  Montauk  contains  9.000  acres     Th^  l„«^   • 
owned  by  about  forty  individuals,  as  tenants  in  common      ritl  / 

08 


538 


SUFFOLK   COUNTY. 


awfully  crand  and  terrific.  On  the  extreme  point  stands  the  tall 
white  column  erected  by  the  government  for  a  lighthouse  in  1795,  at 
an  expense  of  $22,300.  It  is  constructed  of  stone,  in  the  most  sub- 
stantial manner."  Within  five  or  six  miles  of  this  place  the  Spanish 
schooner  Amistad,  in  possession  of  a  company  of  African  slaves, 
was  captured  and  carried  into  New  London.  The  following  partic- 
ulars respecting  the  schooner,  «fcc.,  was  written  by  one  of  the  officers 
of  the  United  States  brig  Washington  :— 

JVew  London,  Aufsust  26, 1839. 

"While  this  vewel  was  sounding  this  day  between  Gardiner's  and  Montauk  Points,  a 
schooner  wMseenTinsinXre  off  CuUoden  Point,  under  circumstances  so  suspicious  as  to 
fuSe  L^uTenant-commandanl  Gedney  to  stand  in  to  see  what  was  her  character ;  seeing 
a  number  o^Se  on  theXach  with  carts  and  horses,  and  a  boat  passing  to  and  Iro,  a  boat 
wLTroed  ahdWatched  with  an  office :  to  board  her.  On  coming  alongside,  «  number  of 
Te^r^were  diSredon  her  deck,  and  twenty  ",  thi^r^  ThV' Xoner'orov^fto 
white  men  came  forward  and  claimed  the  pro  ection  of  the  officer. .  %„«^'  «?"|3°^^i^° 
he  the  '  Amistad  '  Cantain  Ramonllues,  from  the  Havanna,  bound  to  t»uanajah,  1  on  l  rmu- 
M  with  M  blacks  ana  two  passengers  on  board ;  the  former,  four  nights  alter  they  were  ou  , 
Knd  murdered  the  captain  ani three  of  the  crew-lhej  tjien  took  possession  of  the  vessel, 
^htheStention  of  returning  to  the  coast  of  Africa,  fedro  Montez,  passenger  and  Jose 
Ruk  owner  of  the  slaves  and  a  part  of  the  cargo,  were  only  saved  to  navigate  the  vessel. 
After' bo^"nK  about  for  four  days  in  t'he  Bahama  channel,  the  vessel  was  steerea  ior  the  Island 
of  St  Sfws  near  New  Providence-from  thence  she  went  to  Green  Key,  where  the  blacks 
faidinaSvof  water.  After  leaving  this  place  the  vessel  was  steered  by  Pedro  Montez 
for  New  Provi^encrthe  negroesbeing  under  the  impression  that  she  was  steering  for  the 
S,.«oTAfrica-?hly  woullnot  howlver  permit  her  to  enter  the  port,  but  anchored  every 
nfaht  off  the  coast  The  situation  of  the  two  whites  was  all  this  time  truly  deplorable,  bemg 
Treated  whh  Reatest  severity,  and  Pedro  Montez,  who  had  charge  o(  tlie  navigation  waa 
wSg  from  two  severe  wounaS,  one  on  the  head  and  one  on  the  ann,  tneirlives  being 
ZeateSed  every  instant.  He  was  ordered  to  change  the  course  again  for  the  coa^t  of  Africa 
he  SewoesXTnXes  steering  by  the  sun  in  the  cfaytime  while  al  night  he  would.alter  their 
couw^rs^  to  bring  them  bad  to  their  original  place  of  destination.  They  remamed  three 
d«??^ff  Long  IslaSS,  "o  the  eastward  of  Providence,  after  which  time  they  were  two  momhs 
oS\heoceanf  sometimes  steering  to  the  eastward,  and  whenever  an  "^^asion  would  oermit 
the  whites  would  alter  the  couiS  to  the  northward  and  westward,  always  in  hopes  of  lalling 
in  wTthmfm^  vessel  of  war,  or  being  enabled  to  run  into  some  port,  when  they  would  be  re- 
lieved  from  their  horrid  situation.  .        .  ,  , 

"  Several  times  they  were  boarded  by  vessels ;  once  by  an  American  schooner  from 
Kingston;  on  these  occasions  the  whites  were  ordered  below,  while  the  negroes  com mu- 
nicatcd  and  traded  with  the  vessels;  the  schooner  from  Kingston  supplied  them  with  a  de. 
miiohn  of  water  for  the  moderate  sum  of  one  doubloon-this  schooner,  whose  name  was  not 
ascertained,  finding  that  the  negroes  had  plenty  of  m'.ney,  remained  lashed  alongside  the 
•  Amistad'  for  twcnty-four  hours,  though  they  must  have  been  aware  that  all  was  not  right 
on  board,  and  probably  suspected  the  character  of  the  vessel— this  was  on  the  eighteenth 
of  the  present  month;  the  vessel  was  steered  to  the  northward  and  westward,  and  on  the 
20th  instant,  distant  from  New  York  95  miles,  the  pilot-boat  No.  3  came  alongside  and 
save  the  negroes  some  apples.  She  was  also  hailed  by  No.  4 ;  when  the  latter  boat  came 
near,  the  negroes  armed  themselves  and  would  not  permit  her  to  board  them  ;  they  were 
BO  exasperated  with  the  two  whites  for  bringing  them  so  much  out  of  their  way,  that  they 
expected  every  moment  to  bo  murdered.  On  the  a4th  they  made  Montauk  light,  and 
steered  for  it  in  the  hope  of  running  the  vessel  ashore,  but  the  tide  drifted  them  up  the  bay, 
and  they  anchored  where  they  were  found  by  the  brig  Washington,  off  CuUoden  point. 
The  nearoes  were  found  in  communication  with  the  shore,  where  they  laid  in  a  fresh  supply 
of  water,  and  were  on  the  point  of  sailing  again  for  the  coast  of  Africa.  1  hey  had  a  good 
supply  of  money,  some  of  which  it  is  likely  was  taken  by  the  people  on  the  beach.  Afttr 
disarming  and  sending  them  on  board  from  the  beach,  the  leader  jumped  overboard  with 
three  hundred  doubloons  about  him,  the  property  of  the  captain,  all  of  which  he  succeeded 
in  lofing  from  his  person,  and  then  submitted  himself  to  be  captured.    The  schooner  was 

taken  in  tow  by  the  brig  end  carried  into  New  London." 

The  Africans  were  afterward  taken  to  New  Haven ;  and  an  inves- 
tigation was  had  before  the  United  States  court  at  Hartford.  In 
January,  1840,  their  case  was  tried  before  the  United  States  district 


SUFFOLK   COUNTY, 


539 


thP  Prpif  f "i'^'^r'^ -^'^^l  *****  ^^^y  ''''^"W  be  delivered  up  to 
UnitPd  S?nt.  V^^  ^u^'^  ®***"'  *^  ^«  ««»*  back  to  Africa.  He 
wa  refrJl.H  ff  ?r^  ''^^'"^  fP^^^^^  ^'^"^  *his  deasion.  the  case 
7an„arvT«li      T^  ^"P'-^'^e  Court,  at  Washington,  which  set  in 

HnZ'  .J^''  '^*'"'**  ^^^'^^^  *b^  freedom  of  the  Africans, 

the  N  hv^hr;  t'^^.^^^ternmost  town  in  the  county,  is  bounded  on 

ionih'Zi  tn  -"ll^*^  ^-  ^y  f"^  *'^^^-  The  surface  in  the  N.  is 
rough  and  hi  ly,  m  the  centre  a  high  sandy  plain,  covered  with  pines 

sal?  tit  ''^^''  7^'  ^r^  ^^y  ^^'  «"  i*«  »«rthem  shore  a  strK 
salt  meadow  nearly  a  mile  wide.    The  soil  near  the  sound,  and  Ear- 

ticulary  upon  the  necks,  is  the  best  in  the  town.  Pop.  6,662.  t-he 
eaiiiest  deed  for  land  m  this  town  was  given  to  Gov.  featon,  of  New 

IT^'hi'  ^Tu'  ^"'^'  •"  ^^'«'  *'*««'•«*  Indian  deed  to  the  orZ 
gmal  settlers  of  Huntmgton,  and  comprised  six  square  miles. 


By  the  comnuttee  under  the  penalty  often  pounds,  to  be  paid  to  the  town  '^  to  1^  tfie  tov^n 
forbade  any  inhabi  ..nt  to  entertain  a  certain  obnoiious  individual  loZeMh^tKace  of  a 
week,  either  gratuitously  or  for  pay,  under  the  penalty  of  forty  shiUingf "  ^ 

In  1660,  the  town  put  themselves  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Connec- 
ticut,  and  m  1662,  elected  two  deputies  to  attend  the  general  court 
at  llarttord.  The  connection  was  dissolved  on  the  conquest  of  New 
York,  in  1664.  The  first  minister  of  the  town  was  William  Lever- 
'^Pu^  ^"^  established  here  1658.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
^liphalet  Jones  in  1677.  Mr.  Jones  was  succeeded  by  Ebenezer 
Irime,  who  died  in  1779,  who  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Nathan 
Woodhull,  and  the  latter  by  the  Rev.  William  Schenck. 

The  following  shows  the  appearance  of  the  village  of  Huntington  as 
it  IS  entered  from  the  westward.  The  Presbyterian  church  and  aca- 
dcTiy  are  seen  in  the  distance,  near  the  central  part  of  the  engraving. 
1  he  Univcrsahst  church  is  seen  near  the  burying  ground  on  the  right. 
Ihere  are  about  one  hundred  dwellings  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
churches.  A  newsoaper  is  published  in  this  place.  This  village  is 
40  miles  W.  from  R-vcrhead,  and  about  45  from  New  York.  The 
thriving  village  of  Babylon,  40  miles  from  New  York,  on  the  south 
side  of  the  island,  in  full  view  of  the  bay  and  ocean,  contains  about 
250  inhabitants.  It  is  situated  upon  Sunquams  Neck,  and  has  a  fine 
stream  of  water  on  either  side,  upon  which  mills  have  long  been 


640 


St7PF0LK   COUNTY. 


Western  view  of  Huntington  Village. 

erected.  The  village  of  Little  Cow  Harbor  is  now  called  Centre 
Port,  and  the  name  of  Great  Cow  Harbor  chanced  to  North  Port. 
The  steamer  Lexington  was  burnt  near  Eaton's  Neck,  Jan.  13, 1840. 

lai.ip.  This  town,  on  the  S.  side  of  the  island,  is  centrally  distant 
about  45  niil(!s  from  New  York.  It  received  its  name  from  the  first 
settlers,  manv  of  whom  came  from  Islip,  in  Oxfordshire,  England. 
It  has  a  level  surface  and  a  light  and  sandy  soil,  rendered  productive 
by  manures  of  sea-weed  and  fish.  The  bay  on  the  south  is  4  or  6 
miles  wide,  containing  an  inexhaustible  variety  of  fish,  and  is  visited 
by  a  vast  number  of  wildfowl.  Pop.  1,1)09.  The  extensive 
domain  known  as  Nicol's  Patent,  includes  more  than  sixty  scjuare 
miles  of  land,  and  has,  since  its  first  purchase  from  the  Indians  in 
1083  by  Williani  Nicol,  been  by  successive  entailment  preserved 
as  one  estate. 

RivKRiiEAn,  the  shire  town,  was  taken  from  Southold  in  1792.  Only 
a  comparatively  small  portion  of  the  town  is  under  improvement ; 
much  of  its  territory  is  covered  with  wood,  which  has  for  a  long 
period  been  a  staple  article  for  transportation. 

The  following  is  a  southern  view  of  the  central  part  of  the  village  of 
Rivcrhcad,  as  seen  from  the  residence  of  Mr.  J.  P.  Terry,  about  59 
rods  S.  from  the  courthouse.  The  village  is  situated  upon  Peconic 
creek  or  river,  a  mill  stream,  about  2  miles  above  Peconic  bay, 
about  90  miles  from  New  York,  24  from  Sagg  Harbor,  and  23  from 
Greenport.  The  village  contains  about  70  dwellings,  a  large  pro- 
portion of  which  are  one  story  in  height,  1  Methodist,  1  Congrega- 
tional, and  1  Swedenbourg  or  New  Jerusalem  church,  an  academy, 
and  about  500  inhabitants.  The  courthouse,  seen  in  the  central  part 
of  the  engraving  with  a  small  spire,  has  stood  more  than  a  century. 
James  Port  is  a  recent  village  E.  of  Riverhead.  Old  Aquabogue, 
Upper  Aquabogue,  Fresh  Pond,  Baiting  Hollow,  and  Wadincr  River, 
are  small  villages. 


stfKPor.K  rotrNTY, 


641 


South  viow  of  the  central  part  of  liiverhead. 

Shelteii  Island  is  a  town  comprehending  the  island  of  that  name  in 
Gardiner's  bay.  It  is  about  six  miles  long  and  four  broad,  contain- 
mg  about  8,000  acres,  divided  into  several  farms.  Pop.  379.  The 
surface  of  the  island  is  gencrallv  undulating,  and  covered  in  part  by 
oak  and  otb(>r  timber.  The  Inrlian  name  of  this  island  was  Mankan- 
sock-aha-qushU'Wamock,  meaning  an  island  sheltered  by  other  islands 
It  was  originally  purchased  by  James  Farrct  from  the  Indians ;  it 
afterward  became  the  property  of  Nathaniel  anj^  Constant  Sylvester 
and  Thomas  Middleton.  In  1074,  the  rights  of  these  two  last  per- 
sons were  confiscated  by  the  Dutch  government,  and  sold  to  the  first 
for  £500,  the  payment  of  which  was  enforced  by  a  party  of  soldiers. 
The  first  church  on  the  island  was  erected  by  the  Presbyterians  iii 
1733 :  it  was  taken  down  in  1810,  and  the  present  church  erected  on 
the  same  spot. 

SMiriiTcnvN  is  centrally  distant  from  New  York  47  miles.  Pop. 
1,032.  The  town  is  nearly  10  miles  square :  the  surface  on  the  north 
is  broken  and  hilly,  and  on  the  south  a  perfectly  level  plain.  The 
inhabitants  are  much  scattered  over  the  surface.  There  are  several 
small  villages,  the  most  considerable  of  which  are  the  Branch  and 
the  settlement  called  Head  of  the  River. 
^  This  town  derives  its  name  from  Richard  Smith,  the  patentee. 
The  annexed  account  of  this  individual  has  been  obligingly  commu- 
nicated by  J.  W.  BIydenburgh,  Esq. 

"  .'^millilown  tHkcR  its  nHnie  from  (he  original  piitentee,  Richard  Pmith,  jr.,  of  Narragansett, 
who  with  his  liither  Hiohard  Smith,  Hen,  iimJ  other  rplativi's.  came  IVom  OlouceBti;rnhire, 
J'uiRlaiKl,  to  Hosioti  in  KSKI.  Smith  married  at  lioston,  and  wttled  with  his  tiitherat  Taunton 
l(i!7,  wlicre  hi;  rctniiined  imtil  IWl,  when  he  purcha-sed  a  tract  of  tlie  iVarrasanw-Ht  tiachenM 
'amoiiK  tile  thicitest  of  the  Iiuhans,'  computed  at  »),000  acres,  erected  a  lioiise  for  trade,  and 
gave  tree  entertainment,  to  travellers,— it  heina  the  great  road  of  the  country.  The  dwelling 
ol  Smith  stood  on  the  present  site  ol  the  Updike  house  in  North  Kingston,  and  it  is  said  tliat 
the  present  dwelling  contains  some  of  the  materials  of  the  old.  Smith's  was  the  lirst  houue  built 
in  Narraijaiisett,  and  wilm  probably  a  blockhouse.  Roger  Williams,  Wilcox  and  others,  built 
Boon  alter,  and  Wdliams  sold  out  to  Smith  in  1651.  Smith  afterward  made  many  purchases 
of  the  Indians,  and  March  H,  KxVi,  (4)giniquant  leased  them  for  (iO  vears  an  immense  tract 
south  of  his  dwelling.  June  H,  KilM),  the  same  sachem  leased  them  for  a  thousand  years  an 
enlarged  tract,  whidi  gave  rise  to  great  disputes,  which  were  the  tinal  cause  of  his  removal  to 
Luiuj  Island  and  the  setllemenl  of  S>mitlitown.    In  ItiM,  the  wu  broke  out  between  the  Nioi- 


542 


SUFFOLK   COUNTY. 


Fae-timiU  of  Richard  Smylht'i  itgnature.* 

gret  and  the  Long  Island  Indians,  which  continued  with  various  succeaa  for  several  ye^n.  In 
one  of  the  expeditions  made  to  Long  bland  by  Ninieret,  he  took  among  other  captives  14  ot' 
their  ohief  women,  one  of  whom  proved  to  be  the  daughter  of  Wyandanch,  chief  sachem  of 
the  Montauga.  These  squaws  were  taken  by  Lyon  Gardiner,  lieutenant  of  Lord  Say,  to 
Smith's  house,  where  the  Indian  princess  remained  until  she  was  restored  to  her  father  by 
Gardiner,  who  gave  as  her  ransom  a  grant  of  all  the  Neasaquake  lands,  since  called  Snithtown. 
Smith's  house  at  Wickford,  now  NoTth  Kingston,  U.  I.,  was  the  rendezvous  of  the  whites, 
during  all  the  Indian  wars,  and  the  great  swamp  fight  took  place  a  short  distance  therefrom. 
Smith  became  very  influential  with  Uie  Indian  chiels.  He  negotiated  and  signed  the  treaty 
for  (Connecticut ;  several  times  made  peace  between  the  Narragansetts  and  the  Massachusetts 
colonists,  until  his  eastern  neighbors  became  jealous  of  his  power,  and  actually  indicted  him  in 
their  court,  ordered  him  to  be  arrested  and  carried  to  Newport  for  trial.  They  attempted  to 
defeat  his  lease  of  the  Narragansett  lands,  which  occasioned  Roger  Williams*to  interfere  in 
his  behalf,  and  write  a  very  compUmentary  letter  to  King  Charles  the  2d  concerning  him. 
In  diwust  at  their  conduct,  he  purchased  of  Lyon  Gardiner,  the  Nessaquake  lands  on  Long 
IslandT  whither  he  removed  and  left  his  eastern  possessions  with  his  relatives.  On  the  arrival 
of  Col.  Richard  Nicol,  he  received  a  patent  for  his  Smithtown  tract,  and  after  a  successiul 
lawsuit  in  the  general  court  of  assize  respecting  his  boundary,  he  at  length  secured  from  Sir 
Edmund  Andross  a  confirmatory  patent,  under  the  title  of  Smithtown,  or  Smithfield,  dated 
25th  March,  1OT7. 

"  Richard  Smith,  patentee  of  Smithtown,  made  his  will  March  5th,  1691,  and  died  soon  after. 
His  will  was  proved,  1692.  He  gave  to  Lodovica  Updike  all  his  liomestend,  as  far  south  as 
was  then  fenced  in,  with  his  Sagoee  land,  on  condition  cf  surrendering  his  West  Qiioge  farm. 
To  Daniel  and  James  Updike,  the  land  south  of  Wickford,  then  occupied  by  Jacob  Pindor  and 
John  Thomas.  To  Israel  mi  James  Newton,  the  West  Quoge  farm.  To  Thomas  Newton, 
Hay  Island  and  his  house  in  Bristol.  To  Elizabeth  Pratt,  alias  Newman,  the  Boston  neck 
land,  on  which  Alexander  King  hved.  He  gave  legacies  to  Richard,  son  of  Lodovica  Up- 
dike, and  Smith,  son  of  Thomti  Newton,  &c.,  &c.,  leaving  his  town  on  Long  Island  to  his 
seven  children  in  equal  shares.  His  son,  Obadiah,  was  drowned  in  crossing  Nessaquake  river, 
August  20th,  1680,  and  six  eons  and  a  daughter  survived  him,  as  follows :  Jonathan,  who  mar- 
ried Mary  Rrewsteri  who  left  two  children— Richard,  who  married  Elizabeth  Tucker,  and 
left  5  children— Job,  who  married  Elizabeth  Thompson,  and  left  7  children— Adam,  who 
married  Elizabeth  Brown,  and  left  1  child— Samuel,  who  married  Hannah  Longbotham,  and 
left  6  children— Daniel,  who  married  Ruth  Tucker,  and  left  7  children— and  Deborah,  who 
married  William  Lawrence,  and  left  6  children. 

"  On  the  13th  March,  1735,  his  grandchildren  entered  into  an  agreement  to  divide  the  town 
according  to  the  proprietary  rights  of  their  parents,  the  seven  crnldren,  and  it  was  surveyed 
and  laid  out  in  pursuance  of  such  agreement. 

"  Smith  was  Duried  at  Nessaquake,  near  his  residence,  on  land  now  or  late  in  the  poaseBsion 
of  Jesse  W.  Floyd." 

"It  is  probable,"  says  Thompson,  in  his  History  of  Long;  Island,  "that  horses  were  very 
rare  during  the  first  settlement  of  this  town,  or  that  they  haa  not  as  yet  been  introduced ; 
which  accounts  for  Mr.  Smith's  having  made  use  of  a  large  bull  for  many  purposes  for  which 
horses  were  allerward  used,  which  occasioned  him  to  be  designated  as  the  hull-rider,  and  his 
posterity  to  this  day  as  the  BiUl  Smiths,  while  the  descendants  of  Col.  WiUiam  Smith  of  Brook- 
haven  are  as  familiarly  known  as  the  Tangier  Smitht,  he  having  once  filled  the  oflice  of  gov- 
ernor of  Tangier.  There  are  also  upon  the  island  two  other  distinct  races  of  families  by  the 
name  of  Smith,  the  one  called  Rock  Smilhi  and  the  other  Blue  Smitht,  the  origin  of  which  is 
matter  of  conjecture.  Many  singular  traits  of  character,  and  not  a  few  strange  stories,  are  re- 
lated concerning  this  famous  progenitor  of  the  Smiths  of  Smithtown,  the  records  of  which 
have  too  much  the  semblance  of  fiction  to  be  worth  perpetuating  " 

The  first  minister  of  the  town  was  the  Rev.  Abner  Reeve,  who  was  employed  here  about 
1785.  He  was  the  father  of  the  Hon.  Tappan  Reeve,  the  founder  of  the  celebrated  law  school 
at  Litchfield,  Conn.  His  successor,  the  Rev.  NnnthaU  Daggett,  was  settled  here  in  1751.  Mr. 
Daggett  afterward  became  President  of  Yale  College.  The  nest  clergymen  were  Thomas 
Lewis,  Joihua  Hart,  and  Luther  Gleason. 

"  In  a  note  to  Moulton's  History  of  New  York,  it  is  stated  that  an  obituary  appeared  in  a 


*  The  (liove  fac-simile  is  taken  from  the  deed  given  by  Richard  Smith  to  his  grandson  Oba 
diah;  tioiii  which  it  appears  that  he  spelt  his  name  unUke  his  posterity. 


flOFPOLK   COUNTY. 


543 


v!«^!?t''  '"'Ii**j  "i  "^•^'*'"  '•'^  ''***  "<■  »  n«Po  »t  Smithtown,  Long  Island,  reputed  to 
were  burttT. K,7i  '^^'^^ ^^"^'  ^^^  ^"^^"l^  ">»«  h"  well'remeUered  wh?i!  the  e 
^fl? ^  I  ,  T^u"^  New  York.  The  memory,  therefore,  of  this  remarkable  individual 
Sh  )"  in  l^')'        ""'' '"  "*"  '^"'  settlement  of ^New  Amsterdam,  (as  N.w  Y^rk  w.11  then 


Northern  view  of  Sagg  Harbor,  Long  Island. 


Southampton,  called  by  the  natives  Agawam,  was  settled  in  1640, 
principally  by  about  forty  families  from  Lynn,  Mass.  Its  name  was 
given  in  remembrance  of  Southampton,  Eng.#  The  surface  of  the 
township  IS  generally  level,  in  the  W.  and  N.  the  soil  is  light  and 
sandy,  in  the  S.  mixed  with  loam,  and  when  properly  manured,  pro- 
duces good  crops.  Pop.  6,205.  The  people  of  this  town  early  sought 
an  alliance  with  Connecticut,  and  were  received  into  their  jurisdiction 
u  ^^f\  '^mJ  ^^^®  represented  by  deputies  in  the  general  court  at 
Hartford.  The  Rev.  Abraham  Pierson  was  the  first  minister ;  he 
was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Fordham  in  1649,  who  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  Joseph  Taylor  in  1680,  and  Rev.  Joseph  Whiting 
in  1682.  Rev.  Samuel  Gelston  settled  here  in  1717,  and  remained 
about  10  years. 

The  village  of  Southampton  is  built  on  a  single  street,  18  miles 
from  Riverhead.  Bridgehampton,  Westhampton,  Good  Ground, 
Flanders  Speunk,  Quogue,  Canoe  Place,  and  Beaverdam,  are  names 
of  localities  and  villages.  Shinnecock,  or  Southampton  bay,  is  a  fine 
sheet  of  water,  10  miles  long,  and  from  3  to  4  wide.  The  territory 
of  Shinnecock,  containing  some  thousands  of  acres,  is  little  else  than 
a  collection  of  sand  hills.  A  small  remnant  of  the  Shinnecock  tribe 
of  Indians  still  linger  on  the  SE.  part  of  this  tract,  where  they  have 
a  small  church  and  a  few  dwellings. 

The  above  is  a  northern  view  of  Sagg  Harbor,  situated  in  the  NE 
comer  of  the  town,  100  miles  from  New  York.  It  has  a  good  har- 
bor, lying  on  an  arm  of  Gardiner's  bay.  The  village  contains  400 
dwellings,  1  Presbyterian,  1  Methodist,  1  Catholic,  and  1  African 
church,  2  printing  oflices,  and  about  3,000  inhabitants.     The  wealth 


644 


8UFF0LK   COUNTY. 


and  trade  of  the  place  may  with  propriety  be  said  to  be  founded  on 
the  whaling  business. 

"  f^a/^g  Harbor  is  the  most  populous,  wealthy,  and  commercial  place  in  the  county,  and  may 
therefore  not  improperly  be  considered  the  emporium  of  Suffolk.  The  capital  employed  in 
trade  here  probably  exceeds  that  of  the  whole  county  besides,  there  being  nearly  a  million  of 
dollars  invested  in  the  whale-fishery  alone,  employing  a  tonnage  of  more  than  six  thousand, 
exclusive  of  several  fine  packets  and  other  vcssela  engaged  in  the  coasting  business.  It  is  sup- 
posed that  no  permanent  settlement  wos  attempted  here  previous  to  1730,  ond  then  only  a  few 
small  cottages  were  erected  near  the  head  of  the  present  wharf,  for  the  convenience  of  those 
engaged  in  fishing.  Most  of  the  land  in  the  vicinity  was  then  covered  with  timber  and  forest, 
and  It  is  probable  also  that  no  inconsiderable  number  of  Indians  dwelt  in  the  vicinity.  In 
1760,  several  respectable  families  established  themselves  here,  perceiving  that  it  possessed 
many  local  advantages,  and  built  for  themselves  comfortable  houses.  In  1767,  the  number  of 
inliabitants  had  so  increased,  that  it  was  resolved  to  erect  a  house  for  public  worship,  and  with- 
out the  advantage  of  regular  preaching,  the  people  were  accustomed  to  assemble  on  the  Sab- 
bath at  the  be,(U  nfdnim,  and  hear  a  sermon  read  by  one  of  the  congregation.  They  began  soon 
after  more  largely  to  appreciate  the  commercial  facilities  ofTered  by  the  adjacent  waters,  and 
fresh  efforts  were  made  to  improve  upon  the  old  practice  of  boat-wluding.  For  this  end  small 
sloops  wero  fitted  out,  and  ranged  the  ocean  at  some  distance  from  the  coast ;  but  when  a  whalo 
was  caught,  it  became  necessary  to  return  to  port  for  the  purpose  of  boiling  out  the  oil  upon  the 
shore.  The  business  had  made  but  little  progress  when  hostilities  commenced  between  the 
mother  country  and  her  colonies  in  1775 ;  and  tliis  island  being  the  next  year  abandoned  to  t^e 
enemy,  commerce  of  every  kind  was  of  course  suspended  till  the  close  of  the  contest  in  17^. 
Several  British  ships  took  Iheir  atotions  in  the  bay,  and  this  village  was  made  not  only  a  depot 
for  military  stores,  but  the  ganrisou  for  a  considerable  body  of  soldiers.  During  the  war  it  he- 
S&.'  caine'the  theatre  of  one  oOilie  most  extraordinary  feats  that  was  a^omplishcd  during  the  revo- 
lution. It  has  generally  been  denoniiinated  Meig'g  Expedition,  an  "the  circumstances  are  thus 
related  by  the  historians  of  that  period  :  ^  - 

"'In  retaliation  for  the  burning  of  Ridgefield  in  Connecticut,  by  General  .ipioir  and  the 
wretches  under  his  command,  in  April,  1777,  a  few  soldiers  from  Newhaven  went  on  a  preda- 
tory excur.sion  to  Long  Island.  A  quantity  of  provisions  had  been  collected  at  Sagg  ifarbor, 
ana  to  destroy  these  was  the  object  of  the  expedition.  1'he  enterprise  was  one  of  the  most 
spirited  and  successful  of  that  eventful  period.  General  Parsons  conceived  it  possible  to  sur- 
prise the  place,  and  confided  the  execution  of  it  to  Lieutenant-colonel  Meigs,  who  embarked 
from  Newhaven,  May  21,  l^t,  with  two  hundred  aird  thirty-four  men,  in  thirteen  whale-boats. 
He  proceeded  to  Guilford,  but  on  accouiit  of  the  roujjhness  of  lAte  sea,  could  not  pass  the  sound 
till  the  twenty-third.  On  that  day,  at  one  o'clock  m  the  afternoon,  he  left  Guilford  with  one 
hundred  and  seventy  men,  under  convoy  of  two  armed  sloops,  and  crossed  the  sound  to  South- 
old,  where  he  arrived  at  six  o'clock.  The  enemy's  troops  on  this  part  of  the  island  had  marched 
for  New  York  two  or  three  days  before,  but  it  was  reported  that  there  was  a  party  at  Sage 
Harbor  on  the  south  branch  of  the  island  about  fifteen  miles  distant.  Colonel  Aleigs  ordered 
the  whale-boats  to  be  tronsported  over  the  land  to  the  bay  between  the  north  and  south  branches 
of  the  island,  where  one  hundred  and  thirty  men  embarked,  and  at  twelve  o'clock  at  night  ar- 
rived safely  on  the  other  side  of  the  bay  within  four  miles  of  Sagg  Harbor.  Here  the  boats 
were  secured  in  a  wood,  under  a  guard,  and  the  remainder  of  the  detachment  marctted  quickly 
to  the  harbor,  where  they  arrived  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  in  the  greatest  Order,  attacking 
the  outpost  with  fixed  bayonets,  and  proceeding  directly  to  the  shipping  at  the  wharf,  which 
they  found  unprepared  for  defence,  "rhe  alarm  was  given,  and  an  armed  schooner  with  twelve 
guns  and  seventy  men  began  to  fire  upon  them  at  the  distance  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards, 
'  which  continued  three  quarters  of  an  liour,  but  did  not  prevent  the  troops  from  executing  their 
design  with  the  greatest  intrepidity  and  effect.  Twelve  brigs  ond  sloops,  one  of  which  was  an 
armed  vessel  of  twelve  guns,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty  tons  of  hay,  com,  oats,  ten  hogs- 
heads of  rum,  and  a  large  quantity  of  merchandise,  were  entirely  destroyed.  Six  of  the  enemy 
were  killed  and  ninety  taken  pnsoners.  Not  one  of  Colonel  Mcig's  men  was  either  killed  or 
wounded.  He  returned  to  Guilford  at  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  havuig  been  absent  only 
twenty-five  hours ;  and  in  that  time  had  transported  his  troops  by  land  and  water  full  ninety 
miles,  and  completed  his  undertaking  with  the  most  entire  success.' 

"  On  the  declaraiion  of  war  against  Great  Britain  in  1812,  preparations  were  made  to  pro- 
tect this  place  against  the  enemy,  and  a  small  detachment  of  militia  was  stationed  here,  who 
employed  themselves  in  erecting  a  fortification  upon  the  high  ground  overlooking  the  harbor. 
No  regular  garrison  was  established,  however,  till  the  summer  of  1813,  when  the  British  ships, 
taking  their  station  in  Gardiner's  Bay,  threatened  to  land  at  several  points  in  the  vicinity  of 
this  port.  At  that  time  three  or  four  hundred  men  were  placed  here,  and  were  continuea  till 
the  end  of  the  war.  Some  part  of  the  time  a  company  of  artillcrv,  and  another  of  regular 
troops,  were  stationed  here  ;  and  in  1814  one  or  more  companies  ot  sea  fencibles.  But  at  no 
time  was  the  number  of  soldiers  sufficient  to  have  ed'ectually  defended  the  place  against  the 
enemy,  had  the  capture  of  it  been  considereijl  by  them  an  object  of  BufRcieiit  importance  to 
have  warranted  the  attempt.  It  was  wholly  impossible  to  have  prevented  their  landing  at 
various  places  bordering  upon  the  bay,  and  they  accordingly  visited  at  pleasure  Gardiner's 
Island,  Montauk,  and  Oyster  Ponds ;  taking  such  provisions  as  their  necessities  required,  and 
for  which,  it  is  believed,  they  generally  paid  an  equivalent.    In  June,  1818,  a  launch  and  two 


SCPFOLK   COUNTY. 


545 


te  thi*  ten^^L^Tff  b^  Vt^t  ^T''':i'^'°"  of  Commodore  Hanljr.  attempted  to 
guns  of  the  fort  broUht  to^  bear  h.  Z^l^^r''  '^'fT'^^'  '*•*  '''"™  ^^"^  "°»»ded,  and  the 
used,  that  the  desimsofthe  enemv  wlrn  »ff7  , '°n  "r  ""^  ^°^^'rSS  successful  was  the  meana 
to  a  sloop  which  tF?y°UkfZ^iX  wharf  wtt  ^TlT'^'  J^'^  ^"^  "1^7  ''""=  '°  *"  ^^^ 
and  obliged  them  to  abandon  her  Th^  a  U,^"  *  *"•*  *^''™  L*"^  "^^^  '■*'^«''  f^*""  '"^  and  aft, 
when  they  found  a  quamitrof  eunM  ^wo'^r^.'Tf  ^°T  "2  '"'?"'•  ««'n«"ished  the  flames,' 
der«,  (deeming  di«cr^tio„'{o^  b1  rbX^te* v^fel.  °dt^  lnTerh"«V.o  f.;"!^ '^™- 

PistrPllTunr'  ^h«j^- branch  Of  Long  Island,  and  includes 
1  isner  s,  I'lumb,  Robins,  and  Gull  islands.  It  is  centrally  situated  17 
miles  from  Riverhead,  and  103  from  New  York.  The  sSce  is 
generaUy  level,  and  the  soil  a  sandy  loam,  and  productive  undS  care! 

Lllni't   ^'"i  'f  I-     The'inhabitants'are  prJ^cipany  LtS 
along  the  great  road  which  passes  centrally  through  the  town  in  a 
number  of  thickly  settled  neighborhoods  or  villagesfas  at  Eatue 
ILted'v^Sge?"''^^'' ""'''''  ^^"'^' ''  ^"-*'  fofmi^glLst  a  e^' 


% 


*.^ 


Southern  view  of  Greenport,  in  Southold. 


P.1?JJSP  fu  S'^J^'P'*"'"^^^  '"  the  town,  is  situated  at  what  is 
called  Southold  harbor,  a  part  of  the  great  Peconic  bay,  23  m  les 
from  the  courthouse  at  Riverhead.  It  is  laid  out  into  streels  and 
buildmg  lots,  and  contains  about  100  dwelhngs,  1  Baptistri  Meth- 
odist,  and  1  Presbyterian  church,  and  wharvet  ^nd  railways  fw^  the 
accommodation  of  vessels.  The  water  is  of  sufficient  deptKor  1  Jg^ 
ships,  and  we  1  sheltered  from  storms.  The  village  was  commeS 
by  a  few  spirited  individuals  in  1827.  The  ancient  village  of  Sou^- 
dd  contains  1  Presbyterian  and  1  Universahst  church,  and  an  academy 

the'vFr'"''"^'^r!f'n^'"^^  '^  '^'  '^'''^  extremity  of  the  islan  J; 
the  village,  riow  called  Orient,  contains  two  churches,  two  docks  o; 
wharves,  and  upwards  of  500  inhabitants.     Fisher^s  Island,  belong' 

n Son  r"'  if  ^'f'^l^'T  ^^^  ^/^"^«"'  ^^""•'  '^"d  4  from  Sti 
nington.  It  is  about  9  miles  long,  and  has  a  medial  width  of  one  mile, 
containing  about  4,000  acres.  This  island  was  purchased  by  Gov 
W  n  .  ^V  1°""''''^'^"*' '"  ^^^^'  ^"^  has  been  in  possession  of  the 
are  woo?.l?«  ^^  'T'  .'""""•  S"  '''"'P'"  ^^^''^'^^  ^^'^^^  on  the  island 
Zn  t  h  '  T  I'  "^  m  ""^Tf;  l^^'""  ^'^  '^hout  45  persons  of  all  ages 
upon  the  island.     Plumb  hland  contains  about  800  acres  of  land,  ^d 

60 


^i 


MM 


SULLIVAN   OOCIfTY. 


has  a  population  of  about  75  persons.  Great  and  Little  Gull  islands 
are  situated  in  what  is  called  the  Race,  on  account  of  the  swiftness 
of  the  current.  Great  Gull  contains  15  acres  ;  Little  Gull  one  acre, 
mostly  a  solid  rock.  Upon  this  last  island  a  lighthouse  has  been 
erected,  which  is  of  much  importance  to  the  navigation  of  the  sound. 

"The  Indian  name  of  thii  town  is  Yennecock,  and  wm  pwchased  from  the  Corchoug«,  a  Oibe 
thatpS«e«ed  thi.  part  of  the  i.land  in  the  T^«' ^ J«^/  „M?"  ^'^^^^r '^^^^^ 
origiiaUy  ftom  Hingham,  in  Norfolk,  England,  and  came  here  by 'he  v^ay  of  "««  ""'^ 
TheUev  John  Youniirwho  had  been  a  preacher  in  England,  wag  their  leader.    He  ("S^*"* 
^hu^h  at  New  T3nTand  they,  witl.  other,  willing  to  «ccomp«}y  'h«""' «»™"«"^."^  »»)« 
■ett  ement  of  this  town     The  principal  men  among  them,  besides  Mr.  Youngs,  were  WilUam 
wSBanmbl^  Sn.  Ttom'as  Ma^'-  John  Tu.!^ll  and  MattWos  Corwin    Jhe  govemor 
of  New  Haven  Theoohi  u«  Eaton,  and  the  authorities  there,  had  not  only  aided  the  first  settlers 
?nS  SktionsE  the  purchase  of  the  soil,  but  actually  took  tfie  conveyance  m  their 
owTnLesfand  exercised  a  limfted  control  over  '^^^^r^rrfor.ey-r^\j^^^^^ 
ually  occas  oned  some  dissatisfaction  among  the  inhabitants.     The  civil  and  e««'e«»»»'^«  J^""^ 
cem.  of  the  settlement  were  conducted  in  a  similar  manner  wi  h  the  other  Pl«"J?»'""»  »"«" 
the  iiirisdirtion  of  New  Haven.    A  1  government  was  reputed  to  be  in  the  church,  and  none 
werindmSto  the  ^n  ire  privileges  of  freemen^  or  free  burgesses  as  they  were  called,  except 
XIrch  members    a  court  was  in  4e  manner  instituted,  which  was  authorized  to  hear  and  de- 
teSe^n  causes  cU^?  and  criminal,  and  whose  decisions  were  to  be  accordmg  to  the  laws  of 
^L'  conS'in  the  holy  scriptures     In  the  general  court,  (or  Jovm  meeting,)  consisting 
also  of  church  members,  was  transacted  the  ordinary  business  of  the  plantation.    In  these, 
orfe«  were  made  in  relation  to  the  division  of  lands,  ^e  enclosure  or  culUvation  of  cor^^^^ 
fields^ the  regulation  of  fences,  highways,  and  the  time  and  manierof  permitting  cattle  and 
sCp'rgoTKupLnthecoiamon  fands  ;  and  such  fv.rcher  ««<"*««»  "JXhTZfo.*' 
the  mutuSl  defence  ofthe  settlement  from  hostile  attacks  on  every  side.    One  of  the  first  ord». 
nwicesreauiwd  every  man  to  provide  himself  with  arms  and  ammuninon,  and  to  assemble  at 
Srap^XdpTace,  whenever  Lrned  so  to  do,  under  a  certain  P^n-^l^y /»' "jj*"'"  «"y  »/ 
thew  respects     The  plantation  made  early  provision  for  the  education  of  children,  the  preser- 
vaStonTfBwS  morals,  and  the  support  of  religion.    A  committee  was  appointed  to  regulate  the 
^^^on  TnewTtllws,  and  no  one  could*  become  an  inhabitant  without  their  approbation ; 
^Ho  plaSte?  c^uld  seHiSliet  his  house  or  land  to  a  stranger,  but  only  to  such  a.  were  ap- 
proved by  the  said  committee,  under  a  heavy  penalty. 


SULLIVAN  COUNTY. 

SuLnvAN  COUNTY  was  crccted  in  March,  1809,  from  Ulster  county, 
and  received  its  name  in  honor  of  General  Sullivan,  an  officer  of  the 
revolutionary  army.    It  is  centrally  distant  from  New  York  about  1 00 
miles  NW.,  and,  by  the  routes  usually  travelled,  112  SW.  of  Albany. 
Greatest  length  NW.  and  SE.  45,  and  greatest  breadth  NE.  and 
SW.  37  miles.    The  county  of  Sullivan  is  situated  on  the  Delaware 
river,  W.  of  Ulster  county,  in  a  region  of  broken  land.    It  contains 
a  large  proportion  of  mountainous  country.     The  Newburg  and  Co- 
checton  turnpike  runs  centrally  and  westerly  across  the  county ;  and 
on  this  road  and  the  Delaware  river  are  the  principal  settlements. 
The  New  York  and  Erie  railroad  runs  through  the  southern  portion. 
The  northern  part  is  the  wildest  and  least  settled.     The  Delaware  and 
Hudson  canal  passes  through  the  valley  of  Bashe's  kill  into  Orange, 
and  returns  from  that  county  by  the  valley  of  the  Delaware,  along 
which  it  extends  in  this  county  about  15  miles,  to  the  dam  oppo- 
site the  Laxawaxen  river.    The  country  along  the  Delaware  is  not 


SULLIVAN   COUNTY. 


S47 


favorable  for  agricalture ;  generally  the  highlands  are  preferred  for 
cultivation,  being  more  dry,  and  productive  of  finer  grass  than  the 
valleys,  which  are  commonly  wet  and  cold.  Upon  the  Delaware, 
and  the  streams  which  flow  into  it,  the  inhabitants  are  chiefly  engaged 
in  lumbering.  With  the  exception  of  a  small  tract  on  the  southeast, 
in  the  Minisink  patent,  the  whole  county  was  covered  by  the  Har- 
denburg  patent,  under  which  there  are  now  some  extensive  land- 
holders. The  inhabitants  are  chiefly  of  Dutch  and  New  England 
descent.  About  one  tenth  of  the  county  only  is  improved.  It  is  di- 
vided into  10  towns.     Pop.  15,630. 

Bethel,  taken  from  Lumberland  in  1809;  centrally  distant  from 
New  York  135,  from  Albany  121,  and  from  Monticello  W.  8  miles. 
Pop.  1,483.     Whitelake  and  Bethel  are  post-offices. 

CocHBCTON,  taken  from  Bethel  in  1828;  from  New  York  118, 
from  Albany  130  miles.  Pop.  622.  Cochecton  is  a  small  village 
upon  the  Delaware,  21  miles  NW.  of  Monticello.  Fosterdale  is  a 
post-oflice. 

Fallsburo,  organized  in  1826 ;  from  New  York  108,  from  Albany 
102,  from  Monticello  centrally  distant  NE.  8  miles.  Pop.  1,782. 
Fallsburg  and  Woodburn  are  small  post  villages. 

FoRESTBURG,  recently  formed,  is  centrally  distant  from  Monticello 
S.  8  miles.     Forestburg  is  a  small  village.     Pop.  433. 

Liberty,  taken  from  Lumberland  in  1807  ;  NW.  from  New  York 
110,  from  Albany  SW.  110,  from  Monticello  to  the  settled  portion 
of  the  town  N.  10  miles.  Liberty  is  a  smsHl  village  of  about  40 
dwellings.     Pop.  1,570. 

Lumberland,  taken  from  Mamakating  in  1798;  from  New  York 
115,  from  Albany  130,  and  from  Monticello  centrally  distant  SW.  20 
miles.  Pop.  1,205.  Lumbering  is  the  principal  business  of  the  in- 
habitants. Barryville  and  Lumberland  are  post-offices.  Narrows- 
burg  is  a  small  village. 

Mamakating,  organized  in  1798;  since  divided ;  centrally  distant 
from  New  York  85,  and  from  Albany  100  miles.  Pop.  3,418. 
Bloomingsburg,  upon  the  eastern  foot  of  the  Shawangunk  mountain, 
on  the  Newburg  and  Cochecton  turnpike,  13  miles  SE.  from  Mon- 
ticello, incorporated  in  1833,  has  about  60  dwellings.  Wurtsbo- 
rough  on  the  canal,  43  miles  from  Eddy ville,  and  1 1  miles  from 
Monticello,  has  about  60  dwellings.  Near  here  is  a  valuable  lead 
mine.  Philipsport  is  a  small  village  on  the  canal,  4  miles  N.  from 
Wurtsborough.  Burlingham  is  a  small  village  on  the  Shawangunk 
creek,  4  miles  below  Bloomingsburg.  Mount  Vernon  and  West 
Brookville  are  post-offices.  This  town  was  settled  by  the  Dutch 
about  a  century  since. 

Neversink,  organized  in  1798;  since  altered  in  area? 
¥brk  115,  from  Albany  104,  and  from  Monticello  N, 
Pop.  1,681.     Neversink  and  Grahamsville  are  post-offices. 

KocKLAND,  taken  from  Neversink  in  1798;  from  New  York  125, 
from  Albany  116,  and  from -Monticello  N.  23  miles.  Pop.  826. 
Rockland,  Little  Beaver  Kill,  and  Purvis,  are  post-offices. 


from  New 
13  miles. 


» 


648 


TIOOA    COUNTY. 


Thompson,  taken  from  Mamakating ;  from  New  York  100,  and 
from  Albany  110  miles.    Pop.  2,610. 


Western  entrance  into  Monticello. 

Monticello,  the  county  seat,  on  the  Newburg  and  Cochecton  turn- 

Sike,  named  after  Jefferson's  residence,  was  founded  in  1804,  by 
lessrs.  Samuel  F.  and  J.  P.  Jones,  from  New  Lebanon,  Columbia 
county,  who  were  proprietors  of  most  of  the  lands  in  the  vicinity. 
Judge  Piatt  Pclton  built  the  second  frame  house  here  in  1806.  The 
above  view  was  taken  near  the  residence  of  Mr.  E.  W.  Edmonds, 
and  shows  on  the  right  the  steeple  of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  on 
the  left  the  Presbyterian  church  and  the  courthouse.  There  are 
about  60  dwellings  in  the  village  and  vifinity.  Thompsonville  is  a 
small  post  village.    Bridgeville  and  Gales  are  post-offices. 


TIOGA  COUNTY. 

Tioga  county,  taken  from  Montgomery  in  1794;  bounds  since 
much  altered :  still  further  reduced  in  1830,  by  the  erection  of  Che- 
mung county  from  its  western  portion.  Greatest  length  E.  and  W. 
31,  greatest  breadth  N.  and  S.  29  miles.  This,  with  Chemung  county, 
is  part  of  the  broad  and  long  belt  extending  westerly  from  Ulster  and 
Green  counties  to  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Erie,  preserving  for  a  great 
part  of  the  distance  a  mean  height  of  about  1,600  feet  above  the 
level  of  the  ocean.  The  soil  of  the  county  consists  generally  of  sandy 
and  gravelly  loam,  interspersed  with  patches  of  mud  and  clay.  The 
uplands  are  commonly  better  adapted  to  grass  than  grain ;  but  the 
valleys  give  fine  crops  of  wheat  and  corn ;  oats,  barley,  peas,  beats, 
and  hops  thrive  almost  everywhere.  The  Susquehannah  is  the 
principal  stream  of  the  county.  The  New  York  and  Erie  railroad 
crosses  the  county  E.  and  W. ;  and  the  railroad  from  Owego  to 
Ithaca  N.  and  S.    The  county  is  divided  into  9  towns.     Pop.  20,351. 


TIOGA   COUNTY. 


549 


Barton,  taken  from  Tioga  in  1824 ;  from  Albany  181  miles,  from 
Owego  W.  16.  Factoryville,  17  miles  SE.  from  Elmira,  is  a  small 
village  on  Cayuta  creek.  Barton  and  North  Barton  are  post-offices. 
Pop.  2,305. 

BEaKSHiRE,  taken  from  Tioga  in  1808 ;  from  Albany  148,  from 
Owego  N.  14  miles.    Berkshire  is  a  small  village.    Pop.  955. 

Candor,  taken  from  Spencer  in  1811;  from  Albany  177,  from 
Owego  N.  8  miles.  Pop.  3,367.  This  town  was  settled  in  1796, 
by  emigrants  from  Hartford  county,  Conn.  Candor  village,  centrally 
situated,  has  about  370  inhabitants.  The  northern  portion  of  this 
town  once  belonged  to  the  Connecticut  school  fund.  Willseyville  is 
the  name  of  a  post-office,  around  which  there  is  a  settlement. 

Newark,  originally  named  Westville,  and  taken  from  Berkshire  in 
1823 ;  from  Albany  167,  from  Owego  NE.  8  miles.  Pop.  1,616. 
Newark  Valley  is  a  pleasant  and  thriving  village. 

Nichols,  taken  from  Tioga  in  1824 ;  from  Albany  167,  from  Owego 
SW.  10  miles.  Rushville,  in  the  valley  of  the  Susquehannah,  has 
about  400  inhabitants.  Canfield's  Corners  is  a  small  settlement. 
Pop.  1,986. 

Owego  was  organized  in  1791 ;  distant  NW.  from  New  York  city 
177,  from  Albany  SW.  167,  from  Elmira  E.  36  miles.  Pop.  5,329. 
Owego  village,  the  county  seat,  is  pleasantly  and  advantageously 
situated  for  trade  upon  the  Susquehannah  river,  and  upon  the  line  of 
the  New  York  and  Erie  railroad,  30  miles  SE.  from  Ithaca.  The 
name  Owego  is  of  Indian  origin,  signifying  swift  or  swift  river,  and 
was  applied  to  the  Owego  creek,  which  empties  into  the  Susquehan- 
nah about  half  a  mile  from  the  village.  About  the  year  1783  or 
1784,  James  McMaster  and  Amos  Draper  purchased  of  the  Indians 
what  they  called  a  half  township,  comprising  11,500  acres,  and  em- 
bracing the  site  upon  which  the  village  now  stands.  "In  1785, 
McMaster,  and  William  Taylor  still  living  in  Owego,  and  then  a 
bound  boy  to  McMaster,  came  and  cleared  in  one  season  10  or  15 
acres  of  land,  and  through  the  summer  planted  and  raised  a  crop  of 
corn  from  the  same.  This  was  the  first  transition  of  the  ground, 
where  Owego  now  stands,  from  a  wilderness  state.  In  1734  or  1795, 
McMaster  and  Hudson,  a  surveyor,  laid  out  the  village  into  streets 
and  lots,  and  thus  laid  the  foundation  of  what  Owego  now  is  or  shall 

be  hereafter The  sources  of  wealth,  as  the  village  grew  up, 

were  salt  from  Salina,  brought  to  the  place  and  carried  down  the 
river  in  arks  for  the  Pennsvlvania  and  Maryland  markets,  wheat 
from  the  north,  which  was  also  transported  down  the  river,  lumber, 
also,  and  plaster."* 

"  Between  Owegu  and  Tioga  Point  there  werj  a  number  of  Indiana  lived  on  the  river 
plain  for  a  length  of  time  after  its  settlement  by  the  whites.  They  demanded  a  yearly  rent 
orthe  settlers  for  their  land,  until  a  treaty  was  held  with  them  at  Tioga,  3  or  4  years  aAer 
the  first  settlement.  An  Indian,  called  Captain  John,  was  their  chief,  or  passed  as  such. 
They  were  always  pleased  to  have  white  people  cat  with  them ;  and  would  appear  oflend- 


*  Se?  Annals  of  Binghampton  and  of  the  country  connected  with  it,  from  wliich  the  csriy 
hiatory  of  this  place  is  extracted. 


860 


*TIOOA   COUNTY. 


ed,  if,  when  cnlllnR  at  their  wigwams  when  they  were  eaiing,  they  refused  to  eat<witli 
them.  In  seeking  their  rent,  which  they  exptictod  to  be  paid  in  grain,  or  when  tlioy  wished 
to  borrow,  or  buy,  or  beg,  they  never  would  ask  for  wheat,  but  always  for  corn.  Ii  is  said, 
that  some  of  the  squaws  could  make  an  excellent  kind  of  cake,  out  of  fine  Indian  meal, 
dried  berries,  and  nv  pie  sugar.  Whon  they  wished  to  beg  something  to  oat,  instead  of 
expressing  it  in  words,  thoy  would  place  their  hand  first  on  their  tiomar.h  and  then  to  their 
month.  This  mute  language  must  have  been  a  powerful  appeal  to  the  hospitality  and  sym- 
pathies  of  their  more  fortunate  brediren.  When  they  had  bad  luck,  it  is  naid,  they  would 
oat  some  kind  of  root  which  made  them  very  sick  and  vomit,  that  they  might,  as  they  said, 
have  better  luck  in  future.  .  j       • 

"  A  few  years  nfior  the  country  was  settled,  there  prevailed  an  extensive  and  serious 
famine.  It  was  felt  more  particularly  in  the  region  between  Owego  and  Eimira,  embracing 
Tioga.  It  was  experienced  even  down  to  Wyoming.  For  6  wevks  or  more  the  inhabitanta 
were  entirety  without  hrtad  or  its  kind.  Tlua  season  of  famishing  occurred  immediately 
before  the  time  of  harvesting.  So  far  as  the  cause  of  this  destitution  woa  accoiinted  for,  it 
was  supposed  to  result  from  a  greater  number,  than  usual,  of  new  settlors  coming  in,  and 
also  a  great  scarcity  prevailing  in  Wyoming  that  season.  This  being  a  much  older  settled 
country,  a  scarcity  here  would  niatorially  affect  tlie  newer  parts.  During  the  prevulency  of 
this  want  of  bread,  the  people  were  languid  in  their  niovomonts,  irresolute  and  feeble  in 
what  thoy  undertook,  emaciated  and  gaunt  in  their  appearance.  The  inhabitants,  as  a  sub- 
stitute fi)r  more  substantial  food,  gathered,  or  rather,  it  is  believed,  dug  what  were  called 
wild  beons ;  which,  it  seems,  wore  found  in  considerable  quantities.  '1  hese  they  boiled 
mid  ate,  with  consideral)le  relish.  Thoy  would  also  gather  the  most  nutritious  roots  and 
eot.  As  soon  as  their  rye  was  in  the  milk,  it  wos  seixed  upon,  and  by  drying  it  over  a 
moderate  fire,  until  the  grain  acquired  some  consistency,  they  were  enabled  to  pound  it 
into  a  sort  of  meal,  out  of  which  they  made  mtuh.  This  was  a  very  great  relief,  although 
tlio  process  wos  tedious,  ond  attended  with  much  waste  of  the  grain.  In  the  early  part  of 
the  scarcity,  while  there  was  a  possibility  of  finding  grain  or  flour  of  any  kind  abroad, 
instances  were  not  (infrequent,  of  families  tearing  up  their  feathor-bcda,  and  sending  away 
the  feathers  in  exchange  for  bread ;  and  instances  also  of  iiidividuais  riding  a  whole  day 
and  not  obtaining  a  kalf  of  a  loaf.  During  the  time  of  this  great  want,  however,  none 
died  of  hunger.  There  were  two  young  men  that  died  in  consoquonco  of  eating  to  exctta, 
whon  their  hunger  came  to  be  relieved  by  the  green  rye." 


West  view  of  the  courthouse  and  other  buildings,  Owego. 

Tho  above  view  was  taken  near  the  residence  of  Dr.  Lucius  Alien. 
The  building  with  a  cunola  near  the  centre  of  the  drawing'  is  fhe 
courthouse,  the  one  on  the  right  the  ncudcmy,  both  of  which  face  the 
public  square.  The  building  seen  in  the  distance  is  the  Baptist 
church.  Besides  the  above,  there  are  in  the  village  1  Presbyterian 
and  1  Methodist  cimrch,  tlic  Uwego  bank,  capital  $^00,000,  3  fmc 


TOMPKINS   COUNTY. 


551 


hotels,  and  about  200  dwcllincs.  The  railroad  which  extends  from 
hereto  Ithaca,  was  the  second  chartered  in  the  state,  (1828,)  and  is 
29i  miles  in  length.  East  Owego  and  Flemingville  are  names  of 
post-offices  in  this  town. 

The  following  inscription  was  copied  from  a  monument  in  the  vil- 
lage graveyard. 

"  In  memory  of  Cor..  David  Pixlev,  who  depttrfod  this  life  Aug.  25th,  1807,  in  the  67th 
yeor  of  liw  age — llo  was  an  officer  of  tho  revolution  at  the  Bicge  of  Quebec  in  1775,  under 
Gen.  Montgomery,  was  the  first  settler  of  Ov  ego  in  1790,  and  continued  its  father  and 
Iricnd  until  his  death." 

RtcHFouD,  taken  from  Berkshire  in  1833 ;  from  Owego  N.  18  miles. 
Uichlord  is  a  neat  but  small  village  centrally  situated.     Pop.  938. 

Si'ENCKR  was  taken  from  Owego  in  1806;  from  Owego  NW,  13  miles. 
Pop.  1,.'>32.  Spencer,  on  the  Cattotong  creek,  has  several  churches 
and  about  450  inhabitants.  It  was  previous  to  1822  the  scat  of  jus- 
tice of  the  county.  The  courthouse  having  been  burnt,  it  was  re- 
moved to  the  then  half-shire  towns  of  Owego  and  Elmira,  the  latter 
of  which  is  now  the  scat  of  justice  for  Chemung  county.  East  Spen- 
cer is  a  post-ollict;. 

TiocA  was  formed  in  1800;  from  Albany  176  miles.  Pop.  2,323. 
Smithborough,  12  miles  SW.  from  Owego,  and  Ransomville,  are 
small  villages. 


TOMPKINS  COUNTY. 

Tompkins  eoitNTv,  named  in  honor  of  the  Hon.  Daniel  D.  Tomp- 
kins, formerly  Vice-president  of  the  United  States,  was  taken  from 
Cayuga  and  Seneca  counties  in  1817 ;  limits  since  changed.  Great- 
est length  E.  and  W.  34,  greatest  breadth  N.  and  S.  28  miles ;  cen- 
trally di.stant  from  New  York  212,  and  from  Albany  163  miles. 
This  county  forms  part  of  the  high  land  in  the  southwestern  portion 
of  the  state.  Its  summit  generally  is  elevated  from  1,200  to  1,400 
feet,  but  the  singular  and  deep'  basins  in  which  lie  the  Cayuga  and 
Seneca  lakes,  have  given  a  peculiar  formation  to  its  surface,  and  to 
the  course  and  character  of  it?  streams.  The  Cayuga  lake  indents 
it  i>u  the  N.  about  18  miles;  the  Seneca  lake  extends  southerly  on 
its  western  border  12  miles.  The  greater  portion  of  the  country 
declines  from  all  sides  towards  the  Cayuga  lake.  The  ascent  from 
the  short's  of  the  lake  is  gradual  and  smooth  to  the  eye,  yet  it  is 
rapid,  and  attains  within  2  miles  the  height  of  at  least  500  feet. 
This  gives  to  the  streams  a  precipitous  character.  The  towns  of 
Newfieid,  Danby,  and  ('arolint;,  were  purchased  from  the  state  by 
Messrs.  Watkiiis  and  Flint.  The  towns  north  of  those,  excepting  a 
small  jKirtion  in  tho  nortiieustern  part  of  Dryden,  belong  to  the  mili- 


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m.: 


If 


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I 


Ifj 


TOMPKINS  COUNTY. 


tary  tract.  That  portion  was  in  the  cession  to  Massachusetts.  The 
county  is  chiefly  settled  by  New  England  emigrants.  The  New 
York  and  Erie  railroad  passes  through  the  county.  Tompkins  county 
is  divided  into  10  towns.  Pop.  38,113. 
^  Caroline,  taken  from  Spencer  in  1811;  W.  from  Albany  165, 
"^centrally  distant  from  Ithaca  SE.  11  miles.  Caroline,  Speedville, 
Mott's  Corners,  and  Slatersville,  are  small  post  villages,  of  which 
the  latter  is  the  largest.    Pop.  2,450. 

Danbv,  taken  from  Spencer  in  1811;  from  Albany  172  miles. 
The  Ithaca  and  Owego  railroad  crosses  the  northeastern  border  of 
the  town.  Danby  is  a  small  village  (3  miles  S.  of  Ithaca,  upon  the 
Owego  turnpike.    South  Danby  is  a  post-office.    Pop.  2,570. 

Dkyden,  taken  frOm  Ulysses  in  1803 ;  from  Albany  153  miles. 
Dryden  is  a  neat  village  11  miles  NE.  of  Ithaca,  containing  about  60 
dwellings.  Etna,  Verna,  and  West  Dryden,  are  smaller  settlements. 
Pop.  5,433. 

Enfield  was  taken  from  Ulysses  in  1821 ;  from  Albany  171,  cen- 
trally distant  0  miles  W.  of  Ithaca.  West  Enfield  and  Enfield  are 
the  names  of  the  post-offices.     Pop.  2,343. 

Gboton,  originally  named  Division,  was  organized  in  1817  ;  from 
Albany  W.  160,  from  Ithaca  centrally  distant  NE.  14  miles. 
McLeansville,  Groton,  Peruville,  Fall  Creek,  and  West  Groton  are 
small  post  villages.     Pop.  3,618. 

Hector  was  taken  from  Ovid  in  1802 ;  from  Ithaca  W.  16  miles. 
Burdette,  Mecklenburg,  Reynoldsville,  and  Searsburg,  are  small  post 
villages.  There  are  one  or  two  other  post-offices  and  small  settle- 
ments in  the  town.  Pop.  5,654.  The  Hector  Falls,  a  beautiful 
cascade  of  20  feet,  are  upon  a  stream  which  empties  into  the  Seneca 
lake,  near  the  village  of  Burdette. 

Ithaca  was  taken  from  Ulysses  in  1821.  Pop.  5,811.  Around  the 
head  of  the  Cayuga  lake,  which  extends  about  two  miles  within  the 
limits  of  the  town,  are  several  thousand  acres  of  alluvial  flats.  From 
this  plain,  the  hills  rise  on  three  sides  in  the  form  of  an  amphitheatre, 
to  the  height  of  500  feet,  exhibitine  uncommonly  beautiful  and  mag- 
nificent scenery.  To  the  lover  of  nature,  few  places  afford  scenes 
of  more  interest  than  Ithaca.  There  are  several  splendid  cataracts 
within  the  space  of  a  verv  few  miles,  each  of  which  has  its  pecu- 
liar attractions,  among  which  are  the  Cascadilla,  Eagle,  Lucifer, 
Taghcanic,  and  those  on  Fall  creek,  about  a  mile  distant  from  the 
village  of  Ithaca.  These  last  arc  the  most  visited,  and  derive  an 
additional  interest  from  the  tunnel,  a  subterraneous  work  of  art,  200 
feet  in  length,  from  10  to  12  wide,  and  13  feet  in  height,  which  con- 
ducts the  water  from  a  point  a  few  rods  above  the  first  fall  to  a  mill 
site  at  the  bridge  below. 

The  village  of  Ithaca  was  founded  by  the  late  Simeon  Do  Witt,  sur- 
veyor-general of  the  state.  It  is  beautifully  situated  about  a  mile  and 
a  half  above  the  Cayuga  lake,  partially  upon  the  flats  and  partially 
upon  the  hill.  It  is  distant  163  miles  from  Albany,  40  SE.  from 
Geneva,  and  29  from  Owego.     The  Cav.iira  inlnt  is  navlgnhle  to  the 


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TOMPKINS  COUNTT. 


688 


lake  for  boats  of  50  tons.  Ithaca  is  well  located  for  trade.  It  com-  . 
municates  with  the  Erie  canal  bv  the  lake  and  Seneca  canal,  and  with 
the  Susquehannah  river  and  the  line  of  the  Erie  railroad,  by  the 
Owego  railroad.  The  village  contains  upwards  of  700  dwellings,  1 
Presbyterian,  1  Methodist,  1  Episcopal,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Dutch  Re- 
formed church,  the  Ithaca  Academy,  2  banks,  several  printing  offices,  * 
a  very  extensive  map-publishing  establishment,  a  variety  of  mills  and 
manufactories,  and  about  4,000  inhabitants.  The  Ithaca  and  Owego 
railroad,  the  second  chartered  in  the  state,  (1828,)  is  29i  miles  in 
length.  It  ascends  from  the  level  of  the  lake  by  two  inclined  planes ; 
the  first,  1,733  J  feet  long,  rises  1  foot  in  4.28,  or  405  feet ;  the  other, 
2,225  feet  long,  ascends  1  foot  in  21  feet.  The  whole  elevation  above 
the  lake  overcome,  is  602  feet  within  8  miles ;  after  which  there  is  a 
descent  of  376  feet  to  Owego.  Stationary  steam-power  is  used  upon 
the  first,  and  horse-power  upon  the  second  plane  and  other  portions 
of  the  road. 

The  Presbyterian  church  was  erected  in  1817 ;  the  society  which 
worships  in  this  house  is  the  oldest  m  the  village,  having  been  organ- 
ized in  1804  or  1805.  They  worshipped  in  a  common  school-house 
until  1816,  which  being  demolished  in  a  riot,  the  congregation 
were  obliged  for  a  season  to  meet  in  an  old  bam.  Their  first 
pastor  was  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mandeville,  who  officiated  till  1816. 
William  Wisner,  A.  E.  Campbell,  and  John  W.  McCullough,  have 
been  succeeding  ministers.  The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  was 
erected  in  1819,  and  enlarged  in  1826.  The  Episcopal  church  was 
built  in  1824.  The  first  Baptist  society  was  constituted  in  Oct.  1826 ; 
their  church  was  opened  for  worship  in  Jan.  1831.  The  Reformed 
Dutch  church  was  organized  in  1830  ;  their  meeting-house  was  com- 
pleted in  1683.  The  Ithaca  Journal,  the  oldest  newspaper  in  the 
county,  was  estabHshed  by  Ebenezer  Mack,  in  1818. 

Lansing  was  taken  from  Genoa  of  Cayuga  county  in  1817.  Lud- 
lowville,  10  miles  N.  of  Ithaca,  has  about  60  dwellings.  Lansingville 
12,  North  Lansing  10,  and  South  Lansing  8  miles  from  Ithaca,  are 
small  villages.     Pop.  3,673. 

Newfield  was  originally  named  Spencer,  and  organized  in  1811 
as  part  of  Tioga  county.  Newfield,  7  miles  SW.  of  Ithaca,  is  a  small 
post  village,  containing  2  churches  and  about  60  dwellings.  It  was 
founded  in  1820.     Pop.  3,572. 

Ulysses  was  organized  in  1801.  Trumansburg,  11  miles  NW. 
from  Ithaca,  has  1  Baptist,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Presbyterian  church, 
and  about  100  dwellings.  Jacksonville,  Waterburg,  and  Halseyville, 
arc  small  settlements.  On  Halscy  creek,  about  10  miles  from  Ithaca, 
are  tiie  Taghcanic  Falls,  shown  in  the  following  engraving.  This 
cataract  is  about  200  feet  in  height,  and  the  rocks  tower  100  feet 
above  the  top.  Viewed  from  above  or  beneath,  the  scene  is  one  of 
sublimity.  The  lattcM',  however,  is  the  best.  To  witness  this,  the 
visiter  is  obliged  to  go  down  the  stream  about  a  mile,  and  return  by 
the  valle3%  which  is  bounded  by  a  rocky  gorge,  with  perpendicular 
rocks  rising  in  some  places  400  or  500  ieet  above  the  bed  of  the 

70 


554 


TOMPKINS   COUNTY. 


il?! 


Taghcanic  or  GoodwirCs  Falls,  Ulysses. 

creek,  when  the  scene  bursts  suddenly  upon  him  in  all  its  wildness 
and  majesty. 

•  The  following  account  of  an  adventure  with  a  bear,  at  this  place, 
communicated  by  Mr.  George  Weyburn,  a  resident  in  this  vicinity, 
shows  that  not  many  years  have  elapsed  since  this  was  a  spot 

"  Where  beasts  with  man  divided  empire  claimed." 

One  Sunday  evening  in  October,  about  47  years  since,  as  my  father,  Mr.  Samuel  Wey- 
burn, was  returning  from  feeding  his  horse  on  the  north  side  of  the  creek,  near  where  tiio 
distillery  now  stands,  his  dog  started  up  a  bear  and  her  two  cubs.  They  followed  their 
course  up  the  hill  on  the  south  side  of  the  creek  until  near  the  summit,  a  few  rods  above 
the  mill^site  fall,  where  the  cubs  took  to  a  tree.  My  father  ran  to  the  house,  and,  having 
obtained  his  gun,  pursued.  Being  directed  by  the  barking  of  the  dog,  he  passed  about  20 
rods  beyond  the  tree  in  which  the  cubs  were,  and  there  he  found  the  bear  with  her  back 
against  a  tree  standing  on  the  brink  of  the  gulf,  defending  herself  from  the  attacks  of  the 
dog.  He  fired,  and,  as  it  afterward  proved,  broke  one  of  her  fore  legs.  The  animal  re. 
treated  into  the  gulf,  and  was  seen  no  more  that  night.  In  the  mean  time  my  mother, 
brother,  and  myself,  who  had  followed  in  the  pursuit,  came  to  the  tree  into  which  the  cubs 
had  retreated,  who,  being  frightened  ut  the  report  of  the  gun  and  the  sound  of  our  voices, 
began  to  cry  mam  !  mam  I  in  the  most  affecting  tones,  strongly  resembling  the  human 
voice.  My  mother  having  called  my  father,  he  shot  the  cubs  and  returned  home.  The  next 
morning,  my  father  thinking  that  he  had  either  killed  or  severely  wounded  the  animal,  for  the 
want  of  a  lietter  weapon,  (having  expended  his  only  charge  of  gunpowder  the  evening  pre. 
vious,)  took  a  pitchfork  and  proceeded  in  quest  of  the  enemy,  occompanied  by  myself  and 
brother.  I  was  armed  with  a  small  axe  ;  but  my  brother,  not  being  equipped  for  war,  was 
allowed  to  accompany  ua  hare-handed.  Thus  accoutred  and  followed  by  our  dog,  we  pro. 
ceeded  to  within  about  40  rods  of  the  great  fnll,  when  my  father,  apprized  of  the  nearness 
of  the  em  my  by  the  barking  of  the  dog,  ran  and  left  us  in  the  rear.  We  soon  came  in 
sight  of  the  bear  and  dog,  wlio  were  passing  from  the  left  wall  of  the  precipice  across  the 
basin  to  the  riglit,  and  ascunded  up  almost  to  the  perpendicular  rock,  a  distance  of  80  or 
100  feet.  My  futlicr,  cliuibiii^;  up  lower  down,  was  enabled  to  intercept  her  passage  in 
conscqucncn  of  her  brc'ken  limb.  Here  the  action  again  conimenced  by  his  giving  her 
three  tluusl^  with  tJie  fork.     The  first  and  soe.und  were  near  the  heart,  the  third  struck  her 


ULSTER    COUNTY. 


555 


ahoulder-blade,  when  she  turned  upon  him  and  he  met  her  with  a  thrust  in  her  face,  putting 
out  one  of  her  eyes  with  one  prong  and  tearing  her  tongue  with  the  other.  She  then  rushed 
towards  him,  his  feet  gave  away,  and  as  he  fell  she  caught  him  by  the  clotlies,  near  his 
breast.  At  this  juncture,  he  seized  her  and  threw  her  below  him.  This  he  repeated  two 
or  three  times  in  their  descent  towards  the  bottom  of  the  ravine,  during  which  she  bit  him 
in  both  his  legs  and  in  his  arms.  At  the  bottom,  in  the  creek,  lay  a  stono  whose  front 
was  not  unlike  the  front  of  a  common  cooking  stove,  the  water  reaching  to  the  top.  Near 
this,  4  or  5  feet  dbtant,  stood  a  rock  on  the  bank.  Into  this  snug  notch  it  was  his  good 
luck  to  throw  his  antagonist,  with  her  feet  and  claws  towards  the  rock  in  the  stream.  In 
this  situation  he  succeeded  in  holding  her  with  his  back  to  hers,  and  braced  between  the 
rocks.  With  his  left  hand  he  held  her  by  the  back,  and  with  his  right  clenched  her  by  the 
neck  until  I  came  up.  I  struck  her  with  all  my  might  on  the  back  with  the  axe.  At  this 
my  father  sprang  from  her  and  seized  his  fork.  The  bear  turned  towards  us  with  a  shake 
and  a  snort — I  gave  her  a  severe  blow.  She  fell,  but  recovering  herself,  endeavored  to 
retreat.  We  renewed  the  conflict,  and  ere  long  the  lifeless  corpse  of  the  animal  proclaimed 
us  masters  of  the  field.  The  victory  was  dearly  bought,  the  blood  was  running  in  streams 
from  my  father's  hands,  and  from  his  limbs  into  his  shoes.  On  examination,  he  found  that 
she  had  bitten  him  in  each  limb,  inflicting  four  ugly  wounds  at  each  bite,  besides  a  slit  in 
his  wrist,  supposed  to  have  been  done  by  one  of  her  claws." 


ULSTER  COUNTY. 

Ulster,  an  original  county,  was  organized  in  1683.  It  is  from 
New  York  centrally  distant  N.  110,  and  from  Albany  S.  60  miles. 
Greatest  length  E.  and  W.  50,  breadth  N.  and  S.  40  miles.  The 
face  of  the  country  is  mountainous.  The  Shawangunk  mountain  en- 
ters the  county  from  Orange,  and  running  NE.  nearly  30  miles,  sinks 
into  low  and  irregular  hills  in  Hurley ;  but  its  continuity  is  preserved 
to  Kingston  near  the  Hudson.  Northward  of  that  village  it  again 
rises,  until  it  is  identified  with  the  Catskill  mountains.  Between  the 
Blue  and  Shawangunk  mountains  is  a  broad  valley  through  which 
winds  the  Rondout  river,  a  stream  whose  name  is  a  corruption  of 
the  word  Redoubt,  so  named  after  a  fortification  built  upon  the  stream 
by  the  early  Dutch  settlers.  The  Wallkill  runs  a  northeast  course 
south  of  the  Shawangunk  mountain,  receiving  the  Shawangunk  creek, 
and  uniting  with  the  Rondout,  8  miles  from  its  mouth.  The  three 
streams  above  noticed  are  the  great  drains  of  the  county,  and  afford 
very  advantageous  mill  power,  within  a  few  miles  of  the  tide,  much 
of  which  is  yet  unemployed.  In  the  west  the  Nevisink  river  and  other 
tributaries  of  the  Delaware  have  their  sources.  The  Delaware  and 
Hudson  canal  enters  the  county  at  its  southwest  border,  and  passing 
through  the  towns  of  Wawarsing,  Rochester,  Marbletown,  and  Hur- 
ley, unites  in  the  town  of  Kingston  with  the  Rondout,  2i  miles  from 
the  Hudson.  The  inhabitants  are  much  engaged  in  manufacturing, 
and  much  attention  has  been  given  to  the  raising  of  sheep  and  cattle, 
for  which  purpose  few  counties  are  better  adapted.  The  county  was 
settled  by  the  Dutch  as  early  as  1616.  Tradition  says  that  at  a  very 
early  period  there  were  settlers  upon  the  Minisink  on  the  Dela- 
ware, who  transpurtud  some  valuable  minerals  by  the  ruad  along  the 


55G 


ULSTEn    COUNTY. 


Rondout  to  the  North  river.  This  county  appears  to  have  suffered 
more  from  Indian  hostilities  than  any  other  portion  of  the  country 
while  under  the  Dutch.  The  county  is  divided  into  14  towns.  Pop. 
45,724. 

Eaopua,  formerly  called  Kline  or  Little  Esopus,  taken  from  Kings- 
ton in  1810 ;  from  Albany  69,  from  Kingston  S.  6  miles.  Elmores 
Corners  is  a  small  post  village,  half  a  mile  west  of  the  Hudson. 
Pop.  1,927. 

Hurley,  organized  in  1788  ;  from  Albany  64  miles.  The  inhabit- 
ants are  chiefly  descendants  from  the  early  Dutch  settlers  and  New 
England  emigrants,  and  their  progeny.  Pop.  2,201.  Hurley,  on  the 
right  bank  of  the  Esopus,  3  miles  SW.  fi-om  Kingston,  and  Rosendale, 
8  miles  SW.,  are  small  villages.  At  the  latter  place  a  large  quantity 
of  lime  is  manufactured,  celebrated  for  its  strength  and  durability. 
Pop.  2,201. 


Eastern  view  of  Kingston. 

Kingston  was  organized  in  1788.  It  has  a  rollinrj  surfice,  and 
generally  a  good  soil.  Pop.  5,324.  It  was  one  of  the  earliest  Dutcli 
settlements  in  the  state,  having  commenced  in  1010,  and  is  said  to  have 
been  the  third  place  settled  in  New  York.  In  1602,  it  had  a  settled  min- 
ister, and  the  county  records  commence  about  that  period.  Kingston 
village,  formerly  called  Esopus,  was  incorporated  in  1805.  "The 
above  engraving  shows  the  appearance  of  the  village  as  viewed  from 
the  residence  of  J.  H.  Rutzer,  Esq.,  which  is  situated  on  a  gentle 
eminence  a  few  rods  south  of  the  Rondout  road.  The  Catskill  moun- 
tains are  seen  in  the  extreme  distance.  The  village  is  regularly  laid 
out  on  ten  streets,  and  beautifully  situated  on  the  fertile  pme  flats  el- 
evated about  40  feet  above  the  Esopus  creek.  These  flats  commence 
at  Kingston  and  extend  to  Saugerties,  about  ten  or  twelve  miles,  and 
are  from  2  to  2h  miles  in  width.  The  village  contains  the  county 
buildings,  1  Dutch  Reformed,  1  Episcopal,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Bap- 


ULSTER   COUNTY. 


657 


tist  church,  an  academy,  2  banks,  3  newspaper  establishments,  a  large 
iron  foundry,  and  about  275  dwellings,  many  of  which  are  built  of 
blue  limestone.  It  is  58  miles  from  Albany,  93  from  New  York,  and 
about  3  from  the  landing  on  Hudson  river.  The  village  of  Rondout, 
about  a  mile  from  the  Hudson,  was  founded  in  1828  by  the  Delaware 
and  Hudson  Canal  Company,  being  a  place  of  deposit  for  their  coal. 
It  contains  a  church  and  about  75  dwellings.  Eddysville,  a  small 
village  partly  in  Esopus  and  partly  in  Kingston,  is  at  the  head  of 
navigation  on  Rondout  creek,  4  miles  above  its  mouth,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  Hudson  and  Delaware  canal. 

"  In  the  year  1663,  the  Indians  near  Esopus,  (now  Kingston,)  who  had  for  some  time 
evinced  discontent  with  their  Dutch  neighbors,  seem  to  have  united  in  a  plan  for  extermi- 
nanng  the  whiles.  In  the  montli  of  June,  while  they  amused  the  people  with  a  negotia. 
tion  for  betterneighborhood,  iliey  seized  the  opportunity,  while  the  men  of  the  village  were 
at  their  agricultural  employment  abroad,  to- enter,  as  'tis  said,  under  pretence  of  traSe.  and 
ma  very  short  time  killed  or  carried  off  captive  sixty.five  persons.  The  Netherlanders. 
who  irom  anterior  hosiilities  had  been  induced  to  erect  a  fort,  ralhed  and  seized  their  arms 
but  the  natives,  as  if  intending  further  aggression,  hkewise  erected  a  palisaded  fortification 
Biid  were  probably  increasing  in  force,  when  Martin  Crygier  arriving  from  New  Amsterdani 
with  troops  sent  by  Governor  Stuyvesant,  the  red  men  fled  to  the  mountains. 

"  Dunng  part  of  this  summer  tlie  director-general  repaired  to  Esopus,  and  by  sending  out 
parties,  not  only  kept  the  superior  numbers  of  the  enemy  in  check,  but  made  inroads  among 
the  hill  fastnesses,  destroyed  the  Indian  villages  and  forts,  laid  waste  and  burnt  their  fielcS 
and  magazines  of  maize,  killed  many  of  their  warriors,  released  the  Dutch  captives  to  the 
number  of  twenty.two,  and  captured  eleven  of  the  enemy.  These  vigorous  operations 
were  followed  by  a  truce  in  December,  and  a  treaty  of  peace  the  May  following." 

The  village  of  Kingston  was  one  of  the  largest  places  in  the  prov- 
ince of  New  York  previous  to  the  revolution.  It  was  laid  in  ashes 
by  the  British  under  General  Vaughan  in  October,  1777,  and  a  large 
quantity  of  public  stores  were  destroyed.  It  is  stated  that  at  that 
period  the  village  was  nearly  as  large  as  it  is  at  the  present  time. 
Every  house,  excepting  one  in  which  Mrs.  Hammersly  resided,  was 
destroyed.  This  lady  being  acquainted  with  some  of  the  British 
officers,  it  was  spared  on  her  account.  The  following  account  of  the 
burning  of  this  place  is  from  the  Connecticut  Journal  of  Oct.  27 : 

"  In  our  last  we  observed  that  the  British  proceeded  up  the  river  past  this  place.  As  they 
went  along,  they  burnt  a  few  mills,  houses,  and  boats.  On  Friday  they  reached  Esopus 
and  there  landed  a  number  of  men,  who  marched  up  to  the  defenceless  town  of  Kingston' 
about  two  miles  from  the  river,  and  immediately  set  it  on  fire ;  the  conflagration  was  geni 
eral  in  a  few  minutes,  and  in  a  short  time  that  pleasant  and  wealthy  town  was  reduced  to 
ashes  ;  only  one  house  escaping  the  flames.  Thus  by  the  wantonness  of  power,  the  third 
town  in  this  state  for  size,  elegance,  and  wealth  is  reduced  to  a  heap  of  rubbish ;  and  the 
once  happy  inhabitants,  (wiio  are  chiefly  of  Dutch  descent,)  obliged  to  solicit  for  shelter 
among  strangers,  and  those  who  possessed  lately  elegant  and  convenient  dwellings,  obliged 
to  take  up  with  such  huts  as  they  find  can  defend  them  from  the  cold  blasts  of  approaching 
winter.  We  learn  that  the  inhabitants  saved  the  best  part  of  their  movable  property,  but 
some  lost  the  best  part  of  their  temporal  all.  'Tis  said  the  enemy  took  little  time  to  plun- 
der,  being  told  that  General  Clinton  was  at  hand  with  1,500  men,  but  unluckily  not  so  near 
as  to  save  the  town.  They  burnt  several  vessels  and  houses  at  the  landing,  then  scamper, 
ed  off"  precipitately  to  their  vessels.  Next  day  they  burnt  several  houses  at  Rhynebeck 
Flatts,  and  proceeded  as  far  as  Livingston's  manor,  where  they  burnt  a  few  more ;  our 
troops  are  now  up  with  them.  It  is  hoped  they  will  be  able  to  put  a  stop  to  these  depreda. 
tions." 

The  following  is  an  eastern  view  of  the  house  of  James  W.  Baldwin, 
Esq.,  recently  standing  on  the  comer  of  Maiden^ianc  and  Fair-street, 


558 


ULSTER   COUNTY. 


The  building  in  which  the  Constitution  of  New  York  wtu  formed. 

in  the  village  of  Kingston.  It  is  built  of  blue  limestone,  which  was  pro- 
cured in  the  vicinity.  It  was  in  a  chamber  in  this  building  that  the 
convention  met  and  formed  the  first  constitution  of  the  state  of  New 
York,  which  was  adopted  April  20th,  1777.  "  It  embraced  the  out- 
lines  of  a  state  government ;  defined  the  powers  and  duties  of  the 
executive,  legislative,  judicial,  and  military  departments  ;  prescribed 
the  mode  of  elections,  and  secured  to  the  citizens  their  natural  and 
unalienable  rights.  From  the  adoption  of  this  instrument  to  the  pres- 
ent day,  the  state  of  New  York  has  been  under  the  empire  of  laws 
either  framed  or  adopted  by  representatives  elected  by  the  spontane- 
ous suffrages  of  her  citizens." 

During  the  revolutionary  war  a  number  of  royalists  were  executed 
in  this  town  for  treason.  Judge  Hasbrouck  of  Kingston,  who  was 
at  that  time  a  lad,  says  that  two  of  them  were  executed  on  the  first 
hill  from  the  landing.  It  appears  that  these  unfortunate  men  expect- 
ed to  be  reprieved ;  when  they  drew  near  the  gallows,  and  saw  the 
preparation  for  their  execution,  they  became  overwhelmed  with  a 
sense  of  their  awful  situation,  and  exclaimed,  "  O  heer !  vergeeven 
onxe  zonde,"  (O  Lord  !  forgive  our  sins.)  The  father  of  Judge  Has- 
brouck, one  of  the  principal  men  of  the  place,  although  a  firm  friend 
to  the  American  cause,  was  opposed  to  the  execution,  and  suffered 
much  anguish  of  mind  on  account  of  these  harsh  and  bloody  meas- 
ures. These  men,  although  tories,  were  ,>-rsons  of  respectability,  who 
had  families.  Between  20  and  30  TO)\u..i,  who  were  taken  up,  en- 
listed in  the  American  army,  and  thus  :-\vq<^-  thr  r  lives. 

Marbletown,  organized  in  1788  ;  UL.iyS.  66  miles.   Mar- 

ble of  a  superior  quality  abounds.  Marbletown  7  miles  SW.  of 
Kingston,  Stony  Ridge  10  SW.,  and  High  Falls  on  the  Rondout 
12  miles  from  Kingston,  are  small  settlements.  Yaughcnpple  Bush, 
12  miles  from  Kingston,  is  a  hamlet.     Pop.  3,812. 

Marlboeoi  ,  organized  in  1788 ;  from  Albany  75  miles.  The 
inhabitants  arc  nore  generally  of  English  origin  than  any  other  town 
in  the  county.    Marlborough,  26  miles  S.  of  Kingston,  and  Milton 


i;l9ter  countt. 


550 


22  miles,  are  both  on  the  Hudson,  and  have  each  about  30  dwellings. 
Latintown  is  a  small  village  centrally  situated.     Pop.  2,534. 
rru    •  T  \.^^'^^  ^'''^  organized  in  1788 ;  from  Albany  S.  70  miles. 
1  he  inhabitants  are  descendants  of  the  primitive  Dutch  settlers.    Pop. 

u^^'  oJ^J""^  n-^'^^'  ""^  ^^"^  Wallkill,  10  miles  SW.  from  Kingston,  has 
about  30  dwellings,  principally  of  stone,  in  the  ancient  Dutch  style, 
and  an  incorporated  academy.  New  Paltz  Landing,  on  the  Hudson 
opposite  Poughkeepsie,  20  miles  S.  of  Kingston,  is  a  small  settlement. 
Uashville  and  bpringtown  are  small  villages  on  the  Wallkill 

Olive,  taken  from  Marbletown,  Hurley,  and  Shandanken  in  1823; 
from  Albany  S.  64  miles.  "The  City"  and  CaseviUe,  14  miles  W. 
ot  Kingston,  are  small  settlements.     Pop.  2,023, 

PLATTEKitL,  taken  from  Marlborough  in  1800 ;  from  Albany  76 
miles.  Peasantville  20  miles  S.  from  Kingston,  and  Modena,  are 
small  settlements.     Pop.  2,123. 

Rochester,  organized  in  1788;  from  Albany  75,  from  Kingston 
MV.  centrally  distant  17  miles.  This  town  was  originally  named 
J^mbackus,  meaning  Indian  face.  Accord  and  Kyserike  are  post- 
offices.     Pop.  2,674.     Rochester  is  a  small  settlement. 

Saugehties,  taken  from  Kingston  in  1811.  Pop.  6,119.  Maiden, 
on  the  Hudson,  13  miles  N.  of  Kingston,  is  a  place  of  considerable 
business,  and  has  an  academy  and  about  40  dwellings.  Glasgo,  on 
the  river,  9  miles  N.  from  Kingston,  is  a  small  settlement. 

Ulsterville,  (late  Saugerties,)  at  the  confluence  of  the  Esopus 
creek  with  the  Hudson,  100  miles  N.  of  New  York,  44  S.  from  Al- 
bany,  and  10  from  Kingston,  "  This  place,  now  one  of  the  most 
thriity  on  the  river,  was  undistinguished  until  the  year  1826,  when 
Mr.  Henry  Barclay,  of  New  York,  duly  appreciating  the  value  of  the 
water-power,  became  the  purchaser  of  it  and  several  farms  in  the 
vicinity.  By  a  strong  dam  and  a  raceway,  cut  65  feet  perpendicularly 
through  the  rock,  there  has  been  obtained  the  use  of  the  water  under 
a  fall  of  47  feet,  which  may  be  applied  twice  in  its  descent.  The  en- 
terprising proprietor  established  a  large  paper  mill,  extensive  iron 
works,  and  erected  a  building  for  calico  printing,  since  converted  into 
a  paint  manufactory.  The  business  of  the  country  now  centres  here  ; 
and  the  trade  employs  30  or  40  sloops  and  schooners,  of  from  80  to 
150  tons  burden.  In  1825,  there  was  not  a  single  church  here :  there 
are  now  five  neat  edifices  for  public  worship."  Five  miles  above 
Ulster  village,  u]H}n  the  creek  at  Whittaker's  Falls,  there  is  a  very 
flourishing  manufacturing  village. 

.SHANDAKE^,  a  name  signifying  in  Indian, "  rapid  waters,"  and  as  the 
old  settlers  report,  the  name  of  an  Indian  who  anciently  resided  there. 
This  town  is  in  the  NW.  extremity  of  the  county,  and  was  taken  from 
Woodstock  in  1804;  from  Kingston  NW.  30  miles.  Pop.  1,464. 
Shandaken,  Shandaken  Corners,  and  Pine  Hill,  are  the  post-ofiices. 

Shawangunk.  Shawan,  in  the  language  of  the  Mohegan  Indians, 
means  white  salt,  and  Chink,  rocks  or  piles  of  rocks.  The  term 
Shawangunk,  is  said  to  have  been  applied  by  them  to  a  precipice  of 
wliite  rocks  of  the  mill-stone  kind,  near  the  top  of  these  mountains. 


560 


ULSTER   COUNTY. 


and  facing  the  east.  This  town  was  organized  in  1788 ;  distant 
from  Albany  S.  91,  from  Kingston  SW.  28  miles.  In  this  and  the 
adioining  towns  the  skeletons  of  9  mammoths  have  been  dug  up;  one 
of  which  has  been  sent  entire  to  Europe,  and  the  other  exhibited  m  a 
museum  at  Philadelphia.  The  one  at  Philadelphia  must  have  bee:i  . 
or  5  times  as  large  as  an  elephant.  Shawangunk,  Wew  Henly,  Bruyns- 
wick,  and  UlsterviUe,  are  names  of  post-offices.     1  op.  3,885. 

Wawarsing  was  taken  from  Rochester  in  1800;  from  Albany  bW. 
80  miles.  Waa-wa-sing,  in  the  Indian  language,  means  blackbirds 
nest.  At  the  Hong  Fails  upon  the  river,  there  is  a  descent  o  64 
feet  nearly  perpendicular,  and  one  mile  below  them,  near  the  village 
of  Napanock,  is  another  cascade,  and,  including  the  rapids,  a  tall  ot 
200  feet.  Iron  ore  and  plumbago  of  good  quality  arc  lound  here. 
Wawarsing,  24  miles  SW.  from  Kingston,  and  Port  Hixon,  on  the 
canal,  are  small  settlements.  Ellcnville,  Napanock,  and  Port  Benja- 
min,  all  on  the  Hudson  and  Delaware  canal,  are  smaU  villages. 
Pop.  4,044. 

The  following  are  extracts  from  ancient  newspapers : 

From  the  Connecticut  Journal,  Sept.  2,  1778. 

"  PoTOHKBFrsiE  AU8. 17.— We  have  also  certain  accuants  that  Andrieso,.  and  Osterhout, 
^ho  X  taken  b'ylhe  Indians  and  tories  at  Leghcwegh,  in  Ulster  county,  some  time  ago 
made  their  escape  from  them  when  within  one  day's  march  of  Niagara,  and  are  returned 
home  They  were  committed  to  the  charge  of  three  Indians.one  a  captam,  and  two  squaws 
JZ^reated  thim  with  great  severity,  threatened  to  kill  Osterhout,  who  from  fat.gue  and 
W^could  noTtmveUs  fast  as  they  would  have  him.  At  night,  the  Indians  thmkmg 
?hTm  Ives  secure  from  their  great  distance  back  into  ^'^^--"y'ZTtoA^^l' M 
Andrieson  proposed  to  Osterhout  to  seize  the  opportunity  of  put  mg  them  to  death  ,whch 
(Osterhout  declining,)  he  executed  himself  by  very  expeditiously  tomahawking  the  three 
ndans  before  they  were  so  far  recovered  from  their  sleep  as  to  make  any  elfemal  resisU 
ance  The  squaws  waking  with  the  noise,  took  to  their  heels  and  escaped.  Whereupon 
Andrieson  and  Osterhout,  possessing  themselves  of  the  Indians'  provisions,  consisting  of  3 
or  4  S  and  2  quarts  of  samp,  with  the  most  valuable  part  of  the  Indians'  plunder,  con- 
sMni  of  some  fine  linen  shirts,  a  laced  beaver  hat.  with  other  articles  of  clothing,  and 
soiSver,  with  each  of  them  a  gun.  set  out  for  home  w-here  they  arrived  after  17  days' 
march,  much  worn  out  with  fatigue  and  hunger,  but  in  high  spirits. 

Frrni  the  Connecticut  Journal  of  May  19,  1779. 

"We  have  advice  from  Warwasink  in  Ulster  county,  that  on  Tuesday  last,  the  4th  inst., 
a  nany  of  the  enemy.  «"PP»«'^d  to  be  mostly  tory  inhabitants  burnt  tour  dwelling-houses 
LdfiL  barns  bthat  neighborhood  at  the  Fnntine  Kill,  and  k  lied  s.x  people,  besides  three 
o?  four  more  who  are  supposed  to  be  burnt  in  their  houses.  Advice  of  the  mischief  being 
broStTcol.  Cortlandt,  statiunod  there  with  his  regiment,  he  unmedmtely  marched  in 
l.rougni  10 -aoi.  ^om        ,  got  sight  of  ou  a  mountnin,  exchanged  some  shots 

CrLin  lu^B'^"^g"      -x^^^^^^^^  -"^-^"^^■'^  to  surround  them,  but  in  vain; 

^  ey  a^  ";  ie  tSr  escape'  In  their  flight  they  left  a  young  woman  whom  .hey  had  taken 
from  whom  we  received  the  account,  that  their  number  was  3  Indians,  and  27  >vluto 
savages." 

From  the  Connecticut  Journal,  Oct.  11,  1781. 
"  Early  in  the  morning  of  the  22d  ult.,  a  party  of  Indians  and  tories,  consisting  of  about 
40(1,  entereS  IL  beautiful  settlement  of  Warwarsing,  situated  on  '''«  «-°^ -»'' '*'i''^  .f;"^ 
Minisink  to  Esopus,  about  3.5  miles  from  the  lorn.er;  ",''''^;,^7X™"«  'V  ril^ 
tliev  were  hailed  by  a  sentinel  who  was  at  the  gate  ot  a  piquet  fort  where  was  a  sergeants 
Sd  kTnt  (which  we'".he  only  soldiers  in  .Ut  quarter ;)  they  not  nmkmg  any  answer. 
Ked  l^^e  ItiieT  to  fire  and  run  within  the  fort,  which  alarmed  '  -  ?-,son  ho 
»-.„.  !,»„»  ..n  «  rnnsln.,1  fire  upon  the  fort  for  some  time,  but  w.lhout  cflext.  and  at  las 
red  ea  In  coirfuBion,  with  the  loss  ol  three  killed  and  two  wuuuUeU.    They  then  proceeded 


WARREN   COUNTY. 


561 


to  burning  and  plundenng  the  place.  The  inhabitants  being  alarmed  by  the  firing  at  the 
fort,  all  made  their  escape,  except  one  John  Kettle,  whom  they  WUed.  The  loss  of  these 
poor  people  is  very  great ;  the  fate  of  an  hour  reduced  them  from  a  stat<,  of  ease  and  afflu. 
ence  to  want  and  beggary.  Thirteen  elegant  dwelling-houses,  with  all  the  out-buildings 
and  furniture,  14  spacious  bams  filled  with  wheat,  besides  barracks,  stables,  stacks  of  hay 
and  gram,  were  all  consumed.  Between  60  and  70  horses,  mostly  very  fine,  a  great  num. 
ber  of  cattle,  sheep,  and  hogs,  were  driven  off.  Col.  Pauling,  getting  intelligence  of  the 
above,  immediately  collected  about  200  New  York  levies  and  militia,  and  pursued  them 
about  40  miles ;  but  was  not  able  to  overtake  them.*  It  appeared  that  they  fled  in  confu- 
won,  as  they  left  a  considerable  quantity  of  plunder  behind  them  in  many  places.  By  a 
white  man  who  has  been  with  them  3  years,  and  made  his  escape  while  Warwarsing  was 
in  flames,  we  learn  that  this  party  was  from  Niagara,  and  that  they  were  4  weeks  and  3 
days  on  their  way;  that  they  were  exceedingly  distressed  for  want  of  provisions,  insomuch 
that  ihey  eat  up  their  pack-horses  and  dogs.  He  adds  that  the  garrison  of  Niagara  was  in 
a  melancholy  situation  for  the  want  of  provisions  and  the  necessaries  of  life  and  that  the 
tones  there  most  bitterly  execrate  the  day  they  were  deluded  by  the  tyrant's  emissaries  to 
take  up  arms  against  their  native  country." 

Woodstock,  organized  in  1788 ;  from  Albany  SW.  50,  from  King- 
ston NW.  centrally  distant  12  miles.  Bristol  and  Woodstock  are 
small  villages.    Pop.  1,692. 


WARREIJ  COUNTY. 

Warren  county,  taken  from  the  NW.  part  of  Washington  county 
m  1813.  It  is  principally  situated  on  the  west  side  of  Lake  George 
centrally  distant  from  New  York  240,  and  from  Albany  75  miles. 
Greatest  length  N.  and  S.  44,  greatest  breadth  E.  and  W.  40  miles. 
With  the  exception  of  a  small  district  on  the  SE.,  the  whole  county 
is  mountainous.  The  mountains,  which  are  of  primitive  formation, 
are  covered  with  a  heavy  growth  of  trees,  and  contain  it  is  said 
abundance  of  iron  ore  of  good  quality,  but  have  very  small  portions 
of  iirable  soil.  The  valleys,  which  are  narrow,  contain  some  fertile 
alluvion,  on  secondary  limestone.  The  principal  employment  of  the 
inhabitants  is  getting  lumber,  which  is  sent  to  market  by  the  rivers, 
lake,  and  Champlain  canal.     This  county  embraces  about  one  half 


•  Col.  Pauling  arrived  at  the  outskirts  in  time  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  enemy's  rear, 
and  to  relievo  some  of  the  inhabitants,  among  whom  were  a  man  and  his  wife,  who  had 
conducted  themselves  with  distinguished  bravery.  His  house  was  constructed  of  unhewn 
logs,  in  the  woods,  and  in  advance  of  all  others.  On  the  appearance  of  the  foe,  he  fled  to 
his  castle  with  his  wife,  and  securing  it  in  the  best  manner  he  could,  gave  battle  to  a  party 
of  the  Indians  who  laid  siege  to  his  fortress.  Being  well  armed,  he  defended  himself  with 
so  much  spirit,  that  they  recoiled  with  loss.  Finding,  after  several  attempts,  that  they 
could  not  force  an  entrance,  tlic  Indians  collected  a  heap  of  combustibles,  and  set  fire  to 
the  premises.  Retiring  a  short  distance  to  see  the  result,  the  man  watched  his  opportunity, 
and  rushing  out  with  a  couple  of  buckets,  he  procured  water,  which  was  close  at  hand,  and 
extinguished  the  fire.  The  Indians,  of  course,  ran  down  upon  him ;  but  not  being  quick 
enough  of  foot  to  prevent  his  gaining  the  door,  hurled  their  tomahawks  at  hie  head— happily 
without  effect.  lie  entered  hia  castle,  made  fast  his  sally-port,  and  re-conimenced  his  de. 
fence.  Just  at  this  iiionient  Col.  Pauling  with  his  troops  nppenrnd  in  wght.  whereupon  the 
Indiana  raised  the  siege  and  departed.— Xi/e  of  Brant. 

71 


563 


WARREN   COUNTY. 


of  the  Horicon  or  Lake  George,  the  greater  part  of  Schroon  lake,  the 
whole  of  Brant  lake,  and  many  smaller  ones.  The  Horicon  is  a 
beautiful  sheet  of  water  33  miles  long,  and  about  2  wide,  and  dis- 
charges its  waters  northward  into  Lake  Champlain  at  Ticonderoga. 
Its  waters  are  very  deep  and  clear,  and  abound  with  the  finest  fish. 
The  mountain  scenery  of  this  lake  is  excelled  in  its  romantic  beauties 
by  none  in  the  world.  Schroon  and  Brant  lakes  are  beautiful  sheets 
of  water,  and  abound  with  fish  similar  to  Lake  George.  The  county 
is  divided  into  10  towns.     Pop.  13,470. 

Athol,  originally  called  Thurman ;  distant  from  Albany  70,  and 
from  Cal..vvell  WNW.  18  miles.     Pop.  1,210. 

Bolton,  bounded  on  the  east  by  Lake  George,  from  Caldwell  J\. 
9  miles.     Pop.  1,1,53,  .         . 

Caldwell,  the  shire  town  of  Warren  county,  was  organized  in 
1810,  and  named  in  honor  of  James  Caldwell,  Esq.,  a  principal  pro- 


View  of  Caldwell,  on  Lake  George. 

prietor  and  benefactor.  It  has  a  mountainous  surface,  and  embraces 
the  south  end  of  Lake  George.  Pop.  635.  Caldwell  village  lies  at 
the  head  of  Lake  George,  62  miles  from  Albany,  9  from  Glenn's  Falls, 
and  27  from  Saratoga  springs.  The  village  consists  of  about  50 
dwellings. 

The  scenery  in  this  vicinity  ia  of  a  wild  and  picturesque  character,  similar  to  the  High- 
lands of  Scotland.  Westward,  risf.s  a  range  of  mountains,  the  highest  of  which  is  Pfspsct 
or  Rattlesnake  Hill,  which  is  nn  elevation  of  about  1,500  feet.  Remains  ot  forts  William 
Henry  niid  George,  are  still  to  be  seen  at  the  head  t/Uie  lake,  a  short  distance  cast  of  the 
courthouse. 

This  village  and  the  lake  has  become  quite  a  fashionable  place  of  resort  during  the  warm 
season  of  the  year.  Besides  tlie  attraciions  of  the  natural  scenery,  it  is  rendered  interesting 
from  having  been  the  theiilre  nf  JMiporlant  military  openilions.  The  celebrated  "  Battle  of 
Lake  George,"  on  Sept.  8ih,  1755,  was  fought  in  the  vicinity  of  C/owrfy  Pond,  so  called 
from  the  fact  that  corpses  of  the  shun  were  thrown  into  it.  The  battle  was  between  the 
prnvincial  Irtjops  under  Major  gtr.ei id,  nfurw-^rd  Hir  WilHr.in  ,Inhns:w,  nidrd  by  a  body  ot 
liidiuus  under  Hcndrick  the  Mohuwk  chieftain,  and  a  body  of  French  Cnniidinna  and  Iiidi- 


WARREN   COUNTY. 


563 


ans  under  Baron  Dieakau,  a  French  nobleman.  The  baron  embarked  at  Fort  Frederick,  at 
Crown  Point,  with  2,000  men  in  batteaux,  and  landed  at  Skeensboro,  now  Whitehall.  Hav- 
ing understood  that  Johnson  lay  carelesaly  encamped  at  the  head  of  Lake  George,  he  de- 
termined to  attack  him. 

The  following  account  of  the  conflict  that  ensued,  is  given  by  Dr. 
Dwight,  who  received  much  of  his  information  from  eye-witnesses 
of  the  action. 

On  the  night  of  Sunday,  Sept.  7,  at  12  o'clock,  information  was  brought,  that  the  enemy 
had  advanced  4  miles  on  the  road  from  Fort  Edward  to  Lake  George  ;  or  half  way  between 
the  village  of  Sandy-Hill  and  Glenn's  falls,  A  council  of  war  was  held  early  in  the  morning, 
at  which  it  was  resolved  to  send  a  party  to  meet  them.  The  number  of  men,  determined 
upon  at  first,  was  mentioned  by  the  general  to  Hendrick ;  and  his  opinion  was  asked.  He 
replied,  "  If  they  are  to  fight,  they  are  too  few.  If  they  are  to  be  killed,  they  are  too  many." 
The  number  was  accordingly  increased.  Gen.  Johnson  also  proposed  to  divide  them  into 
3  parties.  Hendrick  took  3  sticks,  and,  putting  them  together,  said  to  him,  "  Put  these 
together,  and  you  can't  break  them.  Take  them  one  by  one,  and  you  will  break  them 
easily."  The  hint  succeeded,  and  Hendrick's  sticks  saved  the  party,  and  probably  the 
whole  army,  from  destruction. 

The  party  detached  consisted  of  1,200,  and  were  commanded  by  Col.  Ephraim  Williams, 
a  brave  and  skilful  officer,  greatly  beloved  by  the  soldiery,  and  greatly  respected  by  the 
country  at  large.  Lieut.  Col.  Whiting,  of  New  Haven,  was  second  in  command,  and 
brought  up  the  rear.  Col.  Williams  met  the  enemy  at  Rocky  brook,  4  miles  from  Lake 
George.  Dieskau  had  been  informed  of  his  approach  by  his  scouts,  and  arranged  his  men 
in  the  best  possible  order  to  receive  them,  extending  his  line  on  both  sides  of  the  road  in 
the  form  of  a  half-moon.  Johnson  did  not  begin  to  raise  his  breastwork  until  after  Williams 
had  marched ;  nor,  as  a  manuscript  account  of  this  transaction,  now  before  me,  declares, 
until  after  the  rencounter  between  Williams  and  the  enemy  had  begun. 

Williams  marched  his  men  directly  into  the  hollow  of  the  half.moon.  This  will  be  ex- 
plained by  the  fact,  that  the  whole  country  was  a  deep  forest.  When  the  enemy  saw  them 
completely  within  his  power,  he  opened  a  fire  of  musketry  on  the  front  and  on  both  flanks 
of  the  English  at  the  same  moment.  The  English  fell  in  heaps ;  and  at  the  head  of  them 
their  gallant  commander.  Hendrick,  also,  was  mortally  wounded,  fighting  with  invincible 
courage  in  the  front  of  his  people.  He  was  shot  in  the  back  :  a  fact  which  filled  him  with 
disdain  and  anguish  ;  as  he  thought,  that  he  should  be  believed  to  have  fled  from  the  enemy. 
The  truth  was,  the  horns  of  the  half-moon  were  so  far  advanced,  that  they  in  a  great  meas- 
ure enclosed  the  van  of  the  English,  and  fired  upon  them  from  the  rear,  from  this  fire 
Hendrick  received  the  wound  which  terminated  his  life. 

Upon  the  death  of  Col.  Williams,  Lieut.  Col.  Whiting  succeeded  to  the  command  of  the 
detachment.  He  was  an  officer  of  great  merit,  and  had  gained  much  applause  at  the  re- 
duction of  Louisburgh ;  and,  in  consequence  of  his  gallant  conduct  at  that  siege,  had  been 
made  a  captain  in  the  regular  British  service.  Whiting,  seeing  the  danger  of  his  men, 
immediately  ordered  a  retreat ;  and  conducted  it  so  judiciously,  that  he  saved  the  great 
body  of  them  from  destruction,  in  circumstances  of  extreme  peril ;  in  which  their  own  con- 
fusion  and  alarm,  and  the  situation  of  the  ground,  threatened  their  extermination  no  less 
than  the  superior  numbers  of  the  enemy. 

The  noise  of  the  first  fire  vas  heard  at  Lake  George.  Eflbrts  began  then  to  be  made  in 
earnest  by  the  general  for  the  defence  of  the  camp :  and  a  party  of  300  men  were  despatched 
under  Lieut.  Col.  Cole,  to  support  the  retreating  corps.  A  few  stragglers,  both  English  and 
Indians,  came  into  the  camp,  and  announced,  what  had  indeed  bi'en  already  sulKcicntly 
evident  from  the  approaching  sound  of  the  musketry,  that  the  French  army  was  superior  in 
numbers  and  strength  to  Col.  Williams'  corps,  and  was  driving  them  towards  the  camp. 
Some  time  after  "  tho  whole  party  that  escaped,"  says  Gon.  Johnson,  "  came  in  in  large 
bodies ;"  a  decisive  proof  of  the  skill  and  coolness  with  which  Lieut.  Col,  Whiting  con- 
ducted this  retreat.  These  men  also  arranged  themselves  in  their  proper  places,  and  took 
their  share  in  the  engagement  which  followed. 

About  half  after  11  o'clock,  tho  enemy  a|)poared  in  sight  marching  up  the  road  in  the 
best  order  towards  the  centre  of  the  English.  When  they  came  to  the  bottom  of  an  open 
valley,  directly  in  front  of  tho  elevation,  on  which  Fort  George  was  afterward  built,  and  on 
which  the  centre  of  the  English  army  wns  posted,  Dieskau  halted  his  men  about  15  min- 
utes, at  the  distance  of  little  more  than  150  yards  from  the  breastwork.  I  have  never  seen 
a  reason  assigned  for  this  measure.  I  think  I  can  assign  one.  The  Indians  were  sent  out 
oa  tho  right  ilaiih,  tutd  a  part  of  the  CaiiadittUa  on  the  left,  intending  to  come  in  uiwn  the 


564 


WARREN    COUNTY. 


rear  of  the  English,  while  the  main  body  attacked  them  in  front.  The  ground  was  remark, 
•bly  favorable  to  this  design ;  being  awampy,  thickly  forested,  and,  therefore,  perfectly  fitted 
to  conceal  the  approach  of  these  parties.  The  Indians,  however,  were  soon  discovered  by 
Lieut.  Col.  Pomeroy,  who  immediately  mentioned  tlie  fact  to  the  general ;  and,  observing 
to  him,  that  these  people  were  extremely  afraid  of  cannon,  requested  that  one  or  two  pieces 
might  be  pointed  against  them.  They  were  then  near  the  ground  on  which  Fort  William 
Henry  was  afterward  built.  The  general  approved  of  the  proposal.  A  shell  was  instantly 
thrown  among  them  from  a  howitzer,  and  some  field-pieces  showered  upon  them  a  quantity 
of  grape-shot.    The  Indians  fled. 

The  baron,  in  the  mean  time,  led  up  his  main  body  to  attack  the  centre.  They  began 
the  engagement  by  firing  regularly  in  platoons ;  but  at  so  great  a  distance,  that  they  did 
very  little  execution.  This  circumstance  was  favorable  to  the  English ;  and  soon  recover, 
ing  from  the  panic  into  which  they  had  been  thrown  by  the  preceding  events  of  the  day, 
they  fought  with  great  spirit  and  firmness. 

Gen.  Johnson,  at  the  commencement  of  the  battle,  received  a  flesh  wound  in  his  thigh, 
and  the  ball  lodged  in  it.  He  bled  freely,  but  was  able  to  walk  away  from  the  army  to  his 
tent.  Gen.  Ljmian  then  took  the  command,  and  continued  in  it  during  the  action.  This 
gentleman,  who  seemed  to  have  no  passions,  except  those  which  are  involved  in  the  word 
humanity,  immediately  stationed  himself  in  the  front  of  the  breastwork ;  and  there,  amid 
the  thickest  danger,  issued  his  orders,  during  5  hours,  to  every  part  of  the  army,  as  occasion 
demanded,  with  a  serenity  which  many  covet,  and  some  boast,  but  very  few  acquire.  The 
main  body  of  the  French  kept  their  ground,  and  preserved  their  order,  for  a  considerable 
time ;  but  the  artillery,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Eyre,  a  brave  English  ofiicer,  who 
performed  his  part  with  much  skill  and  reputation,  played  upon  them  with  such  success, 
and  the  fire  from  the  musketry  was  so  warm  and  well-directed,  that  their  ranks  were  soon 
tninned,  and  their  eflurta  slackened  sufficiently  to  show  that  they  despaired  of  success  in 
this  quarter.  They  then  made  another  effort  against  the  right  of  the  English,  stationed 
between  the  road  and  the  site  of  Fort  William  Henry,  and  composed  of  Ruggles'  regiment, 
Williams',  now  commanded  by  Lieut.  Col.  Pomeroy,  and  Titcomb's.  Here  a  warm  fire 
was  kept  up  on  both  sides  about  an  hour ;  but  on  the  part  of  the  enemy  was  unavailing. 

At  4  o'clock,  the  English,  and  the  Indians  who  fought  with  them,  leaped  over  their 
breastwork,  and  charged  the  enemy.  They  fled,  and  were  vigorously  pursued  for  a  short 
distance.  A  considerable  number  were  slain  in  the  pursuit.  The  wounded,  and  a  very 
few  others,  were  made  prisoners.  Among  these  was  Dieskau.  He  was  found  by  a  soldier, 
resting  on  a  stump,  with  hardly  an  attendant.  As  he  was  feeling  for  his  watch,  in  order  to 
give  it  to  the  soldier,  the  man,  suspecting  that  he  was  searching  for  a  pistol,  discharged  the 
contents  of  his  musket  through  his  hipe.  He  was  carried  into  the  camp  in  a  blanket  by  8 
men,  with  the  greatest  care  and  tenderness,  but  evidently  in  extreme  distress. 

Hendrick  had  lived  to  this  day  with  singular  honor,  and  died  fighting  with  a  spirit  not 
to  be  excelled.  He  was  at  this  time  from  60  to  65  years  of  age.  His  head  was  covered 
with  white  locks :  and  what  is  uncommon  among  Indians,  he  was  corpulent.  Immediately 
before  Col.  Williams  began  his  march,  he  mounted  a  stage,  and  harangued  his  people.  He 
liad  a  strong  masculine  voice ;  and,  it  was  thought,  might  be  distinctly  heard  at  the  distance 
of  half  a  mile ;  a  fact  which,  to  my  own  view,  has  diflTused  a  new  degree  of  probability  over 
Homer's  representations  of  the  effects  produced  by  the  speeches  and  shouts  of  his  heroes. 
Lieut,  Col.  Pomeroy,  who  was  present,  and  heard  this  effusion  of  Indian  eloquence,  told 
me,  that,  although  he  did  not  understand  a  word  of  the  language,  yet  such  was  the  anima- 
tion of  Hendrick,  the  fire  of  his  eye,  the  force  of  his  gesture,  the  strength  of  his  emphasis, 
the  apparent  propriety  of  the  inflections  of  his  voice,  and  the  natural  appearance  of  his 
whole  manner,  that  himself  was  more  deeply  affected  with  this  speech,  than  with  any  other 
which  he  had  ever  heard.  In  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette,  Sept.  25,  1755,  he  is  styled  "  the 
famous  Hendrick,  a  renowned  Indian  warrior  among  the  Mohawks ;"  and  it  is  said  that 
his  son,  being  told  that  his  father  was,  killed,  giving  the  usual  Indian  groan  upon  such 
occasions,  and  suddenly  putting  his  hand  on  his  left  breast,  swore,  that  his  father  was  still 
alive  in  that  place,  and  that  there  stood  his  son.  Baron  Dieskau  was  conveyed  from  Al. 
bany  to  New  York,  and  from  thence  to  England ;  where  soon  after  he  died. 

The  capture  of  Fort  William  Henry,  at  this  place,  Aug.  9th,  1767, 
and  the  massacre  by  the  Indians,  created  a  ^reat  sensation  in  all  the 
northern  states.  The  following  account  ol  the  capture  of  the  fort, 
is  extracted  from  Professor  Silliman's  Tour. 

'fhe  Marquis  de  Montcalm,  after  three  ineffectual  attempts  upon  Fort  William  Henry, 
niade  great  eiforia  to  beaiege  it  in  form,  and  in  August,  1757,  having  landed  ten  thousand 


WARREN   COUNTY. 


565 


men  near  the  fort,  summoned  it  to  surrender.  The  place  of  his  landing  was  shown  me,  a 
Lttle  north  of  the  public  house ;  the  remains  of  his  batteries  and  other  works  are  still  visi- 
ble ;  and  the  graves  and  bones  of  the  slain  are  occasionally  discovered. 

He  had  a  powerful  train  of  artillery,  and  although  the  fort  and  works  were  garrisoned 
by  three  thousand  men,  and  were  most  gallantly  defended  by  the  commander,  Colonel 
MoMoe,  U  was  obliged  to  capitulate  ;  but  the  most  honorable  terms  were  granted  to  Colo, 
nel  Monroe,  m  consideration  of  his  great  gallantry.  The  bursting  of  the  great  guns,  the 
want  of  ammunition,  and  above  all,  the  failure  of  General  Webb  to  succor  the  fort,  although 
he  lay  idle  at  Fort  Edward  with  four  thousand  men,  were  the  causes  of  this  catastrophe. 

The  capitulation  was,  however,  most  shamefully  broken  ;  the  Indians  attached  to  Mon- 
calm's  army,  while  the  troops  were  marching  out  of  the  gate  of  the  fort,  dragged  the  men 
from  the  ranks,  particularly  the  Indians  in  the  English  service,  and  butchered  them  in  cold 
blood—they  plundered  all  without  distinction,  and  murdered  women  and  little  children, 
vvith  circumstances  of  the  most  aggravated  barbarity.*  The  massacre  continued  all  along 
the  road,  through  the  defile  of  the  mountains,  and  for  many  miles,  the  miserable  prisoners, 
especially  those  in  the  rear,  were  tomahawked  and  hewn  down  in  cold  blood ;  it  might 
well  be  called  the  bloody  defile,  for  it  was  the  same  ground  that  was  the  scene  of  the  bat. 
Ues,  only  two  years  before,  in  1755.  It  is  said  that  efforts  were  made  by  the  French  to 
restram  the  barbarians,  but  they  were  not  restrained,  and  the  miserable  remnant  of  the  gar- 
nson  with  difficulty  reached  Fort  Edward  pursued  by  the  Indians,  although  escorted  by  a 
body  of  French  troops.  I  passed  over  the  whole  of  the  ground,  upon  which  this  trsffedy 
was  acted,  and  the  oldest  men  of  the  country  still  remember  this  deed  of  guilt  and  iiilaray. 

Fort  William  Henry  was  levelled  by  Montcalm,  and  has  never  been  rebuilt.  Fort 
George  was  built  as  a  substitute  for  it,  on  a  more  commanding  site,  and  although  often 
mentioned  in  the  history  of  subsequent  wars,  was  not  I  believe  the  scone  of  any  very  me- 
tnorable  event. 

Chester,  taken  from  Thurman ;  from  Albany  80,  and  from  Cald- 
well N.  18  miles.  Chester  is  a  village  having  about  40  dwellings,  6 
mercantile  stores,  3  churches — 1  Presbyterian,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Meth- 
odist. It  is  situated  on  the  Canada  road,  near  the  outlet  of  Friends 
and  Loon  lakes.  The  land  in  the  vicinity  is  fertile.  Pottersville  is 
a  post-office  in  the  N.  part.    Pop.  1,623. 

Hague,  originally  named  Rochester,  and  taken  from  Bolton  in 
1807 ;  from  Caldwell  NE.  30  miles.     Pop.  610. 

"Rogers  Rock  is  on  the  west  side  of  Lake  George,  in  the  northeastern  border  of  the  town, 
2  miles  trom  the  outlet.  It  rises  out  of  the  water  at  an  angle  of  more  than  forty-five  deerees 
to  the  height  of  3  or  40()  feet.  The  face  of  the  rock  lor  more  than  100  feet  is  a  pertVctly  sniooth 
slide,  reaching  from  top  to  bottom.  This  rock  derives  its  name  from  the  following  incident, 
puring  the  winter  of  1758,  Major  Roaere  was  one  of  a  party  which  was  surprised  and  put  to 
flight  by  the  Indians  at  the  outlet  ol  the  lake.  Rogers  came  alone  to  the  summit  of  this  rock, 
whither  he  knew  the  Indians  would  follow  him  by  his  tracks  in  the  snow,  and  where  he  could 
prevent  pursuit  by  a  singular  stratagem.  Throwing  his  pack  down  the  precipice,  he  slipped 
off  his  snow  shoes,  and  without  chiinging  their  position,  turned  himself  about  and  again  put 
them  on  his  feet.  Thus  equipped,  he  retreated  several  rods  along  the  southern  brow  of  the 
rock.  The  Indians  coming  to  the  spot  went  no  further,  as  they  saw  the  two  tracks  both  lead- 
ing the  same  way  and  apparently  made  by  two  persons  who  had  come  to  the  precipice,  and 
chosen  to  throw  themselves  olf  rather  than  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  their  pursuers.  Meanwhile 
Rogers  made  good  his  descent  to  the  foot  of  the  rock,  where  he  resumed  his  pack,  and  es- 
caped on  the  ice  to  the  head  of  the  lake. 

'  Sabbath-day  PoitU  is  a  low  neck  of  land  stretching  into  Lake  George  from  the  western 
shore,  3  miles  from  the  little  village  of  Hague.  On  Sabbath-day  Point,  Lord  Amherst  with 
his  army  stopped  for  refreshment  upon  the  morning  of  the  Sabbath,  and  gave  this  beautiful 
spot  the  name  by  which  it  is  known.  It  is  a  charming  place,  and  susceptible  of  great  embel- 
lishment. In  the  summer  of  173fi,  a  small  body  of  provincials  who  had  retreated  to  this  point 
defeated  a  superior  force  of  French  and  Indians,  who  had  attacked  them  in  gun-boats." 

HoRicoN,  recently  formed  from  Hague  and  Bolton ;  centrally  dis- 


•  Men  and  women  had  their  throats  cut,  their  bodies  ripped  open,  and  their  bowels,  with 
insult,  thrown  in  their  faces.  Infants  and  children  were  barbarously  taken  by  the  heels, 
and  their  brains  dashed  out  against  stones  and  trees.  The  Indians  pursued  the  English 
nearly  half  the  way  to  Fort  Edward,  where  the  greatest  number  of  thorn  arrived  in  a  must 
(oilota  cundiiion. 


w 


566 


WAREEN   COUNTY. 


tant  N.  from  Caldwell  24  miles.    Pop.  663.     Horicon  post-office  is 
in  the  SW.  part,  on  the  Schroon  branch  of  the  Hudson. 

JoHNSBURG,  the  NW.  corner  town,  taken  from  Thurman  in  1805 ; 
from  Albany  85,  from  Caldwell  NW.  21  miles.  Johnsburg  is  a  small 
settlement,  and  lies  about  3  miles  west  of  the  Hudson.     Pop.  1,156. 

Luzerne,  first  settled  about  1770,  taken  from  Queensbury  m  1808 ; 
from  Albany  55,  centrally  distant  SW.  from  Caldwell  8  miles.  Lu- 
zerne is  a  small  village  on  the  Hudson.  Hadley's  and  Jessup's  falls 
are  in  this  town.     Pop.  3,664.  .,  .      ,     t^  r 

Queensbury  was  organized  in  1788.  The  soil  in  the  h.  part  ot 
the  town  is  a  strong  and  productive  loam,  in  the  W.  it  is  sandy. 
Pop.  3,664.  The  village  of  Glenn's  Falls,  in  this  town,  lies  on  the 
N.  bank  of  the  Hudson,  53  miles  from  Albany,  3  W.  from  Sandy 
Hill,  and  17  from  Saratoga.  It  received  its  name  from  from  a  Mr. 
Glenn,  the  first  settler,  whose  house  is  still  standing  about  20  rods 
from  the  falls. 


Distant  view  of  the  village  of  Glenn  Falls. 

The  above  is  a  SE.  view  of  the  village  as  seen  from  the  S.  bank 
of  the  Hudson.  There  arc  here  about  120  dwellings,  1  Pres- 
byterian, 1  Methodist,  and  1  Baptist  church,  a  female  seminary,  a 
printing  office,  and  about  a  dozen  mills  on  both  sides  of  the  river 
for  sawing  lumber  and  marble.  The  Presbyterian  and  Methodist 
churches  and  the  academy  are  seen  on  the  right,  and  part  ot  the  bridge 
over  the  Hudson  at  the  falls,  on  the  left. 

These  falls  have  a  total  descent  of  about  70  fret.  The  water  flowB  in  one  sheet  over 
the  brink  of  the  precipice.  900  feet  in  length,  and  wlien  in  lull  flood,  rushes  m  one  mass  down 
the  cataract,  filling  the  mind  of  a  spectator  on  the  bridge  with  awe  and  admiration.  In 
ordinary  seasons  the  river  is  divided  at  the  falls  by  rocks  into  tlirro  channels  which  have  an 
angular  descent  of  several  hundred  feet.  These  falls  have  evidently  receded  irom  a  posi- 
tion  lower  down  the  stream.  The  banks  below  are  in  some  places  70  feet  m  perpendu.u. 
lar  height,  formed  of  rocks,  in  which  the  stratification  is  beautifully  disposed,  containirig 
man"  ofam"  rpmain«-  The  naviirable  feeder  of  the  Champlam  canal  is  taken  from  the 
river,  two  miles  above,  ond  passes  along  the  elevated  bank  of  the  river  seen  lu  the  eiigiav 


WASHINGTON   COUNTY. 


687 


ing.  It  is  believed  that  as  many  as  eighteen  or  twenty  persons  have  been  drawn  over  the 
falls,  within  the  memory  of  those  now  living,  only  two  of  whom  escaped  death.  Animals 
are  frequently  drawn  over,  and  almost  invariably  perish, 

Warrensburg,  formed  in  1813  ;  N.  from  Albany  68  miles.  It  is  a 
mountainous  district,  covered  with  wood  and  abounding  in  iron  ore. 
The  main  branch  of  the  Hudson  flows  on  the  west  boundary,  and 
the  Schroon  branch  on  the  E.  and  S.,  uniting  with  the  former  in  the 
SW.  Warrensburg,  on  the  Schroon  branch,  6  miles  N.  of  Caldwell,  is 
a  village  containing  two  churches  and  about  60  dwellings.   Pop.  1,469. 


WASHINGTON  COUNTY. 

Washington  county  received  its  present  name  in  1784,  having 
previously  been  called  Charlotte  county,  when  it  claimed  to  include 
a  part  of  the  present  state  of  Vermont.  Its  greatest  length  is  64 
miles  ;  average  breadth  to  South  Bay,  of  Lake  Champlain,  17  miles ; 
and  thence  on  the  N.  6  miles.  Centrally  distant  from  New  York 
210,  from  Albany  60  miles. 

The  face  of  the  country  is  very  much  diversified.  That  around 
Lake  George  is  generally  rugged  and  mountainous,  presenting  sum- 
mits from  600  to  1200  feet  in  height.  All  the  northern  part  is  broken 
and  hilly.  The  southern  part,  though  considerably  uneven,  presents 
a  very  large  proportion  of  arable  land,  well  adapted  for  the  various 
products  of  agriculture.  In  the  northern  part,  which  is  comparatively 
new,  the  pine  forests  supply  large  quantities  of  lumber.  The  county 
is  abundantly  watered.  As  a  whole,  it  holds  a  respectable  rank  in 
agriculture,  producing  much  wheat,  but  is  better  adapted  to  grass.  A 
large  proportion  of  the  population  is  from  New  England,  and  large 
emigrations  are  yearly  making  from  Vermont.  The  county  is  divi- 
ded into  17  towns.     Pop.  41,095. 

Argyle,  organized  in  1788;  N.  from  Albany  44  miles.  The  tract 
comprised  in  the  original  town  of  Argyle,  was  granted  by  George 
II.,  in  1742,  to  141  Scotch  emigrants,  who  severally  drew  a  farm 
lot  of  from  150  to  600  acres,  with  a  town  lot  of  from  15  to  16  acres. 
Argyle,  8  miles  SE.  from  Sandy  Hill,  has  about  50  dwellings.  North 
Argyle  5,  and  South  Argyle  1 1  miles  from  Sandy  Hill,  are  small  set- 
tlements.    Pop.  3,113. 

Cambk[D(je,  organized  in  1788;  N.  from  Albany  35  miles.  Cam- 
bridge, a  large  but  scattered  village,  has  an  academy  for  qualifying 
young  men  as  teachers,  and  about  120  dwellings.  Buskirk's  Bridge, 
upon  Hoosick  rivei,  partly  in  Pittstown,  Rensselaer  county,  has  from 
30  to  40  dwellings.  Centre  Cambridge  is  a  small  village  centrally 
situated.     Pop.  2,004. 

Dresden,  taken  from  Putnam  in  1822,  by  the  name  of  South  Bay; 
from  Albany  72,  and  from  Sandy  Hill  N.  20  miles.     It  is  situated  in 


568 


WASHINGTON   COUNTY. 


a.  mountainous  and  wild  country,  between  lakes  Champlain  and 
George.  In  the  forests  deer  and  wolves  are  said  to  be  common. 
Pop.  097. 

Easton,  taken  from  Stillwater  arid  Saratoga ;  from  Albany  N.  27, 
from  Salem  SW.  16  miles.  Union  village  is  partly  in  this  town  and 
partly  in  Greenwich.  Easton  is  a  post  village,  containing  about  50 
dwellings.  North  Easton  and  South  Easton  are  small  settlements 
with  post-offices.     Pop.  3,002. 

FoKT  Ann  was  originally  organized  by  the  name  of  Westfield  ;  it 
received  its  present  name  in  1808.  The  face  of  the  township  is  di- 
versified with  mountains  and  valleys.  On  Wood  creek  there  are  fer- 
tile alluvial  flats  and  plains,  but  a  great  part  of  this  extensive  town- 
ship is  sterile  and  barren.  Pop.  3,559.  The  village  of  Fort  Ann, 
which  gives  its  name  to  the  township,  on  Wood  creek  and  the  canal, 
68  miles  from  Albany  and  10  S.  from  Whitehall,  contains  about 
50  dwellings  and  3  churches.  It  is  situated  on  the  site  of  old 
Fort  Ann  erected  in  1757,  and  was  a  place  of  some  importance 
during  the  colonial  wars.  About  two  miles  south  of  the  village,  ves- 
tiges of  Burgoyne's  road,  constructed  of  logs,  &c.,  in  1777,  are  still  to 
be  seen. 

Professor  Silliman  in  his  tour  gives  the  following  account  of  a  se- 
vere battle  fought  near  this  place,  between  a  detachment  of  the  British 
and  one  of  the  American  army,  July  8th,  1777 : — 

At  a  narrow  pass  between  some  high  rocks  and  the  river,  we  were  shown  the  place 
where,  on  the  8th  of  July,  1777,  the  9th  British  regiment,  belonging  to  General  Burgoyne's 
army,  sustained  a  heavy  loss,  by  a  conflict  with  the  Americans  under  Colonel  Long. 

After  the  surrender  of  Ticonderoga,  General  Burgoyne  endeavored  to  keep  up  the 
alarm,  by  spreading  his  parties  over  the  country.  With  tliis  view,  Colonel  Hill,  at  the  head 
of  the  9th  regiment,  was  despatched  after  Colonel  Long,  who,  with  four  or  five  hundred 
men,  principally  the  invalids  and  convalescents  of  the  army,  had  taken  post  at  Fort  Anne, 
and  was  directed  by  General  Schuyler  to  defend  it.  Colonel  Long,  with  his  party,  did  not 
wait  an  attack  from  the  enemy,  but  boldly  advanced  to  meet  them.  "  At  half  past  ten  in 
the  morning,  (says  Major  Forbes,  of  the  British  regiment,)  they  attacked  us  in  front,  with 
a  heavy  and  well-directed  fire ;  a  large  body  of  them  passed  the  creek  on  the  left,  and  fired 
from  a  thick  wood  across  the  creek  on  the  left  flank  of  the  regiment :  they  then  began  to 
recross  the  creek  and  attack  us  in  the  rear;  we  then  found  it  necessary  to  change  our 
ground,  to  prevent  the  regiment's  being  surroimded ;  we  took  post  on  the  top  of  a  hill  to 
our  right.  As  soon  as  we  had  taken  post,  the  enemy  made  a  very  vigorous  attack,  which 
continued  for  upwards  of  two  hours  ;  and  they  certainly  would  have  tbrced  us,  had  it  not 
been  for  some  Indians  that  arrived  and  gave  the  Indian  whoop,  which  we  answered  with 
three  cheers ;  the  rebels  soon  after  that  gave  way."  The  giving  woy  of  the  Americans  was, 
however,  caused,  not  by  the  terror  of  the  war-whoop,  but  by  tho  failure  of  their  ammuni- 
tion. The  fact  was,  the  British  regiment  was  worsted,  and  would  probably  have  been 
taken  or  destroyed,  had  Colonel  Long  been  well  supplied  with  ammunition.  It  was  said 
by  Captain  Money,  another  British  officer,  that  the  fire  was  even  heavier  than  it  was  in  the 
obstinate  battle  of  September  19th,  on  Bemus'  heights.  Tho  scene  of  this  battle  is  very 
correctly  described  above,  by  Major  Forbes. 

On  leaving  the  street  of  Fort  Anne  village,  we  crossed  a  bridge  over  Wood  creek,  and 
were  now  on  its  left  bank.  Immediately  after,  wo  came  to  a  narrow  pass,  only  wide  enough 
for  the  carriage,  and  cut,  in  a  great  measure,  out  of  a  rocky  ledge,  which  terminates  here, 
exactly  at  the  creek.  This  ledge  is  the  southern  end  of  a  high  rocky  hill,  which  converges 
towards  Wood  creek,  and  between  the  two  is  a  narrow  tract  of  level  ground,  which  termi- 
nates  at  the  pass  already  mentioned.  On  this  ground  the  battle  took  place,  and  the  wood 
on  the  right  bank  of  the  creek,  from  which  tlie  Americans  fired  upon  the  left  flank  of  tho 
British,  is  still  there,  and  it  was  up  this  rocky  hill  that  they  retreated  and  took  their  stand. 

General  Burgoyne,  as  usual,  claimed  a  victory  in  this  afliiir,  which  is  undeistood  to  liave 


WASmNGTON   COUNTY. 

!oZ%Str;eq;e"/"„SeitttT^^^  """'  ^''""  «''«  "-"—  of  the 

Colonel  Hill's  regimcnt/w„sTerwound?d  on 'rtf/""^^       ^"P'*'"  Montgomery,  of 
can.  wh.ch  could  not  have  heenZS  h^ad  T.  rlf^'^tTn  =1"?:  '^^  ^'"•'"- 

^:l^^S'^^S. '""°"  "-^Cha^plain  canal  a„dH„d^^riv°:. 

Fort  Edward,  from  which  this 
town  derives  its  name,  waa  built 
in  1755,  of  timber  and  earth,  16 
feet  high,  22  feet  thick,  and  had 
8U  cannon  on  its  ramparts.  It  had 
a  deep  fosse  in  front ;  it  waa  situ, 
ated  about  half  a  mile  south  of  the 
lock  of  the  Champlain  canal,  in  the 
village,  and  waa  at  first  called  Fort 
Lyman,  from  General  Lyman,  a 
distinguished  officer  in  the  French 
war.  This  spot  was  also  named 
the^rrt  carrying  place,  being  the 
point  where,  in  the  expeditions 
against  Canada,  the  troops,  stores, 
&c.,  were  landed  and  carried  to 
Wood  creek,   a  distance  of   12 

vi!^rtTzi:;:tcZZii;^y'^'.v:^^i,'-'^^^^^  '^"^  *«" «««« em. 

ward  village.    Here  she  was  to  wait  till  he  sent  a  convoy  for  her  safety.    Mil  M'CrlLtft 
Ba  dwin'hnl   """'™V"^V'='°^^^  '^^  "^^^  ^y  Mr.  W  house,  tookb  eaSt " aUheold 

ifm  ni      ^    m"  ^  ^"'l  ^'^^"'^'  ""''  from  'hence  went  to  Mre.  Campbell's 
IndiZ^T      f"'  m'-  ^Tr^'  ^y  "^'"^"S  a  quantity  of  rum  as  a  reward,  induced  a' Dartv  of 
K  win  fh"  ?■■  .^"'  ^^''"^  "'"^  •'""«  *"='  '"'"  *«  British  camp.    Some  accounttstete 
that  when  the  Indians  came  near  the  house  they  held  up  a  letter  to  allav  her  feara  whirh 

^nTi^'^'^n"'  'r""'  '^^  ^'^  ""'  '^^^'''''e  t»  venture  hereelf  with  them     The  IndTai^ali 
took  Mrs.  Campbell  with  them.  When  this  party  had  proceeded  but  a  shorldLtonce^bo^ 

tt     s  Jedtth  Tar^""'^  °*' A*  ''l^'Vty  "''«  «"«'  "y  another  party  of  Indtna 
Ae  re  wlrd      TW-  '""er,  hearing  of  the  offer  of  Mr.  Jones,  determined  to  share  a  portionof 

Sat  ri  iL       Tt',  "5  ,"  JT'"""""  •'«'*««"  them,  which  rose  to  such  a  heighc 
..rnLh^  ^M     fe'^'"''!'  ^"f^"'  "'^  'he  consequences,  determined  to  end  the  dispute     Ao! 
proach  ng  M.^  M  Crea,  he  shot  her  dead  as  she  sat  on  her  horse.  He  then  sprang  fomard" 
T    J    _?"!'' u"'^''  ',"'°  h"  head,  and  then  scalped  her.    "Tradition  report  dfaZ  In 
dians  divided  the  scalp,  and  that  each  party  carri'ed  half  of  it  to  the  agonK;^?r  " 
She  was  now  stripped  of  her  clothing  and  dragged  about  thirty  rods  wes    of  the 

a  nedtThV^'"""-  '^"''?' •'""'  '"i^  ""''^^  »  ^"^i  the  side  of  th^  anc  enTp  1  rept! 
::S:„J^;:!!™.r''^^^^^  ^«  .^'t'"  "y  those  who  saw  her  remains,  that  they  eSX 
—  jio^K.ng  .pe^taelc ;  her  iimbs  were  much  swollen,  and  covered  with  dust  and  blood 

78 


670 


WASHINGTON    COUNTT. 


The  Jane  31'Crea  tree.  Fort  Edward. 

An  American  officer,  Lieutenant  Palmer,  who  liad  been  slain  that  day  by  the  Indians  with 
18  of  hia  men,  about  80  rods  northwest  of  the  pine  tree,  was  also  thrown  under  the  log 
near  Mies  M'Crea,  and  the  remains  of  both  partially  covered  with  brushwood  and  bushes. 
The  engraving  shows  the  appearance  of  the  spot  where  the  body  of  Miss  M'Crea  was 
found.  The  pine  tree  which  was  then  standing,  still  remains,  having  a  venerable  and 
ancient  appearance.  Her  name  is  inscribed  on  the  tree,  with  the  date  1777,  and 
"  no  traveller  passes  this  spot  without  spending  a  plaintive  moment  in  contemplating 
the  untimely  fate  of  youth  and  loveliness."  At  its  root  it  is  about  16  feet  in  diameter, 
standing  about  four  rods  west  from  the  road  to  Sandy  Hill,  and  about  80  rods  north  of  the 
village,  on  the  side  of  a  sandy  ridge.  A  fine  spring  issues  a  few  feet  below  this  tree.  The 
bodies  of  Miss  M'Crea  and  Lieutenant  Palmer  were  taken  and  buried  three  miles  below 
the  fort,  near  what  was  called  the  "  black  house."  About  18  years  since,  her  remains  were 
taken  up  and  re-interred  in  a  village  burying  ground  at  Fort  Bdward ;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cum. 
niings,  of  Albany,  preached  a  funeral  sermon  on  the  occasion.  At  the  time  of  her  death 
she  was  about  twenty  years  of  age,  and  is  represented  as  having  been  of  a  middling  stature, 
finely  formed,  dark  hair,  and  uncommonly  beautiful.  Mr.  Jones,  who  was  about  twenty, 
five,  survived  her  death  but  a  short  period,  and  it  is  said  his  hair  turned  gray  the  first  night 
after  receiving  the  fatal  news. 

Granville  was  organized  in  1788.  The  township  is  handsomely 
diversified,  and  the  soil  is  of  a  superior  quality,  well  watered  by 
springs,  rivulets,  &.c.  Pop.  3,846.  The  town  was  principally  settled 
by  emigrants  from  the  New  England  states.  There  are  3  villages 
having  post-offices.  Granville  village,  or  Granville  Corners,  63  miles 
from  Albany,  17  from  Salem,  and  21  from  Sandy  Hill,  is  the  most 
compivct  settlement ;  it  consists  of  about  75  dwellings,  having  1 
Methodist,  1  Episcopal,  and  1  Friends  church,  an  academy,  a  wool- 
len factory,  &;c. 

The  following  is  a  northwestern  view  of  the  central  part  of  Middle 
Granville,  about  2  miles  north  of  Granville  Corners  village.  The 
village  consists  of  about  30  dwellings,  1  Congregational,  and  1  Pres- 


WASHINGTON   COUNTY. 


671 


Northwest  view  of  the  central  part  of  Middle  Granville. 


West  Granville,  18  mi  es  from  Sandv  Hill  hnc  «  ^u,     i    •^''""",<*'^ 


Southeastern  view  of  Union  Village. 


Greenwich  was  taken  from  Aro-vle  in   isn^     Tu^  c   r         r  i 

township  i.  ™„demoly  uneven ;  Kill  preVanyVg  Syfoat 

and^is  under  good  cultivation.     Pop.  3,379.        ^    ^  '^giaveii>  loam, 


The  ah 


!nvc  engraving 


shows  the  appearance  of  Union  village, 


vm 


WABHINOTOM   COUNTY. 


as  seen  from  the  elevated  ground  near  the  school-house,  on  the 
Easton  side  of  the  Battcnkill.  This  flourishing  village  is  35  miles 
from  Albany,  12  from  Salem,  and  about  6  E.  from  SchuyiervilU?.  It 
contains  4  churches — 1  Baptist,  1  Dutch  Reformed,  1  Congregational, 
and  1  Methodist — an  academy,  a  bank,  a  newspaper  printmg  office,  a 
number  of  mills  and  factories,  and  about  1,50U  inhabitants.  The 
Baptist  church,  the  oldest  in  the  village,  is  seen  on  the  right  of  the  en- 
graving ;  a  few  rods  westward  is  the  Methodist  church  ;  the  Dutch 
Keformed  church  is  in  the  central  part ;  and  on  the  extreme  left 
is  seen  part  of  the  front  of  the  Congregational  church,  which  is  with- 
out a  spire.  The  village  was  founded  in  1809.  Battenville  and 
Franklinton  are  small  manufacturing  villages,  on  the  Battenkill.  North 
and  East  Greenwich  and  Lake,  are  post-offices,  with  settlements. 

Hampton,  from  Albany  NE.  70,  from  Salem  N.  25,  and  from 
Sandy  Hill  NE.  25  miles.  Hampton  and  Low  Hampton  are  post- 
offices.    Pop.  972. 

Hartfoed,  taken  from  Westfield,  originally  the  name  of  Fort  Ann, 
in  1793;  from  Albany  NE.  54  miles.  Hartford,  13  miles  NE.  from 
Sandy  Hill,  and  South  Hartford,  2  miles  south  of  the  former,  arc 
small  post  villages.     Pop.  2,158. 

Hebron  is  centrally  distant  north  of  Salem  7  miles.  Pop.  2,498. 
Hebron,  North  Hebron,  and  South  Hebron,  are  small  post  villfiges. 

Jackson,  taken  from  Cambridge  in  1815;  from  Albany  NE.  40, 
from  Salem  S.  6  miles.  Jackson  and  Anaquascook  are  post-offices. 
Pop.  1,730. 

Kingsbury  was  organized  in  1788.  It  has  a  surface  generally  level 
and  well  cultivated,  and  in  former  times  was  mostly  covered  with  fine 
groves  of  white  pines.  Pop.  2,773.  This  town  has  three  villages — 
viz,  Sandy  Hill,  Kingsburv,  and  Adamsville.  Sandy  Hill,  on  the  north 
bank  of  the  Hudson,  is  the  half-shire  village  of  the  county,  and  was 
incorporated  in  1810.  It  is  situated  upon  a  high  sandy  plain,  about 
100  ieet  above  the  river,  opposite  Baker's  Falls,  where,  in  the  course 
of  60  rods,  the  river  descends  76  feet.  The  contemplated  railroad 
from  Saratoga  to  Whitehall  is  to  cross  the  Hudson  here  by  a  viaduct 
1,100  feet  in  length. 

The  following  is  a  south  view  of  the  central  part  of  the  village  of 
Sandy  Hill,  48  miles  from  Albany.  In  the  central  part  of  the  en- 
graving is  seen  a  triangular  enclosure,  set  out  with  ornamental  trees 
and  shrubbery.  The  courthouse  is  on  the  right,  and  the  church  on 
the  left.  The  village  contains  a  Presbyterian  and  Episcopal  church 
and  upwards  of  100  dwelling-houses.  James  Bradshaw  was  the  first 
settler  in  the  village,  and  the  second  was  Albert  Baker,  who  came 
here  in  1768.  His  family  was  the  11th  which  settled  in  Kingsbury. 
Kingsbury  village,  5  miles  from  Sandy  Hill,  is  situated  on  the  road 
to  Fort  Ann,  and  has  1  Baptist  church  and  about  30  dwellings. 
Adamsville,  6  miles  from  Sandy  Hill,  is  a  village  containing  a  Bap- 
tist church  and  25  dwellings. 

The  first  mmister  settled  in  the  town  was  Francis  Baylor,  a  Moravian.    He  remained  but  a 
ehort  time,  and  left  in  the  year  1777.    The  first  ineeting-houfie  was  built  soon  after  the  revolu- 


WASiriNGTON    COUNTY. 


878 


Southen.  view  of  the  central  part  of  Sandy  Hill. 

ground  m  the  vicinity  of  the  new  buryinR-vard  at  SanHv  f  Jl  wh;i»  ,{„  r  "*'*'?™  "^cupied  the 
Street.  2  mile,  north,  and  the  light  i^k«1r;"unde^  iwl^r  al'l-'n  E^a^d  IW         '"'  "  ^"^ 

The  Site  on  which  stands  the  village  of  Sandy  Hill,  was  formerly 
the  scene  of  Ind.an  barbar.t.cs^     The  following  anecdote  is  related 

autumn  of  7819         "' '"  '  ^''""  ^""'^^'^  ^°  ^"^^«°  ^^  ^^o 

to^'^W  Mr":!.?;^;'''"'^'"''*'''''  '"habitant,  I  learned  the  following  singular  piece  ofhi* 
hII:^  1".h  \^  °;  */?"  "'h"  Americans  conJinR  thro.^h  the  wi  de  n.i"  ffom  F^rt  wZm 

log.  opposite  to  where  the  massacre  commenced  •  the  work  of  death  hn^  il«»J,;„,  j  j 
to^im.  and  the  lifted  tomahawk  was  ready  ?o  de^endrwhen  a  cWdgave  a  LnJl  C?o'd  the 
?.r.^T:  .:I»'J'»  »PP'[«*'=h.ng  Mr.  SchoonLven,  he  mildly  said,  "  Dofou  norfemelt^.h'-! 


oT^mo  .k;'  V  ft  J  "^  ■"■=".™iu.ixu:—inaian8  snail  not  dance  with  us;'  but  vou  f  for  it 
seems  this  chief  liad  recognised  his  features  only  in  the  critical  moment)  you  said  Ind?L« 

t^lt?^^°Vr^^  "St  r"  """  ]?'^""^  can  remember  Idndness/'Hu  chance  recT 
Ithe?  sutef""^' ""'  ^"'^  ^'""'  '""  ">  '^^^'^  ">«  '"■«  "f  ^'-  Schoonhoven.  Jlid  of  the 
Strange  mixture  olj  generosity  and  cruelty!  For  a  trifling  aflront  Ihev  cherished  and 
^•"ohLr.^r"'^'  '*'"  "^  '*"}f  •"  '"'"""b  ^vlthout  measure  of  retrZ  ion,  Jr  dSlnatiSn 
In^i      /  'or  Hlavor  equally  trilmg,  they  manifested  magnanimity  exceeding  "llcorre" 

fhel^idit?  of  lighmiug'.  *'"'  "■''""*'  "'  ""'^^""^  '""  ^'^"'^"^  o'dea.h.'even  whea'f.3ling''with 

Two  miles  north  of  the  village  of  Kingsbury  is  the  spot  where  a 
bloody  battle  was  fought  in  the  French  war,  between  a  body  of  troops 
under  Putnam  and  Rogers,  and  500  French  and  Indians  commanded 
by  Molang. 

R  o'a!."J^n,VS?,',''  "'^  ^"^'^'•.  'Z^,'  ^"^  hundred  men  were  employed,  under  the  orders  of  Majors 
Kogew  and  Putnam,  to  \yatch  the  motions  of  the  enemy  near  Ticonderoga.    At  South  Bay 


574 


WASniNGTOX   COUNTY. 


H 


I    ':• 


Upon  being,  some  time  afterward,  discovered,  they  formed  a  reunion,  and  concerted 
measures  tor  retnming  to  Fort  Kd  ward.  Their  inarch  through  the  woods  was  in  thren  dwuioru 
yX^lf*"^!"* ^"S**-  conimanded  by  Rogers,  the  left  by  Putnam,  and  the  centre  by  Captain 
1)  tM.  1  he  hrKt  night  they  encamped  on  the  banks  of  C'ltar  lUver,  about  a  mile  from  old  Fort 
Ann,  which  had  been  formerly  built  by  General  Nicholson.  Next  morning  Major  RoKers 
and  a  British  officer  named  Irwin,  incautiously  suffered  themselves,  from  a  spirit  of  false  emu- 
lation, lo  be  engaged  in  tiring  at  a  niark.  Nothing  could  have  been  more  repugnant  to  the 
military  principles  ol  I'utnain  than  such  conduct,  or  reprobated  by  him  in  more  pointed  terms 
As  soon  as  the  heavy  dew  which  had  fallen  the  preceding  night  would  permit,  the  detachment 
moved  in  one  body,  Putnam  being  in  front,  D'EII  m  centre,  and  Rogers  in  the  rear.  The  imper- 
vious growth  of  shrubs  and  under-brush  that  had  sprung  up,  where  tlii^  land  had  been  partially 
cleared  some  years  before,  occasioned  this  change  in  the  order  of  march.  At  the  moment  of 
moving,  the  famous  French  partisan  Molang,  who  had  been  sent  with  five  hundred  men  to 
intercept  our  party,  was  not  more  than  one  mi!;  and  a  half  distant  from  them.  Having 
heard  the  firing,  he  hastened  to  lay  an  ambuscade  precisely  in  that  part  of  the  wood  most  fa- 
vorable to  his  project.    Major  Putnam  was  just  emerging  from  the  thicket,  into  the  common 


action,  though  widely  scattered,  and  principally  fought  between  man  and  man,  soon  grew 
general  and  intensely  wann.  It  would  be  as  difficult  as  useless  to  describe  this  irregular  and 
ferocious  mode  of  fighting.  Rogers  came  not  up ;  but,  as  he  declared  afterward,  formed  a 
f 'fcular  file  between  our  party  and  Wood  creek,  to  prevent  their  being  taken  in  rear  or  enfi- 
laded, feuccessful  as  he  commonly  was,  his  conduct  did  not  always  pass  without  unfavorable 
imputation.  Notwithstanding,  it  was  a  current  saying  in  the  camp,  '  that  Rogers  always  sent 
but  Putnam  lid  his  men  lo  action,'  yet,  in  justice,  it  ought  to  be  remarked  here,  that  the  latter 
has  never  been  known,  m  relating  the  story  of  this  day^s  disaster,  to  affix  any  stigma  upon  the 
conduct  of  the  former. 

"  Major  Putnam,  perceiving  it  would  be  impracticable  to  cross  the  creek,  determined  to 
maintain  his  ground.  Inspired  by  his  example,  the  officers  and  men  behaved  with  great  bra- 
very :  sometimes  they  fought  aggregately  in  open  view,  and  sometimes  individually  under 
•^over ;  faking  aim  from  behind  the  bodies  of  trees,  and  acting  in  a  manner  independent  of 
each  other.  For  himself,  having  discharged  his  fuzee  several  times,  at  length  it  missed  fire, 
while  the  muzzle  was  pressed  against  the  breast  of  a  large  and  well  proportioned  savage. 
Plus  tparrior,  avuihng  himself  of  the  indefensible  attitude  of  his  adversary,  with  a  tremendous 
war-whoop,  sprang  forward,  with  his  lilted  hatchet,  and  compelled  him  to  surrender ;  and 
having  disarmed  and  bound  h.m  fast  to  a  tree,  returned  to  the  battle. 

"  The  intrepid  Captains  D'KU  and  Uarman,  who  now  commanded,  were  forced  to  give 
ground  for  a  httle  distance :  the  savages  conceiving  this  to  be  the  certain  harbinger  of  victory, 
rushed  impetuously  on,  with  dreadful  and  redoubled  cries.  But  our  two  partisans,  collecting 
a  handful  of  brave  men.  gave  the  pursuers  so  warm  a  reception  as  to  oblige  them,  in  turn,  to 
Mtreat  a  httle  beyond  the  spot  at  which  the  action  had  commenced.  Here  they  made  a  stand. 
This  change  of  ground  occasioned  the  tree  to  which  Putnam  was  tied  to  be  directly  between 
the  fire  of  the  two  parties.  Human  imagination  can  hardly  figure  to  itself  a  more  deplorable 
situation.  The  balls  flew  incessantly  from  either  side,  many  struck  the  tree,  while  some  passed 
through  the  sleeves  and  skirts  of  his  coat.  In  this  stale  of  jeopardy,  unable  to  move  his  body 
to  stir  his  liml)s,  or  even  to  incline  his  head,  he  remained  more  than  an  hour  So  equally 
balanced,  and  so  obstinate  was  the  fight !  At  one  moment,  wIuIk  the  battle  swerved  in  favor 
of  the  enemy,  a  young  savage  chose  an  odd  way  of  discovering  his  humor.  He  found  Putnam 
bound.  He  might  have  despatched  him  at  a  blow.  Hut  he  loved  better  to  excite  the  terrora 
of  the  prisoner,  by  hurling  a  tomahawk  at  his  head,  or  rather  it  should  seem  liis  object  was  to 
see  ho^y  near  he  could  throw  it  without  touching  him— the  weapon  struck  in  the  tree  a  num- 
ber of  times  at  a  hair's  breadth  distance  from  the  mark.  When  the  Indian  had  finished  hia 
amusement,  a  French  bas-officcr  (a  much  more  invelerale  savage  by  nature,  though  descended 
from  so  humane  and  polished  a  nation)  perceiving  Putnam,  came  up  to  him,  and,  levelling  a 
fuzie  within  a  foot  of  his  breast,  attempted  to  disi'harge  it— it  missed  fire.  Iiicliectually  did 
ihe  intended  viclim  solicit  the  treatment  due  to  his  situation,  by  repeating  (hut  he  was  a  pri- 
soner of  war.  The  degenerate  Frenchman  did  not  understand  the  language  of  honor  or  of 
nature:  deaf  to  their  voice,  and  dead  to  sensibility,  he  violently,  and  repeatedly,  pushed  the 
muzzle  ol  his  gun  against  Putnam's  ribs,  and  finally  gave  him  a  cruel  blow  on  the  jaw  with 
the  butt-end  ol  his  piece.    After  this  dastardly  deed  he  left  him. 

"At  length  the  active  intrepidity  of  D'Ell  and  llarman,  seconded  by  the  persevering  valor 
of  their  tollovyers,  prevailed.  They  drove  from  the  field  the  enemy,  who  lelt  about  ninety 
dead  behind  them.  As  they  were  retiring,  Pulnmn  was  untied  by  the  Indian  who  had  mads 
him  prisoner,  and  whom  he  afterward  culled  master.  Having  been  conducted  lor  some  dis- 
tance from  the  place  of  action,  he  was  stripned  of  hia  coat,  vest,  stockings,  and  shoes ;  loaded 
With  as  many  of  the  pucks  of  the  wounded  us  could  be  piled  upon  him;  strongly  pinioned, 
and  his  wrists  tied  us  closely  together  as  they  could  be  pulled  with  a  cord.  After  he  liad 
marched,  through  no  plea.sant  paths,  in  this  painful  mannir,  lor  many  a  ledioiis  mile,  the  party 
(who  were  excessively  fatigued)  halted  to  breathe.  His  hanils  were  now  immoderately 
swelled  from  the  tighlneeH  of  Ihe  ligature;  and  the  pain  had  become  intoltrahle.  His  leet 
were  so  much  B<:ratched.  that  the  blood  dropped  fiist  from  them.  i;xliaiisted  with  bearing  a 
burden  ubove  his  strength,  and  frantic  with  torments  exipiisite  beyond  eiidiirHn(!e,he  entreated 
Ui«  IruiU  mierpreter  to  implore,  as  the  lust  and  only  grace  he  desired  of  the  savages,  that  they 


WASIimcTON   COUNTY. 


676 


:m^i  'i^uiffZeT.J^^tori^^dA'^l  r'/'  "'  r"'  r  '°r  "^  '>-''«•  a  French 
taken  ofl:  By  tl.is  time  thflXrwho  caotured  him  ^H  h"^''«i  """^  f"""  ""^  the  packs  to  be 
coming  up  gavp  him  a  pair  of  moccasins  '^InH^vZLfH?  ^ad  been  absent  with  the  wounded, 
treatment  his  prisoner  hid  suffered  '         ^^P'^^d  great  indignation  at  the  unworthy 

lmnJrteSK?^eTl"e,b^^^^^^^^  ^rt''  ^"k^  ""' J"'*'"'"''  "^out  two 

night  to  encamp,    thev  took  with  thpm  m  ;  .^u    ^^ '"  ""'  P'?'^*  ^here  the  whole  were  that 
outrages,  they  had  the  CbaritTto  iuflia f ren  w"S'w?h^tT' "''^l'*^''".'''""'^^^ 
His  su/Ierings  were  in  this  placr  to  be  com.ur^m»n     i^  ""'  ^ft^^^  'P  «he  left  cheek, 
than  had  ever  met  his  eves  before  w^TnTJ^^J^     ■         A  *-"^"f  '>^  ^""'"N  iniin  tely  greater 
lor  this  purpose  th?JlerhiS7ffilE«P1^^ 

Plied  dry  brush,  witfi  otherfuel,  at  a  small  d1^anr?'^n'^ '"'"  ?«'*«''' bound  him  to  a  tree,  and 
nied  their  labors,  as  if  for  his  funeral  di^^  wi^L  L,!.' '"  "  ''"P^^  '"'"J"^  •'"'"•  They  accompa- 
voices.  Then  they  set°he  pi les  on  fire^  A  ™Hdfn  Z'  '"'«^r""''5  "'i'n«?''le  but  by  savage 
they  strove  to  kindle  it,  untO,  at  °^  The  wZ  rnn  (W^T'  '^'""J"'^  '*?«  7"""f  ""^e-  »''" 
soon  began  to  feel  the  scorch  ng  hTat  His  hands  trl^l  TJI'V)l''""'^''i.  ^"i'''  P^n^m 
He  often  shifted  sides  as  the  fire  aporoached  Thi«  =il,  '."'.'l  *****  *'«.S»»W  move  his  body, 
savagesmustshudder,  afforded  thEhe8tdivpS™?fh-'-' I*''''  v«fy 'dea  of  which  aU  but 
strated  the  dehrium  of  their  joy  by  cKondentvpU,^'  '"'"""an  tormentpre,  who  demon- 
clearly  that  his  linal  hour  w  JinevS?^come  fri^;,mT**'/"n  g?8"culation8.  He  saw 
l)osed  his  ramd.  as  far  as  the  circumSes  Zjd  arimr.TK"^'*  ""  ^"^  resolution,  and  cora- 
he  d  most  dear.  To  quit  the  world  wnnM.™?.ii  i  '  '  '"  ^id  an  eternal  farewell  to  all  he 
oHiome  but  for  the  renieXrce  ordotesKla^^^^^  ''^^^V'^i  b»t  for  the  idea 
sou!  an<i  of  their  beloved  ollspring  Hb  thought  w^?.l^«L'l''%'^*'"""*\^  P^^tner  of  his 
existence,  beyond  the  tortures  he  wa"beBinnmi  J^^„H  I  **^rk.*'?^'*  <"»  *  ''"PP'^'  «"»«e  of 
ot.lhat  death  which  is  accompanied  whhlh^ekeefestrnn^If-  ^*'-  '"««™«'»  of  death,  even 
with  a  feeble  struggle,  was  quitting  its  laMhoM  ,tS  »Ti  '^'  ^^'  '"  "  manner,  past-nature, 
rushed  through  the  crowd,  o,^  iX  way  by  ^atterine  th"p7Xt'"^'~'!.^^"  V"="«''  "ffi^e? 
victun.  It  was  Molang  hi'ms'el(-to  Xm  a  Sva2r.mwiirmJ^  ^ ''"^'^t'  "T*  ""b"""**  'h« 
inunolated,  had  run  an^  communicated  the  tiding'  rZ,^  '*•  ^"i  *"°'''"  ''"man  sacrifice 

alone^with  them,  remained  -^il' rS' de^vlr'K^^^^?;t^^ 

tio;.''teZ'el''ES^1,trTSi?^^^^^^^ 

count  of  the  Wow  he  had  received  lSt'heFreSfan^hismTi''h"''*  "^""^  "»«•"•  "»  '*'-- 
someot  the  biscuit  in  water,  and  made  him  8^0^11.^  m.'ln  1 1„  '^^.  *»"?'»««  ?avage  soaked 
not  to  lose  his  captive  (the  refreshnTent  bei^g  fi'nbhed)  hl"^;^^^^^^  lll^e  .nn^'"""";'''  Hy''"""' 
and  tied  them  to  one  of  his  wrists:  then  direct  nThim'.„N„  5  moccasins  from  his  feet, 

ground,  he  stretched  one  arm  oite  full  lencth  and  Z.niw'^r.".""  '*"'  ^'"'^  "P""  '•>«  bwe 
artn  was  extended  and  bound  in  the  same  Sn^^ly^Ss  were  streU-h^e^H"*^  'T','^^  "'^Vi 
to  two  saplings.    Then  a  number  of  tail  but  BU.i>.J.r  .,:.  l*  s  retched  apart  and  lastened 

long  bush'es,  tere  laid  across  his  bo  ly" Jrom  tad  to  foot  on'eH^'lh  ^wT",'  ^^''''''  ^''t  5"""' 
as  could  conveniently  find  lodging,  in  order  to  tTrevent  ?he  n™!f.  i/"^f  t^  "*  """"V  ^"^«ns 
disagreeable  and  painful  posture  he  remained  umrimnrlin/T.'"''*^  "i^'"  T^P"-  In  this 
and  mo«t  dreary  conceivable,  our  lierHsed  to  re  a^  ihTlie  f^?^  "".•  11«^''-  l^"  '«"e««' 
casimlly  across  his  mind,  and  could  not Vvln,Irio  -■  "  -r"  "  "\y  «'  cheertulness  come 
ludioroL  grout,  for  a  panUeP^^^^  he  principal  tTgte  ""^  '"^''''^  ""  *^ 

c-arrSliranf  S 'f,r7e^c.:it^^^^^^^^^ 

was  given,  wRich  iie  suckJd  ?l?rouKs  ieeU^^  At^  Ll.t  .he""  ,^'''  1 '""«!""«''"  '"eat 
and  ifie  prisoner  was  place,!  unde  The  care  o(-a  French^mia^  '  'ft'^i"'''  *'  I"-'S'"]"u''8''' 
prevented  from  flutt  ng  their  diabolical  tliiret  or  l.l.m,)  .^!t  .u  '"-  "'va««^  who  had  been 
their  malevolence  for  3ie  diLp  oin  mcnt  l^  horrid  „;i»a^  other  opportumty  of  manifesting 
were  suffered.no  more  to  oIlerT'C^e  or'  p^™t    1„^  ^  TyTo  him  ""'"  ''^'"''''  •"■*  '*»«' 

to  M^o'Sl^a  Kr^.'Krel'^wtta^Xmt^it^^^^^^^^^  ?"*"-  --  -"'""'ed 

-Humphrey',  Life  of  Putnam  ""  Sf*"'^*'  indulgence  and  humanity." 

Pod  Js^      1  nl     '   r''  "^'^^"^  ^^'  ""l^  ^^■«'"  ««»^y  Hi"  N.  30  miles. 
1,500  fco't.   ^  ''''"'^''^'^"  mountain,  m  this  town,  rises  to  the  height  of 

Salkm  was  organized  in  1788;  has  a  hilly  surface  with  narrow 
valleys  and  plains,  and  generally  a  fertile  soil:     Pop.  2,855 

rhe  following  is  a  view  of  Salem,  the  half-shire  village  of  Washing- 
ton  county,  as  seen  rom  an  elevation  on  the  main  road  at  the  northern 
extremity  of  the  village,  showing  the  principal  street  and!he  pubi™ 


576 


WASHINGTON    COUNTY. 


North  view  of  Salem  village. 

buildings.  The  village  is  46  miles  from  Albany  and  21  from  Sandy 
Hill,  and  consists  of  upwards  of  100  dwellings,  1  Presbyterian,  1  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  Congregational  church,  an  academy,  the  county  build- 
ings, offices,  stores,  printing  office,  &.c.  The  Presbyterian  church  and 
courthouse  are  seen  on  the  left  of  the  engraving,  the  Congregational 
near  the  centre,  and  the  academy  on  the  extreme  right.  The  village 
was  incorporated  in  1803  ;  the  academy  in  this  place  has  been  incor- 
porated for  about  half  a  century,  and  is  a  very  respectable  institution, 
where  quite  a  number  of  eminent  men  have  been  educated. 

Salem  was  first  setttled  about  the  year  1756,  by  two  companies  of  emigrants,  one  from 
Scotland  and  Ireland,  the  other  from  Now  England.  They  worshipped  together  under  the 
ministry  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Clark,  an  Irish  preacher,  till  differences  arose  about  "  occa- 
sional communion,"  and  about  "  receiving  the  covenant  of  the  throe  kingdoms."  This 
controversy  occasioned  a  separation  in  1769.  A  Presbyterian  church  was  formed,  and  the 
Rev.  John  Warford,  the  first  minister,  was  installed  in  1789.  He  labored  about  14  years, 
and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Samuel  Tomb,  who  continued  in  the  ministry  till  his  death  in 
1832.  His  successors  have  been  Rrv.  Juhn  Whiton  and  Rev.  A.  B.  Lambert.  The  first 
Presbyterian  church  was  built  in  1774,  and  for  three  years  it  was  used  for  barracks  and  a 
fltorehousc.  It  was  burnt  by  the  royalists  in  1778.  The  next  house  was  built  immediately 
after  the  war,  and  was  burnt  by  accident  in  1836.  The  third,  erected  at  a  cost  of  $10,000, 
was  burnt  in  April,  1840 ;  anqthcr  is  now  erecting. 

The  following  inscription  is  copied  from  a  monument  in  the  village 
graveyard. 

"  Here  lie  the  earthly  remains  of  the  Rev.  James  Pkoudfit,  pastor  of  the  Ass.  Ref.  Con. 
grr^mtion,  Salem,  who,  after  manifesting  the  most  ardent  zeal  and  disinterested  faithfulness 
in  the  gospel  uf  his  Master  during  the  period  of  fifty  years,  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  Oct.  2t2d, 
1802. — '  W'ell  done !  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord.'  '  They 
that  turn  many  to  righteousness  shall  shine  as  the  stars  forever.'  '  To  him  that  overcometh 
will  I  grant  to  sit  with  me  in  my  throne,  even  as  I  also  overcame,  and  am  set  down  with 
my  Father  in  his  throne.'  " 

White  Creek,  the  SE.  town  of  the  county,  was  taken  from  Cam- 
bridgv^  in  1815;  centrally  distant  S.  from  Salem  12  miles.  Pop. 
2,204.  North  White  Creek  and  Little  White  Creek  are  small  post 
villages.  White  Creek  Centre  and  Wait's  Corners  are  small  settle- 
ments. 


WASHINGTON   COUNTY. 


677 


Whitehall,  organized  in  1788,  has  a  great  diversity  of  surface 
The  soil  IS  prmopally^  clay,  well  adapted  to  grass.^  Pop  aS: 


Northern  view  of  Whitehall. 


The  above  engraving  shows  the  appearance  of  the  villaire  of  White- 
hall  as  seen  from  the  rocky  eminence  which  rises  SLdicularV 
from  the  waters  of  Lake  Champlain,  a  short  distaLrjr?he  S 
overlookmg  the  harbor.  The  village  is  compactly  bdlt,  and  lis  in  a 
rocky  ravme  at  the  junction  of  Wood  creek  L  the  Champla  n  cana^ 
with  the  waters  of  Lake  Champlain,  73  miles  from  AlbaSv  and  21 
from  Sandy  Hill  The  mouth  of  the  creek  and  canTl  areSnTn  the 
central  part  of  the  engraving.  The  waters  of  the  canal  descend  a 
distance  o,  26  teet  by  three  locks.  There  is  a  steamboat  communi^ 
cation  with  th.s  place  and  St.  Johns  in  Canada,  150  mdes  Zan 
The  steambor.t  landing  is  seen  on  the  left  at  the  foot  of  a  rockv  em -' 

areTntidit'  'ThJ'^V  '"  ^^^f  ^^^--d  Episco^aTchtrches 
are  on  the  right.    The  village,  which  is  a  place  of  extensive  business 
consists  01  about  160  dwellings,  a  number  of  mills,  many  waSses 

Ind  '"banr'/nT  ""•  !«---^'i"g ^---^  -  number^o7 churches 

sels  cun^nrnd  1  v  P    ""'Tt '''''  '\^  .^'""y'"^  '^""'^^  ^^  ^^e  British  vesl 
sels  captured  by  Com.  McDonough  during  the  last  war  off  Plattsburg. 

walforme'ilv  rTd  ^  ""%P''«'«  T"'  ^^"^■'^''MUah.na,  "  the  place  v,here  dip.fish."     It 

I  number  of 


soldi,  rs  Bnd  several  small  pieces  of  cannon,  wore  taken      Whpn  T  nnn\i!;^„    1'  "' 

doncd  on  ,1,0  approach  o?  Bur,oy,.c.  ,l,e  public  s,or";  w^  e,  J  ked  o"  bo"d V  s"^^^^ 
baltoaux  and  sen,  up  ,l,e  lake  to  Skonosborough  under  a  convov  of  5  ™n«v«  Ti.»„ 
p,,rs,.cd  by  a  Hn,isb  brigade  of  g.„..boa,s  and^ovemken  at  Sk'enelSS  ^^JoTZ 
f  n  effi  c'nn^l^  ."•  "^I, ""  "".'"'  "'^''  ^''e*"  "P-  ""''  *°  An.ericana  b  in?  unoblo  rmake 
Fort  Ann  t1  •  r  "^'^  '"  ""  ^"'}''' '""'  ""'""•  b""«'"'«.  """l  escaped  as  they  couTd  to 
time  tZ:  h  '"  ''"'""  ^"^r'^.^Pi'-'d  by  Burgoyne  as  his  head.quarte«  for  a  coLiderab  e 
time  while  his ,  oops  were  clearing  a  road  to  Ford  Edward.  On  the  heichta  overlookk.^ 
the  harbor  are  tho  remains  of  a  battery  and  blockhouse.  ^       overlooking 

78 


578 


WAYNE   COUNTY. 


WAYNE  COUNTY. 

Wayne  county  was  taken  from  the  NW.  corner  of  Ontario,  and 
the  N.  of  Seneca  counties  in  1823.  Greatest  length  from  E.  to  W. 
36  miles  ;  greatest  breadth  N.  and  S.  30. 

The  surface  is  much  diversified ;  on  the  N.  the  ancient  beach  of 
Lake  Ontario  extends  with  the  lake  E.  and  W.  from  it  4  to  8  miles ; 
forming  in  its  whole  course  a  road  through  the  county,  known  as  the 
"  ridge  road."  The  Erie  canal,  for  neariy  the  whole  of  its  devious 
course  of  forty-three  miles  through  the  county,  keeps  the  valley 
of  Mud  creek  and  the  Clyde.  The  soil  is  generally  highly  fer- 
tile. The  greater  portion  of  the  county  on  the  west,  including  one 
fourth  of  the  towns  of  Galen,  Rose,  and  Huron,  was  in  the  grant  to 
Massachusetts  and  in  Phelps  and  Gorham's  purchase,  passing  from 
those  gentlemen  to  Robert  Morris,  and  from  him  to  Sir  William 
Pulteney,  from  whom  the  present  possessors  derive  title.  The  rem- 
nant in  the  east  pertained  to  the  military  tract.  The  county  is  divi  Jed 
into  15  towns.     Pop.  42,068. 

Arcadia,  taken  from  Lyons  in  1825;  from  Albany  186  miles. 
Newark,  6  miles  W.,  and  Lockville  5  miles  W.  of  Lyons,  each  on 
the  canal,  are  villages.     Fairville  is  a  post-office.     Pop.  4,982. 

BuTLEU,  taken  from  Wolcott  in  1826 ;  from  Lyons  NE.  centrally 
situated  14  miles.  Butler  and  South  Butler  are  post-offices.  Pop. 
2,287.  . 

Galen,  organized  as  part  of  Seneca  county,  and  taken  from  Junius 
in  1812 ;  NW.  from  Albany  172  miles.  Pop.  1,245.  Clyde,  incor- 
porated in  1835,  is  situated  upon  the  Erie  canal,  8  miles  E.  from 


Southern  view  of  Clyde. 

Lyons,  The  above  view  was  taken  on  the  S.  side  of  the  Clyde 
river,  and  shows  the  principal  portion  of  the  village.  The  steeple  in 
the  centre  of  the  view  is  that  of  the  Methodist  church,  the  one  to  the 
left  the  Presbyterian,  and  that  to  the  right  the  Baptist.  The  village 
ia  a  place  of  much  business,  and  contains  nhnvu  180  dwelling.-.. 


WATNE   COUNTY. 


579 


m 

HcKON,  taken  from  Wolcott  in  1826,  by  the  name  of  Port  Biv 

from  Albany  193.  from  Lyons  NE.  15  muL    Pop  2.020  ^' 

Lyons  was  taken  from  the  S.  end  of  Sodus  in  1811  -area  since 


-ml 


.^'     *]^l«/l 


msmi  i,« 


MfM^ 


e?;?  Il^  vm. 


IxM?^ 


y 


■  nnn 


Eastei-n  entrance  into  Lyons. 

Lyons,  the  shire  village,  was  incorporated  in  1831.     It  is  situated 
at  the  junction  of  Mud  creek  with  the  Canandaigua  outlet,  (below 
which  the  streani  takes  the  name  of  Clyde  river^  and  on  the  Erie 
cana    181  miles  from  Alban>',  34  from  Rochester,  15  N.  of  Geneva, 
and  1 6  S  of  Sodus  Point.    The  village  contains  about  250  dwellings 
h      K^/r''"'  '  ^"ther?"'  1  Methodist,  1  Baptist,  and  1  Episcopal 
church,  the  county  buildings,  a  bank,  2  newspaper  printing  offices, 
a  number  of  mills,  &c.     The  accompanying  view  was  taken  at  the 
bridge  over  the  Erie  canal,  at  the  eastern  entrance  into  the  village, 
and  shows  in  the  distance  a  number  of  public  buildings.     The  village 
was  originally  laid  out  by  C.  Williamson,  agent  for  the  Pultenly 
estate,  and  is  said  to  have  derived  its  name  from  the  similarity  of  its 
situation  to  the  city  of  that  name  in  France.     The  first  settlement 
was  commenced  m  June,  1798  by  emigrants  from  New  Jersey  and 
Maryland.    Mr.  Van  W.ckle,  from  New  Jersey, «  moved  in,  along 
with  40  persons."    AUoway  is  a  small  manufacturing  village. 

41  fo«t!fi'«I!.»T'''"'  T\^'"'t  T'^c^'i  '"  "*'"  *"*"•  '^^  "•"''«  *««'  of  Lyons,  measuring 
it«  ILp^!?,;  !*  ""  ^"^^  "'^  '''^  '''\  "'l""'  3*  <■•""  '^^°"'  'he  ground,  was  found  I 
fTnurf  M  ^  T^  I  ""f  T'  ^"""""^  ""^  ^""''  "^  ""^  «'•"=.  »"d  exhibiling  with  per. 
foct  d.8t.nctno88  tlie  marks  of  the  axe  at  the  present  time.  The  whole  cavity  thus  created 
by  the  onginal  cuttmg  was  found  to  be  encased  by  460  yenre'  growth  of  the  wood,  i.  e.,  it 
was  concealed  beneath  400  layers  of  the  timber,  which  had  grown  over  it  subsequently  to 
the  cutting.  Consequently  the  origmal  cutting  must  have  been  in  the  year  1372.  or  118 
years  before  the  dxscovny  of  America  by  Columbus.  The  tree  was  cut  by  James  P.  Bartle 
o^  Newark,  a  forwardmg  merchant,  and  the  limber  used  by  him  in  building  the  boat 
Newark,  now  belonging  to  the  Detroit  line.    The  cutting  was  at  least  six  inches  deep." 

Macedon,  taken  from  Palmyra  in  1823.  Macedon  Centre,  22  miles 
NW.,  and  Macedon  on  the  canal,  20  miles  W.  of  Lyons,  are  small 
seftlemcnts.    Pop.  2,397. 


680 


WAYNE    COUNTY. 


Marion,  ongmally  named  Winchester,  and  taken  from  Williamson 
m  1825 ;  trom  Lyons  centrally  distant  NW.  13  miles.  Marion  Cor- 
ners IS  a  small  settlement.     Pop.  2,158. 

Ontario,  originally  named  Freetown,  and  taken  from  Williamson, 
was  organized  as  part  of  Ontario  county ;  centrally  distant  from 
Lyons  NW.  24  miles.  Ontario  and  West  Ontario  are  the  post- 
offices.     Pop.  1,903.  ^ 

Palmyra  was  organized  by  the  general  sessions  of  Ontario  county 
pursuant  to  the  act  of  27th  of  Jan.  1789;  since  modified.  It  com- 
pnsea  two  townships  of  Phelps  and  Gorham's  purchase,  being  No. 
12,  m  the  2d  and  3d  ranges.  The  surface  of  the  town  is  gently  un- 
dulating, and  the  soil  of  a  superior  quality.     Pop.  3,550. 


Eastern  view  in  Main-street,  Palmyra. 

The  village  of  Palmyra  is  situated  on  Mud  creek  and  the  Erie 
canal,  196  miles  distant  from  Albany  by  the  post  route,  1 1  from  Lyons, 
13  from  Canandaigua,  and  22  from  Rochester.  It  is  a  place  of  con- 
siderable business,  containing  about  250  dwellings,  1  Presbyterian, 
1  Episcopal,  1  Methodist,  and  1  Baptist  church,  a  bank,  2  newspaper 
printing  offices,  a  number  of  mills,  &c.  The  accompanying  engrav- 
ing shows  part  of  Main-street,  looking  westward. 

Joseph  Smith,  the  founder  of  the  Mormon  sect,  began  his  public 
career  in  and  near  this  village.  The  following  account  of  Smith, 
and  his  operations,  is  derived  from  authentic  sources  of  information. 

Joseph  Smith,  the  founder  of  Mormonism,  was  born  in  Roynlton,  Vt.,  and  removed  to 
Manchester,  Ontario  county,  N.  Y.,  about  the  year  1820,  at  an  early  age,  with  his  parents, 
who  were  m  quite  humble  circumstancee.  He  was  occasionally  employed  in  Palmyra  as 
a  laborer,  and  boro  the  reputation  of  a  lazy  and  ignoront  young  man.  According  to  the 
testimony  of  respectable  individuals  in  that  place,  Smith  and  his  father  were  persons  of 
aouDttuI  moral  character,  addicted  to  disreputable  habits,  and  moreover  extremely  eupersti- 
tious,  behevmg  in  the  existence  of  witchcraft.  They  at  one  time  procured  a  mineral  rod, 
and  dug  m  various  places  for  money.  Smith  testified  that  when  digging  ho  had  seen  the 
pot  or  chest  containing  the  treasure,  but  never  was  fortunate  enough  to  get  it  into  his  hands. 
«e  placed  a  singular  looking  stone  in  liia  Jiai,  and  pretended  by  the  light  of  it  to  make 


WAYNE   COOWTY. 


581 


^^:n^f&tZ7Altt:^r\TLf''  trsasures  deposhcd  in  .he  earth.    He 

ippointed  .  number  of  meeUnS^?„  Pa?L™  ^Z^"^  '^'*"'  "^^^  '^  •6"'  o^^^  <"  19.  ^d 

tions  which  he  said  were  S,o  him^S;  wJ  t''"'"*^  of  declaring  the  divine  reX 

ment  in  the  village;  but  verTfr™;  hl^'.    ■    ^.^'  ^""".^"^r,  unable  to  produce  any  excite 

the  means  to  pri^t  his  rStiJ^.  S'  SH  mtl.''  /l^"  '''>™V  ^ot  Saving 

c  anng  that  he  was  moved  by  the  s  Jrit  to  rnll  ?,„n    k-      /'  "'  ^^  ^"^'^^  "^  ^"^nds,  de- 

bid  him  to  go  to  work  or  thJ ,tn?»  ni         call  upon  him  for  assistance.     This  gentleman 

with  Marti?  HarTan  in!us,Ss'and°.hrif  f'"*  ^^  TT,'    «'"'"'  ^'"^  better  s7cTe^ 

«10,000.  and  who  became  one  of  his  ?eaclK     7"  °l  ^."  ""y"*'  *''°  ^"^  *°"»'  "bom 

the  Mormon  Bible,  (so  called  Were    'wSHr*'''"'-    ^^  '"'I  ««•"'«'«=«.  5,000  copies  of 

ble  that  Harris  might  have  mirie  fife's  witlTthe'^r  f  ^^'^^^^^'^OO.    It  is  possi. 

t.on.  as  a  great  sale  was  anticipaW.    Thirwrrk  is  a  H,f^'"?''°"  of  a  profitable  specula. 

pages,  and  is  perhaps  one  of  the  weakest  nm,WHn„      '^"'^^'^"no  volume,  containing  590 

d.vme  revelation.     It  is  mostly  a  S  mn«  „f      T  ^•"^  ""^"P'^d  to  be  palmed  off  as  a 

and  quotations,  without  m^ch  o?  a  "^01?,'^'  ?"'«^^»^«^^■i'h  scriptural  language 

a«  might  be  expected  from  a  peLn  ofSthl  aW  itlTf n'.  .^' '"  '?  ^"''f'"'^  "  production 

IS  a  copy  of  the  title  page  :  '  "'""''^*  ""'^  *"™  «>f  mind.    The  following 

£  •^.ttinc^e'-ot'irp;;^  zjiT^^Si^r^  -a"i.'t«ui'T.^t£? 

,^By  a<^a  S^iU..  Junior,  AuU.or  and  P,„p.e.o,  Patmyra.    Printed  by  E.  B.  G,«,di„,  for  U.e  Author. 

ly^tw&Zr^nimrVm:^:  in  whThV  '^^  """'"^^^  "  ^'^  =  0'--  Powdery! 
and  people.  «hat\heyKr8eenZ'iuScon£inrthrr  "i^'^'T",'  ^'''^''^''  '""^"^ 
them,  &c.  On  the  last  page  is  contn  nld  ,il  T  ."^  r^''?'^'  '"'^  '''e  engravings  upon 
following  is  a  copy :        ^^       contamed  the  testimony  of  eight  witnesses,  of  wWcbZ 

'>^ip''^:Zr£,r'«::y't:^^^  whom  .hU.  booK  .han  con.,,  that  Joseph 

the  plates  ot  which  we  have  .iw.k»r.      »i       "  HKfxiiD,  and  know  of  a  surely  that  thp  .iiWSmitK  MI.       . 

.hey  werdle?pra"ciX'"k^^^^^^^  .f  ^f  «''-  l^^'-  »<>  •»«  follower, 

them,  the  Almighty  would  strike^hem  de^d  Tu  «!iH  f^  "'""'"•  *«'  if 'bey  uncovered 
what  was  engraved  upon  them  •  whTh  K?  u.^'f  *V  "**  <»"«  but  Smith  could  read 

kind  of  spectfclesttd  burrd'wTth  the  pC  '""''"* '"  •*"  ''""""''"S  through  a  peculiar 

raifc^olt'oWaSnVtVjL'^^^^^^^^^^^  -«  ^^  '^  P"«.  «  -idem  of  Lor- 

religion,  called  on  the  pro^f t  andTas  sZ  convJL"^  "Vt  *""'"'.•  ''•'"'""K  °<"  *'"'  n*"' 
Rigdon.  a  very  popular  preacher  of  The  rnL-.^i,  ?""^  *"^  '"''"""«  *'*  Sidney 
About  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  Prat? a^  '^    «  '  Reformei«"  or  "Disciples" 

dition  for  the  western  country  under  tSlSlnfv'r"  ^l""""  ^"'"  '^"'"«  ""'  an  expe. 
Indians  or  Lamanites,  as  theTtSedtherTnnA^°'^«Q!;r'^  "'''*'  »"  '='"»^««  'be 
Cowdery,  Pratt,  Pete«on,  and  WhhmerTmv.H  ?m  "'  ^^.^S'  ""'"  •"'^'°"'  consisting  of 
well  supplied  w  th  the  neVBibles     Near  Z  i.  ^«"'".^  Ohio,  the  residence  of  Rigdon, 


WAYNE   COUNTY. 


The  Mormon  Hill. 

[The  above  is  a  nortlieni  view  of  the  Mormon  Hill  in  the  town  of  Mancheater,  about  3  miles  in  a  southern 
alrection  from  Pnlinyra.  It  in  ■J(bii^40  feci  in  height,  and  h  a  specimen  of  Iheforni  of  iiumerouselevalions 
In  this  section  of  the  state.  It  derivok  its  name  from  being  the  upol,  (it  we  are  to  credit  the  testimony  of  Jo- 
seph Sniitli,)  where  llie  plates  containing  the  Uook  of  Mormon  were  found.] 

the  conversion  of  Rigdon,  soon  after,  Mormonism  received  a  powerful  impetus,  and  more 
tiian  one  hundred  converts  were  speedily  added.  Rigdon  visited  Smith  at  Palmyra,  where 
he  tarried  about  two  months,  receiving  revelations,  preaching,  &c.  He  then  returned  to 
Kirtland,  Ohio,  and  was  followed  a  few  days  after  by  the  prophet  Smith  and  his  connec. 
tions.  Thus  from  a  state  of  almost  beggary,  the  family  of  Smith  were  furnished  with  the 
"  fat  of  the  land"  by  their  disciples,  many  of  whom  were  wealthy. 

A  Mormon  temple  was  erected  at  Kirtland,  at  an  expense  of  about  $50,000,  In  this 
building,  there  was  a  sacred  apartment,  a  kind  of  holy  of  holies,  in  which  none  but  the 
priests  were  allowed  to  enter.  An  unsuccessful  application  was  made  to  the  legislature  for 
the  charter  of  a  bank.  Upon  the  refusal,  they  established  an  unchartered  institution,  com. 
menced  their  banking  operations,  issued  their  notes,  and  made  extensive  loans.  The 
society  now  rapidly  increased  in  wealth  and  numbers,  of  whom  many  were  doubtless  drawn 
thither  by  mercenary  motives.  But  the  bubble  at  last  burst.  The  bank  being  an  unchar- 
tered institution,  the  debts  due  were  not  legally  collectable.  With  the  failure  of  this  insti. 
tution,  the  society  rapidly  declined,  and  Smith  was  obliged  to  leave  the  state  to  avoid  the 
sheriff*,  ^ost  of  the  sect,  with  their  leader,  removed  to  Missouri,  where  many  outrages 
were  perpetrated  against  them.  The  Mormons  raised  an  armed  force  to  "  drive  off  the 
infidels ;"  but  were  finally  obliged  to  leave  the  state.  By  the  last  accounts,  they  were 
establishing  themselves  at  Nauvoo,  Illinois ;  and  it  is  said  are  now  in  a  more  flourishing 
condition  than  ever,  rapidly  making  converts  by  means  of  their  itinerant  preachers  in  va- 
rious  sections  of  our  own  country  and  even  in  England. 

Rose,  taken  from  Wolcott  in  1826;  from  Albany  177  miles.  Rose 
Valley  is  a  small  post  village,  1(»  miles  NE.  from  Lyons.  Pop.  2,03L 

Savannah,  taken  from  Galen  in  1824;  from  Lyons  centrally  situ- 
ated E.  13  miles.     Pop.  1,707. 

SoDus  was  organized  in  1789 ;  bounds  since  altered  ;  from  Albany 
180  miles.  Sod  us,  on  the  Ridge  road,  13  miles  NW.,  and  Sodus 
Point,  15  miles  from  Lyons,  are  small  villages.  At  Nicholas  Point, 
on  Sodus  bay,  a  body  of  Shakers  settled  in  1825.  They  have  a 
a  church,  but  are  few  in  number.  At  Sodus  bay,  on  Lake  Ontario, 
the  United  States  have  made  a  pier  for  the  improvement  of  the  har- 
bor, of  about  a  mile  in  length.  The  lake  steamers  enter  the  harbor 
and  bay.     Pop.  4,393. 

The  following  is  extracted  from  Thompson's  History  of  the  late  War : 

•'  On  the  18th  of  June,  1813,  the  British  fleet  appeared  before  the  town  of  Sodus,  on  a 
bay  of  that  name,  which  is  formed  on  the  American  side  of  Lake  Ontario,  between  Gen- 
eaee  and  Oswego  nvers.    General  Burnet,  of  the  New  York  militia,  suspecting  that  they 


WANYE   COUNTY. 


583 


the  following  morning.  But  the  enTmv  wp  b  '•  ^'u'  '"^.'*'  ""^  '^^"'^  »'  Sodus  on 
the  alarm  of  the  inhabitant  drlw  o7hl,^n  knowing  that  hia  appearance  would  excite 
ded,  and  re-appeared  in  "h^evenL  nf  ,L  ?nT  "?'*'  '^^  apprehensions  should  be  subsi- 
charged.  In  cont.mpTa.^J„  o7h  "^return  the  ?nh»h7  ^"r/'^'"  ''•^"'""''' '"«' ''««"'  ^is. 
from  the  buildings  on  the  watet^s  eXe  to  a  il^i  7.^  had  removed  all  the  public  stores 
appearance  of  the  hostile  sladron  a  ^cond  ^^f  """*'  "!,■  **■  *'"^'  "«» *»»  *«  «- 
sent  after  the  discharged  SawhichTv^^nkn  ,.!''''  "V«"i«J«''<';y  given,  and  expresses 
forcement.  Before  their  return  tl«  »n.^T  J^,  "j  ^'""^J"  ^^^"^  ^'"'^'  ^'^  a  large  rein, 
been  removed,  th  yse  fire  ra'lMLSbLb.rif ''''•"".! '^"'^'"^  *"^  *«  ^'^^^'^  had 
the  private  property  of  evrry  descSion  tII'II'"^  '"  *!.  "'^"'  ""^  'l«'^<'y«d  most  of 
tants,  to  desist  froii  desSfthe  SninT  h.^,  '"  "^'^  "**■  ?°  •**'P"'"«  *"''  ">«  inhabi. 
flour  and  provisions,  which  ,hey  knew  had  t^'  ''"."""^"^"""f 'heir  surrendering  the 
were  then  not  more  than  two  hLdredvarSfrnT,h'''°M''''*  "  •!'!"?'«'=«•  These  arficles 
to  attempt  their  capture,  lerhe  St  beiwr„^  "'^^'^l' '  "'  '^'^  ^"^""^  ^id  not  choose 

1,734.  Walworth  Comers  is  a  small  village.    Pop. 

Alta;"S°Silef "l^r/m'  'J  r' '  "r  ™"=^  ^"-"l '  f-"- 

L,o„s^„LaJs„.^:f-r^n,iLtx^^^^^^^^ 

ifi??l^''lt'^i??  •^f'=°""*  "^  ^^«  invasion  of  Pultenevville  Mav  I'ith 
f™ -afCan^d^J^u-a  Jl'""  "■=  °'""'»  Me.sengerfp'l'la/a 

ville.  and  information  Lnt  to  Gene  alSwTwZ  ?'  '^Z°Tl^  "laking  towards  Pulteney" 
ceeding  night  with  130  volunteeTand  rnt^;ir.''°orS?ndfv' a'fl '"  '^'  '"'""^  °^*«  «"'■ 
mandmg  a  peaceable  surrender  of  all  pub  c  wooertv  ^n7»^  ^^  "^"^  "*"'  °"  «''°'«  ^e. 
struction  of  the  village,  (which  is  orthrmaLin  of  X'  I  S  ''?'«'»'^"'"ff  «"  immediate  de- 
Swift  returned  for  aifswer  that  he  ehoMlH  Zn.  ^  '"''^'^  '"  *"^«  "^  '•«<'"»al-  General 
power.  Soon  after  the  return  of  the'fla^  cS^KTr  ind'""  h'  "JT  "i!  "^""^  '"  ''•'' 
hcitations  and  entreaties  of  the  inhabitante  of  .h^L^      .  '"du^ed,  by  the  pressing  so- 

to  the  enemy  with  a  flag,  and  offer  unZ  «,.r^.nV  "/  'u  P"™"  °"^  "'  ^«  <=i'i^«n'  to  go 
house  at  the  water's  ed^;,  conSn^of  aboutfoo  ba-.  f  T''"'''  """}"'"«'* '"  <"  «'«'«- 
on  condition  that  the  commandinScer  Sid  stinS  .  ^T,'  '=<'"«i'»«™hly  damaged, 
the  inhabitants.    Before  the  return  of   he  £   thn  °  "'''l''?^  ""'^^  "•"  """'^at 

hundred  men  on  shore,  who  took  nos^eslfon  of^.'h  fi  ""^.'"^  ««"'  'heir  boats  with  several 
to  further  depredations'.  General  SwTft  whose  foree  w^.'  T  r'°''  ""^  ^"«  proceeding 
tack,  (and  which,  if  attempted,  must  haU  exno/pH  h;.  .  '"/^"°'  *"  J"*'''^  «''  °P«»  a' 

commenced  a  fire  upon  thm  from  an  ndiac^n'^i  w**  5  T"u"'  ""^  ?""'  "^  '*»«  ^^o'^  «««'.) 
ao  harassing  as  to  induce  th?m  to  ?e.entk  whpn'7,^''  ^°""'^'''  V^^' «'»''  »««='""« 
the  fleet  upon  the  town,  which  w  Jcrat  S  f^r  s.?m«  l^^  """""^.n^d  a  cannonade  from 
a  few  shot-holes  through  the  ho^^s!  Three  h,  ndr^H  'T «' ^V''"^"°.''"'*'■  '"J"^  ^han 
moved  back  from  the  storehouse  a  few  davs  blrp  f  •""l'  °1  ^°°^  ''•"""  •">«*  »>««»  «- 
the  only  booty  obtained  by  the  enemv  The  rhtf'.  .""f  '^^  '^^ "/'"^  «°"'  ^^'''^  '^"a 
about  a  mile  back  of  the  town  of  whirh  ,h!  ''""''"''^  '"'"'''«  °'^"°"^  *"«  deposited 

took.    But  they  ch^e  to  loZgo  1  p  und  1  ont'Ti'th'''?h  "T"'^  ^  '""^^  P"''°"«"  "'^J' 
with  General  Swift  and  his  rXmen.^"  '    ^'  ""*"  ^'  'hemselves  in  the  woodi 

f  V  iJf 7«*S''''  *^''^"  ^''""  •^.""'"''  *"**  organized  as  part  of  Seneca  conn- 
ty  m  1807;  area  Since  altered;  from  Albany  lU  miles     WolcoU 


664 


WESTCHE3TE11   COUNTY. 


18  miles  NE.  from  Lyons,  is  a  village  of  about  60  dwellings. 
Creek  is  a  small  settlement,  26  miles  from  Lyons.    Fop.  2,482. 


Red 


WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 

Westchester  county  is  of  ancient  date.  It  was  represented  in 
the  first  legislative  assembly  in  the  colony,  which  met  at  New  York 
in  1001.  And  it  has  constituted  one  county  to  this  time,  having  been 
organized  as  such  by  the  general  acts  of  1788  and  1801.  This  coun- 
ty comprises  a  very  important  section  of  the  state.  Washed  on  the 
west  by  the  Hudson,  and  on  the  south  by  the  East  river  and  Long 
Island  sound,  it  enjoys  very  superior  advantages  for  trade  and  com- 
merce. The  county  generally  exhibits  a  beautiful  diversity  of  sur- 
face. The  northwestern  corner  is  considerably  broken  by  the  SE. 
border  of  the  Highlands,  of  a  mountain  character,  and  a  range  of 
hills  of  moderate  height  extends  from  York  Island  towards  the  NE. 
extremity,  on  which  are  situated  the  heights  and  hills  much  known  in 
the  revolution.  Based  upon  primitive  rock,  the  soil  is  naturally  ster- 
ile, but  is  rendered  productive  by  careful  and  painful  cultivation.  Of 
wheat  it  produces  little,  and  the  inhabitants  import  a  large  portion  of 
their  bread-stuffs.  Summer  crops  are  good,  and  by  the  use  of  plaster, 
valuable  returns  in  grass  are  obtained.  The  chief  business  of  the  in- 
habitants consists  in  supplying  New  York  city  with  garden  stuffs, 
field  vegetables,  butter,  poultry,  &c. 

This  county  suffered  severely  during  the  revolution.  The  whole 
southern  part  was  marked  by  the  marches,  works  of  defence,  or 
skirmishes  and  battles  of  hostile  armies.  And,  indeed,  the  active  op- 
erations of  the  war  in  1776,  were  principally  confined  to  this  region, 
and  in  the  autumn  to  this  county,  where  the  two  armies  were  in  full 
force,  constantly  on  the  alert,  and  under  the  eyes  of  their  respective 
commanders.  The  county  is  divided  into  21  towns,  all  of  which 
were  organized  under  the  act  of  March  7th,  1788,  excepting  New 
Castle.     Pop.  48,687. 

Bedford,  from  New  York  NE.  44  miles,  was  first  settled  under  a 
Connecticut  license  in  1681  or  1682,  at  a  place  called  the  hop-ground, 
on  account  of  its  natural  product.  The  original  patent,  dated  1697, 
bears  the  Connecticut  seal,  and  it  was  not  until  1700  that  the  settle- 
ment was  attached  to  New  York  by  order  of  King  William.  Bed- 
ford, the  half-shire  town,  has  a  courthouse  and  about  45  dwellings. 
Whitlockville  is  a  small  village.  John  Jay  during  the  latter  part  of 
his  life  resided  in  the  northern  part  of  this  town.  The  annexed 
sketch  of  his  life  is  from  Blake's  Biographical  Dictionary : — 

"  John  Jay,  LL.  D.,  first  chief-juatice  of  the  United  States  under  the  constitution  of 
1789,  graduated  at  Kings,  (now  Columbia  college,)  1764,  and  in  1768  was  admitted  to  the 
bar.  He  was  appointed  to  the  first  American  congress  in  1774.  Being  on  the  committee 
with  Lee  and  Livingston  to  draft  an  address  to  the  people  of  Great  Britain,  he  was  the 


.?^.. 


WESTCHESTER   COUNTY. 


066 


The  residence  of  the  late  Chief. Justice  Jay,  Bedford. 


York  .1,0  .w«f,  „f  „  f         -c  JVlarch  U,  1777,  he  reported  to  the  convention  of  New 

u.n».  d.iod  Sepiembcr  8, 1779,  ™  pr.S  SrS  O  "bf  23,LW„£,S,'''  T""^ 
■ppoimed  ii,im.(er  plom|.ocenli«ry  lo  iho  com  of  s™  n     h1  !,.  *p»inber.  lie  wu 

hfjS:;?;  Stet  rjgn'affai^'^rthe^'iZlt''''"^^".'''''  "^f  ^'^  "PP"™™^ 
secretary  was  in  effect  the  heTof  the  governmcn  Sr  C'"'"'""^  "^  "'"  T"'^''*'* 
portance.  Ho  drew  up  October  ]Vl77fi!^TK  .^"^^ -"^y*  services  were  of  great  im. 
United  Stales  and  Grrnt  Rri.nin    V      I      ^'"'""■a'e  'epo«  on  the  relations  between  the 

of  his  life  he  passed  in  retirement.   He  died  ^im,^^7iS  ^'''  """""**•" 

V,;fM''''i^''°"  A^}""  '"'^''''f  "/  ^^'^  ^°^"  «»  the  north  is  covered  by  the 
highlands,  and  has  some  lofty  summits,  the  principal  of  which  is  the 
Colleberg  and  An  hony's  nose.  The  town  has  a  considerable  port  on 
pLrvitgcs         ^^P-^'^'^-    Croton  and  Cortlandtown  are^ma[l 

nnJirnrilln  ^%^^^  "^'If  f"^«^P«^^t«d  in  1826.  It  is  situated  12  miles 
Son  n?  fh.  f  •  / 1^'  f "'^  •ir^^'^t'^'y  ««"th  of  the  southern  termina- 
nn.o  If  f     h;f  hl'-^nds-     The  annexed  engraving  shows  the  appear- 

from  t:t±'^:ir'''^^''"'^^^-^^^  ^  ^-  -^^  -^'-^^ 


The  old  Dutch  Reformed  and  £lie  Epis 


74 


580 


WRSTCHE8TER    COUNTY. 


East  view  of  Peekskill. 

copal  church  are  discernible  on  the  right ;  the  Methodist  and  the 
Presbyterian  church,  having  a  small  tower,  are  on  the  extreme  left. 
The  elevated  spire  of  the  new  Dutch  Reformed  church  is  in  the  cen- 
tral part  of  the  view.  Hudson  river,  with  the  towering  highlands,  is 
seen  in  the  distance.  The  village  represented  in  the  engraving  is 
situated  on  an  elevation  200  feet  above  the  level  of  the  river,  half  a 
mile  from  the  landing,  on  both  sides  of  a  deep  ravine,  in  which  flows 
Gregory's  brook,  a  rapid  stream.  There  are  in  the  village  a  bank, 
2  printing-offices,  2  large  iron  foundries,  &;c.  There  is  an  academy, 
a  large  edilice,  situated  on  a  commanding  eminence  at  the  south.  It 
was  erected  by  subscription,  at  an  expense  of  $7,000.  The  village, 
including  the  landing,  contains  upwards  of  200  dwellings,  and  2 
churches  for  Friends,  besides  those  mentioned  above.  There  is  a 
steamboat  ferry  at  this  place  to  Caldwell's  landing,  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  Hudson,  two  miles  distant.  Vcrplanck's  point  and  Conti- 
nental village,  places  distinguished  in  the  revolutionary  war,  are  with- 
in the  limits  of  this  town.  This  latter  place,  which  had  barracks  for 
2,000  men,  was  burnt  by  the  British  in  October,  1777  ;  the  followino- 
account  of  which  is  extracted  from  the  Connecticut  Journal  of  AurU 
2d,  1777.  ^ 

FUIMI,  March  27.-Our  poat  at  Peck's-kill,  since  the  removnl  of  the  militia  of  the  eastern 
Biaieg,  lias  been  m  a  manner  m  a  delenceless  situation,  there  being  only  part  of  2  recinienls 
stationed  there  under  the  care  of  Gen.  JIcDougal  amounting  to  about  250  men.  The  enemv 
ha\nn"  received  intelligence  of  this,  formed  an  expedition  thither  with  a  view  to  take  or  de- 
stroy the  stores  belonging  to  the  continentals  that  were  deposited  there.  Accordinelv  on  Sun- 
day last  they  appeared  with  a  Iriuate,  four  transports,  ancT  several  other  smaU  veSvi^  in  the 
.K^^'b?  ■,^  about  1,(»00  men,  with  several  pieces  of  cannon.  General  McDoueal  not 
«HvinL^.',  P"'""!'^"',"'  hazard  a  battle  with  such  an  unequal  force,  and  not  having  seatonable 
advice  01  the  enemy's  movement,  was  under  the  necessity  of  destroying  their  stores  in  order 

o  prevent  tiieir  luUmg  into,  their  hand.,  and  retired  about  two  miles  Intf  the  pa»  m  the  H  «h- 
h  r^w?'''^;.'"^u'^'*  ''''"  "J^^  ''"S'?"8«  ^nd  "lili'afy  stof'^s;  his  advanced  guarS  being  stationed 

L  «"'''"'"j  ■?""'?  'I  ?'»<=  vall'^^y-  The  enemy  the  same  day  took  poSession  of  tie  v  laee 
and  remained  close  m  their  quarters  until  the  ne.xt  day  in  ihe  afternoon,  when  a  party  of  them 
ThTielf.™!  l'"'-'  ^  "?^n.,Po»*»*d  themselves isf  a  height  a  Uttle  south  orCordS 
The  general  having  received  a  reinforcement  from  Col.  Gai^voorfs  regiment,  of  St  1) 


WESTCHESTER   COUNTy. 


687 


advanced  with  his  mmll  party  wihTheJleateJ^^Wpmn^^^^^         """  **  """  "'■'•.''»«7  di<Vo«'tion. 
The  enemy  inHlamly  fled  wUh  7he  creLf^  nreni  .i^?;       ^      ':'^''»l'«i.>n,  and  made  the  attack 
and  the  wHol,-  body%anic8trickb^tonk^h^n,i.C  '."".' J*?'''!!*  "?''^*  '"'"'' '''''"'  ""  «he  field, 
or  the  night ,  and  \^y  ^L, Tcfount^  1 1  had^iled  d'nwn  V'"PP'"8'  ?"'l'"l^'"K  ""der  cove^ 
they  gave  out  they  intended  t(r8t<  n  at  xTrrlrM^^  !r„1h^"  ^^^  'T''    "^'?''«  'h^X  embarked, 
our  magazine  oltirage  at  W  Lh  -g^  n  ilk  ^Cn  ',h?;  *""'  '^"^  "^"T*  ^"^  """""P'  '"  •'•'•'^"y " 
took  po«^8Bion  of  his  Ibrmer  Quarte™  andTLh/n    *'^'";'"'""K  <he  place.  Gen';  McDougal 
The  enen.y  on  thia  occS  have  beS  «ceed  ndv  diaa^.nlr'^^'""".!."  \"''''  'heir  motions 
to  carry  off- any  stores  l.ll  hXind  h»nn?.^tn^V  *"Pt'''!,'''^S **, 'hey  have  not  been  able 
or  10  head  of  cafrwi     which  the?  ZrZ?r^.Z\  T  '"''"  ""^K'^'"'.''*'""'  *  »»«eep  and  S 
did  troops  exhibit  nowLnnlsB  and  ^Imi^'^.'hf.^H-T  °"'  ^"'^  ^"1"'^''  'he  lories.  '^Never 
standmg  the  disparity  of  n,"XrS  wL  i  "at  Lnd  t1 ,.  "Z  """^  "H  "l"  "r*^"""    ^otwith- 
with  the  utmost  reluctance  thev7etrr.^  fn Hi  nl.      a      *"'^*'  absolutely  necessary,  it  was 
burnt  8..me  houses,  plundered  the  i^habitantl  of  rh?,'  ,U^  "'"n"  "'^'^  '?"T''  °''  ""''""  have 
frightened  the  wonien  and  rhilXrand  ra^d  T^.e^L^^^^^^^  convenienily  take  with  them, 

JlonaXti.fe;^ll-  ^  "  "'^^  ^^^^^^X  ^i^^t')^^ 

r«rr"Y8V8:T.h^60TTol':nra:e  ^Tn  .""'""'  "'"'/i!''  °"  "^  ^S'^"  '^'V  of  Feb- 
accompaniod  by  two  young  fal«  of  .'he^oumv  of" T^h  '^  ^^^"^  ^''P'""^'^^'  !'«»• 
day  be  recorded  on  their  own  ™rved  nlT  nV)  hT  ntetel^^^  ^l!'  ^ 

r ''p -trih^'irr^t^5s 

^S:^.  on  the  cast  sid^  is  a  beau^U [^l^^L  Sjr I  ^  ^ZZl^Z  t^ 

V,.?^^'f  ^r'^"^"-  T  '^'^^^'"^P  «f  East  Chostor  is  situated  at  the 
head  of  a  bay  on  Long  Island  sound,  16  miles  NE.  from  New  York 
on  the  old  turnpike  and  stage  road  to  Boston,  and  contains  an  Epi.s' 
copal  church  and  about  25  dwellings.  Bronx  is  the  name  of  a  small 
settlement  and  post-office  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town,  in  the 
vicinity  of  which  are  valuable  marble  quarries.     Pop  1  502 

GKEENSBURGn  IS  pleasantly  situated  on  the  Hudson,  22  miles  N.  of 
the  city  of  New  York.     Pop.  3,361.    On  the  banks  of  the  river  are 
splendid  sites  for  country  residences,  many  of  which  are  occupied  bv 
the  wealthy.      About  two  miles  below  the  village  of  Tarrvtown 
beautifully  situated  on  the  Hudson,  is  the  country  residence  of  Wash- 
ington Irving,  Esq.,  and  well  known  as  the  "Van  Tassel  house." 
Dobbs  Perry,  a  noted  place  in  the  revolution,  is  situated  on  the  Hud- 
son,  22  miles  N.  of  New  York,  and  opposite  the  northern  termination 
of  the  Pal'sades.     There  is  here  a  village  containing  2  churches,  and 
about  30  dwellings.     Hastings  is  a  small  settlement  and  landing  on 
the  Hudson,  2  miles  below  Dobbs'  Ferry :  3  miles  E.  of  Tarrvtown 
IS  the  small  village  of  Greensburgh,  where  there  is  a  store,  a  tavern,  a 
tew  neat  dwellings,  and  a  Presbyterian  church,  in  whose  cemetery 
rest  the  remains  of  Isaac  Van  Wart,  one  of  the  captors  of  Andre  • 
oyer  which  is  a  marble  monument,  consisting  of  a  base  and  pyramid! 
with  the  following  inscription  : 


,?■? 


588 


W£STCUE3T£S   COUNTY. 


Van  Taaael  house,  the  residence  of  Washington  Irving. 

"  Here  repose  the  mortal  remainsi  of  Isaac  Van  Waht,  an  elder  of  tlie  Greenburgh 
church,  who  died  on  the  23d  of  May,  1828,  in  the  69ih  year  of  liis  age.  Having  lived  the 
life,  he  died  the  death  of  the  Christian.— The  citizens  of  ihe  county  ol  Westchester  erected 
thw  tomb,  in  testimony  of  the  high  sense  they  entertained  for  the  virtuous  and  patriotic 
conduct  of  their  fellow-citizen,  and  as  a  memorial  sacred  to  public  gratitude.— Vincit  Amor 
ratnee. — Nearly  half  a  century  before  this  monument  was  built,  the  conscript  fathers  of  Ameri- 
ca  had,  in  the%enate  chamber,  voted  that  Isaac  Van  Wart  was  a  faithful  patriot— one  in  whom 
the  love  of  country  was  invincible,  and  this  tomb  bears  testimony  that  the  record  is  true.— 
S.  J  ?;r.^°  ""^  ^^"^  of  Sept.  1780,  Isaac  Van  Wart,  accompanied  by  John  Paulding  and 
IJavid  Wdhams,  all  farmers  of  the  iiounty  of  Westchester,  intercepted  Ulnjor  Andre  on  his 
return  from  the  American  lines  in  the  character  of  a  spy,  and  notwithstanding  the  large 
bribes  offered  them  for  his  release,  nobly  disdained  to  sacrifice  their  country  for  gold,  se. 
cured  and  carried  him  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  district,  whereby  the  dangerous 
and  traitorous  conspiracy  of  Arnold  was  brought  to  light,  the  insidious  designs  of  the  enemy 
baffled,  the  American  army  saved,  and  our  beloved  country  freed,"  &c. 

Tarrytown  is  pleasantly  situated,  28  miles  N.  of  New  York,  on  an 
elevation  overlooking  the  Hudson,  opposite  the  widest  part  of  Tap- 
pan  bay.  The  village  contains  4  churches,  80  or  90  dwellings,  and 
about  1,000  inhabitants.  The  above  is  a  view  of  the  place,  situated 
about  one  fourth  of  a  mile  N.  of  the  village  whore  Andre  was  taken 
prisoner,  in  Sept.  1780,  by  throe  militiamen.  The  roud  at  that  time 
ran  a  little  to  the  west  of  its  present  location.  The  three  were  play- 
ing cards  in  the  field  on  the  right  of  the  engraving,  which  was  then 
covered  with  trees  and  shrubbery,  when  their  attention  was  arrested 
by  the  clattering  of  a  horse's  hoofs  over  a  wooden  hridire  thrown 
across  the  little  brook  seen  in  the  foreground.  They  left  tJieir  cards, 
and  arrested  Andre  in  the  vicinity  of  the  place  where  now  stands  a 
small  pine  tree,  near  which  a  human  figure  is  placed  in  the  engraving. 

^  The  annex(;d  account  of  the  taking  of  Andre,  is  from  a  manuscript 
in  the  possession  of  Isaac  H.  Tiffany,  Esq.,  e'.  Fultonville  ;  being  the 
notes  of  a  personal  conversation  which  he  had  with  David  Williamg, 


WESTCHESTER   COUNTY. 


589 


Nortk  view  of  the  place  where  Andre  u,a»  taken  prisoner. 

is!  181  t'""  ''*'^''"  '"  the  scene  at  Broome,  Schoharie  county,  Feb. 

hpW  v"""''  ^^"  ^'"■''  ""'^  P»"'''i"S.  (Williams  ogcd  between  22  »nd  23,  the  other  two 
being  younger  )  were  going  to  see  some  relations  20  miles  below.  The  three  were  Mated 
beside  the  road  in  the  bushes,  amusing  themselves  at  cards,  when  their  a«o„tTonwM„ 
rested  by  the  galloping  of  a  hor^e.  On  approaching  the  road  they  saw  a  gendemnn  ridine 
towards  them  seated  ona  arge  brown  horse,  which  was  after;ard  observed  to  haTe  marked 
on  the  near  shou  der  the  in  <ials  U  S.  A.  The  rider  was  a  light,  trim-built  man.  Tout  5 
feet  7  inches  m  he.glit.  with  a  bold  military  countenance  and  dark  eyes,  and  was  drewed 
in  a  round  hat,  blue  surtout,  crimson  coat,  with  pantal.ons  and  vest  of  nankeln!    Afhe 

chZl.  h^h  ""^  '^'7,^}f  '^'"  "'"^'^^'^  «'"•  "'•"'"^  ■''  "»«  rider,  who  CiediatelJ 
checked  his  horse,  and  the  following  conversation  ensued :  icuiawiy 

Andre.  "  Gentlemen,  I  hope  you  arc  of  our  party  !" 

PauWing'.  "  What  party?" 

Andre.  "  The  lower  party." 

Paulding.  •'  We  do." 

Andre.  "  I  am  a  British  officer ;  I  have  been  up  in  the  country  on  particular  business,  and 
would  not  wish  to  be  detained  a  single  moment."  ""'■cw,  una 

He  thereupon  pulled  out  a  gold  watch,  and  exhibited  it  as  an  evidence  that  he  was  a 
gentleman,  and  returned  it  ngain  to  his  fob.   Paulding  thereupon  remarked,  "  We  are  Amert 

Andre.  "  God  bless  my  soul !  a  man  must  do  any  thing  to  get  along-I  am  a  continental 
officer,  going  down  to  Dobbs  Ferry  to  get  information  from  below." 

Andre  then  drew  out  and  presented  a  pass  from  General  Arnold,  in  which  was  the  as. 
sumed  name  of  John  Anderson.  Seizing  hold  upon  the  reins  of  the  horse,  they  ordered  him 
to  dismount.    Andre  cxclain^,-d,  "  You  will  bring  yourself  into  trouble  !"    "  We  care  not 

.,'?/■',','•  ^''■'' '''"  "^'^l'^;  '^'^'■'y  ""'''  '""'  ''•'«'"  "^"  Of  '■''■'een  rods  beside  a  run  of  water. 
?"  ,£','!'■'*  proceeded  to  search  the  hat,  coat,  vest,  shirt,  and  pantaloons,  in  which  they 
tound  !»8II  in  continental  money  ;  and  at  last  ordered  him  to  take  off  his  boots.  At  this 
he  change,  color.  Willinms  drew  off  the  left  boot  first,  and  Paulding  seizing  it  exclaimed! 
My  God  !  here  it  is  !"  In  it  three  half  sheets  of  written  paper  were  found  enveloped  by 
a  half  sheet,  marked,  "  contents  West  Point."  Paulding  again  exclaimed,  "  My  God  !  he'* 
a  spy  ."•     On  iiulling  off  the  other  boot,  a  similar  package  was  found. 

Andre  was  now  allowed  to  dress,  and  they  mnrched  him  across  tlie  road  into  the  field 
about  twc-nty  rods.  The  young  men  winked  to  each  other  to  make  further  discoveries,  and 
mquircd  from  whom  he  got  the  papers?  "  Of  a  man  at  Pine's  bridge,  a  stranger  to  mo," 
rei'lied  Andre.  He  then  offered  them  for  his  liberty,  his  horse  and  equipage,  watch,  and 
lUU  guiiieus.  I  his  they  refused  to  take,  unless  he  informed  them  where  he  obtained  the 
manuscript.  He  refused  to  comply,  but  again  offered  his  horse,  equipage,  and  one  thousanti 
Rumeas.  They  were  firm  in  their  denial,  and  Andre  increased  his  oUbr  to  ten  thousand 
guineas  and  us  many  drygoods  as  they  wished,  which  should  be  deposited  in.  anv  nUna 
desired,— tiiat  they  might  keep  luai  and  send  some  one  to  Now  York  with  his  order,  so 


I 


500 


WESTCHESTER    COUNT  y. 


Uiat  they  could  obtain  them  unmolested.  To  this  they  replied,  "  that  it  did  not  signify  for 
torn  to  make  any  offer,  for  he  should  not  go."  Tbey  then  proceeded  to  the  nearest  mili- 
taty  station,  which  was  at  North  Castle,  about  twelve  miles  distant.  On  the  way,  Andre 
gave  them  his  watch,  telling  them  that  "  it  was  a  prize."  On  delivering  him  to  Colonel 
Jamicson,  the  commanding  oiRcer,  that  gentleman  enjoined  the  strictest  secrecy,  at  the  same 
Ume  expressing  an  opinion  that  there  were  others  doubtless  concerned  in  the  plot.  Major 
Tallmadge,  who  had  commanded  a  guard,  received  Andre  at  Col.  Jamieson's  quarters, 
and  afterward,  with  about  twenty  men,  conducted  him  to  Col.  Sheldon,  at  Salem.  The 
three  accompanied  Andre  part  of  the  way,  and  then  left.  During  the  night,  Talhnadge 
caused  Andre  to  be  tied  to  a  tree  at  Comyen  hill.  From  Salem  he  was  conveyed  to  West 
Point,  and  from  thence  tu  Tappan. 

Williams,  Paulding,  and  Van  Wart,  stood  within  the  ring  when  Andre  -..as  hung. 
When  the  officer  informed  him  that  his  time  had  nearly  expired,  and  inquired  if  he  had  any 
uiing  to  say,  he  answered,  "  Nothing  but  for  them  to  witness  to  the  world  (hat  he  died 
like  a  brave  man."  The  hangman,  who  was  painted  black,  offered  to  put  on  the  noose— 
"  Take  off  your  black  hands  !"  said  Andre ;  then  putting  on  the  noose  himself,  took  out  his 
handkerchief,  tied  it  on,  drew  it  up,  bowed  with  a  smile  to  his  acquaintances,  and  died. 

David  Williams,  now  (Feb.  13,  1817,)  aged  61,  was  born  at  Tarrytown,  of  Dutch  ex. 
traction,  and  speaks  that  language.  Paulding  and  Van  Wart  were  also  Dutch ;  neither 
of  the  three  spoke  English  well.  Congress  gave  eacb  a  farm  in  Westchester  county,  of  the 
value  of  £500,  an  annuity  of  f200  through  life,  together  with  an  elegant  silver  medal,  on 
one  side  of  which  was  the  inscription,  "  Fidelity,"  and  on  the  reverse,  the  motto  "  Amor 
patrite  vincit,"  (the  love  of  country  conquers.) 

Harrison  is  28  miles  N.  of  New  York  and  3  east  of  White  Plains. 
Pop.  1,139.  This  is  a  fertile  township,  mostly  inhabited  by  Friends. 
Harrison  Purchase  is  a  thickly  settled  agricultural  vicinage,  where  is 
located  a  meeting-house  and  a  post-office. 

Lew isBORo,  originally  South  Salem,  received  its  present  name  in 
1840 ;  centrally  distant  NE.  from  Bedford  0,  and  li-om  New  York 
50  milesj  Pcp.  1,619.  Cross  River,  South  Salem,  Vista,  and  Gol- 
den's  Bride,  are  names  of  the  post-offices.  At  Cross  River  there  are 
2  churches  and  about  20  dwellings. 

Sarah  Bishop,  the  hermitess,  resided  near  the  boundary  line  of 
Lewisboro  and  the  state  of  Connecticut.  She  lived  on  Long  Island 
at  the  time  of  the  revolutionary  war.  Her  father's  house  was  burnt 
by  the  British,  and  she  was  cruelly  treated  by  a  British  officer.  She 
then  left  society  and  wandered  among  the  mountains  near  this  part 
of  the  state,  where  she  found  a  cave  near  Ridgeficld,  in  which  she 
resided  till  about  the  time  of  her  death,  which  took  place  in  1810. 
She  sometimes  came  down  to  the  adjoining  town  of  Ridgeficld,  Conn., 
to  attend  public  worship  on  the  Sabbath.  It  is  said  that  tlie  wild 
animals  were  so  accustomed  to  see  her,  that  they  were  not  afraid  of 
her  presence.  The  following  account  of  a  visit  to  this  hermitess,  is 
taken  from  a  newspaper  printed  at  Poughkecpsie,  in  1804. 

"  Ycsterdiiy  1  went  in  the  company  of  two  Copt.  Smiths  of  this  town  to  the  mountflin,  to 
visit  the  hermitiige  As  you  pass  the  soiithcrn,  an  elevnlod  rid),'e  of  the  inountnin,  and  beyin 
to  descend  the  southern  steep, you  meet  with  ti  prrpendieiiliir  cleseeut  oC  ii  rook,  iii  the  I'miit 
of  which  18  this  ciive.  At  the  toot  of  this  rock  is  a  penile  descent  of  rieli  and  fertile  (rroiind 
extending  about  ten  rods,  when  it  instantly  forms  a  iriuhtful  precipice,  descending  liiill  a  mile 
to  the  pond  called  Long  pond.  In  the  front  of  ihe  rock,  on  the  north,  where  the  cave  is,  and 
level  with  the  ground,  there  appears  a  lari;e  frustum  ol  the  rock,  of  a  double  I'alhoni  in  size 
thrown  out  by  some  unknown  convulsion  of  nature,  and  lying  in  thi-  front  of  the  cavity  from 
which  it  was  rent,  partly  enelosinj;  the  mouth,  and  forming  a  room  :  tlii>  rock  is  lelt  entire 
above,  and  loriiiB  tlie  roof  of  ihw  humble  mansion.  This  cavity  is  the  liabilation  of  the  lier- 
miteas,  in  which  she  has  passed  the  best  of  her  years,  excluded  from  at!  society  ;  she  keeps  no 
domestic  animal,  not  even  fowl,  cat,  or  doij.  Her  little  plantation.  consiNling  oi  half  an  acre, 
IB  cleared  o(  its  wood,  and  reduced  to  grass,  where  she  has  raised  a  tew  peach  trees,  and 
yearly  planU  a  few  lulls  ol  beans,  cucumbers,  and  potatoes;  the  whole  is  surrounded  with  a 


WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


591 


lKpos»eT^^^^^^^  very  productive.    On 

we  found  the  wonderful  woman  who«i  «nn»o»„„T. '  °f  .'■«celjent  water.  Atth  s  fountain 
like  nature  in  it«  first  8  a^X  "was  withTt  fo^*  "h  "  i'"'"=  '^®'=""  '?  describe  ;  indeed, 

human  .hape,  excepting  her  hendf  wK  was  cfothed  Zh  -  1  .^?;  °"*"*  rT^'?''  "'«'="'■««'  «» 
pendmg  on  every  side,  la  time  hai  formed  i?^w?hn?.»  !^.,  "  luxuriancy  of  lank  gray  hair  de- 
discovered  ouraporoach  she  pxhihl.MHTifa  '  *""°'"  ^'^V  covering  or  ornament.  When  she 
end  hastened  to  h^ercav^  which  she  Pmer?r«*nrh'  "'  T^i  "'T  ""''"^  '»"™«'=  she"  tSrted 
pulled  from  the  decayS  tVels  We  aoDrorched  thifeM^'K  I''*  ^"'^'""'5  ^'*  "«  shel^ 
versation  with  its  initiate,  obteined  liberty  to  remove  th^^^^  habitation  and  after  some  con- 
not  able  to  enter,  the  room  being  Sy  suaSto«l^nl^^^!  """^  '"''''  '"'  ^^^  ^^  ^"e 
utensil  either  for  abor  or  cookerf  save  an  oM^ll?,  ?ccp""n«late  one  perron.  We  saw  no 
solid  rock,  unless  it  wer.  .^°'"fjZl""at.rHTfrA^:.^e"i^  ^"A^'l  *?">  "^  M  but  the 


-, ^TVcTnfi^tMsragem^^^^^^^^^^ 

of  snow  in  the  beginning  of  rlarchtaTat  shl  had  no  fS-e  ti^enlL^'J^  ^^l'  ""•"■  *''"  ¥""'  ^^^ 
smce  the  snow  had  fallen.  ITow  sh  esuS  d.if  na  th.  ^^'  ""^  ^^^  ""■'  ^^^"  »"«  »'"«'•  cave 
eavs  she  eats  but  little  lle..h  of  any  K  .  in  the  sin?m/r  21T  ""^2'  ''^^^  "  "'J""eV  5  «he 
We  conversed  with  her  for  some  lime  found  her  toTpnf!  ^^^"a"  •*5"''*'  "?•'«'  an/ roots, 
thought  and  entirely  happy  in  hersituatmn  •  nf  .hU  if  L  *  """""^  ""'"''  »  religious  turn  of 
to  quit  t^is  dreary  abode'^  Vhe  ker^Ca  Bibl'/wi.h  I  '"''  ^^  g'ven  repeated  proofe  by  refusing 
and  spent  much  time  in  reading  U."'^  "''  ^^'^  *"«*  *>"  '^e  takes  much  satisfacdon! 

is  abouf.4  .iles  fVofn  New^^Yo^k'^and  To^f  ^1^1,1^!%^?^^' 
(Honstder  The"'  1  '""  ^^—d  which  aY.its  vld 

necK,  iNov.  ^ist,  1777,  to  Gov.  Tryon,  with  his  answer  is  conJPrl 
from  a  newspaper  printed  at  the  time.  »»"swer,  is  copied 

"  Sir,— Adding  to  the  natural  horrors  of  war  the  most  wnnfnn  Jo=,„    .•        r 
IS  an  act  of  cruelty  unknown  to  civilized  .mZn,  „„,i  "  °cs.'™ction  of  property, 

vaiits  of  the  king  of  Great  rritlTav^L>corinrP^^^^  unaccustomed  in  war,  until  the  ser. 
no  stretch  of  desVtism.  are  t^'gr'rt^rx:;^^:^^^^^^^^ 

last  Eda'/,  r;  wL^  TaTbe^Tsottlt-'to^"-'^^^^  — • 

benefit  whatever  can  be  proposed  by  burrnJ  Z^  hnil^H  ''^  '^f  """^."'^  '  ''"'  ^^^^  "« 
chihlren  of  necessary  apparel,  rcoVer  tl  em  f  in,  ,h  *^?  """i  ""'?.'"«  "'«  ^"""^n  and 

vating  and  leading  i.Wriu.nph\o  your  |its  in  tlfn  l'^'"'''"^''  ""''^  "'S""'  ""d  «P'i- 
those  families,  I  know  not  wha°  Tt  fiuWe  ca^i  J  f^  „    .'ffnomimous  manner,  the  heads  of 

can  I  conceive  a  necessity  for  yrS;ri:erorerto'd^^^^^^^^^ 

as  those  buildings  were  to  niy  guards  "and  m  fa  S  v  "^^'  ^''"''  "^  "'"""  y""''  ""«• 
..ot  prevent  the  destruction  o  e^e"y  i^i"!  ,h,s  ridj  o ?  feri!*^^  T"""'!  ^'"S'"'^^'/""  «""- 
not  want  of  opportunity  that  has  oresrZd  !«  t,  ?  *^1  "'^^''-  ^'  '*  ""'  *«»'"'  "  '• 
savogenessof  sSch  a  line  Tc Sue    ms  s^ved  L^^^^^  ^u'  "  l"""'  "^"'^  "'J"''"'^''  ""'l 

me^to  copy  examples  of  thi.s sorso  otn  sett;  yo":;  X"      '"^  ■""  "^'=''*"^  "'"  '"'^"'  « 

htiesli^^r^iSs^tiir^s:- :  S;.T^r^tr '-^^''.^^-'''r  vt-  ^-' 
^^t2t^J^":ii:-r;sd-^rFT^^^ 

•  hamdel  H.  Parsons." 

Governor  Tryon'a  answer,  dated  King;  bridge  camp,  Nov.  23rf,  1777. 

n_i.i_    _..    .  .w!, ,  I  have,  however,  caiiUor  enough  to  nasuro  you,  aa  much  u  I 


602 


WESTCHESTEa    COUNTY. 


abhor  every  principle  of  inhumanity,  or  ungenerous  conduct,  I  should,  were  I  in  more  au. 
thority,  burn  every  committee  man's  house  within  my  reach,  as  I  deem  those  agents  the 
wicked  instruments  of  the  continued  calamities  of  this  country :  and  in  order  sooner  to 
purge  this  country  of  them,  I  am  willing  to  give  twenty-five  dollars  for  every  acting  com- 
mittee  man,  who  shall  be  delivered  up  to  the  king's  troops :  I  guess  before  the  end  of 
next  campaign,  they  will  be  torn  in  pieces  by  tiieir  own  countrymen,  whom  they  have  for- 
cibly  dragged  in  opposition  to  their  principles  and  duty  (after  fining  them  to  the  extent  of 
their  property)  to  take  up  arms  against  their  lawful  sovereign,  and  compelling  them  to  ex- 
change their  happy  constitution,  for  paper,  rags,  anarchy,  and  distress. 

"  The  ruins  from  the  conflagration  of  New  York,  by  the  emissaries  of  your  party  last 
year,  remain  a  memorial  of  their  tender  regard  for  their  fellow  beings  exposed  to  the  '  se- 
verity of  a  cold  night.' 

"  This  is  the  first  correspondence  I  have  held  with  the  king's  enemies,  on  my  part  in 
America,  and  as  I  am  immediately  under  the  command  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  your  future 
letters,  dictated  with  decency,  would  be  more  properly  directed  to  his  excellency. 

"  I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant,  William  Tryon,  Major  Gen. 

"  To  Gen.  Parsons." 

This  came  on  Sunday  the  23d  inst.,  and  by  some  means  or  other 
Gen.  Delancy's  house  at  Bloomingdale,  on  York  Island,  took  fire  on 
the  25th  at  night. 

jFVom  the  Connecticut  Journal,  Dec.  10,  1777. 

"  James  Delancy,  late  sheriff  of  Westchester,  and  colonel  of  the  enemy's  militia,  was 
taken  last  week  by  one  of  our  scouts ;  tho  colonel  was  found  under  a  bed,  and  for  a  better 
defence,  had  surrounded  himself  with  a  bulwark  of  baskets.  He  was  dragged  from  his 
humble  redoubt,  put  under  a  proper  guard,  and  sent  to  a  place  bettor  secured." 

The  following  relative  to  the  situation  of  this  county  in  1777,  is 
taken  from  the  3d  vol.  of  Dr.  Dwight's  Travels. 

"  In  the  autumn  of  1777,  I  resided  for  some  time  in  this  county.  The  lines  of  the  Brit, 
ish  were  then  in  the  neighborhood  of  King's  bridge  ;  and  those  of  the  Americans  at  Byram 
river.  These  unhappy  people  were,  therefore,  exposed  to  the  depredations  of  both.  Often 
they  were  actually  plundered ;  and  always  were  liable  to  this  calamity.  They  feared  every. 
body  whom  they  saw,  and  loved  nobody.  It  was  a  curious  fact  to  a  philosopher,  and  a 
melancholy  one  to  a  moralist,  to  hear  their  conversation.  To  every  question  they  gave 
such  an  answer,  as  would  please  the  inquirer ;  or,  if  they  despaired  of  pleasing,  such  an 
one  as  would  not  provoke  him.  Fear  was,  apparently,  the  only  passion  by  which  they 
were  animated.  The  power  of  volition  seemed  to  have  deserted  them.  They  were  not 
civil,  but  obsequious ;  not  obliging,  but  subservient.  They  yield^l  with  a  kind  of  apathy, 
and  very  quietly,  what  you  asked,  and  what  they  supposed  it  impossible  for  them  to  retain. 
If  you  treated  them  kindly,  they  received  it  coldly ;  not  as  kindness,  but  as  a  compensation 
for  injuries  done  them  by  others.  When  you  spoke  to  them,  they  answered  you  without 
either  good  or  ill-nature,  and  without  any  appearance  of  reluctance  or  hesitation  :  but  they 
subjoined  neither  questions,  nor  remarks,  of  their  own ;  proving  to  your  full  conviction, 
that  they  felt  no  interest  either  in  tho  conversation,  or  in  yourself  Both  their  countenances, 
and  their  motions,  had  lost  every  trace  of  animation  and  of  feeling.  Their  features  were 
smoothed,  not  into  serenity,  but  apathy  ;  and  instead  of  being  settled  in  the  attitude  of  quiet 
thinking,  strongly  indicated,  that  all  thought,  beyond  what  was  merely  instinctive,  had  fled 
their  minds  forever. 

"  Their  houses,  in  the  mean  time,  were  in  a  great  measure  scenes  of  desolation.  Their 
fiimiture  was  extensively  plundered,  or  broken  to  pieces.  The  walls,  floors,  and  windows, 
were  injured  both  by  violence  and  decay ;  and  were  not  repaired,  because  they  had  not  the 
means  of  repairing  them,  and  because  they  were  exposed  to  the  repetition  of  the  same  in. 
juries.  Their  cattle  were  gone.  Their  enclosures  were  burnt,  where  they  were  capable  of 
becoming  fuel ;  and  in  many  cases  thrown  down,  where  they  were  not.  Their  fields  were 
covered  with  a  rank  growth  of  weeds  and  wild  grass.  Amid  all  this  appearance  of  desola. 
tion,  nothing  struck  my  own  eye  more  forcibly  than  the  sight  of  this  great  road — the  passage 
from  New  York  to  Boston.  Where  I  had  heretofore  seen  a  continual  succession  of  horses 
and  carriages,  and  life  and  bustle  lent  a  sprightlincss  to  all  the  environing  objects,  not  a 
single,  solitary  traveller  was  visible  from  week  to  week,  or  from  month  to  month.  The 
world  was  motionless  and  silent ;  except  when  one  of  these  unhappy  people  ventured  upon 
a  rare  and  lonely  excursion  to  the  house  of  a  neighbor,  no  less  unhappy ;  or  a  Hcoutiiig 


WESTCHESTER   COUNTy. 


598 


and  Syr^"  PoTt  M8 '^n  J^  ?"'  'T^f '  ■"'/' '"'""'  ™'"'  "H' 
«Miu  vuuLys.     jrop.  7,308.     Beds  of  marble  abound  in  this  virinitv 

Ib/Rrr/'T^^'^"^^"^^  r.Sing  Sing  and  otL;  plac  s     S  ng 
^;"|!  PleasantvUle,  Sparta,  and  Unionville,  are  villages.     The  villa"! 

TncorZa^^^^^^^^^^  t""  ^^"  J^^'^'  ^"^  "^  ^^^  Albany,'^a 

S  X  tTtt  nf  .      I  K^^!  "/""^  ''  '^""^^^  *''•'>'»  the  Chinese  T^V 

who  had  taded  with  rh-^"'"^-^!  ""  S'^  "^""^''y  ^^  ^  ^^^^ch  settler 
s^o?of  Jold  Jh        ''T-  ^.T*'^  .^i"«ge  is  situated  on  an  uneven 
spot  ol  ground,  and  is  quite  diversified  in  its  appearance  •  and  is  a 
hrmng  place,  having  4  churches,  an  academy  fo?  males  an  ?nstiu 
tion  for  I'emales,  a  number  of  mills,  and  upward  of  200  dwellingr 


Sing  Sing  Prison. 

so  J  in  S^n^i'  "  ""'7  •'^  H^^'-^'^  ^"««"  °"  the  bank  of  the  Hud- 
convict.  Th^'f^ll'^'"^^^'  "^^'^^  "'"'"^"y  ^""tains  from  800  to  900 
convicts.    The  following,  relative  to  the  history  of  the  prison,  &c.,  is 

» T^iTu'"  ''''''  P"^"^*^^^ '"  ^^«  ^-  Y-  Express,  ApKl  13th,  184L 
wa8  tucceS^d  !n'"l897K''^.'"*'''''"P^^^^^  abandoned  at  the  Aubum  prison,  and 

bv  nfX  »n^  »■    \^^^  '"■*"'*'"*  «y«"""  °f  «»™«'"ff  "P  'l>fi  convicts  in  separate  cells 

by  mght,  and  compelling  them  to  labor  diligently  during  the  day.  ^ 

550  separate  coll"  tlutt'^^Zr^u"'^''"^  ""'  i^»''""»  Pri«on.  which  in  1824  contained  but 
and  an  act  of  the  iZum  r  "  "'^c'.nimodation  of  all  the  convicted  felons  in  the  state, 

Sson  in  the  £  o™.^  was  passed  .n  March.  1824,  for  the  erection  of  a  ne»v  state 
EuZe^hih.  nrnJr.?!  «7'"?"«' ''"'«"<='«.  ^hich  the  commissioners  appointed  for  the 
bXToSSllK„rhi"">'.'"  ^''T  P'^wont,  Sing  Sing,  owing  to  its  exhaustles. 
l^rrfpTt  I Vne-  Sn-  I"  'rV^J!''  '^  «<=««'iW>"y  by  water.  On  the  14th  of  May. 
-  -,  __p[.  E..  i.jnc?.,  fo.mtrr  agtriii  of  the  AuDurn  ptwon,  with  100  convicts,  in  obedience 

76 


a  I 


594 


WESTCHESTER   COUNTY. 


to  instructionR,  proceeded  to  Sing  Sing,  and  commenced  the  erection  of  the  state  prison 
tiiere.  This  was  completed  in  1839,  and  contained  800  cells.  By  the  addition  of  several 
additional  counties  to  this  prison  district,  greatly  increasing  the  number  of  convicts,  it  was 
discovered  that  these  accommodations  were  insufficient,  and  200  more  cells  were  ordered 
to  be  added,  which  result  was  obtained  by  adding  another,  or  fifth  story  to  the  prison  build> 
ing — which  addition  was  completed  in  1831. 

"  In  May,  1828,  the  convicts  then  in  the  old  state  prison  in  this  city  were  removed  to  Sing 
Sing,  and  the  old  prison  here  was  emptied  of  its  inmates,  and  abandoned  forever  as  a  prison. 

"  The  Mount  Pleasant  prison  at  Sing  Sing  is  33  miles  from  this  city  on  the  eastern  shore 
of  the  Hudson  river,  and  the  ground  on  which  it  stands  is  about  10  feet  above  bigh.water 
mark.  The  prison  grounds  contain  130  acres,  and  the  wharf  is  apjtroachable  by  vessels 
drawing  12  feet  of  water.  The  prison,  keeper's  house,  workshops,  dec,  are  built  of  rough 
dressed  stone.  The  prison  for  the  males  is  480  feet  in  length  from  north  to  south,  and  44 
in  width,  fronting  towards  the  west,  or  the  Hudson  river.  This  building  is  five  stories  high, 
containing  a  line  of  100  cells  in  each  story  on  the  west  side,  and  as  many  more  on  the  east 
side,  making  1,000  cells  in  all.  The  western  yard  is  enclosed  by  two  buildings  40  feet 
wide,  and  2  stories  high,  which  are  occupied  as  the  kitchen,  hospital,  chapel,  workshops, 
storehouses,  &c.,  and  extend  from  the  prison  westerly  to  the  edge  of  the  water.  The  south 
wing  adjoins  the  prison,  but  communicates  with  it  only  through  the  hospital.  The  north 
wing  connects  with  the  prison  by  a  wall  20  feet  in  height,  running  north  and  south  10  feet, 
enclosing  together  an  area  of  494  feet  by  412.  In  the  centre  of  the  west  yard  is  a  range 
of  shops,  40  feet  wide,  fronting  on  the  Hudson,  and  running  parallel  with  the  prison  276 
feet,  with  wings  extending  easterly  towards  the  prison  140  feet,  which  are  occupied  as  stone 
shops.  The  guard.house  is  on  the  bank  or  height  on  the  east  side  of  the  prison,  about  170 
feet  above  tlie  level  of  the  yard,  commanding  a  perfect  view  of  the  east  yard,  and  most  of 
the  west.  Within  the  last  few  years,  an  additional  building  has  been  erected  on  the  heights 
east  of  the  main  prison  for  the  purposes  of  a  female  prison  exclusively,  which  is  capable  of 
containing  about  72  female  convicts,  one  in  each  cell,  and  in  which  that  number  is  now 
confined. 

"  The  officers  of  the  prison,  or  those  connected  with  its  government,  business,  interests, 
health,  and  morals,  are — five  inspectors,  a  principal  keeper,  agent,  clerks,  phyp<cian,  and 
chaplain,  25  assistant  keepers,  and  26  guards.  These,  except  the  clerk,  are  appointed  by 
the  Board  of  Inspectors,  and  hold  their  offices  during  their  pleasure.  The  clerk  is  appointed 
by  the  governor  and  senate,  and  holds  his  office  for  four  years.  The  inspectors  are  ap. 
pointed  every  two  years  by  the  governor  and  senate,  and  on  them  the  government  of  the 
prison,  its  discipline,  police,  its  moneyed  concerns,  contracts,  &.c.,  by  law  devolves.  They 
are  required  to  meet  every  two  months,  and  inspect  the  prison,  and  to  make  a  report  an. 
nually  to  the  legislature  soon  after  it  convenes.  The  duties  of  the  principal  officers  are  de- 
fined by  law,  and  are  such  as  the  good  government  and  welfare  of  the  institution  require. 

"  In  this  prison  the  convicts  are  compelled  to  labor  in  silence — no  conversation  by  word, 
look,  or  gestitre  being  allowed  between  or  amongst  them.  If  any  information  is  needed  by 
the  prisoner  in  regard  to  his  business,  be  modestly  applies  to,  and  obtains  it  of  his  keeper, 
one  of  whom  is  always  near  him  in  each  department  of  labor. 

"  The  utmost  harmony  of  movement  in  the  various  businesses  conducted,  and  the  most 
perfect  order  reigns.  The  whole  internal  machinery  of  the  prison,  with  its  more  than  800 
hardy  convict  laborers,  resembles  more  the  quiet  industry  and  subordination  to  authority  of 
a  well.regulated  family,  than  an  institution  fur  the  punishment  of  hardened  offenders. 

"  The  hours  of  labor  are  not  more  than  laboring  men  out  of  prison  generally  labor.  The 
food  afforded  is  ample.  The  ration  for  each  day  consists  of  either  16  ounces  of  good  prime 
beef,  or  12  ounces  of  prime  pork,  8  ounces  of  rye  flour,  12  ounces  of  sifted  Indian  meal, 
and  half  a  gill  of  molasses  per  man ;  and  three  bushels  of  potatoes,  or  40  pounds  of  rice,  4 
quarts  of  rye  in  the  grain  for  coffee,  2  quarts  of  vinegar,  and  two  ounces  of  pepper  to  every 
100  rations.  This  is  all  weighed  or  measured  out  each  day  by  the  superintendent  of  the 
kitchen.  The  bread  is  well  baked,  and  the  provisions  well  cooked  by  some  of  the  convicts 
employed  for  that  purpose.  Their  provisions  are  put  in  small  wooden  vessels  called  kids, 
which  are  placed  on  racks,  one  of  which  each  prisoner  takes  as  he  retires  from  labor  to  his 
cell,  in  which  he  is  locked,  and  where  silently  he  eats  his  repast.  If  any  convict  requires 
more  food,  on  making  his  wants  known,  he  is  supplied  from  the  kitchen. 

"  At  the  close  of  the  day,  in  long  lines  they  march  to  their  respective  cells,  accompanied 
by  their  keepers,  and  being  locked  in,  partake  of  their  food  and  indulge  in  repose.  Each 
cell  has  a  bunk  of  wood  or  frame,  made  of  pine,  6  feet  long  and  two  wide,  4  or  6  inches 
from  the  floor,  4  blankets,  a  bible,  pinucup  for  their  coffee,  small  tin  cup  for  vinegar,  an  iron 
spoon,  a  comb,  and  a  towel.  These  are  all  kept  clean,  or  made  so  when  they  are  otherwise. 
From  12  to  14  convicts  are  employed  in  washing  the  clothes  and  bedding  of  the  prisoners ; 


WEflTCHEaTKR   COUNTY. 


A95 


■ome  othere  do  the  cooking;  and  once  a  week  they  are  all  shaved  by  a  convict  who  acta 
as  barber. 

"The  tailoring  is  done  by  convict  tailors,  who  make  and  repair  all  the  prisoners'  gar- 
nienfs.  Clean  underclothes  are  placed  in  their  cells  each  week.  At  night  they  are  care- 
tully  watched  by  a  keeper  and  four  armed  guards,  who  pace  the  galleries  noiselessly,  with 
SOCKS  on  their  leet— observe  that  all  is  safe— notice  every  noise ;  and  are  prepared  to  quell 
any  disturbance  that  might  possibly  arise.  This  latter  is,  however,  almost  impossible,  as 
each  pnsoner  is  in  a  small  cell  by  himself,  and  secured  by  powerful  bolts  and  bars. 

1  he  moral  and  religious  condition  of  the  prisoners  is  also  carefully  attended  to.  Prayer 
generally  at  night,  and  a  sermon  and  prayers  every  Sabbath  morning  by  the  chaplains  in 
the  chapel,  a  bible,  and  latterly  other  religious  books  in  the  ceUs,  constitute  a  portion  of 
their  spiritual  Pnvileges.  A  Sunday  school,  attended  by  some  250  convicts  as  pupils,  and 
a  bible-class  of  120  or  more  of  them,  are  also  in  active  operation  each  Sabbath  in  the  cha. 
pel.  1  he  effects  of  these  united  means  of  mental  and  moral  culture  on  many  of  the  con- 
yicts,  are  highly  beneficial,  and  promissory  of  good  fruits  at  a  future  day.  They  render 
subjecte!"     ™°'*  ^    ^^  ""    sober-minded,  and  divert  their  attention  from  less  profitable 

«  J'^*'/D'"7,f,^'^,Tr^  Jfo/fow,  the  noted  location  described  in  the 
i^ketch  Book  by  Washington  Irving,  is  situated  in  the  south  part  of 
this  township,  near  Tarrytown  ;  it  is  a  long  ravine  of  2  or  3  miles, 
through  which  a  road  passes  on  which  is  situated  several  romantic 
dwellings. 


Ancient  Dutch  church. 

The  above  is  a  northwestern  view  of  the  old  Dutch  Reformed 
church  situated  in  the  southern  part  of  this  town,  about  a  mile  north 

I  r^^^  ^^^^^'^  ^^^^^  ^^'^^  ^^^^^  '"  Tarrytown.  It  is  believed 
to  be  the  oldest  church  now  standing  in  the  state.  A  tablet  placed 
on  the  church  bears  the  inscription,  "  Erected  and  built  by  Frederick 
Philips,*  and  Catharine  Van  Cortlandt,  his  wife,  in  1699."  The  pulpit 
and  communion  table  were  brought  from  Holland  at  the  time  of  the 


•  Frederick  Philips  was  the  original  patentee  of  Philips'  Patent,  a  very  extensive  tract  in 
this  coun  y,  originally  comprising  no  less  than  20  miles  square,  bounded  west  by  the  Hud- 
?h!!'  "  ^Z  «°"!'' "'^^,"'? .  'nou'h  of  the  Croton.  Mr.  Philips'  settled  on  his  manor  about 
the  year  1680,  and  built  his  dwelling,  a  stone  mansion,  s  few  rods  west  of  the  church 


596 


WESTCHESTER  COUNTY. 


erection  of  the  church.  The  building  has  latterly  undergone  some 
repairs  internally  and  externally,  by  which  it  has  lost  considerable 
of  its  venerable  appearance.  Unfortunately,  the  pulpit  has  not  es- 
caped the  hand  of  modern  innovation,  but  the  communion  table 
still  remains  unchanged,  a  venerable  relic  of  a  former  age.  This 
church  and  vicinity  has  been  made  celebrated  by  Irving's  well-known 
"  Legend  of  Sleepy  Hollow." 

"  The  sequestered  situation  of  this  church,"  says  the  author  of  this  legend,  "  seem  always 
to  have  made  it  a  favorite  haunt  of  troubled  spirits.  It  stands  on  a  knoll  surrounded  by 
locust  trees  and  lofty  elms,  from  among  which  its  decent  whitewashed  walls  shine  mod. 
estly  forth  like  Christian  purity  beaming  through  the  shades  of  retirement.  A  gentle  slope 
descends  from  it  to  a  silver  sheet  of  water,  '  ordered  by  high  trees,  between  which,  peeps 
may  be  caught  at  the  blue  hills  of  the  Hudson.  To  look  upon  its  grass-grown  yard,  where 
the  sunbeams  seem  to  sleep  so  quietly,  one  would  think  that  there  at  least  the  dead  might 
rest  in  peace.  On  one  side  of  the  church  extends  a  wide  woody  dell,  along  which  laves 
a  large  brook  among  broken  rocks  and  trunks  of  fallen  trees.  Over  a  deep  black  part  of 
the  stream,  not  far  from  the  church,  was  formerly  thrown  a  wooden  bridge ;  the  road  that 
led  to  it  and  ihe  bridge  itself  were  thickly  shaded  by  overhanging  trees,  which  cast  a  gloom 
about  it  even  in  the  daytime,  but  occasioned  a  fearful  darkness  at  night." 

It  was  in  this  church  that  the  never-to-be-forgotten  Yankee  peda- 
gogue Ichabod  Crane,  in  rivalry  to  the  old  Domine,  led  off  the  choir, 
making  the  welkin  ring  with  the  notes  of  his  nasal  psalmody.  It 
was  too  in  the  ravine  just  back  of  the  church,  that  this  redoubtable 
hero,  Ichabod,  had  his  fearful  midnight  encounter  with  the  headless 
horseman,  and  forever  disappeared  from  the  sight  of  the  goodly  in- 
habitants of  Sleepy  Hollow. 

Newcastle  was  organized  from  Northcastle  in  1791 ;  from  New 
York  N.  37,  from  Bedford  W.  6  miles.  Pop.  1,529.  Newcastle  is 
a  small  post  village,  in  the  northeast  angle  of  the  town. 

New  Rochelle  is  situated  on  Long  Island  sound,  20  miles  north- 
east of  New  York.  Pop.  1,816.  Settlements  were  early  made  in 
this  town  by  Huguenots,  who  fled  from  France  after  the  repeal  of  the 
edict  of  Nantz.  The  village  of  New  Rochelle  is  delightfully  situa- 
ted in  sight  of  the  sound,  on  the  turnpike  road  from  New  Xork  to 
Connecticut,  and  contains  4  churches,  several  hotels,  and  about  60 
dwellings.  There  is  a  small  settlement  at  the  landing  on  the  sound 
containing  an  elegant  hotel,  &c. 

NoRTHcASTi.E  is  36  milcs  NE.  from  New  York,  and  centrally  dis- 
tant 5  SW.  of  Bedford.  Pop.  2,058.  Northcastle  is  a  post-office, 
around  which  there  is  a  small  settlement. 

North  Salem  is  in  the  NE.  corner  of  the  county,  55  miles  from 
New  York,  and  12  from  Bedford.  Pop.  1,161.  North  Salem,  post 
village,  has  3  churches,  several  mills  and  stores,  and  in  its  vicinity 
about  40  dwellings. 

Pelham  is  situated  on  the  sound,  18  miles  NE.  from  New  York. 
Pop.  789. 


This  dwelling  was  fortified  against  the  Indians,  and  went  by  the  name  of  Castle  P'.ilips, 
It  is  now  standing,  and  is  occupied  by  his  great  grand-daughter,  Mrs.  Cornelia  Beekman. 
Although  the  mansion  has  been  moderniied,  remains  of  the  port-holes  arc  still  to  be  seen 
in  the  stone  walla  of  the  cellar. 


WESTCHEBTER   COUNTY. 


007 


PouNDHiDOi!  IS  sUuated  4  miles  E.  from  Bedford.  Pop.  1,407. 
Poundndgo,  post  villace,  centrally  situated,  contains  1  Presbyterian, 
1  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  about  16  dwellings. 

Ryk,  the  southeast  town  of  the  county,  is  distant  from  New  York 
86  miles.  Pop.  1,803.  Port  Chester,  post  village,  formerly  called 
bawpits,  is  on  the  New  York  and*  Connecticut  turnpike,  and  west 
*  I  XT  ^y***"*  "^^^'  ^***ch  is  here  the  boundary  line  of  Connecticut 
and  New  York ;  it  is  pleasantly  situated,  and  contains  3  churches, 
and  about  100  dwellings.  This  place  possesses  a  convenient  landing 
for  steamboats  and  sloops.  The  village  of  Rye,  on  the  New  York 
turnpike,  1  mile  from  the  sound,  contains  3  churches,  2  academies, 
and  about  30  dwellings.  The  old  Jay  mansion  is  situated  in  the 
western  part  of  the  town. 

ScARSDALE  is  24  milcs  from  New  York,  and  3  S.  of  White  Plains. 
Pop.  255. 

SoMBRs  is  on  the  north  line  of  the  county,  50  miles  NE.  of  New 
York,  and  10  east  ot  Peekskill.  Pop.  2,082.  Somers  is  a  neat  post 
village,  containing  2  churches  and  about  40  dwellings.  Owensville 
IS  a  post  village,  where  there  are  located  several  factories  and  about 
30  dwellings. 

Westchester  has  an  uneven  surface,  and  a  soil  which  will  sustain 
a  high  degree  of  cultivation.  Pop.  4,154.  This  town  was  probably 
first  settled  in  1642,  by  a  Mr.  Throckmorton  and  35  associates,  who 
came  from  New  England  with  the  approbation  of  the  Dutch  authori- 
ties. It  was  called  by  the  Dutch,  Eastdorp.  The  manor  of  Mor- 
risiana,  originally  containing  about  3,000  acres,  belongs  to  the  dis- 
tinguished lamily  of  Morris ;  it  is  in  the  SW.  corner  of  the  town, 
opposite  Hell  Gate.  This  manor  gave  name  to  a  town  from  1788  to 
1791,  part  of  the  present  town  of  Westchester.  Westchester  village, 
at  the  head  of  navigation  of  Westchester  creek,  2  miles  from  the 
sound,  and  14  NE.  from  New  York,  contains  about  50  dwellings. 
West  Farms,  on  the  Bronx  river  at  the  head  of  navigation,  3  miles 
from  the  sound  and  12  from  New  York,  contains  about  60  dwellings. 

"  GouvERNEUR  Morris  was  bom  at  Morrisionn,  Jan.  31, 1752.    He  graduated  at  KinM 
college,  New  York,  in  1768.    He  was  bred  to  the  law,  in  which  he  obtained  a  great  repu. 
tation.    In  1775,  he  wos  a  delegate  to  the  provincial  congress  in  Now  York.     In  1776, 
(Dec.)  he  acted  aa  one  of  the  committee  for  drafting  a  constitution  for  the  State  of  New 
Yoirk,  which  was  reported  in  March,  1777,  and  adopted  in  April  of  that  year,  after  repeated 
and  very  able  debates.    He  was  employed  in  the  public  service  in  various  capacities,  during 
the  revolutionary  contest,  in  all  of  which  he  displayed  great  zeal  and  ability.    After  the 
revolution,  he  retired  from  public  life,  and  passed  a  number  of  years  in  private  pureuits, 
excepting  being  a  very  active  member  of  the  convention  which  framed  the  constitution  of 
the  United  States.     In  1793,  he  was  appointed  minister  to  France,  and  remained  there  in 
that  capacity  until  Oct.  1794,    He  returned  to  America  in  1798,  and  in  1800  was  chosen 
a  senator  from  New  York.     In  the  summer  of  1810,  he  examined  the  route  for  the  Erie 
canial,  and  took  a  prominent  part  in  originating  and  promoting  that  noble  work.    He  died 
at  Mornsiana,  Nov.  5,  1816.    He  passed  the  latter  years  of  his  life  at  Morrisiana,  exercising 
an  elegant  and  munificent  hospitality,  reviewing  the  studies  of  his  early  days,  and  carrying 
on  a  very  interestir.g  correspondence  with  statesmen  and  literati  in  Europe  and  America. 
The  activity  of  his  mind,  the  richness  of  his  fancy,  and  the  copiousness  of  his  eloquent  con- 
vernation,  were  the  admiration  of  all  his  acquaintance ;  and  he  was  universally  admitted  to 
be  one  of  the  most  accomplished  and  prominent  men  of  our  country." 


&98 


WESTCHRSTER   COUNTY. 


Southeast  view  o    White  Plains  village,  {central  part.) 

White  Plains  has  a  hilly,  but  mostly  an  arable  soil,  well  adapted 
for  grazing.  Pop.  1,087.  The  half-shire  village  of  White  Plains  is 
situated  on  the  old  post  road  to  Boston,  27  miles  NE.  from  New  York, 
125  from  Albany,  and  14  miles  SW.  from  Bedford.  It  contains  2  Meth- 
odist, 1  Presbyterian,  1  Episcopal,  and  1  Baptist  church,  the  county 
bujldings,  an  academy,  70  or  80  dwellings,  and  about  550  inhab- 
itants. The  above  view  shows  the  appearance  of  the  central  part 
of  the  village :  the  courthouse,  an  ancient  building,  is  seen  on  the 
left,  the  spire  of  the  academy  on  the  extreme  right. 

%.  The  following  account  of  the  military  operations  in  this  town  and 
ift  vicinity  in  Oct.  1776,  and  the  events  which  followed,  is  from 
Botta's  American  Revolution. 

"  The  English  general  remained  several  days  at  Frogs  Neck,  as  well  to  repair  the  bridges 
which  the  enemy  had  broken,  as  to  wait  for  a  considerable  reinforcement  which  he  had 
called  from  Staten  Island.  The  road  from  Frogs  Neck  to  Kingsbridge  is  excessively  rough 
with  continual  masses  of  small  stones,  and  the  Americans  had  also  obstructed  it  in  many 
places.  Washington,  who  had  assembled  all  his  army  at  Kingsbridge,  sent  forward  his 
light  infantry  to  scour  the  country,  and  to  harass  the  enemy  in  his  march. 

"  Gen.  Howe,  having  received  his  reinforcements,  put  himself  in  motion  with  all  his 
troops ;  he  crossed  Pclham  Manor,  and  went  to  encamp  at  New  Rochelle,  where  he  was 
joined  by  the  second  division  of  Hessians,  and  of  the  troops  of  Waldeck  under  Gen.  Knyp. 
hausen,  and  by  a  regiment  of  cavalry  lately  arrived  at  New  York  from  Ireland.  As  the 
principal  project  of  the  expedition  was  to  intercept  tlie  communication  of  Washington  with 
the  eastern  provinces,  and  then,  if  he  declined  to  venture  an  engagement,  to  shut  him  up 
on  the  island  of  New  York,  consequently  it  was  necessary  to  occupy  the  two  roads  leading 
into  Connecticut ;  the  one  upon  the  coast  of  the  sound,  and  the  other  more  inland.  The 
first  was  already  in  the  power  of  the  English ;  but  in  attempting  to  occupy  the  second,  it 
WM  requisite  to  traverse  tlie  difficult  country  of  which  we  have  already  made  mention,  in 
order  to  secure  the  post  of  the  highlands,  known  by  the  name  of  White  Plains,  upon  the 
rear  of  Kingsbridge. 

"  Gen.  Howe  determined  to  take  this  route ;  he  marched,  however,  slowly  and  with 
extreme  caution,  after  leaving  at  New  Rochelle  the  German  corps,  lately  arrived,  to  secure 
the  lower  road,  and  the  communication  with  those  places  whence  stores  and  necessaries 
were  to  arrive. 

"Washington  examined,  with  attention,  the  danger  of  his  position.  He  penetrated  the 
designs  of  the  enemy,  and  consequently  decided  to  abandon,  with  the  main  body  of  his 
army,  the  encampment  of  Kingsbridge.  Extending,  therefore,  his  left  wing,  he  took  post 
with  U  in  the  White  PlaLns.  whUe  the  right  occupied  the  heights  of  Valentine's  Hill,  near 


WESTCHE3TER    COIJNTV. 


599 


Kmgabndge ;  the  centre  exactly  filled  the  space  comprehended  between  theae  two  points. 
Here  he  intrenched  himself  with  the  greatest  care.  His  army  thus  formed  a  well  secured 
hne,  parallel  to  the  nver  Bronx,  which  lay  on  its  front,  and  separated  it  from  the  English, 
who  marched  up  along  the  left  bank  of  this  stream. 

"  Washington  had  behind  him  the  great  river  Hudson,  into  which  the  English  frigates 
had  not  yet  been  able  to  penetrate  so  far  as  to  intercept  the  supplies  of  provisions  which  he 
received  from  the  upper  parts.  With  his  left  wing  he  occupied  the  upper  road  of  Connec. 
ticut,  by  which  he  was  also  abundantly  supplied  with  provisions  and  munitions.  He  had 
left  sufficient  gnrnsons  at  Kingsbridge,  at  Harlem,  and  in  Fort  Washington;  in  this  last 
place,  however,  against  his  own  opinion.  Meanwhile,  he  detached  numerous  parUes,  over 
the  Bronx,  in  order  to  retard  the  motions  of  the  enemy.  Hence  frequent  skirmishes  ensued, 
and  though  the  royalists  had  generally  the  advantage  in  these  rencounters,  they  still  served 
to  dissipate  the  terror  of  the  Americans,  who  every  day  showed  themselves  more  bold  in 
detying  the  enemy. 

■  u-"^*"*  'u*  "PP'"''*''  "f  '•"«  English  to  the  White  Plains,  Washington,  all  at  once,  caUed 
m  his  detachments,  and  abandoning  the  positions  he  had  occupied  along  the  Bronx,  assem. 
bled  all  his  troops  m  a  strong  camp  upon  tlie  heights,  near  these  plains,  in  front  of  the  enemy. 
His  right  flank  was  protected  by  the  Bronx,  which,  by  its  windings,  also  covered  the  front 
of  the  right  wing.  The  mam  body  was  nearly  parallel  to  the  river,  and  the  left  wing  being 
placed  at  a  right  angle  upon  the  centre,  and  consequently  paiallel  to  the  right,  extended 
towards  the  north  upon  the  hills,  as  much  as  was  necessary  to  guard  the  defiles  leading  to 
the  upper  mountainous  regions,  into  which  the  army,  if  expedient,  might  retire.  But  the 
right  wing,  being  posted  in  more  level  and  less  difficult  ground,  found  itself  more  exposed ; 
wherefore  Gen.  McDougall  was  ordered  to  occupy,  with  a  strong  detachment,  a  mountain 
about  a  mile  distant  from  the  camp ;  he  intrenched  himself  there  as  well  as  the  time  would 
admit  of. 

"  Such  was  the  position  of  the  American  army  when  the  English  arrived  within  7  or  8 
miles  of  White  Plains,  and  prepared  themselves  to  attack  without  loss  of  time.  On  the 
mormng  of  the  28th  of  Oct.  they  advanced  in  2  columns,  the  right  commanded  by  Gen. 
Clinton,  and  the  left  by  Gen.  Heister.  At  noon,  all  the  outposts  being  driven  back  by  the 
English  and  Hessian  light  infantry,  the  British  army  appeared  before  the  American  camp. 
Immediately  there  ensued  a  cannonade,  but  to  very  little  effect.  The  English  drew  up  in 
order  of  batde  ;  their  right  occupied  the  road  which  leads  to  Marrineck,  about  a  mile  distant 
from  the  centre  of  the  enemy;  while  the  left,  equally  distant  from  his  right,  bordered  the 
Bronx.  The  English  general  having  observed  the  importance  of  the  position  taken  by  Gen. 
McDougall,  and  being  persuaded  that  the  right  of  the  enemy,  which  was  his  only  assailable 
point,  could  not  be  forced  so  long  as  it  should  be  protected  by  a  post  of  such  strength,  re. 
eclvc  J  lo  wrest  it  from  the  Americans.  He  ordered  a  Hessian  regiment,  commanded  by 
Col.  Ralle,  to  ford  the  Bronx,  and  by  a  circuitous  movement  to  fall  upon  the  flank  of  Gen. 
McDougall,  while  Gen.  Leslie  should  attack  him  in  front  with  a  brigade  of  English  and 
Hessians.  Col.  Ralle  having  arrived  at  the  point  indicated,  Leslie,  who  had  abo  crossed 
the  Bronx,  furiously  assaulted  the  intrenchments  of  McDougall.  The  militia  soon  fled,  but 
the  regular  troops  made  a  valiant  resistance.  A  regiment  of  Maryland,  conducted  by  Col. 
Smallwood,  and  a  regiment  of  New  York,  under  Col.  Ratzemar,  ventured  even  to  come 
out  of  the  lines  and  to  charge  the  enemy  at  the  very  foot  of  the  mountain,  but  they  were 
overpowered  by  numbers  and  forced  to  retire.  Then  the  English  and  Hessians  ascended 
tlie  heights  with  singular  intrepidity,  and  took  possession  of  them  after  a  vigorous  struggle. 
The  Americans,  however,  continued  for  some  time  to  fire  from  behind  the  walls  of  enclo. 
sures,  and  thus  retarded  the  progress  of  the  assailants.  But  Gen.  Putnam,  who  had  been 
sent  to  their  succor,  could  not  arrive  in  season.  The  loss  of  men  in  this  action  was  great 
on  the  one  part  as  well  as  on  the  other. 

"  Washington,  calmly  expecting  that  the  enemy  would  come  to  attack  him  next,  had 
already  sent  into  his  rear  the  sick  and  the  baggage ;  but  as  it  grew  towards  the  close  of  day, 
the  English  general  determined  to  defer  the  assault  till  the  next  morning.  He  caused  his 
troops  to  encamp  within  cannon.shot  of  the  American  Unes.  Washington  took  advantage 
of  the  night  to  strengthen  them  with  additional  works,  and  to  occupy  a  stronger  position  in 
the  rear  with  his  left  wing,  which,  by  the  loss  of  the  mountain,  had  become  more  exposed. 
When  the  light  appeared.  Gen.  Howe  reconnoitred  the  intrenchmenta  of  the  enemy,  and 
found  them  sufficiently  formidable  to  determine  him  to  wait  the  arrival  of  some  battalions 
that  had  been  left  at  New  York,  under  the  command  of  Lord  Percy,  and  of  several  compa. 
nies  from  Marrineck.  These  reinforcements  being  received  on  the  evening  of  the  30th,  he 
appointed  the  following  morning  for  the  assault,  but  the  excessive  rain  which  fell  during  the 
night  and  also  in  the  morning,  compelled  him  to  defer  it.  The  American  general,  in  die 
mean  time,  examined  hia  position  with  his  accustomed  prudence ;  he  was  decided  not  to 


# 


600 


WE3TCHKSTEB    COUNTV. 


risk  a  pitched  battle  without  the  strongest  hope  of  ruccch.  He  perceived  that  the  Engliah 
had  alrcody  erected  4  or  5  batterici,  and  that  by  turning  his  right  flank  they  might  get  poa. 
session  of  the  licights  situated  upon  his  rear.  Ho  concluded,  therefore,  to  break  up  his 
camp  in  the  night  of  the  Ist  of  November.  He  removed  into  a  country  still  more  moun. 
tainoua  in  the  vicinity  of  North  Castle  ;  having  previously  set  fire  to  the  houses  in  White 
Plains  and  the  neighborhood,  and  to  the  forage  that  was  found  in  the  camp.  He  immedi- 
ately detached  a  strong  corps  to  occupy  the  bridge  over  the  Croton  river,  which  leads  to  the 
upper  ports  of  the  Hudson.  On  the  following  morning  the  English  took  possession  of  the 
American  camp. 

"  Gen.  Howe,  perceiving  that  his  enemy  decUned  an  engagement,  and  that  from  the 
situation  of  the  country,  and  his  knowledge  of  every  advantageous  position,  it  would  be 
impossible  to  compel  him  to  fight  but  upon  the  most  unequal  and  hazardous  terms,  took  the 
determination  to  discontinue  the  pursuit,  and  to  turn  his  attention  to  the  reduction  of  the 
forts  and  fiistnesses  still  occupied  by  the  Americans  in  the  neighborhood  of  New  York. 
His  views  were  particularly  directed  upon  Fort  Washington,  which  wus  its  principal  but- 
work.  But,  though  the  ground  where  this  fortress  had  been  erected  was  very  rough  and 
difficult,  its  fortifications  were  not  sufficiently  strong  to  resist  heavy  artillery.  It  wos  inca. 
pabic,  from  its  little  extent,  of  containing  more  than  a  thousand  defenders;  the  outworks 
that  surrounded  it,  especially  to  tho  south,  towards  New  York,  might  lodge,  it  is  true,  a 
much  stronger  garrison. 

"  The  commander-in-chief,  as  if  he  had  foreseen  the  event,  had  written  to  Gen.  Greene, 
who  commanded  in  this  part,  ei\joining  him  to  reflect  maturely  upon  his  position,  and  in 
case  he  should  find  that  Fort  Washington  was  not  in  a  situation  to  sustain  an  ossauit,  to 
cause  it  to  be  forthwith  evacuated  ;  and  to  transport  the  garrison  to  the  right  bank  of  the 
Hudson.  But  this  general,  either  believing  that  the  strength  of  the  place  and  the  valor  of 
the  troops  would  assure  him  a  long  defence,  or  from  tho  apprehension  that  his  retreat  would 
increase  the  already  too  general  discouragement  of  the  Americans,  took  the  resolution  to 
hold  out  to  the  last.  H«  was  herein  the  more  easily  determined,  as  he  believed  that  the 
garrison  would  always  be  able  to  retreat  inttf'Fort  Lee,  situated  upon  the  other  bank  of  the 
river.  But  Washington  judged  less  favorably  of  the  future  ;  he  was  persuaded  that  tho 
English  would  not  remain  satisfied  with  the  reduction  of  the  first  furt ;  but  that  crossing  the 
river,  and  making  themselves  masters  of  the  second,  which  was  not  tenable,  they  would 
spread  themselves  in  the  province  of  New  Jersey.  He  left  therefore  Gen.  Lee,  with  the 
militia  of  the  eastern  provinces,  upon  the  left  bank  of  the  Hudson,  and  having  secured  tho 
strong  positions  towards  the  Croton  river,  and  especially  that  of  Peeks  Kill,  near  the  Hud- 
son itself,  he  crossed  that  river  with  the  main  body  of  his  army,  and  went  to  rejoin  Gen. 
Greene  in  his  camp  under  Fort  Lee.  Gen.  Lee  himself  had  orders  to  come  with  all  speed 
and  join  him,  in  case  the  enemy,  after  having  taken  the  fort,  Bhuuld  show  himself  upon  tho 
right  bank  of  the  Hudson.  He  afterward  wrote  to  the  governor  of  New  Jersey,  requesting 
him  to  remove  the  magazines  of  provisions  into  the  most  remote  parts,  and  to  call  out  all 
the  militia.  All  these  dispositions  being  made  to  his  wish,  Washington  watched  with  an 
attentive  eye  the  movements  of  the  enemy. 

"  Meanwhile,  Gen.  Howe  had  ordered  Gen.  Knyphausen  to  march  from  New  Rochelle, 
and  to  occupy  Kingsbridge.  This  he  executed  without  obstacles,  the  Americans,  who 
guarded  this  position,  having  fallen  bock  upon  Fort  Washington.  The  corps  of  Gen.  Knyp- 
hausen consequently  penetrated  into  thu  island  of  New  York,  and  proceeded  to  invest  the 
fort,  on  the  part  of  the  north. 

"  A  short  time  after,  the  English  general  himself  abandoned  the  White  Plains,  and  de- 
scending along  the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  conducted  the  rest  of  the  army  to  Kingsbridge. 
He  pitched  his  camp  upon  the  heights  of  Fordham,  his  right  wing  being  covered  by  the 
Hudson,  and  his  left  by  the  Bronx. 

"  The  royalists  then  prepared  to  attack  Fort  Washington ;  its  interior  and  appurtenances 
were  defended  by  full  3,000  men,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Magaw,  a  brave  and  experi- 
enced ofRcer.  He  was  summoned  in  vain  to  surrender.  The  besiegers  proceeded  to  the 
assault  in  four  divisions,  the  first  from  the  north,  commanded  by  Gen.  Knyphausen,  and 
consisting  of  Hessians  and  the  troops  of  Woldeck  ;  the  second  from  the  east,  composed  of 
English  light  infantry  ond  two  battalions  of  guards,  conducted  by  Gen.  Matthews.  This 
corps  was  to  attack  the  intrenchments  which  extended  from  Fort  Washington  almost  to  the 
East  river ;  the  third,  commanded  by  Col.  Steriing,  was  destined  to  pass  this  river  lower 
down  than  the  second,  in  order  to  assail  the  fort  more  to  the  south  j  but  this  was  only  a 
feint.  The  fourth,  which  obeyed  the  orders  of  Lord  Percy,  a  very  strong  corps,  was  direct. 
ed  to  aim  its  assault  against  the  western  flank  of  the  fortress.  Those  diflferent  divisions 
were  provided  with  a  numerous  and  excellent  artillery.  The  Hessians,  under  Gen.  Knyp- 
hausen, were  to  pass  through  a  very  thick  forest,  where  Col.  Rawlings  was  already  poated 


WyOMINO   COUNTY. 


601 


rJ!L?il'  "^l"?*"'  "f  riflemen.  An  extremely  warm  iffair  waa  engtigei,  in  which  the 
S^dTn  «,cu„t".'t '.Tr  "r-  J^"  American.,  ambuahed  behindX  t^e^  and  rocK 
ai^«n.  »kT^'  butatlaat  the  Heaaiana  redoubling  their  effort*,  gained  a  very  ateep 
SoMiwohf^r  'IT  '^*'*"  T"  '•"  ^"•'"y  with  an  irre8i;Ubleimpet«oa^y  thS 
hZ TJ.,  J^  "'i"'*''L  ""•"  ''"•  '•'"»  «"»''l'"'  '»  '•"«'  ''**<'"'  moleatation.  Col.  Raw. 
id^nreHork  w£htilT,T.K°^  ^k  ^^  ^"^  f "'"y' °"  »>«  P"'' ^ad  carried  an 
5ie  momem  h«hL  1  i  J  f  "^'t^  debarkation  of  the  party  under  Col.  Sterling,  who. 
defendeT  L  J^^JT..  •  '^"'"'"'  \'  "^'i!  "^  l'^'*''""  •"«•"•  '^Wch  wa.  very  reJolut.i; 
witffndina.h!r  I  I      .'""''""'  '**"'^  ^''^'^''  '  """ridw'We  number  of  prieonera.  nou 

obiteiwl'th'Jmv'hf  '*'*.  "e*'',^'"""!  °f  Gen.  Knyphausen'a  attack,  aurmounted  all 
afte^G^n  Kn^n^  '°''''"!;'  J?"*  ''^'"!  *■"  <"''""'"  *'«''*°  100  V"*!-  of  the  fort.  Sooa 
wffrom  tke^fcr"^"'""^  h"n  with  the  left  column;  having  a.  length  extricated  him" 
^o  Scut  irloS  .  .Kv"/";!"'''''''*..'"  \^  '?'■"'•  "^^^  S"'**""  ^^''"g  'hua  loet.  though 
b^y  of  the  fc™  tk'  I'*'"'"''  T''"'  '^""'l  themaelve.  cloaely  invrated  within  2e 
Doay  01  the  lortreaa.    The  besiegera  then  aummoned  Col.  Mavaw  to  aurrender     He  had 

a^narJ'nw""""''*  """'^  '"  H*  """""""'"n-  The  very  multitude  of  defendera  preaSd  imo 
not  'uXn\n''l'aur  P'!^"'^'';''''/'','^^^!"*'!;  T^  "^"'^  '»''''«  demonstrated^UtZt^uld 
To  2  600  m/n  r?  '  AMordingly  he  deeded  to  capitulate.  The  garrison,  amounting 
cawS  few  kmid  .r^  the  country  miliUa  surrendered  priaoners  of  war.  The  Ame^ 
tio^of  For,  W«h^ ' .  *  l"'"''*"  'T  ■'"'"'  ^°0'  *"  »'•""«'  P""  Gcrniam,.  The  reduc. 
York."         W""""**""  «hu8  gave  the  royal  army  entire  poaaeaaion  of  the  ialand  of  New 

PoIr'^T  i^  ^^"^'['^"y  distant  16  miles  N.  of  New  York.  Pop. 
7h  w  .^^'"'^^'■yjllage,  formerly  callctJ  Philipsburg,  is  situated  upon 
In^T  ir°"'  *"i,  contains  2  churches,  a  female  seminary,  and  about 
60  ^elhnRs.  This  place  is  a  favorite  summer  resort  for  tho  citizens 
of  New  York.  Kmgsbridge,  13  miles  N.  of  the  city  hall,  New 
York,  IS  on  Spuyten  Duy vel  creek,  or  Harlem  river,  and  contains 

In  fin  ""  ir"'°^':u  '^^^  ''"^«^  ^^  ^^''  PJ^««  i«  o^"  wood,  about 
60  teet  long.  This  neighborhood  was  the  scene  of  important  military 
operations  during  the  revolution.  ' 

^IT^^T'''r  ^^  ""•'!"•  ^-  ""^  ^"^,  ^'''^'  ^"d  6  E.  of  PeekskiU. 
Hu'  i  ^';o'nP?na  >s  »  small  village  containing  2  churches  and 
about  a  dozen  dwellings.    The  names  of  the  post-offices  are  York- 

llTr  r  ^"*^^^'  !^^  ^^?^  ^^^'  Through'^the  south  part  flows 
the  Croton  river,  where  is  located  the  great  dam  and  reservoir  for 
the  Croton  aqueduct.  [See  p.  336.]  This  river  was  named  after  an 
ancient  sachem,  Croton,  who  resided  on  its  banks  al  the  first  settle- 
ment ot  the  country. 


WYOMING  COUNTY. 

Wyoming  county  was  formed  from  the  southern  portion  of  Gen- 
esee  county  ,n  1841 ;  length  E.  and  W.  25,  breadth  N.  and  S.  18 
miles ;  centrally  distant  from  New  York  325,  and  from  Albany  264 
miles.  The  surface  of  the  county  is  but  gently  undulated,  and  the 
general  character  of  the  soil  is  a  most  sandy  or  gravelly  loam,  well 
adapted  to  the  colture  of  grain  and  grass.    The  Genesee  river  touches 

76 


603 


WYOMING    COUNTY. 


the  southeastern  comer  in  the  town  of  Castile.  Allen's  creek,  so 
named  from  the  infamous  Indian  Allen,  who  committed  many  mur- 
ders on  the  frontier  inhabitants  in  this  region,  rises  in  this  county,  and 
flowing  northeasterly  through  a  portion  of  the  county  of  Genesee 
empties  into  the  Genesee  river  in  the  town  of  Wheatland,  Monroe 
county.  The  Holland  Land  Company,  to  whom  this  country  origin- 
ally belonged,  still  own  some  small  tracts.  It  is  divided  into  13 
towns,  and  has  a  population  of  about  30,000. 

Attica,  taken  from  Sheldon  m  1821 ;  centrally  distant  NW.  from 
"Warsaw,  the  county  seat,  8  miles.  Pop.  2,709.  Attic,  a  post  village 
in  the  northern  part,  contains  2  churches,  a  printing  office,  several 
mills,  stores,  and  about  125  dwellings.  Attica  Centre  is  a  smaller 
village. 

Bennington,  the  NW.  corner  town,  was  taken  from  Sheldon  in 
1818 ;  centrally  distant  NW.  from  Warsaw  14  miles.  Pop.  2,367. 
Bennington  and  Cowlesville  are  small  post  villages. 

Castile,  the  SE.  comer  town,  was  taken  from  Perry  in  1821 ; 
centrally  distant  SE.  from  Warsaw  7  miles.  Pop.  2,828.  Castile 
and  St.  Helena  are  small  villages,  the  latter  of  which  is  on  the 
Genesee  river.    Silver  Lake  is  a  post-office  near  the  Silver  Lake. 

"  The  Gardow  Reservation,  which  lies  partly  in  this  town,  was  a  tract  of  10,000  acres, 
which  the  Seneca  Indians  reserved  in  their  sale  to  Robert  Mortis  in  1797,  conferring  it 
upon  Mary  Jemison,  the  celebrated  "  White  Woman,"  who  resided  upon  it  until  her 
decease,  at  a  very  advanced  age,  in  Sept.  1833.  Mary  Jemison  was  truly  a  remarkable 
woman.  She  was  of  Irish  parents,  and  was  born  at  sea,  on  their  passage  to  America  in 
1742  or  '43.  Her  parents  settled  on  what  was  at  that  time  the  frontier  of  Pennsylvania. 
She  had  an  uncle  in  the  command  of  Washington,  who  fell  at  Braddock's  defeat.  In  the 
spring  of  1755,  Mary,  her  parents,  two  brothers,  and  several  inmates  of  the  house,  were 
made  prisoners  by  a  party  of  half  a  dozen  Seneca  Indians  and  four  Frenchmen.  They 
were  all  hurried  off  into  the  woods,  and  tho  whole  party  murdered,  Mary  alone  excepted. 
She  was  exposed  to  all  the  hardships  and  privations  of  a  prisoner  until  her  arrival  at  a 
Seneca  town,  where  she  was  adr  ,ned  into  an  Indian  family  as  a  daughter,  and  hencefor- 
ward treated  with  kindness, — leading  a  roving  life,  and  for  a  season  meditating  upon  the 
means  of  escape.  These  being  frustrated,  she  at  length  resigned  herself  entirely  to  the 
Indian  life  and  customs.  At  a  proper  age,  she  was  married  to  a  Delaware  Indian,  whom 
she  loved,  and  by  whom  she  had  one  or  more  children.  She  visited  Fort  Pitt  several  times, 
and  occasionally  resided  among  the  Shawnee  Indians. 

"  Her  husband  died,  and  she  afterward  married  a  Seneca  chief,  living  in  the  Genesee 
valley,  at  about  the  beginning  of  the  revolution.  Her  Seneca  husband  was  a  man  of  blood, 
but  kind  and  affectionate  to  her.  She  retained  her  family  name,  Jemison,  and  also  the 
English  language,  which  she  spoke  fluently  until  tlie  day  of  her  death.  But  although  she 
had  been  religiously  instructed  by  her  parents,  she  embraced  tho  religion  of  the  Indions, 
and  became  thorougiily  Indianized — odopting  and  becoming  enamored  of  all  their  manners, 
habits,  and  customs,  throughout.  Her  life  was  full  of  incident  and  wild  adventure.  The 
Indians  ever  entertained  an  exalted  esteem  for  her,  as  wos  evinced  by  tho  grant  of  the 
Oardow  tract — embracing  a  rich  section,  both  of  intervale  and  upland,  upon  which  she 
re8i''jd  until  within  a  few  years  before  her  death,  which  took  place  at  the  Buffalo  Creek 
Reservation.  [See  BufTaio.J  In  obtaining  this  grant  or  reservation,  moreover,  she  showed 
all  the  cunning  of  her  adopted  people.  Mr.  Thomas  Morris,  who  conducted  the  treaty  for 
his  father,  Ims  told  mo  that  when  a  request  was  made  to  him  for  a  reservation  for  tho 
"  White  Woman,"  he  supposed  that  they  meant  only  a  form  of  some  200  or  300  acres,  but 
that  the  woman  herself  by  artfully  indicating  certain  bounds,  with  which  he  was  not  exactly 
familiar,  actually  oveneached  him  and  obtained  the  large  tract  already  mentioned ;  incluX 
ing  the  whole  of  the  Gardow  Flats,  and  the  romantic  walls  of  rock  and  hill  within  which 
they  are  sequestered. 

"  During  the  revolution,  her  house  was  often  the  qiiorters  of  Brant  and  Col.  John  Butler, 
wh?.R  making  th?!i  inroads  tipoii  the  fiontiefa  of  ihe  colonies.     She  aitcndcd  the  treaty  of 


*,'«!»■«;-.'- -UiSaSi'';.'  • 


WYOMING   COUNTY. 


608 


WoTn  S,"^; S'''wS7jS"^'%'"  '''' •'  !"«» »•" "f".  -''«"  down  in  wridng.  from 
Indian  c(«mme  even  ZrilT''''"S°"''  "l^^"'""-  S^e  would  not  throw  off  her 
bu^^dhe?^  rLr  Ind£  r  «1„™  WulaUon  had  completely  surrounded  her  reaidence, 
only  in  laU.  but  in  hi  .nHT^iT""'  »Jt T°*"  '*'"*"y  **»  ">«  '"'•  She  wa.  rich,  no 
JZ  was  "Seated  a  EicS  »^H  hf"*^  'i'"*  '*"'"'*  "'*"  ^'"■''^'*  ''^''•"«^''-  One  of  her 
few  yean  aVo  ™  .hi^ii?  ??"•  ■"*•  "*'""".'"'  »  »"rgeon'8  commiasion  in  the  navy-dyinjr  « 

£]^^^ Jr^lJ^  &^  l^-n^  IS^tJa?! 

Chfna  ?s  n  noT '1^°''  '''"'§^'  *^«nt«ining  about  60  dwellings.     Eas 
CnZ     P^«*-«ffi«?' around  which  there  is  a  settlement. 

PerrvirmT     Itfl^-?°"^"'  '°^"' ^^^  ^^'^^'^  fr^*""  L«  Roy  and 
div7Jni  nf  f^!;         '""'^'  T""^,  '■^*^"*=*''*  '"^  184J'  at  the  time  bf  the 

CovinSn  and  r  'V'""^'''"^  '^^'^^'?^  ^'"^"^  ^'^''^^^  ^E.  10  miles, 
^.ovmgton  and  La  Grange  are  small  post  villages. 

in  isfr.'l^l';?  was  originally  named  Hebe,  and  taken  from  Warsaw 
in  1814  ;  cen  rally  distan^  0  miles.    Pop.  2,367.    Gainesville  Centre 
East  Gamesville,  and  Gainesville,  are  small  post  villages. 
Wars''aw'^?n!M    '^  5"«'"„^^hina  in  1832;  centrally  distant  SW.  of 
uTeTm^'l^osT^ger''^'^-   '^^^'•^^^'^^^^^^^^^ 

N^f^wZ^lT'  taken  from  Warsaw  in  1812;  centrally  distant 
W.  ot  Warsaw  6  miles.    Pop.  2,447.    Wyoming,  post  village,  near 

nnd  rf "  ^iT ^"'^  ""  n^"^"'^  '^'^^^^ '«  14  mites  SE.  of  SatavTa! 
dlllincf ",'  ^  ^'P'rf'  ^  P'-'^^byterian,  and  1  Methodist  church,  61 
dwelhngs,  3  mercantile  stores,  and  about  450  inhabitants.    The  Mid- 

burv  a'noTt  oT  "  •  ^""«hing  institution  in  this  place.  Middle- 
bury,  a  post-office,  is  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town. 

(jRANOEviLLE  was  taken  from  Attica  in  1816 ;  centrally  distant  W. 
from  Warsaw  6  miles.  Pop.  1,949.  Orangeville.  East  Sg^viUe 
and  Johnsonburgh,  are  small  post  villages.  ^ 

The  following  is  a  view  in  the  central  portion  of  Perry  village  incor- 

Klf'"  '"'!!'  '"k1  ^'^"^^^^  ^^°"^  ^  "'•'^^  E.  of  W^rsaw^  'h  is  a 
place  of  considerable  mercantile  and  manufacturing  business,  and 
Snit  .f  an  academy,  3  churches,  and  about  150  Lildings.  It  is 
waterl^l'^-  T'l*^^  ?'^"^..'^''^'  ^'''^^  is  a  beautiful  sheet  of 
^P^  iTlu  'a  ^T^'  ''"'*  ]^^"  '^•'^'^^^  ^'th  fish.  The  outlet  fur- 
Pprrv  r^f  ?  hydraulic  power  for  the  mills  and  factories  in  this  vicinity. 

a'^o"[2''Sto\rttr""'  ''^"«'  --Po-ted.    It  is  situate'd 

W?;i?w  w"^??  ^^M^"  '"T  ^^^^'^'^  ^"  *^<^«5  c^nt'-aUy  distant  from 
and  vri     .""''''•    ^?P-  2.366.    Sheldon  Centre.'strykersville, 

of  a  p^st  off!         ^'^  ^"'^  """'*«"•    ^°'"*''  '^''*'''*'"  "  *^*  """« 


IP^ 


/ 


604 


YATEB    COUNTY. 


% 


South  view  in  Perry  village. 


Warsaw  was  formed  from  Batavia  in  1808 ;  from  Albany  W.  24S 
miles.  Pop.  2,852.  The  village  of  Warsaw  is  situated  22  miles  S. 
from  Batavia,  at  the  head  of  "  Allen's  Creek  Valley/'  and  on  Allen's 
creek,  nearly  equidistant  from  Rochester,  Canandaigua,  Buffalo,  and 
Olean.  By  the  act  of  the  commissioners  appointed  by  the  legislature, 
the  courthouse,  clerk's  office,  and  jail  of  Wyoming  county  were  located 
at  this  place,  July  10,  1841.  There  are  here  1  Presbyterian,  1  Bap- 
tist, 1  Methodist,  and  1  Congregational  church,  100  dwellings,  1 
printing  office,  1  tannerjr,  6  mercantile  stores,  26  mechanical  shops, 
2  iron  toundries,  2  cardmg  works,  1  woollen  factory,!  grist-mill,  and 
about  800  inhabitants.  The  town  was  settled  in  1801,  principally  by 
emigrants  from  New  England ;  and  its  present  inhabitants  are  noted  for 
their  morality  and  fondness  for  literature.  The  oldest  church  erect- 
ed in  the  state  west  of  the  Genesee  river,  is  yet  standing  in  the  centre 
of  the  village  of  Warsaw.  South  Warsaw  is  a  small  village  in  the 
south  part  of  the  town. 

Wethersfield  was  taken  from  Orangeville  in  1823;  centrally 
diatant  SW.  from  Warsaw  8  miles.  Pop.  1,731.  Hermitage,  Weth- 
ers field,  and  Wethersfield  Springs,  are  small  post  villages.  North 
Wethersfield  is  the  name  of  a  post-office. 


YATES  COUNTY. 

Yates  county  was  taken  from  Ontario  in  1828 ;  centrally  distant 
from  New  York  via  Albany  380,  and  from  Albany  185  miles ;  great- 
est length  E.  and  W.  24,  greatest  breadth  N.  and  S.  20  miles.  The 
surface  of  this  county  is  agreeably  diversified  ;  the  northern  part  is 
gently  undulating,  and  the  southern  hilly.    The  soil  is  in  many  pla- 


Wjs'sn^ 


■.■*^'^>.M^i.mim»u^ 


YATEa   COUNTY. 


605 


llVS.'f^^''  warm  rich  mould,  yielding  abundant  crops,  though 
as  a  whole  it  is  more  of  a  grazing  than  a  grain  country  The  T 
mate  is  temperate,  and  for  tlfe  cultivation  oArui"  is  nS  exceeded  by 
Zir°"  f-^^ ?"'"•  '*  ""^^  wholly  in  the  tract  ceded  to  nla^ 
chusetts,  and  in  that  portion  of  it  which  passed  through  McTsrs 
Gorham,  Phelps,  and  Robert  Morris  to  Sir  William  Pultenev  It  fs 
divided  into  eight  towns.    Pop.  80,442  ""a™  i  uueney.    it  ig 

Penn  Yrs°''n**J;?  ^'w  ^^>"?^  '"  ^^^S;  centrally. distant  from 
.^  a^poTt^^ffi^e"  Pop%X"""  ''  '  ^"^"  ^^^  ^•"«««-  «^^""«^- 
Benton,  taken  from  Jerusalem  in  1803.  Pop.  3.911  Drpsd^n 
on  the  Seneca  Lake,  7  miles  E.  of  Penn  Yan,  £nfor8  mUes  NE  ' 
and  Benton  Centre  4  miles  N.,  are  villages  containing  from  40  to  60 
dwellings  each.  Hooeton  is  a  small  settlement  nerVresden 
vin  Sw'fr  ^"^  T^H?^  0"*»"°  '^^""ty  in  1815,  from  Penn 


«0M</*  uieu)  of  the  Jemima  Wilkinson  house. 


Jerusalem,  organized  by  general  sessions  of  Ontario  county :  area 
since  altered.  Pop  2,934.  Branchport,  7  miles  SW.  of  Penn  Yan! 
and  Yatesvilie,  partly  m  the  town  of  Potter,  are  small  villages.  Jerusa- 
frtb.ir  ;  "l"'  T'f'""^  •''.^""**^''-  ^'"«'  I'^int  is  a  place  notable 
rrnoinrr^i     !•  ^  "/  u'  F^'^'^T'  '''  embraced  by  the  arms  of  the 

fh.  ?o  i    ^^    '  ^T  !^'  *!!«'!  '-"''^  ^'^"'"^  '^"'•*«««'  '^n'i  l«r  having  been 

the  residence  and  death-place  of  Jemima  Wilkinson,  scll^stylfd  the 

Universal  I-  nend,"  and  founder  of  a  roligious  soct. 

Ihe  above  is  a  view  of  the  Jemima  Wilkinson  house,  situated  at 

what  IS  generally  called  the  Friends  settlement.    It  is  u  large  and  com- 

r';lmnnnt"i-TT,.'""^  "  Still  occupicd  by  a  fcw  pcrsSns,  the  solc 
remnant  ot  her  followers.  The  dwelling  is  occasionally  visited  by 
8  rangers ;  though  there  is  not  any  thing  of  interest  excepting  a  por- 
tiait  of  the  "Universal  Friend,"  which  is  said  to  be  a  faithful  repre- 
sen  ation,  and  exhibits  a  countenance,  intellectual,  uncommonly  beau- 
a.ui,  ariu  appaic-ntiy  beaming  with  benevolence.    The  followers  of 


•  tl 


606 


VATEfl   COUNTY. 


Jemima  Wilkinson  first  settled  about  the  year  1790  at  Milo,  in  this 
county,  near  the  Seneca  Lake,  and  subsequently  removed  to  this 
place.  Their  settlement  at  Milo  was  at  that  time  the  largest  in  the 
whole  Genesee  country,  numbering  about  forty  families.  A  highly 
intelligent  gentleman,  who  visited  them  many  years  since,  in  the  sea- 
son ot  their  greatest  prosperity,  describes  them  as  being  distinguished 
for  their  frugality,  honesty,  and  industry,  living  retired  from  the 
world,  and  devoting  much  of  their  time  to  religious  exercises.  The 
"  Universal  Friend  he  represented  as  having  been  beautiful  and  dig- 
nified in  her  person,  but  illiterate  in  her  conversation,  and  so  ignorant 
of  worldly  concerns  as  scarcely  to  be  enabled  to  understand  a  com- 
mon newspaper.  Her  memory,  however,  was  retentive,  and  her 
knowledge  of  the  Bible  truly  wonderful.  Many  of  the  extravagan- 
ces of  which  she  is  said  to  have  been  guilty,  may  be  attributed  to  the 
high-wrought  enthusiasm  so  often  seen  among  religionists  of  her 
stamp  at  the  present  day. 

"  Jemima  Wilkinson,  or  the  '  Univfirsnl  Friend,'  was  born  in  Cumberland,  Rhode  Island, 
about  the  year  1753.  She  waa  educated  among  the  Friends.  Recovering  from  an  apparent 
suspension  uf  life  which  she  experienced  when  about  twenty-three  years  of  age,  during  a 
lit  of  sickness,  she  gave  out  that  she  had  been  raised  from  the  dead,  and  claimed  to  be  in- 
vested with  divine  attributes  and  authority  to  instruct  mankind  in  religion.  It  is  also  said, 
she  pretended  to  foretell  future  events,  to  discern  the  secrets  of  the  heart,  and  to  have  the 
pOfVer  of  healing  diseases ;  and  if  any  person  who  made  application  to  her  was  not  healed, 
she  attributed  it  to  a  want  oi  faith.  She  asserted  that  those  who  refused  to  bcUeve  these 
exalted  things  concerning  her,  will  be  in  the  state  of  the  unbelieving  Jews,  who  rejected 
the  counsel  of  God  against  themselves ;  and  she  told  her  hearers  that  that  was  the  eleventh 
lu>ur,  and  the  last  call  of  mercy  that  ever  should  be  granted  to  them ;  for  she  heard  an  in- 
"  fy  in  Heaven  saying,  *  Who  will  go  and  preach  to  a  dying  world  V  and  she  said  she  an- ' 

ind, '  Here  am  I — send  me  ;'  and  that  she  left  the  realms  of  light  and  glory  and  the 
company^  of  the  heavenly  hosts,  who  arc  continually  praising  and  worshipping  God,  in  or- 
der to  descend  upon  earth,  and  pass  through  many  sufferings  and  trials  for  the  happiness 
of  mankind.  She  professed  to  be  able  to  work  miracles,  and  offered  to  demonstrate  it  by 
walking  on  the  water  in  imitation  of  our  Saviour ;  accordingly  a  frame  was  constructed  for 
the  purpose  on  Uie  banks  of  the  Seneca  Lake,  at  Rapelyca's  ferry,  10  miles  south  of  Dres- 
den. At  the  appointed  time,  having  approached  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  the  lake 
shore,  she  alighted  from  an  elegant  carriage,  and  the  road  being  strewed  by  her  followers 
with  white  handkerchiefs.  She  walked  to  the  platform,  and  having  announced  her  inten- 
tion of  walking  across  the  lake  on  the  water,  she  stepped  ankle  deep  into  the  clear  element, 
when  suddenly  pausing  she  addressed  the  multitude,  inquiring  whether  or  not  they  had 
faith  that  she  could  pass  over,  for  if  otherwise  she  could  not ;  and  on  receiving  an  affirm- 
ative answer  returned  to  her  carriage,  declaring  as  they  believed  in  her  power  it  was  un- 
necessary to  display  it.     She  died  in  1819." 

The  following  description  of  Jemima's  personal  appearance  is  from 
the  Freeman's  Journal,  published  at  Philadelphia,  in  1787  : — 

"  There  arc  now  in  this  city  a  number  of  the  disciples  of  a  certain  JEMIMA  WILKIN- 
SON, a  native  Rhode  Island,  a  person  who  professes  that  '  she  is  Christ  come  again  in  the 
flesh  a  second  time  without  sin  unto  salvation ;'  though  it  should  be  noticed  that  her  follow- 
ers do  not  admit  she  is  a  woman,  as  a  female  Messiah  appears  an  incongruity,  and  they 
therefore  of  consequence  deny  her  name,  and  appear  to  resent  it  aa  on  affront  when  she 
is  called  Jemima  Wilkinson,  and  declare  in  the  most  solemn  manner  they  know  no  such 
person.  Some  of  the  society  when  asked  to  explain  themselves,  do  it  in  the  following 
manner,  *  that  the  names  of  persons  most  properly  belong  to  the  soul ;  but  when  a  person 
dies  and  the  soul  leaves  the  {>ody,  the  body  can  no  more  be  colled  by  its  former  name. 
Now  some  years  ago,  there  was  a  person  called  Jemima  Wilkinson,  but  she  died  and  her 
Boul  went  to  heaven ;  after  which  the  Divine  Spirit  re-animated  that  same  body,  and  it  arose 
from  the  dead  i  now  this  Divine  inhabitant  is  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord,  the  friend  of  all  man- 
kind, and  gives  tlic  name  to  ttic  body  to  which  he  is  united,  and  therefore  body  and  spirit 


'mm,,  .^ 


YATE8   COUNTY. 


607 


(See  chap.  ,i.  from  the  M  to  theTsth  ve^e  \  THp  i/?''"  "l^J^^'"/'  *"  ""e  Revelations, 
pears  to  be  about  30  years  of  a«c  of  the  m^HHU  U",ve«al  Fnend,  as  she  is  styled,  ap. 
rather  awkward  in  her  cnrnW  hVr  nn^n?  •  '"^«' »(.*»«"«".  "<"  genteel  in  pe«on,  and 
liant.  her  hair  blacfc^^d  S '  fn  beSlTl'L"'''  ^'' ^''^  ^^T^  """^  remarkably' bril- 
hires  regular,  and  her  facr?Kh?bv  „"„„  ?„  f^  T".*"*!:  """^/"'^  shoulders,  her  fea. 
supposed  to  be  of  either  seirs^  this  nSiv  ^  P^^^P^'y  j^.'"^"!.  As  she  is  not  to  be 
she  wean  no  cap.  lettineheJ  hiir  h!„?H         '^  '"  J^^n'^f'^d  '"  her  external  appearance  ; 

shift  sleeves  are  brought  down  to  her  hS  Til  ''T""  """'"•'  •""^  "<«'•'.  «nd  her 
outside  garment  is  aT<«e  robe  iLt  rp  J^^Tm  '  ""^  •"""""^'^  "^  ^  '=""""<">  '^i'''  «"«"•  Her 
men  commonly  weL;  Zder  th  s  i  T^^aV  "  """-"'"S-e^^n.-^uch  as  both  men  and  wo. 
them  conveys  L  sam'eSashe  external  Z^lZf  "  f'^  l'"^''""'^^'  »"''  *"  <'°™  "^ 
man.  Her  m,derstnnding  is  not  deficknt  exeunt  /n^r.h"  °i^^'  r""*^  "5"''"'' "">"  ««"  ^»- 
vonr  illi.erate  j  yet  her  mLonr  s  ver^ Zat^^S^^^^^  i?«,,f  ,?^  ^"  ''''^'""''  «"«"i<="«'.  She  i. 
which  fall  out  among  her  discip  es  2^lin  Ltint.l  ^  '.•  ^'^''T'^^^emmy  circumstances 
can  be  hid  from  herf  On  KasZs  sh^r^ZI  !!!  '"'"'"*  *"'  "^  "''«  « '''^'''«.  ""'Wng 
can  be  bestowed  upon  her.  having  H«lere^a?d?„  t '""''  «f  "•""^'Jinary  attendance  th^ 
she  happens  to  be;  and  one  orTodlol-L  n  ."«' """^en'ence  of  families  wherever 
service.  Her  voiie  is  mLcul  ^  -nTl  '"'' """?''  ^^  """^  P'^''''''^"'  «h«  moat  menial 
illiterate  of  .he  cTu„t  y  ^e  of' Net  EnXd""  hT  '"  ^  "^H"'  1.'"'^''''  "^  '»"'  ">'«' 
nection,  and  is  frequentirvery  lonX  stand  n„„",  ,•  f  «''»«»'ing  has  but  very  little  coq, 
and  languid,  at  oUiers  i   U  saTd  she  is  hCTv  »nf  2'  f°j;««ve;«  hours.  Sometimes  coS 

which  give  reason  to  suro^e  sh/mnv  ri^.i.t  '"'u''^?  ^'""  *""''  "^  ^««l  ""d  animation 
vine.  She  is  comm^  re^rved  t^tUS  T^^T"^  '''"f  *",  ''^  »  P^™""  *"'  «  «>i- 
.  them  a  great  respect  for^errand  i^  she  fs  verv  ai.Pn'^  grows  familiar  as  she  discove«  in 
her,  she  soon  discovers  such  ^are  affectLd  bv  h^r  .^^T  ''  "'^  "J'^POoWon  of  those  about 
stranger  is  usually  in  a  grum^mrcute  '^lErteot""^^^^^^^^^^  '» 

tonance  and  niercine  eves  •  and  rh<>.a  ™  J«  .i,„  -<r  !  r T  y^'ce,  with  expressive  coun. 
strikes  the  behS  wira'preflnd  awe  anH  f'-''  °^  ^V  'P'""""  P""**"  Yet  she  often 
her,  which  aheis  artfd  to  tave  so  as'to  rniie  ^T^  ""  *""'"'"^  '=*'"^''"«<'  ''«fo«» 
when  she  discovers  any  one  Jroperirprepared  1^^  w."!?  "JT  T'""'""  '"'"■ '«''!  ""d 
to  tiiem  relating  to  her  own  fma^ned  diWnhy.'^  "^'  '''°  """""^  P"*"  "'""''  '>"""««^ 

MiDDLK8Exwas  Organized  in  1789  as  part  of  Ontario  county  bv 
the  name  of  Augusta;  from  Penn  Yan  centrally  distant  nW'  12 
mi^s.    Pop.  1  439     Middlesex  is  the  name  of  a  posToffice 

Pod  3  98TVSk  -^  '^'"'""  '"  ^5^^'.  ^'"""^  Albany  W.  189  miles, 
rop.  3,985.  The  thriving  mcorporated  vi  age  of  Penn  Van  the  conntv 
jeat  which  IS  principally  built  o^astreet  abo^at  a  mileb  length,  is  S 
ted  at  the  northern  termination  of  the  eastern  arm  of  the  Crooked 
Lake.  It  was  founded  by  Mr.  Abraham  Waggener,  and  derives  its 
name  from  the  circumstance  that  its  early  settlers  w;re  PennsW  W 
ans  and  Yankees,  in  nearly  equal  numbers.  The  annexfdv"ew  was 
Thf/TK^^ir '"'""?  ^^°"*  ^  *hird  of  a  mile  east  of  the  vl^laTe 
The  hrst  building  with  a  steeple  on  the  right  is  the  Presbytemn 
church,  the  one  next  on  the  left  with  a  cupola,  the  courKse  and 

or  KpIT^^""'''^'  \^^?^P*'^^  ^"^^  Metho^dist'churcSes.     Crooked 
or  Keuka  Lake  is  partially  seen  in  the  distance.     The  other  public 

on  a'S^at  S"'^'  T  '?  ^r'T^  '^^''^''  -  academy  a^Jri! 
on,  a  bank,  and  the  county  clerk^s  offfce.     The  place  is  .m.«  of  much 

busmess,  and  has  many  mercantile  stores  and  about  aoo  dwellings. 


villages* 
Potter  was  taken  from  Middlesex  in 


1832.     P«p.  2,345.     Rush- 


viile  is  a  thriving  village  of  60  or  80  dwellings"in  the  north  portion  of 


k 


I 


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►#■■ 


^ 


YATES   COUNTY. 


Northeastern  view  of  Penn  Yan. 

the  town,  partly  in  Gorham  of  Ontario  county,  and  lies  10  miles  SWl 
of  Canandaigua.  Yatesville  is  a  small  village  near  the  southeastern 
comer,  and  parth^  in  Jerusalem.  Potter  and  North  Middlesex  are 
names  of  post-offices. 

Sta»key,  the  southeastern  corner  town  of  the  county,  was  taken 
from  Reading  of  Steuben  county  in  1824.  Pop.  2,426.  Starkey, 
including  Eddyrille  14  miles  SE.  of  Penn  Yan,  are  settlements  scat- 
tered along  the  road  for  about  two  miles,  and  containing  about  60  or 
70  dwellings.  Dundee,  late  Harpendings  Comers,  is  a  thriving  vil- 
lage, 14  miles  S.  of  Penn  Yan,  containing  4  churches  and  about 
80  dwellings.  Big  Stream  and  Rock  Stream  are  names  of  post- 
offices  in  the  south  part,  the  former  of  which  is  on  Seneca  Lake. 
The  falls  of  the  Big  Stream  in  this  town  are  one  hundred  and  forty 
feet  perpendicular.  This  cataract  is  situated  at  the  foot  of  a  rapid 
half  a  mile  in  length,  whence  the  stream  comes  dashing  over  craggy 
rocks  of  slate,  and  leaps  into  a  basin  eight  or  ten  rods  in  diameter, 
separated  from  the  lake  by  a  channel  some  eighty  rods  in  length. 


!• 


THE  END. 


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